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ACTS: 6

 Modern day society puts the emphasis on achieving as much as we can and getting to the top

 with as many rewards and praises that we can for our efforts. The more qualifications we gain

 the more important we become and greater the respect, we are given!

      The way of the Christian life goes against this type of attitude. We are encouraged in

 humility, to work together and wanting the best for each other. We realise that we are

 interdependent. This humility means serving God where we are and whatever we are because

 we believe this is what God wants from us. It also means rejoicing in the successes of others

 when we cannot achieve the same and being happy for them while giving God the thanks and

 praise for what we can do.

       Jesus taught His disciples the meaning of humility by example by giving up all the power

 and glory that belonged to the Son of God, and becoming fully human because it was the will

 of His Father.

     The disciples found that they were trying to do all the work themselves and as a result their

 important role of preaching and teaching was being neglected. They had to acknowledge that

 they needed to have help from those better able to fulfil the other tasks. That is why they

 appointed the seven deacons to be administrators. These men had to be as strict in their faith

 and personal discipline as were the disciple. Further on in the book of Acts we find that these

 administrators also preached the Gospel when the opportunity presented itself and brought

 people to Christ. Philip and the Ethiopian are an example of this. (Acts 8: 5-40) Stephen,

 because of his preaching and not one of the disciples, became the first Christian Martyr. (Acts

 7: 1 – 53)

     In the church there has to be structure in which we all work as a team and where the gifts of

 each individual are celebrated and used where they are of the greatest benefit to the whole

 church. We can’t all become Bishops!

         It is essential that we carry out the work God has given to us to the best of our ability

 however insignificant it may appear. The truth is that no one is more important than anyone

 else as we are all equal in the sight of God. The difference is simply in role and function. We

 are all there to serve God and to do His will for us and to do so by serving one another where

 He has placed us. It is important to remember that the person who cleans the church is called

 to the same level of holiness, as is the Bishop! It is the Holy Spirit who inspires us all.

        What we cannot do is not important, what we can do is essential to the well being of the

 whole church!   

            This little verse by an unknown author encourages us to think this way:

Do what you can, being what you are:

Shine as a glow-worm if you cannot be a star.

Work like a pulley if you cannot be a crane;

Be a wheel-greaser if you cannot be a train.


Be a pliant oar if you cannot be a sailor:

Be a little needle if you cannot be a tailor.

Be the cleaning besom if you cannot be the sweeper:

                        Be the sharpened sickle if you cannot be the reaper.          AMEN.



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