Keeping in step

A number of people picked up on an illustration I used whilst preaching yesterday – rowing. No, not the recreational round the lake type, the real thing that we did rather well at the Beijing Olympics. Several years ago (more than I care to remember) I used to row, and I have a good selection of pewter tankards to prove it. That’s what you get presented with when you win a regatta, and of course, they have to be tried out!

Anyway, back to yesterday’s preaching. The context was Acts chapter 4 where I was exploring the attributes of authentic church life from the very exciting dynamic of those first Christians, and one of my points was that they were A Community of Friends. I must say that I do love this attribute of New Testament Christianity that comes across so clearly in the book of Acts, where we see believers opening their homes, their lives, their resources to one another. Anyway, I then spoke about the way the church, the Body of Christ works, and said: it’s no good being powerful if you can’t keep in step. This is where I used the illustration from rowing, that a number of people commented on.
You see, when rowing, it is absolutely vital that you all move together, that you all slide forward on those sliding seats at the same time, and that you all make your contribution, pulling your oar through the water at the same time, being very mindful of everyone else, keeping in step with them. Otherwise, not only will the effect of your contribution be lessened, it can actually frustrate and work against everyone around you, injuries happen and the boat quickly grinds to a halt. I hardly need to draw out the parallel with church life.

The point is that Jesus, now risen and ascended, gives gifts to his church, to build up the Body, not to individuals to build up their egos. (Ephesians ch4) How often do we hear of highly gifted people getting into trouble and causing pain to those around them because they failed to keep in harmony and submit their giftedness to those around them?
How special to hear the great apostle Paul say that although he found a great door of opportunity open to him at Troas, because his dear brother Titus wasn’t there, he didn’t feel able to continue, and moved on. (2Corinthians 2v12).
I for one, am delighted that this is the way Jesus intends his church to be built – not through superstars parading their talents, but through a community of friends, indwelt by the Spirit, and submitted to one another and the Lordship of Christ.

What an enjoyable and safe way to build!

Goff