Monday, Aug. 30, 2010

Pastor's Commentary: Tough times

1 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

I'd like to take this opportunity to address those in our community who are faithfully serving Christ in one of our many local churches, and those who are no longer doing so.

For those of you who are active in a local ministry, God bless you.

I want to encourage you to bloom where you are planted.

Times are tough for most right now; therefore if there ever was a time when members of your local church needed you, it is now.

As a member of the body of Christ, each one of you plays his or her own part.

Where else other than your local church can you truly maximize the development and implementation of your God-given talents?

As the newest Assemblies of God church in the central valley, Crossroads Church has been blessed and encouraged by the overwhelming support from our community.

From our beginning we have carefully and specifically work towards creating a culture in our ministry where folks see the love of Christ and where their gifts can be developed and used to advance His Kingdom.

We want to align ourselves with Ephesians 4:15 - 16 and speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

For it is Christ who makes the whole body fit together perfectly.

As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing full of love.

I know many people have stopped serving in the local church because they have been hurt. And perhaps someone reading this right now can identify with that statement because you too have been offended by something or someone.

While I cannot undo any of that, my friend, I want to respectfully remind you that each of us has our own special work to do in the body of Christ, and as each of us fulfills our responsibility we help the other members in the body grow, ensuring the church is healthy and growing full of love.

In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul makes an appeal to the brothers and sisters to live in harmony with each other. Saying to them, let there be no divisions in the church, rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

I pray we will work with our brothers and sisters in Christ to fulfill the great commission.

And may we never forget what David tells us in Psalm 133; it is good and pleasant when God's people live together in peace!

There the LORD commands his blessing.

Duke Marshall is pastor of Crossroads Church, www.xrdschurch.net

1 Corinthians 12:27 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. I’d like to take this opportunity to address those in our community who are faithfully serving Christ in one of our many local churches, and those who ar