神学家有时会提到地上的教会和天上的教会之间的区别。基督已经胜过了仇敌，坐在天上的宝座上，教会与祂同在。然而，地上的教会仍要面对挣扎和属灵的争战。我们仍需要学习，在挣扎中接受训练，努力活出基督对我们的呼召。在这方面，主耶稣是如何帮助我们的呢？
在以弗所书第4章中，使徒保罗帮助我们认识到，耶稣赐给我们特殊的呼召、特殊的事工。祂赐给我们使徒和先知作为教会的根基。我们在圣经中读到他们的话语。此外，祂还赐给我们传福音的人：传道人、牧师和教师。所有这些呼召都是为了装备和建立信徒。
因此，如果教会牧师或其他领袖把注意力集中在声誉、影响力或收入上，他们就会忽略自己的使命。他们的特点应该是无私奉献和乐于服侍。正如保罗在以弗所书第4章开头所指出的，要谦卑温柔，这对于被赋予教会领导权柄的牧师来说尤为重要。
你在教会中蒙召从事什么特殊的服侍？你怎样才能察验自己的动机，从而按照自己的呼召服侍基督的身体呢？
主啊，感谢你赐给我们教会许多恩赐和呼召。请帮助我们忠心地侍奉你。阿们。
希伯来书 12:1-3
1我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，
2仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。
3那忍受罪人这样顶撞的，你们要思想，免得疲倦灰心。
"Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service. . . ." - Ephesians 4:11-12
Theologians sometimes speak about a difference between the church on earth and the church in heaven. Christ has triumphed over his enemies and is seated victoriously in heaven, and the church is there with him. Yet the church on earth must still face struggles and spiritual battles. We still have to learn, to train during the struggle, and to strive to reach the calling we have from Christ. How does the Lord Jesus help us in this?
In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul helps us to see that Jesus gives us people with particular callings, particular ministries. He has given us the apostles and prophets as a foundation for the church. We have their words with us in the Bible. In addition, he gives us people who proclaim the gospel: evangelists, pastors, and teachers. All of these callings equip and build up believers.
So if church pastors or other leaders focus on reputation, influence, or income, they lose sight of what they are called to do. They should be characterized by selflessness and willingness to serve. Being humble and gentle, as Paul noted at the beginning of Ephesians 4, is especially true for pastors, who are given authority to lead in the church.
What particular service are you called to in the church? How do you keep your motivations in check so that you can serve the body of Christ as you are called to do?
Lord, thank you for the many gifts and callings you have given us in the church. Help us to serve you faithfully. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
