How can we apply God's work in us to serve the church today? Understanding the Anchor Verse 1 Corinthians 12:6: “There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all men.” • One God energizes every believer. • The variety of service springs from His single, sovereign source. • Every skill, opportunity, and moment of ministry traces back to His active presence. Seeing the Pattern Across Scripture • Philippians 2:13 reinforces the theme: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” • Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” • Romans 12:4-6 highlights the body metaphor: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” • 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Recognizing the Diversity of His Work • Spiritual gifts: teaching, mercy, administration, hospitality, and more. • Life experiences: workplace skills, parenting insights, artistic talents, academic training. • Seasons of life: youthful energy, mid-life stability, seasoned wisdom. • God weaves every thread into a tapestry of service for the good of the church. Practical Ways to Serve the Church Today 1. Identify God’s workmanship in daily life. • List natural abilities and spiritual gifts. • Note past experiences God has redeemed for ministry. 2. Integrate gift and need. • Supply-drives-demand thinking shifts to God-drives-direction thinking. • Look for ministries that align with how He already equips you. 3. Offer small, consistent acts. • A weekly note of encouragement. • Regular setup or cleanup help. • Faithful giving, even when unnoticed. 4. Embrace teamwork. • Serve alongside believers whose gifts complement yours. • Celebrate differences rather than compete. 5. Stay Spirit-dependent. • Pray for strength, clarity, and humility before each task. • Invite accountability from trusted believers. 6. Keep a kingdom mindset. • View every ministry hour as eternal investment. • Measure success by faithfulness, not applause. Guarding Our Hearts as We Serve • Reject comparison: trust the allocation of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:15-20). • Resist pride: remember the Source of power (James 1:17). • Remain teachable: grow in skill and character (2 Timothy 2:15). • Rest in grace: depend on Christ’s sufficiency when weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). Celebrating the One Who Works in Us • Worship flows naturally when we see His hand in every good work. • Gratitude fuels endurance, turning routine service into joyful sacrifice. • Unity deepens as believers acknowledge that “the same God works all things in all men.” |
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