S-Don't Be Intimidated
S-"So Christ has really set us free.
Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the
law." Galatians 5:1
A-True Freedom
L-You Are Unique
Yesterday we learned that God has NO
favorites. We are all equally important to Him, and we all have a specific
purpose. Therefore, we should not be intimidated by others or what they are
doing. Instead, we should walk in humble confidence just as Paul did.
In these next four verses, we will see how the
Body of Christ should function, what makes us unique, and how we know we are
doing what Christ has called us to do.
-"Instead, they saw that God had given
me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had
given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter as the
apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. In
fact, James, Peter, and John, who
were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as
their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles,
while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that
we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do."
Galatians 2:7-10
1. How
the Body of Christ should function?
~With peace, understanding, encouragement, and with everyone
doing their part and staying in their own lane. Look at verse 7
-"Instead, they saw that God had given me
the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had
given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews." Galatians 2:7
-Paul understood his role in the
Body, just as Peter, James, and John did. Paul didn’t try to take on his
responsibilities all while trying to do Peter’s too.
Today, it seems as though many in the Body try
to take on a role that God didn’t call them to.
Brethren, there is a reason God made the
Body with many parts. We all have strength’s
and weaknesses. Don’t let Satan convince you that your role is not as important
as someone else. He is lying! Your role and responsibility within the Body is
VERY IMPORTANT and you are needed! Don’t be intimidated or doubt your calling.
And don’t envy others.
Be thankful for
your role and the role of others within the Body. When you are humble and
confident, you actually strengthen the Body.
2. What
Makes Us Unique
“For the same God who worked through Peter as the
apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles”
Galatians 2:8
-God
has specific reasons as to why He calls each of us to minister in different
ways and to different people. This is what makes each of us unique.
** Look at Paul, he had a way of speaking and ministering
to people that was different than the way Peter did. Paul’s past was completely
different and so was his transformation. Yet, the same God that worked through
Peter, also worked through Paul.
-And He works through each of us.
-Our life, our story, our past, our future, our voice, it’s all unique. Even
the people we relate to, minister to, and are called to, is different than
anyone else.
Brethren, we
need to take joy in our uniqueness and our gifts. Take joy in the fact that God made you
completely different and wants to use you in a way that is completely different
than everyone else. You are special and what you have to offer is special. When
you accept your unique qualities, you will compare yourself less to others in
the Body, and you will be more apt to staying in your own lane.
If you are struggling with who you are IN
Christ remember this, you are unique.
You have a unique gift. You are needed
in a unique way. You are called to
fulfill a unique purpose from a unique God with a unique love. And He will show you what that unique quality and gift
is in our final passages.
3. How
We Know
When
God is at work in our lives and using us for His glory, it will
be evident, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at three ways
we will know we are fulfilling our gift.
1. People will SEE it and acknowledge it.
-“Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the
gospel to the Gentiles.”
2. People will RECOGNIZE it. (Our God-given
gift)
-"In fact, James,
Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they
accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers."
3. We will be ENCOURAGED
to keep doing it.
-“They encouraged us
to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the
Jews.”
Did you ever
realize how much depth and insight was packed into these verses? Brethren, God
will speak, if we will just listen. He will give us understanding and
confirmation, not only through His Word, but through others.
S-Tell someone how
unique and special they are in the Body of Christ and to God.
