Saturday June 3rd, 2017 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
? no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. (verse 3b)
It happens in many congregations: approximately 20% of the people do 80% of the work. When it is time to nominate council members, it is almost always one of the 20% who serves. Same with Sunday school, lawn mowing, altar guild, you name it. Sometimes we can find it frustrating when the same 20% are called upon to do 80% of the work. Why can’t someone else take a turn on council? Why can’t someone else teach Sunday school this year?
Perhaps you’ve heard 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 read in worship before. It is often read when church council members or Sunday school teachers are installed. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit?” (verse 4) However verse 3b is often left out of this reading. Verse 3b is a helpful reminder that belief in Jesus Christ is a gift from God. We are not able to confess that “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. In my experience, belief in Jesus leads into service in Jesus’ name. So if you find yourself one of the 20% doing 80% of the work, be thankful for your call to serve: it means God is at work in you.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith, my faith in you and your faith in me. Amen. — ANS
Contributed by The 80/20 Principle
It happens in many congregations: approximately 20% of the people do 80% of the work. When it is time to nominate council members, it is almost always one of the 20% who serves. Same with Sunday school, lawn mowing, altar guild, you name it. Sometimes we can find it frustrating when the same 20% are called upon to do 80% of the work. Why can't someone else take a turn on council? Why can't someone else teach Sunday school this year?
Perhaps you've heard 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 read in worship before. It is often read when church council members or Sunday school teachers are installed. "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit?" (verse 4) However verse 3b is often left out of this reading. Verse 3b is a helpful reminder that belief in Jesus Christ is a gift from God. We are not able to confess that "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. In my experience, belief in Jesus leads into service in Jesus' name. So if you find yourself one of the 20% doing 80% of the work, be thankful for your call to serve: it means God is at work in you.
