Equipped

Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, TO EQUIP THE SAINTS for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (ESV…emphasis mine)

Those verses (and the others that surround them) have become so important to me.  In my many years of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, I don’t feel like I have done this well.  I have tried to preach lessons that convict and call people to a deeper level of faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ, but equipping the saints…not so much.  So, I want to take some time to give you a practical way to put your faith in action.  All believers everywhere make up the BODY of Christ and as Paul says each of us have a part to play.  Jesus never desired for us just to attend a worship service at a building…instead he has called us into our world to impact it with the good news of Jesus Christ.

So, here is a simple way to get a conversation turned toward higher things than athletic events and the weather.  Imagine walking into your workplace, school, etc.  The conversation could go something like this…

Co-worker/Friend – Hey (insert your name here).  How are you?

Now we all know the typical response is…Hey (insert their name here) I’m fine…how are you? Instead of that how about trying this on for size.

YOU – Hey (insert their name here).  I am so blessed!

This is the key…this is your door into spiritual things.   Then you follow it up with what the blessing is.  It doesn’t have to be something earth shattering.  Just talk about something God has done for you. It could be a promise from his word, it could be an event in your life, it is just pointing the conversation to him and his work in this world.  Maybe it looks like this…

YOU (continued) – I am so blessed! I was reading my Bible and it said that God’s mercies are new every morning.  He never stops giving me mercy…and man do I need that.  In spite of all the ways I fail, his mercy is still available to me.  What a thought!  How are you?

It is important that you actually listen to how they are…listen to understand not to respond.  If there is a way to point what they say back to God then don’t be afraid to do just that.

Co-worker/Friend – I could really use that mercy.

YOU – Those mercies are available to everyone what’s going on?

The conversation could go a lot of different ways from that point…but you have pointed them to higher things.  Please understand that you don’t have to have every answer to every question.  You don’t have to convert someone in one conversation.  But, think about what you are doing…you have told them you are a believer in God…you have told them that you believe his word is true…you have told them that God’s love is available to everyone…in one short sentence!!!

I know you might be thinking…come on Steve, that is a little hokey. Nobody talks like that.  I would say this…Don’t knock it till you try it and then I would add…why shouldn’t we be talking like that.  Shouldn’t we be pointing all things back to God and his Son Jesus.

Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.”. Give it a try…it’s easier than you think.