"To Equip His People..." sermon preview

 As we have entered into a new program year, it seems fitting that we take time to commission those who have accepted the call to serve.  God has given us many gifts and God has called us to use our gifts for God's kingdom purposes both within the church and beyond.  That probably seems pretty obvious to many of us, and yet it seems to me that Ephesians 4:11-16 names this in a slightly different way than we might sometimes think about this.

Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:4-11 & 27-31 all list gifts.  This section of Ephesians 4, however, tells us something a little bit different.  In Ephesians 4 we learn that Christ himself gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  Christ himself established these roles; but more than establishing them, he created them for a purpose.  These roles are for the purpose of equipping his people to fulfill their purpose of serving.  And all of this is for the purpose of building the body of Christ.

Now certainly the gifts that we are given play a role in the calling to and living into these roles.  But it seems to me that it is slightly different to talk about these roles and to consider their purpose than it is to talk about our gifting.  Just because someone is gifted does not mean that he or she is called to a particular role at a particular time.  And just because someone is called to a particular role does not necessarily mean that he or she is particularly gifted for it when they begin.

Moses was not a gifted speaker and yet he was called to a role that included speaking.  While gifting plays a part in fulfilling our roles, there is also an aspect of call and faithfulness that goes beyond our gifting.  There are times in which it is less about God calling the gifted and more about God equipping the called through God's servants and the Holy Spirit.  And often times that call is more to the work of equipping others to do "the work" that it is about doing "the work" itself.

As you consider these equipping roles; reflect on these questions in a time of silence, through journaling or in group dialogue.

1. What are the gifts that God has given you and how has God called you to use those gifts within and beyond the church?

2. What roles have you been called to serve in that you have not felt entirely gifted for?  Did you still accept the call and if so what was that experience like?

3. In what ways are you a part of equipping others to fulfill their purpose of serving?  What does this mean to you?

May Jesus richly bless you in this week ahead, leading you in His kingdom purposes. Amen