Why are you there? Why are you in your church?

How do you figure out how you fit in?

First, there?s a right way and a wrong way to ask that question.

The wrong way is bad and unhealthy. And it comes from our pride. Our pride can be the source of this question in two ways:
1-?Lord of the Ants? attitude ? This attitude looks at a church from the outside, and sees them like a poorly organized anthill. ?Those poor people?, this person thinks, ?how did they ever do church without me. When I join, I?m going to fix it up and show them how it?s done. They?re so lucky to have me.?
This is prideful, arrogant and wrong. The church got along fine without you there, and they?ll be fine after you leave. Sure you may contribute some, but your attitude will probably do them more harm than good.

2-?I am an ant? attitude ? This attitude looks at the church and sees a group of people who have it all together. ?I?m such a nobody?, This person says. ?How will I ever fit in? No one there sees me or cares about me. I have nothing to contribute. And even if I did, those people are so busy about their cliques that they are ignoring me.?
This attitude is also unhealthy and wrong. Of course you are important. But in your own way, you are being prideful too. It?s not all about you. Because someone doesn?t say hi on a certain day, or doesn?t ask you to be a committee doesn?t mean that they are ignoring you. You want some friends? Then go make some.

The right way to ask, ?Where do I fit in?? is to see the Lord?s church and love her as He does?warts and all. See that a perfect God is using an imperfect vessel to build his kingdom and glorify his Son. Ask yourself, ?How can I be a part of God?s work here at this church? How can the unique gifts that God has given me help this church accomplish God?s mission for it??

So how do you figure out the answer to the question, ?Where do I fit in??

1-Give yourself to God ?

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God?this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

God changes your life. He does it when you give him yourself as an offering. Then your mind is renewed and you become a living sacrifice to God?s glory!
That?s where it starts. Realize that your being in the church is not for you. It?s not even for the church or the other people in the church, chiefly. It?s for God?s glory. Quit being the consumer. The church is not about customer service. In the marketplace, if a business doesn?t provide good customer service, we leave and go to its competitor down the street. But the church is not in business, and it is not a competition. The church exists for God?s glory. If there is a problem with your church, ask, ?Am I a part of the problem?? and whether you are or not, become a part of the solution.
But first of all, commit to serving the Lord through and with that church.

2-See your place honestly ?

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:3-5)

And Paul begins by exemplifying exactly what he is talking about. He said, ?For by the grace given me, I say?? He, even in teaching this concept, models it. He recognizes that the only authority he has?.the only contribution he makes?his very role as an apostle is because of God?s grace. He doesn?t take any of the credit for who he is in the church. That?s God?s place to decide who we are in the church.

So it is with you. Don?t think of yourself too highly. Do you have a lot to offer? Yes. But it?s not for your own glory or credit. It?s for God?s. And he?s the one who made you who you are.

How do you see yourself honestly?
Embrace the difference, be who you are. God made you different from your fellow church members. That?s good. And God made you differently, not so that you would compete, but so that you would complement one another. You are supposed to be different. And it is supposed to bring you together.

How do you see yourself honestly?
Realize that you don?t exist just for yourself and the church doesn?t exist for you- you exist to build the body. ? reread v. 5

5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

So do your part joyfully. And remember you belong to each other. You are to support one another and be accountable to one another.
And in humilty, and recognize that What you have to offer is a gift of God.

3- Use your gifts! ?

6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)

We each have different gifts, use yours! (v. 6)

And do it cheerfully! Don?t use your gift begrudgingly. Don?t lord your gift over others. Do it, and enjoy it as you serve as God has gifted you.

And let it be a source of praise to God. God has a place for you. Look at your self honestly, your church lovingly, and to God as the one you are to be serving and then...

Jump In!