July 1, 2024
"from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."
- Ephesians 4:16
Christ is the head of the church and believers are the church and thus the body of Christ. In our unique ways, we bring a measure of supply (in love) as in Ephesians 4:16 to the body, that is, the church, causing it to grow for its edification. We do this in many ways which can be summarized with the acronym AGAPE!
Attend. Hebrews 10:25 recommends “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”. By attending church, we enjoy the benefit of corporate anointing and corporate worship. We are partakers of the corporate impartation of the Holy Spirit much like in Acts 2.
Give. Through giving, (and cheerful giving at that – 2nd Corinthians 9:7), we obey God’s command in Malachi 3:10 to bring our tithes and offerings into His storehouse that there may be food in His house. This “food”, our tithes and offerings, supports missionary activities, ministers to the needs of many, sustains the church, keep its programs going and helps the church to reach the lost in our communities.
Assist. Help by being planted in a department or in multiple, if you are able. 1st Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracle, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues”. Assisting involves serving, diligently, wholeheartedly in the various units and departments within the church.
Pray. For the church to continue to grow and sustain its growth, believers need to pray for each other. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”. When we pray for each other, we bear each other’s burdens. Nothing moves God more to act in our favour than when we expend ourselves for our brothers and sisters.
Evangelize. As members of our local church, we need to bring more people into the house of God. Jesus instructs us in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen”
The A.G.A.P.E. acronym can be perfectly summed up by the two greatest commandments given by Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, which are to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” and “love thy neighbour as thyself.” When you love God and others, it easy to attend to the things of God, give yourself to service by praying and sharing the gospel.
Song of Worship
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Great Are You Lord – All Sons And Daughters, David Leonard
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace that allows me to be part of Your Body, the Church. Thank You for the unique supply You blessed me with that enables me to attend church, give my tithes and offerings, assist in a department, pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and evangelize Your Word to society in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Job 20-21; Acts 10