Battleships, Not Cruise Ships

From the very beginning of our church plant, I have been deeply committed to helping people understand that joining us in the gospel work God has entrusted to us in Sanford means stepping aboard a battleship, not a cruise ship. These words may sound jarring in a culture that often treats the church as a place of comfort, entertainment, and self-fulfillment. But those called to serve King Jesus and His church must grasp the weight and urgency of our mission. This is not a leisurely journey; it’s a call to spiritual warfare, sacrificial service, and unwavering faithfulness to the Gospel.

The Subtle Danger of Ingratitude

The danger of ingratitude in the church is subtle, yet it can be devastating. It creeps in quietly, often in the shadows of routine service. You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The fatigue of setting up chairs, the monotony of loading and unloading sound equipment, the exhaustion of early mornings and late nights—all to prepare a space where God's people can gather and worship. And if we’re not careful, the joy of service can quickly turn into bitterness, discontent, and a begrudging spirit.

Paul addresses this directly in his letter to the Philippians:

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Philippians 2:14-17).

The command here is not just to do the work but to do it with a heart free from grumbling. Why? Because our attitudes can either display or obscure the light of the Gospel. When we serve with a disgruntled heart, we dim the light that should shine through us, diminishing our witness to one another, and a watching world.

The Call to Blameless Service

Paul, writing from prison, exhorts the Philippians to serve without grumbling so they might be seen as children of God, shining brightly in a dark world. What a powerful image: the church as a lighthouse, radiating the hope and truth of Christ! But when we focus on what others are or aren’t doing, that light is dimmed. Instead of being beacons of hope, we risk becoming stumbling blocks to those searching for the truth.

Imagine if Jesus, looking around, had said, “No one is helping. No one is going with me to the cross.” But for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame (Hebrews 12:2). He didn’t complain that no one stood with Him. Instead, He served, He loved, He died—alone. And He did it joyfully for the sake of His bride, the church, and the glory of God.

Stop Looking Around: Look to Christ and Follow His Example

Instead of looking around to see who isn’t helping, be the one who steps up. If you find yourself saying, “We need more people,” or “No one is helping,” it’s likely your eyes are not fixed on Christ but on others. Behold Him! Consider Him! Don’t look to the left or to the right. Look to Him who is able to use you to be a catalyst for change, to cultivate a culture of joyful, sacrificial service in the church.

If you find that no one is following you or helping you in your service to Christ at the church, it might be time to ask yourself two critical questions:

1. Do I have pride in myself? Are you hesitant to ask for help because you don’t want to appear needy? The result is that people assume you don’t need help, and so they don’t offer it. Pride creates distance. Jesus Himself didn’t serve alone. He gathered the twelve and sent them out in pairs. He modeled the beauty of community and shared labor. Ask yourself: Are you trying to be the lone hero, or are you inviting others into the joy of service?

2. Do I have a bad attitude?Are you serving in such a way that you make the task look miserable? People are drawn to joy and repelled by bitterness. If your attitude is sour, you may be pushing people away, making them think, “If this is what serving looks like, I want no part in it.” Consider the aroma you are giving off. Is it the fragrance of Christ or the stench of discontentment?

The Two Workers

Imagine two workers tasked with the same job of cleaning up a park. One grumbles the entire time, scowling and complaining about how no one else is helping. The other joyfully goes about the task, even singing while he works, inviting others to join in. Soon, children and parents nearby see his joy and start helping out. The joyful worker ends up with a team of volunteers, while the grumbling one remains alone, frustrated and exhausted.

The same principle applies in the church. If you serve with joy, others will be drawn to serve alongside you. But if you serve with a bitter heart, you will find yourself isolated, wondering why no one is joining in.

The Kingdom Perspective: Our Labor in Light of Eternity

When weariness sets in, we must remind ourselves of the eternal weight of our service. The mundane tasks of setting up and tearing down, week after week, are not meaningless. They are bricks laid in the construction of God’s Kingdom on earth. Every chair set up, every piece of equipment moved, every prayer offered behind the scenes—it all echoes into eternity.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We are not simply keeping a religious machine running; we are part of an embassy of the Kingdom of God, a signpost of the gospel to Sanford, Florida.

How Will You End Your Race?

At the end of your race, will you be able to say with the Apostle Paul, “I am already being poured out as a drink offering” (2 Timothy 4:6)? Or will you have a cup that remains full, unused, because you held back, complained, or saw the work as beneath you? Beloved, God has prepared good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Will you embrace them, or will you resist the very means by which God intends to bless you and others?

The Call to the Battleship

The church is not a cruise ship designed for comfort; it’s a battleship equipped for war. Our mission is not to lounge in comfort but to advance the Kingdom of God in a world that is hostile to the Gospel. When you joined Restoration Church of Sanford, you enlisted in God’s army. Your service—however small it may seem—is a weapon in the hands of the King.

There’s a story of a stonecutter laboring in obscurity on the cathedral of Notre Dame. When asked what he was doing, he replied, “I am building a great cathedral to the glory of God.” Brothers and sisters, do not forget the grand vision. Every act of service, no matter how small, is building up the church as a temple where God is worshiped.

A Final Exhortation: Hold Fast with a Clear Conscience

Let us hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience (1 Tim. 3:9) , as pastor Jeremy preached to us yesterday, not allowing ingratitude to cloud our hearts. Remember, our work here is not in vain. Whether it is seen by men or only by the eyes of God, it is precious to Him. Let us be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for one day, we will hear those blessed words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

So press on, dear church. The battleship sails onward. The mission is urgent. Let’s labor with grateful hearts for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom in Sanford and beyond.