Commit to the Commission: God Gifts Us – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 4:12-16

Key Verse:  Ephesians 4:11

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers

The New Testament is very clear about how God wanted to govern His church.  The needs of His present day church are to be administered to by those who have been gifted by God Himself.  1 Corinthians 12:7 lets us know that each one of us—God’s children—are given a gift to offer.  There are many different gift areas but all of them contribute to the building of God’s kingdom.

We are talking about each of us committing to the commission.  The commission is to reach and teach the world before they are lost, without Christ, to eternity.  The evangelist, one gifted in the area of reaching out to people, can and will do this because it is built into his or her DNA.  Those who have different gifts will do their part in the process of discipleship.  Every believer is concerned—carries a burden for people who are far from God.  How we approach the task of reaching out to them will be based on the gifts that God has put within us.

Historically the church has struggled to keep unity in this area.  The Apostle Paul reminded the first generation Christians that one part of the body of Christ is no more or less important than another part.  Our humanness sometimes can infer that everyone ought to have the same passion, because that is what we feel!  The church operated best with a diversity of gifts working together!

Father, thank you for giving me a unique gift to offer back to you to build your church.  I will honor others who offer their unique gifts to you as well.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.