Ephesians 4:11-12, 16 – Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ…16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (NLT)

I. A PART OF THE BODY

I Corinthians 12:14 – Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.

1. God has specially placed you for a part.

I Corinthians 12:18 – But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

2. All parts of the body are important.

I Corinthians 12:22 – In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

3. Every one of us has a part.

I Corinthians 12:27 – All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

II. WE SHOULD ALL SERVE IN THE CHURCH

Ephesians 4:16 – He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (NLT)

1. Servant’s heart.

II Corinthians 4:5 – You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. (NLT)

2. Evaluating the needs.

Matthew 9:37-38 – He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (NLT)

Matthew 10:1, 5 – Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness…5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles…(NLT)

3. Reaching in.

Galatians 6:1-2 – Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (NLT)

4. Volunteering Time.

I Peter 4:10 – As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

5. Evangelizing out.

Luke 14:23 – Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”