Tag Archives: Service

We go forward to serve others not to earn G*d’s love but because G*d loves us through Jesus

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:25 am on March 24, 2015
Tags: , Service   

The Carpenter – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 24, 2015

“God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:27ff

“Someone has imagined the Carpenter’s tools holding a conference. Brother Hammer presided. Several suggested he leave the meeting because he was too noisy. Replied the Hammer, “If I have to leave this shop, Brother Screw must go also. You have to turn him around again and again to get him to accomplish anything”. Brother Screw then spoke up. “If you wish, I’ll leave. But Brother Plane must leave too. All his work is on the surface. His efforts have no depth.” To this Brother Plane responded, “Brother Rule will also have to withdraw, for he is always measuring folks as though he were the only one who is right.” Brother Rule then complained against Brother Sandpaper: “You ought to leave too because you’re so rough and always rubbing people the wrong way.”

In the midst of all this discussion, in walked the Carpenter of Nazareth. He had arrived to start His day’s work. Putting on His apron, He went to the bench to make a pulpit from which to proclaim the Gospel. He employed the hammer, screw, plane, rule, sandpaper, and all the other tools. After the day’s work when the pulpit was finished, Brother Saw arose and remarked: “Brethren, I observe that all of us are workers together with the Lord.”

Written by an Anonymous person titled “You Are Needed”.

What a wonderful way to imagine how we put into practice what my devotion yesterday was speaking to – the fact that we only work at our best if we work together – like the body only works best when all the members (arms, legs, etc.) are working together. The Carpenter could not build anything if he only had a hammer – and didn’t have any wood, or a saw, nails, or sandpaper. The electrician would never be able to make a light switch work if he didn’t have wire cutters, or a screw driver or some electrical tape.

We each have individual gifts – but none of us have all the gifts that are needed to be an effective, efficient, worshipping community. It takes all the gifts we can muster together – working together – worshipping together – doing ministry together.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:20 am on March 22, 2015
Tags: , Service   

If it Dies… – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 22, 2015
Sunday

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”      John 12:24-26

Here’s a quote from Rob Bell, from his book Love Wins:

“Several years ago we had an art show at our church. I had been giving a series of teachings on peacemaking, and we invited artists to display their paintings, poems, and sculptures that reflected their understanding of what it means to be a peacemaker. One woman included in her work a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, which a number of people found quite compelling. But not everyone. Someone attached a piece of paper to it. On the piece of paper was written: “Reality check: He’s in hell.” Really? Gandhi’s in hell? He is? We have confirmation of this? Somebody knows this? Without a doubt? And that somebody decided to take on the responsibility of letting the rest of us know? (Love Wins, Rob Bell)

Can someone tell me how much fruit has been born just from a single statement, or the individual recognition and inspiration of the work of Gandhi? I am sure no one can answer that definitively, and yet my hunch is that many people have been inspired to deeper faith in G*d because of Gandhi. What does not surprise me is the number of people who have determined definitively who is in and who is out of the realm of the love of G*d, and who is down under looking up at those who are in the kingdom. Who knows the mind of G*d enough to say with certainty that they are in and others are out? I would never, never ever say that I am definitely in – it is not my decision and there is no amount of work I can do to assume, or to reserve a place in the Kingdom. If G*d decides that I will participate in the Kingdom, I will be overjoyed and surprised – but that is not even my concern. My concern now is to do the will of the Father – and that is to die to this life in serving others so that, when I die, someone else may be able to bear some fruit because our paths have crossed.

Pastor Dave