Serving for Unity - Eph 4:7-16
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Ephesians 4:11-12
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Ephesians 4:11-12
We all have our roles. At home, work, school, and within the community, and these roles are good. Working together accomplishes great things! We've seen this in Scripture - everybody is given different gifts to fulfill different roles within the body (1 Cor. 12:12-28). Us being a family is seen through the various spiritual gifts Christ has given us (v. 7). To some specific people He has given leadership gifts, and their gifts are for a very specific purpose: to equip all believers to serve within the body of Christ so that we all grow and become mature.
This maturity is seen through unity in faith and knowing Jesus, and reaching the "fullness of Christ" (v. 13). Remember Ephesians 3:19, knowing the depths of God's love leads to being filled with the "fullness of God." ALL of our working together, serving one another, and faithfully following the leaders God has set over us, is to bring us to this point: maturity seen through unity and filled with God's love.
Paul tells us what immaturity looks like: infantile, easily deceived and enticed by teachings around us. Where do you look for help? Don't desperately grab at self-help books - grow in unity in faith and knowing God through His word. Work together with your church family and speak the truth in love (v. 15). When we work together, support one another, and contribute how we are able, the body will grow and build itself up in love.
Pray:
Father, Thank You for Your people, for joining us together and giving each of us different gifts. Give me Your love to serve my church family and encourage others to serve as they are able. Help me care for Your people as You do. Amen.
Challenge:
Read Eph. 4:11-16. Honestly examine your heart and consider, are you mature or immature? Do you know how God has gifted you? If not, ask your leaders to give you a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. If so, are you serving in your church faithfully according to your gifts? Are you encouraging others to do so? CLIMB DAY 8
Our team awakes, looking upon the face of the Barranco Wall. Today will be the most technically challenging portion of their victory over Kili. Narrow pathways and a host of climbers with their guides and porters is the least of their worries. This hike is described more as "scrambling" up the path, using hands to help grasp and propel forward. Our hikers will have to weave around rocks and be very careful to keep their balance. But what a sense of accomplishment and victory they will each feel as they climb the final steep steps of the wall. And they will be rewarded with a priceless view of Kili and Mount Meru, some 70 miles away.
After conquering the wall, our empowered team will trek across a sea of marbled ice and rock along the south face of Kili. This trek passes them below Heim Glacier, a great setting for beautiful pictures. As they continue, they carefully descend a steep slope, entering the alpine desert of Karanga Valley. This area holds its own beauty, including some overhanging ice formations, but there is not much of an opportunity to stop and enjoy. Just as they endured a steep ascent, there is soon an equally steep descent to arrive at camp. Yes, they have accomplished a lot in this short 2.2 mile day.
In some ways, this day will seem easier despite the difficult climb that began the day. Somewhere around day 2 or 3, our climbers realized that getting to the top of Kili will take more mental strength and fortitude than physical ability. The hikes go on forever (seemingly) with many breaks and rests and the peak doesn't appear much closer. Conquering today's wall, our hikers will be encouraged that they can really finish and defeat this mountain.
Pray for the minds and hearts of each climber to be strengthened and filled with determination and perseverance to complete what God has called them to. Pray for the climb up Barranco wall, for safety and careful vigilance. Continue to pray for the teams acclimatization.
This maturity is seen through unity in faith and knowing Jesus, and reaching the "fullness of Christ" (v. 13). Remember Ephesians 3:19, knowing the depths of God's love leads to being filled with the "fullness of God." ALL of our working together, serving one another, and faithfully following the leaders God has set over us, is to bring us to this point: maturity seen through unity and filled with God's love.
Paul tells us what immaturity looks like: infantile, easily deceived and enticed by teachings around us. Where do you look for help? Don't desperately grab at self-help books - grow in unity in faith and knowing God through His word. Work together with your church family and speak the truth in love (v. 15). When we work together, support one another, and contribute how we are able, the body will grow and build itself up in love.
Pray:
Father, Thank You for Your people, for joining us together and giving each of us different gifts. Give me Your love to serve my church family and encourage others to serve as they are able. Help me care for Your people as You do. Amen.
Challenge:
Read Eph. 4:11-16. Honestly examine your heart and consider, are you mature or immature? Do you know how God has gifted you? If not, ask your leaders to give you a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. If so, are you serving in your church faithfully according to your gifts? Are you encouraging others to do so? CLIMB DAY 8
Our team awakes, looking upon the face of the Barranco Wall. Today will be the most technically challenging portion of their victory over Kili. Narrow pathways and a host of climbers with their guides and porters is the least of their worries. This hike is described more as "scrambling" up the path, using hands to help grasp and propel forward. Our hikers will have to weave around rocks and be very careful to keep their balance. But what a sense of accomplishment and victory they will each feel as they climb the final steep steps of the wall. And they will be rewarded with a priceless view of Kili and Mount Meru, some 70 miles away.
After conquering the wall, our empowered team will trek across a sea of marbled ice and rock along the south face of Kili. This trek passes them below Heim Glacier, a great setting for beautiful pictures. As they continue, they carefully descend a steep slope, entering the alpine desert of Karanga Valley. This area holds its own beauty, including some overhanging ice formations, but there is not much of an opportunity to stop and enjoy. Just as they endured a steep ascent, there is soon an equally steep descent to arrive at camp. Yes, they have accomplished a lot in this short 2.2 mile day.
In some ways, this day will seem easier despite the difficult climb that began the day. Somewhere around day 2 or 3, our climbers realized that getting to the top of Kili will take more mental strength and fortitude than physical ability. The hikes go on forever (seemingly) with many breaks and rests and the peak doesn't appear much closer. Conquering today's wall, our hikers will be encouraged that they can really finish and defeat this mountain.
Pray for the minds and hearts of each climber to be strengthened and filled with determination and perseverance to complete what God has called them to. Pray for the climb up Barranco wall, for safety and careful vigilance. Continue to pray for the teams acclimatization.