The document discusses how in the church, just as the human body has different parts that each play an important role, every member of the church has different gifts and ministries that together allow the body of Christ to grow. It references passages from Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians to illustrate how Christians should use their individual talents to serve others. The key message is that each person's contribution is valuable, and the church functions best when all members use their gifts faithfully in ministry to one another.

1. Central Union Church of Christ

2. Romans
12:1-8

4. Verses 4-5, here is one of
Paul’s favorite analogies.
Just as every part of the
physical body has a part
and needs to function for
the benefit of the whole
body, so every member
as a ministry in the
church.

5. 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 (KJV)
14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say,
Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of
the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am
not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body
were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of
them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one
member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members,
yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no
need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be
more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which
we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant
honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the
body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which
lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the
members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether
one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be
honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

6. Ephesians 4:16 (NASB)
16 from whom the whole body,
being fitted and held together by
what every joint supplies,
according to the proper working of
each individual part, causes the
growth of the body for the building
up of itself in love.

7. We are members of one another!
You are part of my life and I am a part of yours.
We are all in this together.
For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For a want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For want of a horse the knight was lost,
For want of a knight the battle was lost,
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
So a kingdom was lost – all for a want of a nail.

8. God in His love has been
so good to each of us in
giving us gifts, gifts that
makes it possible for us to
be His ministers (6a).

9. Paul proceeds to give us a
list of areas we can serve.
The seven kinds of
ministry named are not
intended as a complete
list, but makes the point
that though different
everyone should find
his/her place of ministry
and do it faithfully (6b-8)

11. Is it a job… or is it a ministry?
Some people have a job, others involve themselves in a
ministry. What’s the difference?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it’s a job. If you
are doing it to serve the Lord, it is a ministry.
If you are doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job. If you
are doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because someone criticized you, it was a job. If you
kept on serving, it’s a ministry.
If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other
activities, it’s a job. If you’re so committed to staying with it,
even when it means letting go of other things, it is a ministry.
If you quit because no one ever praised you or thanked you, it
was a job. If you stay with it even though no one notices your
effort, it is a ministry.

12. Is it a job… or is it a ministry?
It is hard to get excited about a job. It’s almost
impossible not to be excited about a ministry.
An average person does a job. A great and growing
person is involved in a ministry.
If your concern is success, it’s a job. If your concern is
faithfulness, it’s a ministry.
People will say, “Well done.” when you do your job.
The Lord will say, “Well done my good and faithful
servant,” when you complete your ministry.