GOD LOVES AND GIFTS US FOR HIS KINGDOM
The Word of God says: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:7). “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(A) distributes them…There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(B) it is the same God(C) at work” for his kingdom(1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
WE CAN LEARN FROM OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS ABOUT PEOPLE GIFTED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOD’S KINGDOM.
The Lord Jesus Christ appeared in human form at the time of the New Testament and gave his people spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. However, the Scriptures say: “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us” (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16).
God’s gifting of Nehemiah to encourage and lead God’s Old Testament people in working together is an example of God-gifted people working to accomplishing God purpose, and for their good. God gave Nehemiah, who was the cup bearer for the King of Persia, favor with King Artaxerxes. The King honored Nehemiah’s request for help to rebuild the place of worship of in Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah led the people of Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; and the temple where they would worship God
Inspired by God, Nehemiah told the people: “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.” And he also “told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. ”They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
Working together, all the people performed their assignments according their God-given gifts and skills. Despite their nearby enemies trying to discourage and divide them, they completed the rebuilding of the walls of the OT City of God (Nehemiah, chapters 2 and 3).
WE CAN LEARN MORE FROM NEW TESTAMENT WRITINGS ABOUT PEOPLE GIFTED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOD’S PURPOSE.
Writings in the Bible about Acts of The Apostles tell us about God-gifted people working together to build up the Kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul was one of the most gifted leaders in the Early Church (2 Corinthians 12:1-8). As a God-gifted leader, he ministered to and worked with members of many churches in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ–They worked together to build up the spiritual Kingdom of God on earth.
But to overcome the spiritual enemy of the Lord’s work, the apostle recognized his need for the prayers and support of members of the church-body. He solicited the prayers and help of several congregations he had helped to build. An example of his request for prayers and support is seen in a letter to the Thessalonians church: “brothers and sisters,(A) pray for us(B) that the message of the Lord(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.(D) 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,(E) for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful,(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3; Ephesian 6:12-19 NIV).
THE SCRIPTURES AND SPIRIT OF GOD TEACH AND EQUIPS US TO WORK TOGETHER TO DO THE GOOD WORK OF GOD.
Guided by the Spirit, the Scriptures prepares us be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And they instruct us on how to work together in building up the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Lord’s apostle Paul compares members of Christ’s church to parts of the body working together for God’s good purpose and the common good of the body of believers.
In this comparison, Paul said: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body” (Vs.12-13). And “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (vs. 4-6)“
God prepares us to use his gifts and abilities to build up his kingdom and glorify him. He inspires us to love and help build up one another (John 13:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). He enables us to tear down spiritual strongholds that oppose the kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 10:4) .He leads and empowers us to reach out to unbelievers to bring them into God’s loving kingdom (Acts 1:8; 41-47).
“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10; John 3:16).
