SERVING THE BODY
Read Time: 5 min 22 sec
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.”
Corrie ten Boom
THE GOOD STUFF
4W LIFE DEVOTIONAL 04: WORK
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he addresses division that occurred due to conflicts over spiritual gifting. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the members of the church to members of a physical body, each with its own unique function but working together as a whole. In that context, Paul says the following:
“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body...But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:18-20; 24b-27
Here are some truths communicated in these verses:
Believers are unified in one body. (“As it is, there are many parts, yet one body”)
Many diverse members make up the unified body. (“God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?”)
The body should experience unity and not division. (“...that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”)
APPLICATION
As we consider these truths, here are some practical implications for each of us as we properly view our lives as part of the larger body of believers:
We are to intentionally care for one another.
If one of us suffers, all suffer together.
If one of us is honored, all of us are to rejoice together.
As followers of Jesus Christ, and therefore a part of the body of Christ, we cannot choose to sit on the sidelines. We must lean into the unique gifts God has given us to serve the body. This is God’s intentional design and He is glorified when we do this.
How can you intentionally care for someone this week? Who do you know that is suffering and how can you reach out to them, willing to hurt with them? Who is someone you can rejoice with?
Let's think intentionally about these questions and seek to work for Christ by serving and loving the body.
Mark Wiley | Executive Pastor
STORY
SERVING THE BODY
Michael and Kristina Vanhoy moved from North Carolina to the southside in late 2020 and began attending Redeemer soon thereafter. In early 2021, they began the process of becoming members and both jumped onto volunteer serve teams.
Kristina serves in Redeemer Kids and shared this regarding her experience with volunteering:
"Having been a member at another church and serving there, I know how important it is for our kids to have a strong foundation in God’s word. Having served in this position, I have learned to listen to them, learned to understand them, and from there I can guide them. Every week it brings us closer together and we are able to build a God-centered relationship. Through the proper teaching, these children are able to arm themselves with the word of God so that they may continue to spread His love and goodness to everyone they meet. The teachings that I prepare for have applicability for my own personal life and my relationship with Jesus becomes even more rooted in the Rock. Just as Christ loves us, I make sure that these children feel loved."
Michael is serving on the Tear Down team and had this to say:
"Redeemer Bible Church is the first church I have been a member of. Once I became a member, I knew it was imperative to start serving in any way that I could. I believe that being a part of this particular serve team really does further the work of God. Every Sunday we have to break down the church so we can reset for the school. It is important for me to do the best job that I can to ensure I represent the perfect person Jesus is. Serving beside others who stand firm in the faith, gives me the ability to grow in mine. This ministry gives me the ability to see what the church does to bring people to worship together. A first impression into God’s body could save a soul and we must take that seriously."
Michael & Kristina Vanhoy | Members at Redeemer
STAFF PICKS
BOARD GAME
Sushi Go and Sushi Go Party
This is a unique and fast-playing card game for a small group of people. There are two versions, Sushi Go that has only one variation, and Sushi Go Party, which has a seemingly infinite number of variations. 2-5 players. We think 4 is the perfect number.
Without going into too much detail about the rules, the most fun about the game is that the different cards represent the different parts of a Sushi Meal. In Sushi Go, you play a fixed set of 8 different cards (Nigiri, Maki, Sashimi, Dumplings, etc.) and each one gives you an opportunity to score points in different ways. In Sushi Go Party, you can play the traditional set, but you can choose a unique set of over 20 cards to build your own custom game. The game includes a board that looks like a Bento box, and you get to chose a type of roll, a couple of appetizers, a couple of special items, and a unique dessert to make a unique "meal" (aka a unique game.)
For my wife KayAnn and I (she likes simple, fast-playing games; I prefer longer deep strategy games), this hits a great balance with simple and quick fast gameplay and rules, but no two games use the same strategy because of the cards changing. Also, Kay loves all the cute illustrations of personified Asian cuisine. The artwork, design, and gameplay are all super well thought out and fun!
- Ethan Hardwick, Creative Media Director