Your Contribution Is Needed

November 11, 2007 - Rev. Rurel Ausley

1 Cor. 12:12-26

1. In what ways have you felt insignificant in the Kingdom of God? In a large church? How did it impact you to think of all the people whose names you did not know, but who contributed significantly to the Kingdom of God? Where would the church be today without a lot of folks who were never famous or remembered but make significant contributions just by being faithful?

2. What does Jim Elliott's statement that "missionaries are a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody" mean to you? Why must we be careful not to mistake "anonymous" for "unnecessary"? Most all of us will always remain anonymous! Read today's Scripture. What does it say about the necessity of every Christian? (vs. 22, 24) What does that mean to you? What does that mean for you?

3. What does Psalm 139:13-16 say about you? What does your individuality say about your importance to God? What does it have to say about "conformity"? Why do you think God expects each of us to be different? How has God taken people's differences and started uniquely creative ministries? What about Franklin Graham and Operation Christmas Child? Millard Fillmore and Habitat for Humanity? Larry Burkett and Crown Financial Ministries? That’s why God wants you to be the uniquely gifted you!!

4. Therefore, because of your uniqueness, you have a contribution to make. How does life's brevity underscore the importance of us making sure we contribute? (Ps. 39:4-6; James 4:14; Eccl. 2:18) Life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, "If I had only six months to live, what would I do?" Tell someone that you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in your life? Tell someone about Jesus? Because life is short, don't neglect what is truly important.

5. What spiritual gift(s) might you have? What life experiences and passions do you have that God might use in ministry? In what areas might you be willing to serve next year? Will you commit some time to prayer and looking over the Volunteer Commitment Card and give God a chance to lead you to serve in some area of ministry for 2008?