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The Roles of God's People
August 30, 2015
From time to time, it is good to examine some of the roles that God's people play in the lives of others. We have a role regarding preaching the gospel to the lost. We have roles within the body of Christ to taking care of one another, materially and spiritually. We also have roles in reproving sin in the world, and taking on sin in high places on the earth. - Bernie Parsons
The Roles Of God’s People
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 08-30-2015
I would like to examine the role of God’s people in the world. In doing
so, we will look at several ways that our role is carried out.
The role of God’s people to the lost
Jesus told the apostles to preach the gospel to every person.
Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned."
Jesus told His followers to live the gospel in front of others.
Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost
his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot
be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
We give this sinful world a better flavor and provide preservation, like
salt. We dispel confusion and chaos, giving hope to the lost, like a
light. We are here to be observed, like a city on a hill.
The role of God’s people as part of the ekklesia.
The apostle Paul said that God’s
people are the embodiment of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and
all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is
Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be
Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to
drink into one Spirit."
1 Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular."
Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
2 Corinthians 4:5 "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined
in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:18 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the
word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you
by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in him.”
The body of Christ does the work
of Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works."
The apostle Paul said that God’s people are to work out their salvation.
Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not
as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure."
James stated that faith without works is dead.
James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also."
Followers of Jesus are to
encourage one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do."
Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Followers of Jesus are to keep
one another in the paths of righteousness.
2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Jude 1:22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even
the garment spotted by the flesh."
James 5:19 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one
convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of
his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of
sins."
A role of God’s people is to reprove the sin that is in the world.
Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of
them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the
Lord is."
A role of God’s people is to reprove the sin that is in high places in
the world.
Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
As Christians, we have many responsibilities toward one another and
those outside the ekklesia.
