Over the past couple weeks we have been in a series called “scoreboard”. We have talked about what a life should look like for someone who is a growing Christ follower. Just like a scoreboard tells you how well things are going in a game, this series has been a journey to see where your spiritual walk is at

We have looked at:

• The importance of being intentional with those around you.
• The importance of being relational in the church. You don’t have to walk through life alone!
• Last week, Pastor Stephen discussed generosity and how often times, the way we handle our finances can reflect our priorities in life

No one really knows all that needs to be done until they get involved

We can become comfortable just staying on the outside looking in

We can look at the cafe team, the parking team, the kids team, the VIP team, and think they got it covered. No need to step in.

But for those that have joined those teams they are looking around saying, “We need help! There’s so much to do!”

Today we are going to look at what it would look like for us as Christ followers to be personally involved and the three signs that you are growing in this area

1 Corinthians 12:14-17

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth reminding them that through their differences and their gifts, they make up the body of Christ.

He even uses a little sarcasm here to get the point across

Paul is telling the church that they all have different gifts and through those gifts, they make up the body

These gifts help someone become more personally involved and the first sign of a growing Christ follower is…

Actively serving on a ministry team

This church could not function without the volunteers here that use their gifts to help us go on a Sunday morning

This is getting off the bench and into the game

This is saying, “God has given me a great love and gift for teaching kids.” And stepping into kids min

Have you decided yet that it’s time to get off the bench and into the game?

The next sign of a growing Christ follower is…

I leverage my skills and abilities to help my church family.

Acts 9:39

Tabitha, or Dorcas, as she is referred to here, was a gifted seamstress and leveraged that gift to make clothes for people in the church that were in need

How can you leverage your gifts and abilities to look more like Tabitha in the church and with other Christ followers?

The third sign of a growing Christ follower is that you meet the needs of other Christians.

The 2nd and 3rd are about creating opportunity

To meet the needs of other Christ followers you have to always be looking for it.

The early church did this extremely well!

Acts 4:32

What if our church community looked like this?

What would be different?

We see it again in the book of James

James 2:14-17

Are you making yourself available relationally to meet the needs of others?

Are you taking the time to meet the needs of other Christians?

In Biblical times traveling was long, hot, and grueling. Finding a home along your journey where they would offer you cold water was an amazing gift of hospitality.

Are you offering those around you a “cup of cold water”?

Maybe it’s setting up a meal train

Maybe it’s heading over to someone’s house who needs some renovations done

Maybe it’s babysitting so that couple can get a much needed date (we have students that would love to do this for you btw)

The only way that you can gauge whether or not you are meeting the needs of fellow Christ followers is if you are engaged in the life of this church family. If you aren’t, how will you know the needs of those around you?

Are you plugged into a Life Group?

If you struggle being relational with other Christ followers, you are putting a ceiling on how many needs you can meet in the church

Some of your next steps will be…

Join a ministry team

Kids, cafe, parking lot, greeters

Pray about how you can leverage the gifts that God has given you to help your church family.

Maybe it’s just paying more attention to meet the needs of fellow Christ followers around you . You were all made and given gifts for so much more than making money and working 9-5pm

What if we all took on more of a spirit of Tabitha? What if we all looked to “give that cup of cold water”? How would this church look different?