Topic: Why Does the Church Need Me? [RICK WARREN Devotional 24 March 2021]
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Why Does the Church Need Me?
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)One reason why you need to be connected to a church family is to fulfill your calling to serve other believers in practical ways. The Bible says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT).
Your service is desperately needed in the body of Christ—just ask any local church! Each of us has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.
Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible, while others are behind the scenes—but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference.
In my home, the most important light is not the large chandelier in our dining room but the little night-light that keeps me from stubbing my toe when I get up in the dark. There is no correlation between size and significance. Every ministry matters because we are all dependent on each other to function.
What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”
What would happen? Your body would die. When Christians sit on the sidelines as spectators, instead of serving others, the church—the Body of Christ—suffers.
God calls you—as part of Christ’s body—to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. He created you for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God.
- Think of a time you needed to take a “break” from ministry. Why did you feel this way? How long did it last? What were the effects?
- What gifts are you using to serve in your church? How are your gifts important to your church? If you haven’t been serving in your church, what gifts might God want you to start using?
- In what ways can you show appreciation for the ministries—large and small—and ministers in your church?