REVIEW OF LESSON 3
Last week we gave attention to the ongoing plan for leadership in the church that God ordained in order to facilitate the mission of preparing souls for God (see Col. 1:28). Our discussion centered around both the qualifications for and the work of overseers (also referred to as elders and shepherds) and deacons, as well as the work of both. This week we will begin noticing how all members fit into God’s plan as we continue to lay the foundation and hone in on finding our particular place in the church.
ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SERVANTS
Christians are “doers” (see James 1:22, 26, 2:14-26). They are doers of the will of God (Mt. 7:21). They are doers of good within and outside of the kingdom (see Gal. 6:10). While God certainly has a plan for leadership in the church, it is a terribly mistaken idea to think that all members do not have a function in the church. The work of the church is severely and unnecessarily restricted when this unbiblical pattern is followed. It would be like the boss and supervisors in the workplace doing all of the work at the factory and other folks just sitting around. This model is no less ridiculous in the Lord’s church!
CHRISTIANS SERVE IN THE BODY
The apostle Paul uses the illustration of the church being a body in which every member has a vital function, or role to fill. We may consider some roles as being more vital, but yet the “lesser” roles are essential for the proper functioning of the body (see 1 Cor. 12:14-26). When every member does not do his part, valuable work for the Lord and unity in the body of Christ is neglected and unrealized. Every part must function properly for the church to be what it should be and can be! (Read Eph. 4:16.)
POWER IN THE PEWS
While leadership is critical, the power of the church is found in the pews! Without them the army of the Lord is restricted to the point that keeping the doors open may be a great challenge. And in such a situation, keeping the doors open typically begins to be seen as the mission itself, leaving the “Great Commission” and the purpose of the church completely unfulfilled (see Mt. 28:18-20; 1 Tim. 2:15).
Connecting this with previous lessons, we understand that Christians are contributors to the church reaching lost souls and building up the body of Christ. Christians contribute to the work serving under the authority of the elders (see 1 Thes. 5:12; Heb. 13:17) who oversee the church and its work, with deacons who seek to connect members to the work and facilitate the overall purpose of the church. (See Acts 6, though the designation “deacon” does not appear there).
When all Christians are involved in the work of the church so many more people can be reached with the Gospel and the church is much better edified. Everyone has different opportunities. Everyone has different people to influence. Everyone possesses differing talents that may be utilized.
Peter describes the church in 1 Peter 2:5 as being a “holy priesthood.” In verse 9 he states: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” There is no “clergy/laity” system in the church of Christ! We are all priests of God seeking in a sense to intercede between God and man, so that reconciliation may take place (see 2 Cor. 5:11, 18-20) in the battle for souls in the spiritual realm.
CONCLUSION
There are so many who have not been called out of darkness like we have! They desperately need the light and hope of Jesus, and when we properly understand our place and function, more people will have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus! It is vital that all of us find our place and function properly as God’s servants!
Daren Schroeder
