Chosen to Be Porters . . Appointed Over the Furniture; . .
The Church is a body of individuals with unique gifts and tasks, working together in harmony and faithfulness to achieve God's work.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of each member's role within the Church, likening it to the orderly service of the Levites in the temple. He illustrates how every individual is appointed to a specific task, whether it be welcoming souls, providing nourishment, or leading worship, and highlights the beauty of unity and cooperation without jealousy or interference. Meyer encourages believers to embrace their unique gifts and responsibilities, reminding them that the success of the Church relies on the faithfulness of each member. He concludes that when each person focuses on their appointed role, they contribute to the greater good of the body of Christ and receive God's praise.
Text
Chosen to be porters . . appointed over the furniture; . .
the singers. 1 Chron. ix. 22, 29, 31, 33.
WHAT a busy scene is suggested in these words! When the morning broke, it called to duty first the porters who opened the House of God; and then, after due ablution, each band of white‑robed Levites been its special service. There was no running to and fro in disorder, no intrusion on one another's office, no clashing in duty, no jealousy of each other's ministry. It was enough to know that each had been appointed to his task, and was asked to be faithful to it. The right ordering of the whole depended on the punctuality, fidelity, and conscientiousness of each.
So it is in the Church of Christ, each is specially gifted for some post to which he has been set apart. One to see to the gates, admitting souls to the kingdom; one to the baking in pans, attending to the feeding of the household of God; some are appointed to the furnishing and maintaining of the House of Prayer; others to the psalmody, as the hymn‑writers of our praise and holy song. How beautiful it is when we dwell together in this unity, not envying one another, nor interfering in each other's ministry. "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Whatever is successfully done by the Church is accredited by Christ to each faithful servant, just as the impression produced on the audience by an orchestra is the result of each instrument, even to the piccolo, doing its part. Whatever is done by the whole, is done by each part of the whole. Be content with the position to which thy Master has assigned thee, and let thine eye be single unto Him. So shall each have praise of God.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Order in the Church
- A. Each member has a special gift and task
- B. The right ordering of the whole depends on individual punctuality and faithfulness
- II. The Variety of Gifts and Tasks
- A. Some are appointed to the gates, admitting souls to the kingdom
- B. Others are appointed to the furnishing and maintaining of the House of Prayer
- C. Some are appointed to the psalmody, as hymn-writers of our praise and holy song
- III. The Unity and Harmony of the Church
- A. When we dwell together in unity, not envying one another, nor interfering in each other's ministry
- B. Each faithful servant is accredited by Christ for the work done
Key Quotes
“Whatever is done by the whole, is done by each part of the whole.” — F.B. Meyer
“Be content with the position to which thy Master has assigned thee, and let thine eye be single unto Him.” — F.B. Meyer
“Each faithful servant is accredited by Christ for the work done.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Be content with the position to which God has assigned you and let your eye be single unto Him.
- Work together in harmony with others in the Church, not envying or interfering with one another's ministry.
- Be faithful to the task to which you have been set apart and trust that God will use you to achieve His work.