Politics.  Television.  Social Media. Work.  They all provide plenty to keep us very busy: and also very distracted.  But did you know that the the one place that’s built by us, for us, is the church?  “We’ve got to work together with God,” says Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr..  “to make the church His best.” Below, Bishop shares examples of how God chooses His people to make the church a better place.

Sometimes, many of us choose to work with people that we consider to be renowned or famous, and we’re always glad to let somebody know that we know them. But there’s no greater being in or beyond the universe than God. God is the Almighty creator. He flung the stars against the blackness of the night. He created the sun and the moon. And He says, “I want you to work with me.”

The Bible says we are “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1 KJV), and oh, what a wonderful privilege it is to work with God! Many people like to find fault with the church, but if you throw away the church, then what will exist to bring glory to the Lord? Who will there be to lift up their hands and send praises to God?

THE SAFEST PLACE IS IN THE WILL OF GOD

There are many examples in the Bible in which the people of God were challenged to do their best work for the building up of His church:

1. Moses challenged the children of Israel to sacrifice for the tabernacle (Leviticus 1).
2. David and Solomon challenged the people of God to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28).
3. Ezra and Nehemiah challenged the Jews to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1).
4. Elijah challenged the widow of Zarephath to give him a cake first, and the Lord would provide for her during the famine (1 Kings 17:7-24).
5. Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to give all to the poor and follow Him, “and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:16-22).
6. The apostle Paul had a fundraising campaign which involved the Gentile churches to care for the saints at Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8).

The church has not always been perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got, and we’ve got to work together with God to make the church His best. If you find areas in the church which are lacking, step in with your gifts to make the church a better place. If you say there’s insincerity in the church, then you step in as an example of a sincere person. The church calls on all of us to give of our resources for the advancement of the work of the Lord. And I’m calling on you today to work for God’s house; to give for God’s house.

YOU ARE THE CHURCH

I’ve talked about your resources, but what I’m really talking about is YOU. If God has you, then God has everything that you are, and everything that you have. The safest place in the whole wide world is in the Will of God. The safest thing you can ever say to God is “Yes, Lord. Thy will be done.” Lift your hands and say,

“Lord, help me to do the best I can for your work.”

He chooses us because He loves us. If we can work with Him, that is a blessing! Be glad for the privilege of working with our God!

Adapted from the sermon, “Of Your Own, We Have Given You”, July 26, 2015, by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. at West Angeles Church of God In Christ.

Images: Christopher Burns for Unsplash.

DO YOU LOVE YOUR CHURCH?  Then West Angeles needs YOU! There are over 80 ministries and auxiliaries at West Angeles Church of God In Christ. To find the ministry that’s right for you, please click HERE to read more, or HERE to download our ministries list.  Call 323/733-8300 to get involved.