February 19
How Do We Recognize Our Role in the Church?
by Jeremy Ham, AiG–U.S.Then the twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave
the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you
seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business.” (
Today’s big question: how do we recognize our role in the
church?
Every Christian has a role in the church because we are all
part of the body of Christ. Each member helps make up the whole, and if one
member hurts, the whole body shares that pain (1
Corinthians 12:26). We support each other while
serving our risen Savior Jesus Christ—who is the Head of the body—and everyone
has a part to play.
Paul illustrated this truth when he stated, “The whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians
4:16). Jesus does not select just a few members of His body to
fulfill His command to make disciples; Christ uses everyone to accomplish His
purposes.
In today’s passage, the apostles were busy following God’s
calling to study and teach the Word, and they did not have time to serve tables
(i.e., caring for people with physical needs such as food). Rather than doing
this task themselves, they asked the brethren to find some godly Christian men
who could handle it.
Both jobs were important, but the apostles were dedicated to
prayer and the teaching of God’s Word. They recognized the need for everyone to
work together toward the same goal. If the apostles did not delegate the task
of serving tables their particular calling would suffer.
We are all called to various tasks according to our
God-given abilities, passions, and desires. If we try to do too much, we will
be unable to do our best at anything. No matter what role we fill, we are
serving God first and foremost. Everything we do should be done as unto the
Lord (Colossians 3:17). Determining our part in the body
requires acknowledging God in all things, and He will lead us as we follow Him.
Are you doing your best? Could you be doing better in
another role? Prayerfully consider your part in the body of Christ. No matter
if you are a pastor, evangelist, teacher, etc., we all work toward the time
when “we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”
(Ephesians
4:13).
Today’s big idea: all Christians should be involved in the
work of God’s ministry.
What to pray: ask God to help guide you as you consider your
role in the body.
