I encourage you to serve Christ in building His precious Church
As I’ve had the privilege of sharing God’s Word in Fiji over the past few days, I’ve been reminded of the uniqueness of Christ’s body. There is simply no other organism on earth like the Church, with such a diversity of members which come gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do a humanly impossible job. Not only so, but the faithful members are equipped to encourage one another as well as communicate the good news of Jesus Christ effectively to those yet to be saved.
Consider the apostle Paul’s remarkable relationship with the Church in Thessalinica? He explained how they had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1Th 1:9-10). These Christians were the real deal. They had grasped the fullness of what it meant to be those “who did receive him, who believed in his name…” It was to these people that Christ “gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn 1:12-13).
I feel like Paul as I’ve preached the excellencies of Christ and received such wonderful love and hospitality from the believers of Narere Community Church and Samabula Gospel Chapel. Like Paul, I “give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Th 1:2-3).
I’ve been refreshed as I’ve seen how God gives new life to people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Indeed, it’s as the Samaritans said in evaluation of Jesus; “we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (Jn 4:42). It really is true; Jesus Christ is “God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Ti 2:3-4).
As this body of Christians form the Church which is the “pillar and buttress of the truth” (1Ti 3:15), they have the privilege of displaying “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 3:10). “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (Jas 3:14-15).
Beloved, be encouraged to serve Christ in building His precious Church. Keep it clean; encourage and grow it’s members through humble service done in love. Engage in Christ centered worship with heart felt passion for the Saviour. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour”(Rom 12:10). Invite others into it through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, and “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1Co 10:31).