It Is Time To Get Off The Bench
You weren’t saved to spectate. You were called to contribute.
One of the most powerful pictures in the Bible is the Church — not as a building, but as a body. A living, breathing, Spirit-filled body made up of unique, gifted individuals working together under one head — Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4 paints this picture clearly. We’re called to live in unity:
“There is one body and one Spirit… one hope… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” (vv. 4–6)
But within that unity? There’s diversity — not in doctrine, but in giftedness.
Every believer is equipped differently, because God never intended for you to just show up, sit quietly, and wait for heaven.
He gave you something. A gift. A grace. And the Church is waiting on you to use it.
Not Just Saving Grace — Ministry Grace
We love talking about grace when it comes to salvation — and we should! But the grace Paul refers to in Ephesians 4:7 is different. This is ministry grace. This is the supernatural empowerment the Holy Spirit gives you to fulfill the work God has prepared for you.
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Eph. 4:7)
This is about more than just “feeling called” — it’s about being equipped. It’s not random. It’s not leftovers. It’s measured out by Christ Himself. That means your gift isn’t just valid — it’s essential to the body.
There Are No Throwaway Christians
Too many believers believe the lie:
“I don’t really have anything to offer.”
“I’m not a leader.”
“I’m not the ‘churchy’ type.”
Let’s be clear: That’s not humility. That’s disobedience.
If God gifted you by His Spirit — and Scripture says He did — then refusing to use your gift isn’t modesty, it’s resistance.
Every Christian has a role to play in the mission of God. There are no extras in this cast. There are no “non-essential personnel” in the body of Christ. You matter.
You matter to this church. You matter to the people sitting next to you. And you matter to God’s eternal plan, because He designed you with purpose.
Ministry Might Not Look Like You Expect
Here’s the thing: not all ministry happens behind a pulpit or on a church staff.
Sometimes, it looks like a missionary couple in a closed country. The wife wasn’t preaching in public or handing out Bibles. She was teaching swimming lessons and doing sign language interpretation. That’s how she served her community and through that service, she shared Christ.
She didn’t need a platform. She used what she had, where she was. And so can you.
Maybe you’re good at listening. Maybe you make people feel at home. Maybe you’re organized and detail-minded. Those aren’t just personality traits; they might be spiritual gifts.
What If I Don’t Know My Gift?
Here’s a little grace for the overwhelmed: You don’t have to know your gift before you start serving. Seriously.
Too many Christians sit on the sidelines waiting for a spiritual “gift card” to show up in the mail. The truth is, gifts are often discovered while you serve — not before.
That’s why our church offers a Spiritual Gifts Survey — not because it’ll solve everything, but because it gives you a place to start. You’ll find it on our website under the “Resources” tab. You can print one out or take it online.
But don’t wait for a perfect result before you say yes to serving. Obedience is the first step; clarity usually comes later.
But I am not good at teaching
You might say, “Well, I’m not a teacher, so that’s not for me.”
Wrong.
The Bible calls all believers to teach in some form:
Teaching your kids and grandkids about faith.
Sharing wisdom with someone new to church.
Explaining the Gospel to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus.
You don’t need a degree. You don’t need a mic. You just need to be willing to give a reason for the hope you have.
Growth Happens When the Whole Church Works
When each believer uses their gift in love, the whole church begins to grow — not just in size, but in spiritual maturity and unity. Ephesians 4 goes on to say that when the body is working properly, it “builds itself up in love.”
That’s the goal.
That’s what we’re aiming for. And that’s why it matters that you get off the bench.
Because when you don’t serve, someone else has to carry your load. And when you do serve, the whole church gets stronger.
So Now What?
You don’t need a lightning bolt from heaven or a holy clipboard with your assignment.
You already know what Scripture says. You’ve been gifted, empowered, and called. Now it’s time to obey.
Try something. Jump in. Ask for help if you need it. And if it’s not a perfect fit, finish what you started and try again. Let the Church do what it’s supposed to do: help you grow, walk with you, and encourage you in your gift.
Don’t Let Excuses Rob You of Obedience
Don’t say, “I’m not ready” or “That’s not my thing.” And don’t say, “They don’t need me.”
We do. God does and the Church does.
Christ didn’t just save you, He equipped you. So step up, show up, speak up, serve well.
It’s time to get off the bench.
