This past Sunday evening, our worship service was canceled so that we all had the opportunity to attend the installation of a new minister at Faith Presbyterian Church in Akron. Rev. Carl Bogue preached from Ephesians 4:1-16. The title was Christ’s Gift Of Ministry.

 

 

I wish I had still been taking notes when Pastor Wright presented the charge to the Rev. Scholten. One thing I do remember is, “When you sense the congregation’s anticipation… Preach!” then he said, “When you don’t sense the congregation’s anticipation… Preach!” Amen Pastor!

 

 

An awful lot of things were said that evening that were very, very good. I have to say, one thing that really stuck in my mind, was the emphasis that Elder Caler put on this phrase; “to the best of your ability.” George Caler presented the charge to the congregation. And part of that was reviewing the membership vows that are found in the Book of Church Order. I think it is always good to reread and consider what we have committed to when joining a church. So much more is required of us then just showing up on Sunday morning and giving the tithe.

 

 

This is membership vow # 4, “Do you promise to support the church and it’s worship and work to the best of your ability?”

 

 

How many things do we actually strive to do to the best of our ability? What things do we actually strive to do to the best of our ability? Do we remember where our abilities came from? Who gave us our abilities? When we support the church, do we strive to do it to the best of our ability?

 

 

Something to think about. ;)

 

 

So many of us go to church with the attitude that it’s all for us, me, ourselves…

 

 

(This is something that I need to hear too.) Please remember that we need to make ourselves more aware of what is going on in each other’s lives, how we can pray for one another, build one another up in the faith… Talk to others about you’re spiritual life! No matter if it is dry or overflowing.

 

 

If you find yourself in a low place and with little thirst for the word, first of all pray! Then go to a Christian friend and talk about it, ask he or she to pray for you! Believe it or not! God will be using you in their life too! They will be growing in their prayer life and you will be giving them the opportunity to minister to you.

 

 

God wants us to minister to one another and pray for one another! We are a gift from God to each other! That’s what Pastor Bogue’s sermon was about. I know that he was addressing a pastor but I think that we can apply this to ourselves to an extent.

 

 

If you find your self overflowing with joy in the Lord and thankfulness to him for your salvation… Why are you keeping it to yourself??? Rejoice already!! Tell others what God is doing in your life and what He is teaching you through His word! God will use your testimony to bless others and you will be giving Him glory and honor. Tell others the good news!

 

 

Please let us not forget the importance of the church. Christ gave us the church. The church is for our good and for His glory.

 

 

Let us ever shout out and praise God for His sovereign mercy, for without it we would be without hope for we are sinners and deserving of His displeasure.

 

 

Let us never forget the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, may we rest upon Him alone for our salvation!

 

 

Let us endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ!

 

 

Let us support the church to the best of our abilities.

 

 

Let us submit to and respect the government of the church, and not neglect the study of it’s purity and peace!

 

 

Pray for your Pastors and Elders and Deacons! They are sinners too and in need of God’s grace as they also bear our burdens. Take time to pray and prepare your heart before coming into the house of the Lord. Put aside the cares of the world and open your hearts to the word of God preached. We sadly take for granted the availability of God’s word to us today, let alone the studies and efforts of our ministers. It has not always been so. Let us cherish it, treasure it, praise God for it, and lay it up in our hearts. Let us read it and know it. For we are Christians, we are sons of God, we are bought by the blood of Christ Jesus! How are we to spread the word if we don’t know it?

 

 

Please stop and think for a moment before you criticize your Pastor or Elder. Pray about it. If it’s something that he needs to hear, consider how you might respectfully reprove him in love.

 

 

Seek ways to encourage your Pastor! I know it’s something that I crave, but they need it!

 

 

God Bless You!

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