Are You Fit For The Body? | Javon Ruff

Monday, August 25



Key Scriptures

Ephesians 2:11-22; Isaiah 14:13; I Corinthians 12:20-22; Romans 12:5; Psalm 68:6; Hebrews 10:24-25; Psalm 100:2; Matthew 20:35-28; I Corinthians 15:58

Introduction

Today we’ll explore the message, Are You Fit for the Body?, by Pastor Javon Ruff. The message encouraged us to recognize our unique purpose and essential role within the body of Christ, emphasizing that the church is not a building but a living, connected community of believers. Pastor Ruff challenged us to move beyond merely attending church to actively finding our "fit" through connection, service, and unity, becoming a dwelling place for God’s glory. Drawing from Ephesians 2, he reminded us that through Christ’s blood, we are no longer strangers but citizens and members of God’s household, built together for His purpose.

  • What stood out to you from this message?
  • How does the idea of being "fitted together" in the body of Christ resonate with your current walk of faith?

Key Points

You won’t reach where God wants you to be alone. There’s reward for your labor, relief in storms, restoration in failures, and reinforcement in battles when you find your fit in the Body of Christ. You matter. You’re needed. It’s time to glorify God by finding your place in the Body of Christ.

  1. Be Fitted in Connection. Connection fosters belonging. You don’t just attend church; you belong to God’s family. It is not God’s will for you to be lonely. The antidote to loneliness is being fitted into the family of God. True belonging comes when you find your place in the House of God. Belonging fuels your passion. Assemble with the Body of Christ.
  2. Be Fitted in Serving. You don’t need a college degree to serve; all you need is a heart full of grace and gratitude. Serving shapes you. The gifts God has given you are for others. When you let God use your life, it reveals another facet of His grace.
  3. Be Fitted in Unity. In a divided world, a united church is essential. A united Church is unstoppable. Unity brings anointing, blessing, and power for effectiveness. Stop gossiping, backbiting, and fighting with others. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual principalities.
  4. Be Fitted in Protection. Connection protects your faith; isolation leads to destruction. When separated from the Church, you become vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Beware of people and things that pull you away from the Bible, prayer, and wise counsel.

Fitted In Connection

In the body of Christ, connection is our lifeline, combating loneliness and cultivating true belonging. Romans 12:5 beautifully captures this: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another." We don’t just belong to Christ; we belong to each other, completing one another in God’s family. Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, each of us is unique, yet only when fitted together do we form the beautiful picture of God’s holy dwelling. Alone, we’re incomplete, but connected in the church, we’re built together for His glory.

Psalm 68:6 declares, "God sets the lonely in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity." God’s heart is clear: He never intended for us to walk alone. The church isn’t a place to visit as a spectator—it’s a family to join. Pastor Javon Ruff shared a powerful story to illustrate this. A pastor visited a member who had drifted from church. Without a word, he took a glowing ember from the fireplace and set it aside. Isolated, it flickered and died. But when he returned it to the fire, it blazed again. The message was clear: disconnection dims our faith, but belonging reignites our passion. That member vowed to return to church the next Sunday, understanding that staying connected keeps our spiritual fire burning.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us, "Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Gathering at church isn’t enough; we must assemble with intentionality. Gathering can be casual, but assembling is purposeful—linking arms to shine brightly for Christ. It’s not about ritual but about building a community that transforms us.

First Thessalonians 5:11 calls us to "encourage one another and build one another up." This only happens through deep connection. When we invest in relationships within the church, we strengthen each other’s faith, keeping it vibrant and alive. Don’t just show up—get connected. Your presence and participation make the body whole, and together, we reflect the glory of God.

Fitted In Serving

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve,” Pastor Javon Ruff quoted from Martin Luther King Jr., drawing from Matthew 20:25-28 to describe how we all have a unique fit, like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, in the body of Christ. We are not only able to serve but called to serve the body of Christ, using all the gifts God has blessed us with. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (NIV). Jesus set the example, showing that even the Son of God came to serve others and lay down His life for them. As you find your fit, you too are called to serve the body of Christ.

Our spiritual gifts and abilities are not about us. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (KJV). Pastor Javon used the analogy of a multi-faceted diamond to highlight this point. Just as a beautiful diamond has many facets that demonstrate its beauty, every uniquely gifted member of the body of Christ reflects God’s grace and beauty, and we are to use our unique gifts to serve one another. You are a uniquely gifted person, and your gifts are needed to serve the body.

Serving is not optional. Pastor Javon referred to the comfort zone of “uninvolvement” that none of us should remain in. To grow and mature in our walk as Christians, we must serve the body of Christ with our gifts. Pastor Javon said, “Serving is the means of shaping.” If we want to become more like Jesus, we must serve. Finally, Pastor Javon encouraged us to remain steadfast in our service, knowing it is never in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (KJV).

  • Do you see yourself as a uniquely gifted member of the body of Christ? What are some of your specific and unique gifting?
  • Are you involved in serving the body of Christ, or are you currently in the comfort zone of “un involvement”? What can you do to change this?

Fitted In Unity

Pastor Javon Ruff reminds us that the church isn’t just a building—it’s a living body where every believer has a role. Like a football team charging down the field, the church thrives when we’re united, each fulfilling our unique position to advance the Gospel. Ephesians 4:3 calls us to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Unity is the heartbeat of our mission.

Imagine a football team: not 11 quarterbacks, but linemen, receivers, and runners, each with a distinct role, all pushing for one goal—crossing the goal line. That’s the church! In Mark 2:3, four men carried a paralyzed man to Jesus. Different backgrounds, different strengths, but one mission: get him to the Savior. That unity tore off roofs and changed lives. When we’re fitted together, the Gospel moves with unstoppable power.

Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you," so the world would see Him through us. Pastor Javon echoes this: the church stands strong because Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell won’t prevail. Unity, like in Acts 2 when the Spirit fell on a united church, ignites world-changing power.

Unity takes effort. Pastor Javon compares it to a puzzle—every piece matters, and without one, the picture’s incomplete. You’re not here by accident; God designed you to fit in His body. Serving in groups or ministries isn’t just filling a spot—it’s joining God’s plan to show His glory. A united church is a powerful witness; a divided one weakens our testimony. So, let’s fight for unity, like those four men, and advance the Gospel together.

  • Personal Fit in the Body: Pastor Javon emphasized that every believer is like a puzzle piece, designed by God to fit perfectly in the church. How have you discovered or struggled to find your unique role in the body of Christ? What steps can you take to get "fitted" in your church community?
  • Unity in Action: The story of the four men in Mark 2:3 shows unity in their mission to bring a friend to Jesus, despite their differences. Share a time when you’ve seen or experienced unity in diversity within a church or group. How did it impact the outcome?
  • Football Team Analogy: Pastor Javon compared the church to a football team with different roles but one goal. What role do you feel you play (or could play) on the "team" to advance the Gospel? How can we support each other’s unique contributions?

Conclusion

Pastor Javon’s message calls us to action: to find our fit in the body of Christ. Just as a puzzle is incomplete without every piece, the church thrives when each of us embraces our God-given role. Ephesians 4:16 reminds us that when every part works together, the body grows and builds itself up in love. Connection brings protection, as Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches, providing strength and support in life’s storms and battles. Yet, 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that isolation makes us vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Today, commit to surrendering fully to Jesus and engaging with His church. Whether through serving, joining a small group, or fostering unity, step into your purpose. Don’t just attend—belong. Find your fit, and watch how God uses you to advance His kingdom and glorify His name.

  • What is one practical step you can take this week to find or deepen your "fit" in the body of Christ, and how can your connect group support you in this?

Resources