You Are Needed

Feb 3 2023 - Eric Buresh

Imagine these voices with me from the silent thoughts of fellow Gracers: 

“I came to church struggling with how I could have a relationship with God when I’ve done so many things wrong. You’ve dealt with the same questions. I needed to talk to you. Where were you?” 

“I came to a small group because my marriage is dry and faltering. I feel my heart wanting to wander. You were there once in your marriage, and your faith restored you. I needed to hear your story. Where were you?” 

“I just lost a child to miscarriage. Comfort is hard to find. I know you went through the same suffering. I looked for you after service. I needed your encouragement. Where were you?” 

“My faith feels dry. I came to a Grace study hoping to find new vitality. It was hard for me to go. I’m introverted. I know you are outgoing. I was hoping you would help me feel welcome. Where were you?”   

Whether we’re talking about weekend worship, Small Groups, Studies, or any other opportunities to assemble with members of our church family, I think we can all say that we have forsaken such gatherings to some degree – some of us almost entirely. I would hazard a guess that a reason many would give for non-participation is that we believe we don’t really need it in our lives. Maybe we’re doing fine or maybe we’re not doing fine but we just don’t think gathering with our church family will help. I have certainly had these self-deceptive thoughts. And I’m not going to try to persuade you otherwise (at least not today =)). 

Rather, I am asking you to consider that even if you don’t think you need fellowship with your spiritual family, your spiritual family needs fellowship with you. Assembling is an another-centered command: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25.   

You are needed. God created you in His image and sovereignly molded you through your life as a unique person with individual gifts, individual stories, individual experiences, and an individual function that is missed when you are not present in fellowship (Romans 12:4-5). Your church family cannot share in your gifts, stories, and experiences if you are not present to share them. The body is weaker when it is missing any member, and the more connected you are the more benefit the body gains. Whether it is a weekend service, the foyer before or after service, a classroom, a living room, a coffee shop, all the above . . . assemble. As you do, think about these many ways you can contribute to the body in your own unique way: 

• Love one another (1 John 4:11) 
• Welcome one another (Romans 15:7) 
• Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25) 
• Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10) 
• Do good to one another (1 Thess. 5:15) 
• Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32) 
• Encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25) 
• Stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) 
• Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) 
• Address one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19) 
• Comfort one another (2 Cor. 13:11) 
• Instruct one another (Romans 15:14) 
• Show honor to one another (Romans 12:10) 
• Bear with and forgive one another (Colossians 3:13) 
• Pray for one another (James 5:16) 
• Confess sins to one another (James 5:16) 
• Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)