Paul’s Instructions
Today I want to look at the church as Paul instructed it to be. You see it is easy to get caught up trying to grow a large church when it is reality we should be growing a strong church. A church that is lined up with the plan of God as He intended it to be. This is what I want Turning Point to be. And if we are successful raising up a church like this then we will be successful growing a large church as well. The size should be the result of the strength of the church.
This week I have done a lot of praying for the church, the vision, for each of you and the future. Seeking the wisdom from God that I need as pastor and shepherd of the church. I have went out with some others this week to violent prayer. Where we have prayed for the church and God’s vision for us. I have spent time meditating on the voice of God for us. As I was praying this week I was reminded that I am not the first to pray for Turning Point and for you individually.
Right before Jesus was taken into custody in the garden, He prayed this prayer
19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
John 17:19-21
It was the will of Jesus Christ that everyone who would believe in Him even beyond the disciples that they would be unified in their belief and in their journey. That together we could strengthen one another, that our strengths could be a benefit to others. That in our moment of need we would find encouragement from others. That we could feel safe with one another and together be making our lives count for something of lasting value. Think about this scripture… Jesus is getting ready to face this terrible moment of sacrifice and you were on his heart as He prayed to God.
So we know from this that it is the Will of God for us as a church to be united, to be strong, and to be there for one another. That we know that God will help us to build strong families. Now please understand… in order to be this kind of church we need each of you to do your part. So are you willing? Willing to do your part? Let’s look at Paul’s instruction on this very topic.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:6-21
First in this we see that whatever our gift is, we are to use it to its fullest for the good of others. So what you need to do is look and see your gifting. Are you an encourager? Then encourage. Are you a helper? Then help. Do you like to send cards and letters? Then do so. Do you like to give to people… then be a giver. Do you like to sing, do you like kids, do you like office work or anything else that you are gifted at doing…. Whatever it is use that gift for the church, for one another.
Verse 9 says we are not to pretend to love them, but really love them. In other words, let’s not just say we are family or that we care for one another but let’s really love each other, really care for them. Think about what you would do for your brother or sister or mother or father. Think about how far you would go for them… we need to have that same resolute love and commitment to one another. Not just strangers that come to the same church, but a group of believers that see the real importance of being there for one another. A group of people who become family and we live our lives to bring glory to God.
Verse 11 says to never be lazy, but to work diligently and serve the Lord enthusiastically. To be faithful to serve in the church as it has needs. Using your talent and gifts for the Kingdom. This is what God wants us from each of us. Do not allow life to be so busy that you do not have the time or energy to give towards the church.
I think verse 12 is such a key verse to hold on to in life. To remain confident in what God has declared about us and to know that He is bigger than any situation that can come against us in life. To be confident and to be patient in trouble always praying. So many times I have seen those who are faced with a challenge and they do not pray about it, they just react to it. Listen to me on this… things you encounter in life do not need a reaction they need a proper response and this comes from being confident, being patient and bathing it in prayer. So from now on… Smile… Wait… Pray…. Do not make a temporary situation into a permanent problem.
Verse 13 says that when God’s people are in need be ready to help them, always be eager to practice hospitality. In other words if you hear of someone in the church that needs some help… be not only willing but eager to help them. You see someone who gets injured then offer to mow their yard, go buy their groceries or some other help. Offer to watch someone kids so that they can have a night off without having to pay for a babysitter that perhaps they couldn’t afford. ***Let me clarify something here. If you offer something or volunteer something for free to someone… do it as though they were paying you. Do it quickly, do it well and do not make them regret accepting your offer. But always be looking to help those out in the church that has a need.
Verse 14 I am going to cover with some upcoming verses when we get to them.
Verse 15 & 16 says to be happy with them when they are happy, be sad with them when they are sad. Live in unity with everyone and do not be too proud to enjoy ordinary people and their company. In other words do not think that you are better than anyone in the church and have the church divided by social standing. We should just be a big family looking out for each other, taking part in their lives and making a difference for the Kingdom of God.
Verses 14, 17-21 How to deal with people when people they do us wrong, with people we might consider our enemy and how to respond to them. Verse 14 deals us not curse those who do us wrong, do not talk bad about them, do not wish them harm, do not do your part to see them suffer… instead you are to pray for God to bless them. This can be hard to do when someone is purposely saying harmful things about you, your family and your character.
Verses 17 & 18 tells us not to repay the bad they do us with something else bad. Do things in such a way that everyone will see you as honorable. In fact according to verse 18 we are to try our best to live in peace with those around us.
Verse 19-21 tells us that we are not to ever take revenge on someone. We are never to try and make them pay. Now that can be real tough at times. Paul tells us that we are to leave this to God and how He wants to deal with it. Now pay attention here. You are not to wish them harm, you are not harm them, you are also not to just ignore them but you are to pray that they will be blessed. In fact you are to take action but not the action you think. If you see them hungry then you are to feed them, if you see them thirsty then give them a drink. If you see that they have a need then meet it. Do what you can to bless them.
Verse 21 tells us that we are not to let evil conquer us but in fact we are to conquer evil… conquer evil by doing good. Now that can prove to be difficult unless you crucify your flesh. You have to live a committed life to God 100%. Can you imagine trying to line your life up with these instructions if you were trying to do this on your own?
Now let’s summarize this…
Use our Gifts
Whatever gifts we have we are to be used to their fullest to bless the church.
Real love, not Pretend
We are not to act like we love those in the church but we are to actually love them… To do for them and with them like you would a brother or sister.
Don’t Be lazy
Don’t be lazy but be serving the church and those in the church with all we have.
Remain Confident, Wait and Pray
Do not be impatient in times of trouble but give it to God in prayer. Do not make a permanent problem out of a temporary situation.
Eager to Serve
Be ready and eager to serve those around you in church. If you see a need then meet it. If someone needs help then help them without them asking for it.
Be Connected & Involved
Be involved in people’s life in the good and the bad. Do not have social standing in the church and think you are too good for anyone in the church. Just one big family.
Conquer Evil with Good
Do not curse those who curse you. Do not wish them harm or do them harm. In fact pray for God to bless them. In fact look for what you can do for them. Live your life in such a way that it is honorable for all to see. Never repay evil with evil and in fact conquer evil with good.
Can you imagine how awesome a church like that would be? Can you see how it would grow without trying? This is possible to see in real life but it takes each of us doing our part. That means being committed to God whole heartedly and then making time for those in the church to see that their needs are met.
