The following is a post from Pastor Phil’s personal blog that was particularly good and relevant to our study of the body in Ephesians 4.
Last night my son hit a home run in his baseball game. In fact, several of the kids had great hits last night. Every kid has improved since day one. The fun thing I have noticed is the improvement of the parents. Last night’s game displayed several ways that we as parents have grown throughout the season. The most obvious was the passion each parent had for their kids. I really enjoy watching parents get a kick out of their kids success. There is a joy in that moment we get to watch as a dad leans over toward the dug out with an encouraging whisper through the fence. It shows his heart to instruct, see his son excel, and communicate that “dad’s here to help.” Being an active part in the development of your child isn’t always complicated and hard, sometimes it is in the simplest of moments you can make a big difference.
Another highlight from last night was the community of cheers. Our team was supported by the cheers of all the parents and not just their own. Every parents was playing a part together. The parents have become a team as well. So, from cheering our base runners, applauding great catches, encouraging the “almosts,” and exploding for each hit, the parents have learned team work as well. There was a genuine interest, not only for the success of your own child, but for the success of each child and the team as a whole.
1 Corinthians 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
Paul is seeking to help the Church understand that they belong together, as one, functioning for a greater purpose. The goal is bigger than any one persons success or even ability. Much of what Paul writes is to break down the notion that any one gift or ability is more important than another. Each role has a place in the action. Every person must assume and fulfill their assignment if the body is going to reach its goal. This leaves one conclusion: we are all contributing factors to the reaching of a goal.
The goal of the church is to actively equip Christ followers for the work of ministry. The results of this ministry or service will be the spreading of the Good News, the hope we have in Christ. It is literally a work of expansion. Expanding the influence of Christ on this Earth and His Kingdom. This is a massive goal. The sheer thrill of this pursuit is that we get to play a part.The end result of this work is life transformation!
We make a catch, get a single, encourage a friend, help someone who stumbles, cheer the accomplishments of a teammate, share in the pain of defeat, and bask in the joy of a win. We work together. We strive for the teams purpose and recognize along the way that each person and their unique offerings help us get there. After last night, the term “little league” seems too small. I am hoping to bring more of that Little “big” League mentality to bear in my life this week. My goal is to see the value each person has on the team and cheer them on toward success. When they win, I win. Ultimately, when we win, Christ wins and that is more valuable than anything else.
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