Now, we know Church is people, Church is The family of God, and now you will look at your role in the Church!
Do you belong to the Victorious Church of Jesus?
So, you have your place, your function in the body of Christ.
Look what the bible says about the body of Jesus, The Church:
I challenge you to read the full chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians at home.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
We have one assurance: We are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.
First lesson: You have a function in this body.
Do you know what your function is? You will discovery it today.
God has placed apostles (leaders), prophets (preachers), teachers, people who operate miracles, healers, gifts of tongues and interpretation.
What part of the Body are you?
You have to understand what you have is for God’s kingdom. To understand it, Look to your body.
Each part of your body has a function.
Example: My hand! With my hand, I can hold things, call someone, make gestures, I can organise my fringe, my hair….(rss)? I know the function of my hand….
What about my mouth? I use it speak, eat, shout…
In the same way, you have to understand your role in the body of Christ.
Second lesson: You are irreplaceable / indispensable
“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,”
1 Corinthians 12:21-23
The body of Christ needs you! You are not indispensable.
Whoever told you ‘I don’t need you!’ was wrong!
The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you’, on the contrary, a body without arms, eyes, legs will be an imperfect body, with imperfection.
Third lesson: If one suffers, everybody suffer
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:26
Many times I cried for you in prayer, and in the worst day of my life you were there, suffering with me! I was not alone. This is the body of Christ: we suffer together, but also, we rejoice together! Hallelujah!
When someone receives blessings from God, we rejoice, we have thankful hearts before God, because we can see each other growing in many areas!
Do you know how is your brother’s life?
Don’t forget it: You are a part of this body, suffer together, but also, rejoice with them! Know your brothers, be friendly to each other.
So, now you know:
You have a function in the body, you are irreplaceable and you have to be connected to suffer and rejoice with your brothers. And now, we start our message:
Today we have an important lesson from God:
The message is: Do Not Bury your talent!
You were born with specific talents inside of you. God gave portion of talents to everyone of us and we should to use it in his Kingdom.
You know what you’re good at. You can look at your life and realise what you excel in.
Understand it: Talent is different from purpose.
You can use your talents for many things, in the Church, in your job, career, family, but you have a purpose in your life, the purpose is: Glorify God with your life in the body of Jesus!
Please, read with me:
“For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” Matthew 25:14-18
To understand the text:
That Rich man (Master) was Jesus.
The servants are you and I. Jesus gave talents for each one of us. The value of 1 talent is the same as 20 years of salary at that age. Could you imagine the great value Jesus entrusted them with, and you also?
He entrusted us. He made a big investment in us.
In the text, For One he gave 5 talents, another 2, and the last one.
The one who had received 5 talents, multiplied it and made five more. The one who had received 2, in the same way made 2 more, but the one who had received only 1, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s talent.
When The Master came back, He called the men and it was the time to give account of their deeds.
The ones who received 5 and 2 and multiplied them were praised by the master: Well done, good servants!
But, he who received one talent said to the Master:
“I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’”
Matthew 25:25
We have some lessons here:
-Everyone has talents
You received a talent from God. No matter how many talents you have, it’s important.
-Every works matter!
Read with me in Exodus:
“See, I have called by name Bezalel, son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and skill, in understanding and intelligence, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,”
Exodus 31:2-4
Explain about filled with The Spirit to make arts.
-God made a Huge investment on you
One talent is equal to 20 years of salary.
God put you in charge of a big value and you must honour him using these talents, because he is expecting a good return.
-You have to multiply your talent
Even if you receive only one talent, multiply it. How? Teach others what you are good at, use it in the Church and bless other people.
-Do not make comparisons
Don’t look to the talent of your neighbour and do not compare what you have or who you are. It’s unfair. One was called to preach, how can he sing songs? Another one was called to take care of children, how can she take care of a Church? It’s unfair when to compare gifts. Everybody has a different calling…
-Jesus is coming back and you are accountable for your talents
There will be one day we will be there, in God’s presence and we will have to show what we did with what we received.
-Do not bury your talent
That guy was afraid of his Master and buried his talent.
Don’t do that. Don’t be afraid. God gave you capacity to use your talents in the right areas. I know many people here buried their talents! Could you remember what your calling used to be?…When God spoke to you?!….in your youth…
There are many areas in the church but few people work…because of that, I know, maybe you have buried your talent….
I have a shovel here. Unlike what you are thinking, I will not help you bury your talent, but I will help you unearth your talent today! It’s your decision. You can continue with your spiritual life feeling paralysed, without a function in Jesus’ body, or you can use this shovel and bring about an opportunity to use your talents in this Church.
-There are different kinds of service in the body
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8
There are different ways to serve in the Church, and today I am here to help you to understand it.
Church is made by people, not by one pastor and the worship team.
Many people think that to be used by God is to be in front of church or to be in the altar preaching and teaching. No, it’s not !
It’s important that you to know how many areas or ministries we have as a church so you can check in which area you can serve Our God!
Do you know in how many areas you could serve in the Church?
Here I prepared a list. You can check and find out what you can do so you don’t bury your talent. Let’s see it?!
-Social work and Evangelism
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Matthew 25:34-36
-Food Bank
We, together with Hope Café, serve the community with a Food Bank.
If someone is in need, they come to Hope Cafe and we distribute food to help them.
This service is for whoever likes to show love and compassion. Just come and be an instrument in God’s hands.
(Please bring some food on the Lords supper’s Service to help the Bank food)
-Counselling and sharing love
Every Friday, Hope Café is opened to people. They go there, get a cup of tea and we are there to give counsels about life, we are ready to pray for them when they share their needs and we are there to share The love of Jesus Christ.
-Documentation
We have one lawyer in the Church. His name is Luciano. He has helped people a lot with visa, benefits and health matters. If you are good with these things, talk with him. He will be glad to receive your help.
-Monaghan Immigration Support Group
Do you know there is a Group to help migrants here in Monaghan?
Yes, The Church is there! Luciano, Marty and I are there representing the Church, helping people from St Patrick, the refugees, with their issues.
Do you wanna help us? Come!
-Cell meetings / Life Groups – are you part of a Cell Meeting? We have cell life groups in English, Portuguese and Chinese , and also we need to have in others languages to reach people who speaks different languages.
-Children’s Ministry
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Are you good with children? Do you know how to hug and help children ? How to captivate their attention? Come, help Miza (children’s leader ministry) to take care of our children and teach them in the right way.
-Youth Ministry
“…I write to you Young man, because you are strong” 1 John 2:14
We have a lot to do in the youth ministry.
You can serve, make food, give money to buy snacks, help plan the summer camps, you can come and help supervise them or you can help with the activities.
We have almost 30 youth coming in our meetings. Did you Know?
Check in what place you will be better.
-Adult’s Ministry
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
We have Encounters of Men and Encounters of women in our church.
Unfortunately, due to Covid regulations we stopped for while, but we will be back soon.
Do you want to help organise encounters, set the place, plan activities, dinners? You are welcome!
-Deacons / Welcome team / Coffee team / Translation Team
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
It’s so good when you come to Church and you are received by hugs and a big smile, or when we have tea and coffee. Could you do that? So, Your place is here, in the welcome team. If you like to organise things, you can help keep the church clean and serve your neighbour.
-Intercession team
“pray continually,”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
We have a team who pray continually for you and for this town.
Do you like to Pray? Do you want to increase your relationship with Jesus? Come and be part of this wonderful team.
We have 12 hours of prayer / Saturdays prayer / Weekly mornings prayer / Sunday before the meetings we have intercession for our service (all are welcome)
-Music Class / Worship Team / Drama Team
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
Psalms 150:6
Every Thursday and Friday we have free music lessons in our church.
If you are not a teacher, don’t worry. Come, learn and later be a teacher for God’s glory.
If you know how to sing, play songs, come and let’s have a chat. More than playing songs, we need true worshipers here. Amen?!
-Media Team (Audio and Video)
“Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.”
Psalms 107:22
If you are good with computers, sound desk, or you want to learn about the sound system, you are welcome to give your best to God. Come, and help us to tell to the world about God’s works.
So brothers, today you were all taught to serve in the body of Christ. You are an active member of this body, you have to work. You have your function, your place, your purpose.
God put on you talents to be used for his kingdom. He made a huge investment on you and he is waiting for a return.
If you are trying to do something you were not called to do, you may become frustrated. Do what God has enabled you to do. Do what you are called to do! Don’t make comparison, Your talent matters.
Do not bury your talent.
This is the day to make a decision. Pick up the shovel, open the hole in the ground and dig up your talent. Many lives are waiting to see God through your work, your life, your talent.
If you know what area you would like to work in, talk to me, to the Pastors and leaders. Start using what God gave to you, and don’t bury your talent.