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Bingo!
I’ve never played it but a few years back I was fascinated by the zeal that a Mrs. Fisher and her crew possessed when they played Bingo. It was an event and they really got into it. It is in the same way that we should grasp that the ultimate purpose of the body of Christ is to serve. Lately we have been exploring all the different ways by which we can serve.
Christ wants us to excel at serving so he provides us with the tools we need. He gave us each other, each in his/her own capacity so that we can prepare and support each other in service. Serving not only improves who we are but also act as the catalyst that moves us to the next level. I get two mental pictures; one being of the movie 300 when King Leonidas says, “In the end, a Spartan’s true strength is the warrior next to him.” Then there is the other extreme being me trying to play multiplayer guitar hero. (I talk a big game but my gaming abilities are dreadful and if someone’s success at the game is tethered to mine, I’ll leave the outcome to your imagination.)
Peter, I am also a fan of 300, and I think that the Phalanx analogy fits the Christian body well. The phalanx was the only military formation that was capable of standing up to chariots and heavy calvary. If we apply that to service, standing side by side and pushing ourselves into the field of service, what can really come against us.
It starts with the willing heart, and zeal. It also seems that serving is a fundamental step to getting closer to the heart of Christ. So all I really need to do is get over my self centeredness, start serving, and do it with zeal, and do it with other members of the body….bingo!
what a great thought… “who will be the warrior next to me?”
I love how the Message paraphrase puts Ephesians 4 concerning when the body of Christ IS the body of Christ through serving: “… until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son…”
Isn’t is amazing how those outside church world have defined us as inbred, hypocritical, living-in-a-bubble, unbending, and unloving people. What if, EXACTLY BECAUSE OF OUR SERVING, we we’re defined as Jesus followers who moved rhythmically and easily together?
I want this. I think it IS possible, or Ephesians 4 is a mere cruel verse.
Will you be the warrior next to me?
Looking forward to FIA on Sunday…
Blessings!
Rrrrrrrrrrrrr!
I love competition and I hate to lose. I really hate to lose. But, that’s also why I love to play golf. I only have myself to blame for not playing well. When I lose in a team sport, I’m always afraid of being the weak link and being the blame in defeat. So, in order to not be the kink in the armor of our great Cumberland Phalanx (great scrabble word), I am committing myself to putting on the full armor of God every day, practicing my attack, preparing my defense and taking in as much of God’s Spirit as He will give me every day. I do not want to let my other soldiers down.
LOVE – FEED – CONNECT – MOTIVATE
We are here for each other. Fight hard for what you believe in. Help others who struggle and celebrate the accomplishments and victories.
Together – we can reach farther than we can on our own.
Let’s lead the charge!! Go Team Go!!!
Peter,
Your questions give me thoughts of the Faith in Action Sunday coming up. You say that Christ wants us to excel at giving. I believe that CCC’s FIA Sunday’s do just that. I do not know of many churches that reach out to others in need in such a direct manner. And I do believe serving improves who we are. FIA provides the opportunity to build stronger relationships with other church members. And most importantly, as a church we serve outside the walls and individually we serve with our hearts. Also, I believe our reach has no limits. In addition to FIA, CCC has led mission trips to many countries. I’m sure Rob has several other trips planned for when the resources become available.
I believe we have several warriors at CCC……
Was that Doug’s warrior cry or is he just hungry?
What a sobering thought… that I might be the strength (or weakness) of the warrior next to me. Thank God the pressure of that great responsibility is lightened by an awareness that when I am weak, Jesus is strong. “His strength is made perfect in my weakness”.
It’s not an excuse to get lazy or disobedient. But it’s a comfort to know that when I am insufficient to keep my warrior brother and sister advancing for the Kingdom, God is undiminished. Thanks Peter.
You’ll never get a Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!
Capt. Henry P. Crowe, USMC; Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943
Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, what are we waiting for? We will never get to offer mercy draped in service hiding in a church pew!
Bingo!, Yes we will!, Go team Go! and Rrrrrrrrrrr! to you too.
As I placed the questions for discussion I was asking myself, ‘am I able to do this?’ and everyone of your comments has taken the subject to another level and as Jon says, we might be weak in our own individuality but mighty strong as a group because the word of God says, “we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us.”
Alan, I think it is a matter of when not whether we are going to get there. If we lead by example, others will come admire us and join the army.
P
“…attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Can we imagine what it would be like to be united in faith? Can we even imagine what it will be like to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? I cannot right now. What does that look like in practice? The Scripture says we’ll see it, and that we have the gifts so we can help each other attain it.
Building up the body wow what a privalage to read and be encouraged by others. I am encouraged when I see others using their gifts. I am encouraged to see God working daily through my fellow christians. I want to do what God wants. I’ll be on CCC’s team. will you?
do we need a battle cry? rrrrr! doesn’t fit me too well. Maybe we could work on a chant.
I love that quote from King Leonidas ~ I’d never heard that one before!
Boom shaka laka laka. Boom shaka laka laka. Boom shaka laka laka.
Peter loved you thoughts. Let me hear your WAR CRY!!!!!!!!!!!
ROB,
OK, this blog site will not let me post a video of my war cry. Come see me Sunday and I will do it LIVE!!
Peter – can’t wait to hear it!!!
Thanks for the challenge!!!!!!