Acts

Living a Life of Joy in the Last Days

Joy That Survives The Last Days

When you look around, joy feels rare. News feeds stir fear. Culture grows dark. Many hearts feel numb.
Yet Ephesians 5:19–20 paints another picture:

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things…”

Paul just spoke about being filled with the Spirit. Now he shows the fruit. The Spirit does not just give power for hard tasks. He gives a new song.

Living a life of joy does not mean you live in denial. It means you see Jesus more clearly than the storm around you.

Living A Life Of Joy Starts With Your Heart

Notice where the music comes from. It starts “with your heart to the Lord.”
You may sing out loud. You may not. Yet deep down, your heart hums praise. The Spirit tunes your inner life.

Joy in the Bible is not a fake smile. It rests on truth.
Psalm 118:24 says:

“This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

God made this day. So you can rejoice in Him even when this day feels hard. You give thanks that He still rules, you trust that He still loves, and you lean on His promise to stay near.

Living a life of joy grows as you preach truth to your own soul. You remind yourself who God is, you recall what He did at the cross, and you cling to what He said about your future.

Joy Flows From Being Filled With The Spirit

Paul links joy to being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18–19. The flow is clear: Spirit filling leads to singing, praise, and thanks.

When you live dry and empty, worship feels heavy. Songs seem flat. Prayer feels forced. When the Spirit fills you, praise rises more free.

Living a life of joy does not mean you never feel sad. The Spirit does not erase grief. He meets you in it. He gives you strength to praise when you hurt, and He lifts your eyes when tears blur your sight.

Think about Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They sat in a dark jail. Their backs hurt from a beating. Yet they prayed and sang hymns. Other prisoners listened. God shook the prison. Chains broke. Doors opened. Joy in hard places shines bright.

Thankfulness As A Way Of Life

Verse 20 says we should be “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.”

That sounds hard. “All things”? Does that mean we like pain? No. It means we trust God in it.

You thank God for who He is, even when you do not like what you face, and you thank Him that He works “all things together for good” for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). You thank Him that He will wipe away every tear one day (Revelation 21:4).

Living a life of joy grows as you choose thanks over grumbling. You can only think one way at a time. When thanks fills your mind, fear and self-pity lose space.

Try this:

  • Start and end your day by naming three things you thank God for.
  • Thank Him for small gifts: a meal, a hug, a verse, a sunset.
  • Thank Him by faith in hard spots: “God, I do not see the good yet, but I trust You.”

As you do this often, joy becomes more natural.

Joy In Community, Not Just Alone

Paul speaks of “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Joy grows in the body, not just in a corner alone.

Church should be a place where worship rings loud and hearts lift. Your song helps others. Their song helps you. When you sing truth together, your faith rises.

Living a life of joy means you plug into God’s people:

  • Show up.
  • Sing, even if your voice feels weak.
  • Share what God is doing.
  • Pray with others.

When you do not feel like going, that might be when you need it most.

How To Take A Step Into Joy Today

You cannot make joy by force, but you can open space for it when you walk in ways that welcome the Spirit’s work.

Try these simple steps:

  1. Ask the Spirit to fill you again. Do this in simple words.
  2. Open God’s Word. Read a psalm and turn parts of it into prayer.
  3. Sing a song of praise. Do this in your car, home, or walk.
  4. Practice thanks on purpose. Speak it out loud to God.
  5. Encourage someone. Send a verse or kind word to a friend.

Living a life of joy will not erase every tear. It will change how you walk through them. In dark last days, joy in Jesus stands out like a light. That is the kind of life the world needs to see in us.

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Always Being Filled With The Spirit

Why God Compares Alcohol And The Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 gives a strong command:

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…”

God draws a sharp line. He sets two ways to live side by side. You can live under the pull of alcohol. Or you can live under the lead of the Spirit.

One path numbs you. The other path fills you.
One wastes your life. The other makes your life count.

Many people drink to escape pain, fear, or stress. They feel weak. They feel small. So they reach for a bottle, a pill, or a screen. The buzz feels bold. The quiet feels safe. Yet the cost comes later. Shame. Regret. Broken trust.
That is why the text calls it “dissipation.” The word points to waste. Squander. Throwing away.

God offers a better way: always being filled with the Spirit.

What “Always Being Filled With The Spirit” Means

The Spirit comes to live in every believer at new birth. Paul says:

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

If you have trusted in Christ, the Spirit lives in you. That is settled.
Yet Ephesians 5:18 speaks of a different thing. The verb points to “keep on being filled.” You live in ongoing surrender, stay open to His lead, and you seek fresh strength.

Always being filled with the Spirit looks like this:

  • You listen to God’s Word.
  • You say “yes” when He points out sin.
  • You say “no” when flesh tempts you.
  • You ask for His help, not just your own willpower.

You do not just try harder. You lean harder on Him.

Always Being Filled With The Spirit Brings Power

Jesus spoke about this in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”

The word “upon” there comes from the Greek “epi.” It points to power that rests on you for action. You still feel weak in yourself. Yet God’s power shows up as you obey.

Always being filled with the Spirit changes how you speak. A shy heart can share Christ. A bitter tongue can bless. A fearful person can stand firm.

This does not mean you turn perfect. It does mean you do not fight sin alone. The Spirit gives you strength to turn from lust, lies, or rage. He builds new habits where old ones held you bound.

What Robs Us Of Being Filled

The Spirit grieves when we hold on to sin. Ephesians 4:30 says:

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…”

You cannot stay full of the Spirit and cling to known sin at the same time. One will push the other out.

Some sins look huge and clear: sexual sin, theft, abuse. Some sins look small: sharp words, white lies, cold hearts. Both kinds grieve Him.

Even good things can crowd Him out. Sports, hobbies, and work can grow big. They are not evil in themselves. But they turn harmful when they rule our time and heart.

Always being filled with the Spirit means you check your heart:

  • Is anything owning me right now?
  • Does something get my best time more than Jesus?
  • Do I reach for a screen, a drink, or a game when I feel low instead of God?

When you see that, you bring it to Him. You confess and turn. You ask Him to fill those empty spots with His real life.

How To Seek A Fresh Filling Today

You do not earn the Spirit’s filling by trying to be “good enough.” Instead, you come empty and honest. You come low.

Here is a simple path:

  1. Ask God to search you. Pray Psalm 139:23–24 in your own words.
  2. Confess what He shows. Name sin as sin. Do not make it small.
  3. Lay down control. Tell Him you want His will, not your own.
  4. Ask Him to fill you. Ask for a fresh work of His power and love.
  5. Step out in faith. Obey the next little thing He shows you.

You may not feel a rush. That is okay. You walk by faith, not by feelings. As you keep saying “yes” to God and “no” to sin, you live in the flow of His life.

Always being filled with the Spirit gives you strength that does not come from you. It gives you joy that does not depend on your day. It turns weak people into bold witnesses. That is the life God wants for you.

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How to Be an Imitator of God in Everyday Life

We all wake up every day. We crawl out of bed, grab coffee, check our phone, and start our routine. But God calls us to a deeper wake-up. He calls us to wake up spiritually.

In Ephesians 5:1–2, Paul writes:

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us…” (NASB)

So what does being an imitator of God really look like? How can simple people like us live this way?

Being an Imitator of God Starts with Identity

Paul does not say, “Imitate God so He will love you.”
He says, “Imitate God as beloved children.”

You already stand loved in Christ. That is your starting point. God sees you in Jesus. He calls you His child (1 John 3:1). You do not earn that place. You receive it by faith.

Because of this, being an imitator of God flows out of who you are, not who you try to be. You act like your Father because you belong to your Father. Children copy what they see at home. In the same way, you copy what you see in God.

So the first step is simple: stay close to Him. Open your Bible. Talk to Him. Watch how Jesus acts in the Gospels. That is how your Father looks.

Being an Imitator of God Means Walking in Love

Paul links imitation of God with love:

“…walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us…” (Eph. 5:2)

Love defines how God acts. John tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Jesus shows this love when He gives Himself up on the cross. True love gives. It serves. True love costs something.

You walk in love when you:

  • Forgive people who wrong you (Eph. 4:32).
  • Speak words that heal, not words that crush (Eph. 4:29).
  • Show kindness when others show anger.
  • Choose to do good when no one thanks you.

This kind of love does not feel easy. Many days it feels like death to self. Yet that is the point. You love “just as Christ” loved you. He did not wait for us to improve. He loved us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8).

Ask this in each hard moment:
“Right now, what does love look like?”

Then do that. That is what it means to walk in love.

Holiness Makes Our Witness Strong

Paul moves from love to holiness:

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” (Eph. 5:3)

Sexual sin, impurity, and greed break trust. They harm people. They confuse the message we preach.

Egypt in Scripture often pictures the world (Lev. 18:3). God told His people not to live like the nations around them. In the same way, we live in this world, but we do not copy its ways. Jesus calls us to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Peter echoes this:

“Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Pet. 1:15–16)

Holiness here does not mean fake perfection. It means a life set apart. It means we say “yes” to God in every area. People see our choices. They listen more when our lives match our words.

When you choose purity, you speak loudly, even if you say nothing with your mouth.

God Uses Flawed Imitators

You might say, “I can’t do this. I fail too much.”
Look at Peter.

He spoke out of turn, was bold and then fearful, and then he denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54–62). Yet Jesus restored him (John 21:15–19). Peter preached at Pentecost, and about 3,000 people came to Christ (Acts 2:41).

God did not pick Peter because he was perfect. God saw what Peter would become when filled with the Spirit. And God sees you the same way.

1 Corinthians 1:8 says Jesus will “confirm you to the end, blameless.” He holds you, shapes you, and He finishes what He starts (Phil. 1:6).

So do not give up. Keep repenting, trusting and walking.

Imitate God in Speech and Conduct

Paul even mentions how we talk:

“there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting…” (Eph. 5:4)

Filthy talk, foolish jokes, and crude humor do not fit a child of God. Words reveal the heart (Matt. 12:34). Your speech should show light, not darkness.

Ask:
“Would I say this if Jesus stood in the room?”

If not, then do not say it. Instead, give thanks. Speak life.

As you do, your neighbors, coworkers, and friends will notice. They may not know what changed. But they will see something different. That “something” is Someone. They will see Christ in you.

This is the call: wake up, and live being an imitator of God. One choice at a time. One word at a time. One act of love at a time.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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Watching for Trickery: How to Guard Your Walk

Why Watching for Trickery Matters So Much

Watching for trickery may not sound very fun. It may sound harsh. Still, the Bible calls us to do it. God cares about how we walk with Him every day. He cares about what we believe, what we follow, and who we listen to.

Ephesians 4:14 says we should no longer be “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men.” That picture feels strong. One day you stand. The next day you fall over. One day you feel sure. The next day you doubt everything. That happens when we do not guard what we believe.

God wants you strong. He wants you steady. He wants you close to Him, not pulled away by smooth words or smart lies.

What “Winds of Doctrine” Look Like Today

“Doctrine” means teaching. “Winds of doctrine” means ideas that blow through the church. The ideas change. The truth does not.

Today you may hear things like:

  • “God just wants you happy, no matter what.”
  • “Love means we never say any behavior is wrong.”
  • “If it feels right, it must be right.”

These ideas sound kind. They sound soft. But they do not match the Bible. They do not match Jesus.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick.” Our feelings trick us. Our hearts lie to us. When we build our whole life on feelings, we fall hard.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:13–14. He said the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction. Many people walk there. The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life. Only a few find it. Lies feel wide and easy. Truth feels narrow and hard. Yet truth leads to life.

Watching for Trickery in Church and Culture

You do not need to fear every teacher or doubt every sermon. You do need to test what you hear. God calls you to that.

The believers in Berea did this well. Acts 17:11 says they “received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” They listened with open hearts, and they also checked the Bible. They did both. You can do both too.

So ask simple questions:

  • Does this match clear Bible verses?
  • Does this make sin look small?
  • Does this make me feel okay to disobey God?

If a teaching tells you that sin is not really sin, it brings trickery. If it says you never need to repent, it lies. Scripture says we must repent. We must turn. We must lay aside the old way of life (Ephesians 4:22).

How to Grow Strong in Truth

You grow strong in truth by feeding on truth, not on spiritual junk food. You need God’s Word every day.

Colossians 2:3–4 says that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” and that Paul writes “so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.” Beautiful words and smart talk can still deceive you. Jesus never deceives you.

Hebrews 5:14 says that solid food belongs to the mature who, because of practice, train their senses to discern good and evil. That means you learn to spot lies as you study, obey, and practice God’s Word. You learn as you walk with Him, not just as you read about Him.

Reading your Bible builds your “truth muscles.” Talking with other believers helps you hear blind spots. Learning from good teachers builds your mind and heart. Obeying what you read grows your faith.

Watching for Trickery With Love, Not Pride

Watching for trickery does not mean we walk around angry. It does not mean we feel better than other people. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to “speak the truth in love.” Truth and love must stay together. Hard truth without love hurts people. Fake love without truth leaves people in danger.

You can say hard things with a soft heart. Also, you can point to the Bible, not to your own pride. You can cry for those who wander, even as you refuse to call darkness light.

As you keep watching for trickery, you protect your own walk with God. You also help others stay close to Jesus. Do not just try to win arguments. Try to win souls. Honor the Lord who gave you truth, and you’ll walk steady, even as the winds blow.

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Gifts for Our Purpose: How God Equips Ordinary People for Extraordinary Work

Gifts for Our Purpose: Why God Uses People Like Us

God never wastes a life. He never saves someone just to set them on a shelf. When Paul writes Ephesians 4:11–13, he shows us that God gives gifts for our purpose, not for our ego. These gifts help us grow up, build up, and speak up for Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11–12 says:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

God gives these gifts so that His people can do His work. That means you matter. Your place in the church matters. Your role in God’s plan matters.

Gifts for Our Purpose: Grace for Broken People

Paul says in Ephesians 4:7:

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

God gives grace before He gives you work. He knows your past, your sin and your weakness. Still, He gives gifts for our purpose.

You do not earn these gifts. You do not deserve them. God gives them in grace. That word “grace” means “unearned favor.” God leans toward you in kindness.

Think of your life before Jesus. Maybe it was chaos or pride, or maybe it was secret sin. When you came to Christ, God began to restore order. Ephesians 4:12 uses the word “equipping.” That word means to make something fit, to set it right, like a doctor setting a broken bone.

God does not leave your life out of joint. He sets it. He heals it. Then He uses it.

Equipping the Saints: Why Truth Must Shape Us

Look again at Ephesians 4:12–13:

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

Every believer is a “saint.” Not a perfect person. A set-apart person. God calls every saint into the “work of service.” Service is not just for pastors. Service is for all of us.

So God equips us. How? Through His Word. James 1:22 says:

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

Hearing alone will trick you. You think you grow. You think you change. But you don’t. Real growth comes when you hear and then obey.

That is why the Bible never works like a list of random rules. You already live with rules. You stop at red lights. Your job sets work hours and you follow them. Rules do not crush life. Good rules protect life.

God’s Word sets wise limits and clear paths. It shapes your mind. It cleans your heart. Psalm 119:9 says:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”

God’s Gifted Leaders: Tools for Building You Up

In Ephesians 4:11 God lists five kinds of leaders:

  • Apostles
  • Prophets
  • Evangelists
  • Pastors
  • Teachers

These leaders do not exist to entertain. They exist to build. Think of them as God’s tools to shape your life.

Apostles were the first witnesses of Jesus. They walked with Him, and saw Him after His resurrection (Acts 1:21–22; 1 Corinthians 9:1). They gave us the New Testament. Their main job was to lay the foundation.

Prophets spoke God’s truth into real life. Sometimes they told the future. Often they applied God’s Word to the present. 1 Corinthians 14:3 says:

“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.”

So a prophet would build up, stir up, and lift up the people of God.

Evangelists share the good news. They answer questions. They point people to the cross. Think of Philip in Acts 8:26–35. The Holy Spirit sends Philip to a man reading Isaiah. Philip climbs into the chariot and explains how the passage points to Jesus. That is evangelism.

Pastors and teachers care for the flock and feed the flock. A pastor guards and guides. A teacher opens up the Word so people understand and live it (Acts 20:28).

All of these leaders aim at one big goal:

“the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

Growing Up in Christ: God’s Goal for Your Life

God does not want spiritual babies who never grow. Verse 13 shows His aim:

“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

Maturity means you know Jesus more. You trust Him more, obey Him more and you look more like Him.

This growth never comes by chance. It comes as you sit under solid teaching, as you obey what you learn, and as you serve others with the gifts He gives you.

You might feel too broken. Too late. Too weak. God does not agree. He gives gifts for our purpose so that your life can count for His glory and for the good of others.

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Counting the Options

Counting the Options – Two Paths, Two Outcomes

In Galatians 4:24-27, Paul presents two allegorical paths symbolized by two women, Hagar and Sarah, and their children, Ishmael and Isaac. Counting the options involves assessing the outcomes of living under the law versus walking in God’s grace.

Counting the Options: Law vs. Grace

The two covenants Paul describes are represented by Hagar, the bondwoman, and Sarah, the free woman. Hagar’s son, Ishmael, symbolizes the old covenant, which is tied to the law given at Mount Sinai. It’s like when you try to live by a strict set of rules to earn approval, it often feels burdensome and hopeless.

Sarah’s son, Isaac, embodies the promise of grace through faith. Living under grace means relying on God’s unconditional love and mercy. This freedom invites a lighter burden compared to the never-ending endeavor to uphold every commandment.

Why Counting the Options is Crucial

Galatians 4:25-26 tells us that Hagar bears children who become slaves, symbolizing the bondage of legalism. On the other hand, Sarah’s son represents freedom, as he comes from God’s promise. Counting these options means recognizing the futility of relying on law for salvation.

In Genesis 16:1-5, when Sarah (then Sarai) becomes impatient, she suggests Abraham have a child with Hagar. This choice leads to strife and confusion, as it deviated from God’s promise. Similarly, opting for legalistic righteousness results in spiritual enslavement.

The Path to Choose Today

The path of grace invites you to rely on Christ’s completed work on the cross, rather than human effort. Paul emphasizes that Jerusalem above, symbolized by Sarah, is free (Galatians 4:26). This city of freedom represents being children of God liberated by grace.

Acts 13:39 sheds light on justification that comes not by the law but by faith. Counting the options leads to a life choice between oppression (the law) and freedom (grace). Which will you choose?

Choose wisely, and opt for the path of grace where God’s promises flourish. When faced with spiritual dilemmas, count the options, and remember the simplicity and purity of faith. It brings about a liberating promise, securing you in the lineage of freedom, like Isaac.

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Rules Do Not Make You Holy

What Makes a Person Holy?

Let’s be clear—rules do not make you holy. God is more concerned about what’s in your heart than what’s on your plate or what day you go to church. In Acts 10:11–16, Peter has a vision from God. A large sheet comes down from heaven full of animals that Jewish law said not to eat. God tells Peter to “kill and eat,” but Peter says, “No way, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything unclean.”

Then God says something powerful:

“What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (Acts 10:15)

This isn’t just about food. God is showing Peter—and us—that the old way of following rules to feel holy is over. Holiness now comes through Jesus, not through what we eat, drink, or avoid.

Rules Do Not Make You Holy—Your Heart Does

Jesus made this clear too. In Mark 7:18–23, He told His disciples:

“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?”

He went on to say that evil comes from within us—from the heart. Things like greed, lying, pride, and lust. That’s what makes someone unclean.

That’s why rules do not make you holy. You could follow every diet, wear perfect church clothes, never miss a Sunday, and still be far from God if your heart is full of sin and rebellion.

God isn’t looking for people who follow man-made rules. He’s looking for people who follow Him. He wants your heart, not your habits.

Don’t Let Religion Replace Relationship

Paul also warned the church in Colossians about this. In Colossians 2:8 he says:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

We’ve got to be careful. Religion can sound holy, but it can keep us far from Jesus if we’re not careful. That’s why Colossians 2:16 tells us:

“Don’t let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

Some people love to pile on rules. Don’t eat this. Don’t drink that. Go to church on this day. Wear this. Say that. But God isn’t impressed by any of that. He’s looking for people who trust Him, love Him, and obey Him from the inside out.

Holiness Starts with Relationship

Real holiness isn’t about what we do for show. It’s about who we are when no one’s looking. It’s about whether or not we’re walking in fellowship with Jesus every single day. Are we listening to Him? Are we obeying His Word? Do we repent when we fall?

That’s what matters. Not coffee or meat. Not Saturday vs. Sunday.

So let’s stop letting religious rules distract us. Let’s focus on the truth of God’s Word. Because at the end of the day, rules do not make you holy. Jesus does.

And that’s the kind of holiness the world needs to see—authentic, honest, and rooted in a relationship with the Savior who gave it all for us.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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Unsung Heroes of the Church

Unsung Heroes of the Church

Every church has them—people who don’t stand on stage or hold a microphone, but without them, the church wouldn’t last a week. They are the unsung heroes of the church. Men and women who clean, cook, greet, teach kids, organize, pray, fix things, serve food, and serve people. They don’t do it for praise. They do it for Jesus.

From the Old Testament to the New, God highlights how much these faithful people matter.

The Wisdom of Jethro and the Strength of the Servants

In Exodus 18:14–22, Moses tried to do it all. Every person came to him for help, for judgment, for answers. But it was too much. His father-in-law Jethro stepped in and said, “Moses, this isn’t good. You will wear yourself out. Choose men who fear God, men of truth, who hate dishonest gain. Let them help you.”

That was the beginning of ministry delegation. Jethro didn’t say to pick popular men. He said to choose men of character. These men were faithful, honest, and humble. They feared God and wanted His will, not their own. They were unsung heroes of the church in the making.

The Early Church Knew It Too

Fast forward to Acts 6:2–4, and we see a similar problem. The early church was exploding in growth. People were getting saved daily. But the practical needs started piling up. Widows needed food. Tables needed serving. The apostles couldn’t do everything and still teach the Word and pray.

So they told the church to choose seven men—men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. These weren’t leftovers. These were Spirit-filled men. God used them to handle the needs of the people so that the pastors could focus on preaching.

From Exodus to Acts, God raised up faithful men to support His work. These men were not seeking glory. They were seeking to glorify God.

Today’s Unsung Heroes Wear Many Hats

If you walk through any church today, you’ll see it’s not just the pastors or teachers who make things happen. It’s the volunteers, the greeters, the child care workers, the kitchen team, the tech crew, the prayer warriors. And yes—it’s often the women who are leading the way in faithful service.

In a lunch honoring our church servants, we looked around and saw it: three-fourths of them were women. Praise God for every man who serves. We need more. But we must also give thanks for the women who show up, serve hard, and never ask for applause.

They are the heartbeat of the church. They are the unsung heroes of the church.

Every Role Matters in God’s Plan

God’s design is clear. He raises pastors, elders, and teachers to lead. But He also raises men and women to do everything else that needs doing—and there’s a lot. These roles may look simple. They may go unnoticed. But God sees every act of service, and He honors it.

Don’t ever think your role is small. If you’re doing it for Jesus, it’s huge. Be faithful where God has placed you. You just might be one of the unsung heroes of the church.

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