Core Business of Jesus’ Church

Core Business of Jesus’ Church; as simple as ABC

The core business of Jesus’ church can be summarised as A,B,C.
A. Admit people to the Kingdom of God
B. Belong to a small discipleship group
C. Commission people to serve

This week we focus on what the Bible says about “C”. It seems that every member of Jesus’ church is called, commissioned and empowered to serve God in his mission of love to the world. Every one of us has a role to play.

4 “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12

Some people think that you “go to” church. The reality is that you belong in church. “Go to” implies that you visit something- you just ‘drop in’ on ‘them’ from time to time. But Paul reveals in Romans that you are the church and we all belong to one another. You can’t ever “go to” church because the church is you.

And the church has been invited to join Jesus in his mission.

Yes Jesus is still at work and is still changing lives, forgiving sins, and welcoming people into his Father’s Kingdom. You don’t have a mission; Jesus does! And you get to serve alongside him.
“But,” you may ask, “How do I know where to serve in Jesus’ work? Jesus works among the poor and the rich, nearby and far away, amongst prisoners and free people, etc. I don’t know what my gifts are or where I fit?!”

I have heard these beliefs hundreds of times over the years. We often ignore what the Bible says and look at things backwards. We often say, “Here is what I am good at, so this is what God is calling me to.” This ensures we stay in our comfort zone.

In fact it works the other way around. What God is looking for is faith.

We need to have an active relationship with God and practise listening for his voice leading us and guiding us. We need to be saying this;
“You are my Lord. You are in charge of my life. I make myself freely available to you. I set aside all my preferences and agendas. Put me to work where you want me. I’ll fit in with you. Speak, Lord, I am listening.”

This is a scary prayer to pray because we all know that God pushes us outside of our comfort zones so that we have to rely on him to provide the abilities and gifts necessary to the task.
Sometimes it has taken me months of praying this prayer before I really mean it! But it is what happens next that is fantastic!

You get to see God at work in your life building you up to the service he has assigned you, and you get to see people’s lives changed by God and you have a part in it!
Working for God is exhilarating, scary, faith-filled, unexpwcted, surprising in its ‘smallness’ from a worldly point of view (eg singing in a nursing home) and deeply, deeply satisfying.
And everyone in the church community ‘gets to play!’ No-one is left our unless you make yourself a spectator or claim you are too busy (Perhaps when the kids have left home, or Perhaps when I am retired).

To become a fully formed Christian (as Jesus wants us to develop into) you and I need to have each of ABC happening to us.
A. Admit people to the Kingdom of God
B. Belong to a small discipleship group
C. Commission people to serve
Jesus has served you well. May return the favour with fervour!