God’s Purpose and Call for the Church
By Thato Mosebi, Contributing Writer
God’s purpose and call for the church start with you. I realize that we are the church. We are the temple of God.
First Corinthians 3:16-17 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” As thetemple of God, there are things God expect from us. These include being a living sacrifice to God and not conforming to the ways of this world (Romans: 12:1-2); doing what you do in honour and glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:3); and spending time with God in prayer, reading the Bible, and in Worship (1 Timothy: 4:8).
First Corinthians 12:28-31 describes how the church is structured. It says, “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Godhas created us in different ways and has given us different gifts for a purpose. When we come to church, some will pray, others will teach, and still, others will sing.
We are all different but we are all important in the church of God. Therefore, whatever talent God has given you, do not look down on it but work diligently for the Lord.
Expectations of the church include our need to love the Love the Lord with all our hearts and love our neighbours as we love ourselves (Luke: 10:27); teach the Gospel, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:18-20); keep in prayer and be led by the Holy Spirit to preach the true Gospel of God (Acts 2:1-4 and 4: 31); and act upon your faith by walking in it (James 2:14-18). Its purpose is to fellowship (Acts 2:42 and Hebrews 13:16), discipleship (Luke 9:23 and Matthew 4:19), worship (Psalm 150:6 and Job 1:20-22), ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13 and Titus 1:7), and evangelism (Psalm 105:1 and Isaiah 6:8 and 12:4).
God has called us to fight in the Spirit as the church on earth. Through prayer, word, and worship, we can do this. Let us obey the call given by God.
Thato Mosebi is a member of the circuit of Ebenezer Mangena Chapel AME Church in the Kroonstad District of the Orangia Annual Conference. She is the RAYAC Orangia Conference President.
