Being Rivets Without Defect

According to researchers who examined parts recovered from the Titanic, impure rivets made of wrought iron rather than steel, caused the ship's hull to open like a zipper (see YouTube video - short version. Here is the long version).

The sinking of the Titanic proves the foolishness of spending resources on fancy equipment and public promotion gimmicks, while neglecting the seemingly "insignificant" parts.

In a sense, the Lord's church is like a ship, and the members of the Lord's body are like rivets. Although rivets might seem insignificant, they are essential for holding the ship together and keeping it afloat (1 Corinthians 12:21-22).

Among some Christians, there are feelings of insignificance, causing them to do hurtful things in order to make themselves feel important.

James tells us:

"Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16).

People corrupted by worldly desires for power and prestige, can bring down great churches, whereas people who are pure and not defiled, (James 1:27) hold churches together.

As members of the Lord's church, we need to be rivets without defect (Ephesians 5:22-27).

When we are pure (James 3:17), strong (Ephesians 6:10), and steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58), we will be used by the Lord to keep His ship (church) afloat in times of crisis.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets