Eph. 4:11-12
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
As a nurse I have watched the bodies God gave us repair themselves and cope with incredible things! From the way our bodies are programmed to react to pain and thereby prevent further injury, to the way a deep wound can call blood cells from all over the body to help rebuild, the body is designed to protect and help itself.
It’s a fitting analogy for the church- many people with all different personalities, gifts, opportunities, level of available energy and time to give, working together to build each other up. With the assistance of pastors and teachers and others who train and equip us, we grow strong together. One of the great and precious gifts God gives us is the church together, serving one another, sharing how they trust Jesus in the ups and downs and dry patches of following the footsteps of Jesus. And to this church community, God sends people trained, gifted to teach God’s word to us – not so we can leave all the speaking of God’s word to them, but so each of us can speak about God to one another and build ourselves up as a whole.
Christ’s physical body that died and rose again for us is seated in heaven right now; the church that is also his body is here on earth to show the same love and care to the people whom God places in our paths. Together the parts of our bodies help take care of themselves; together we continue the work Jesus began, by his power, being his hands and feet and body on earth.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank-you for the church- not full of perfect people but full of people loved and redeemed by a perfect saviour. Please help us to love one another and build each other up, so that we can love the hurting world around us that needs you.
Thank-you for the pastors, teachers, elders, staff, leaders and all those who you’ve given Living Church to help teach and equip us to be your body. Please guard and guide them as they serve us.
In Jesus’ name we boldly pray,
Amen.
A song to listen to: Look What God Has Done
Danae Woodward
Living Church – Carina