FULFILL YOUR ASSIGNMENT
SCRIPTURE:
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1Corinthians 3:5—9)
OBSERVATION:
Paul addressed an issue that was boiling within the Corinthian church. People were divided and took sides. People were experiencing a division within themselves. Some favor Apollos, while others Paul. It is always tragic when there is a division in the church. Paul sought to bring clarity and speak truth into the situation. The church often forgets who they are and how they should function. So much of this kind of division still happens in today’s church. Believers still favor one leader over the other. One group would favor another leader, while others favored another. The church of Christ is not to be divided over leaders. We are one team, one body, serving and functioning in its roles.
Paul shed some light on a perspective that we should have. He asked the question; What is Apollos? What is Paul? Paul’s answer gives us an understanding of how we should think:
- We are only SERVANTS whom people have come to trust and believe.
- The Lord has ASSIGNED to each their task. One planted the seed while the other watered it.
- God makes things GROW.
- We will be REWARDED according to the effort and the labor we put in.
- We are CO-WORKERS in God’s service.
This is an important thing to learn as a church body. We are to work as a team, faithfully playing the role that we have been assigned. One part is no more important than the other. Every position that we all play was ASSIGNED to us by God. Paul said, I planted the seed, and Apollos watered the seed. Paul’s role wasn’t more important than Apollo’s. It was God who called them and assigned them a task.
It is NOT about us, but about God’s assignment. What I am given to do, is my assignment to do it faithfully. But God is the one who causes it to grow or not. We are to function at a time doing what we are assigned to do and do it faithfully. We will all be rewarded according to our work and the effort we put into fulfilling our assignments.
Moreover, WE ARE CO-WORKERS in God’s service. We are to do the ministry that is entrusted to us as co-workers. We are a team, PERIOD! When the body of Christ stops viewing their assignments as less spiritual or essential to do than what others are doing, we will see God’s glory rewarding our faithfulness. We will see people come to the knowledge of Christ. We will see the blessing of God upon us.
APPLICATION:
I am learning to do all that I can to fulfill my assignment. I will do what God assigned me to do faithfully. I will seek to work together with others in the body of Christ as co-workers and fellow heirs of Jesus’ grace. I will continue to play my role for the glory of Jesus daily. I know that sometimes I fall prey to the competitional attitude. I will value what Jesus gave me to do and live only for the glory of Jesus, who makes things grow and fruitful.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for reminding me today that it is not about anything I do, but it is all about you who called me into your service. You are the one who gives me the assignment for your service. Please help me value the calling and role you have given me in your service. I am grateful for the calling and assignment you entrusted me to do. Please help me to be faithful in doing my role well. I look to you for your wisdom, strength, and power. In your name, Amen!
