Ephesians 4:12

 

Ephesians 4:12

For the Perfecting of the Saints

 

Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

          1.     What is the Main Purpose of Church Leadership?

a.     To Equip the Saints for:

                                               i.     How is that equipment accomplished?

1.     First of all is a work of Jesus

a.     Hebrews 13:20-21 

2.     Yet Jesus uses men to accomplish that work

a.     1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 

3.     This work is accomplished by three main things

a.     The Scripture

                                                                                                     i.     2 Timothy 3:16-17 

b.     Prayer

                                                                                                     i.     Colossians 4:12-13 

c.     Suffering 

                                                                                                     i.     1 Peter 5:10 

                                             ii.     The Work of the Ministry

1.     Properly equipped Saints need to know the following:

a.     That they are the light in the world

                                                                                                     i.     1 Peter 2:9 

b.     That what they do is for the glory of God

                                                                                                     i.     1 Peter 4:10-11 

c.     That they are not to be lazy

                                                                                                     i.     2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 

d.     That their labor is not in vain

                                                                                                     i.     1 Corinthians 15:58 

                                           iii.     The building of the Household of God

1.     The saints are to build the household of God by:

a.     Remembering they are the stones

                                                                                                     i.     1 Peter 2:5 

b.     Remembering to grow by the milk of God’s Word

                                                                                                     i.     1 Peter 2:2-3 

The Lord of the Church | Michael Reeves

This is so encouraging....

Characteristics of a True Church, Part 4 (Ephesians 4:7–16)

A great message. We desperately need this foundational theology regarding the church. I have seen so many families desert the clear teaching of the Church only to reap a harvest of devastation.

Ephesians 4:11b

 

Ephesians 4:11b

Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers

 

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

 

             1.      Evangelists

a.       Everyone is to be an evangelist

                                                              i.      Matthew 28:19-20 

b.      Yet there are some that are specially called to evangelism

                                                              i.      Billy Graham

                                                            ii.      D.L. Moody

                                                          iii.      Charles Finney

                                                          iv.      Philip the Evangelist

1.      Acts 8:26-30 

                                                            v.      Pastors should also participate in this work

1.      2 Timothy 4:5 

               2.      Pastors

a.       Must be sent by God - Matthew 9:37-38 

b.      Must be chosen by the congregation - Acts 6:2-3 

c.       Must be qualified - 1 Timothy 3:1-7 

d.      Must feed the flock - 1 Peter 5:1-4 

e.       Must protect the flock - Acts 20:28-31 

f.        Must warn the flock - Colossians 1:28 

g.      Must be obeyed - Hebrews 13:17 

h.      Must be dedicated to right doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:15-16 

              3.      Teachers

a.       Both teaching and preaching is necessary for the development of the believer

                                                              i.      Colossians 1:28 

b.      Teaching relieves the suffering of people

                                                              i.      Mark 6:34 

c.       Teaching softens the hearts of the resistant

                                                              i.      2 Timothy 2:24-25 

Ephesians 4:11a

 

Ephesians 4:11a

Apostles and Prophets

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

         1.     The Apostles and Prophets are the foundation stones of our beliefs

a.      Ephesians 2:19-20 

         2.     Apostles

a.      Capital “A” Apostles

                                               i.     Are those that witnessed the ministry of Christ

1.     Acts 1:21-26 

                                             ii.     Paul was the actual replacement for Judas

1.     Paul saw the risen Lord

a.      1 Corinthians 9:1-2 

2.     Paul, even though he was born out of due time was an Apostle

a.      1Corinthians 15:8-9 

3.     Unfortunately, this is something Paul had to continually defend throughout his ministry, even in the face of vicious attack

a.      1 Timothy 2:7 

4.     Paul also defends the Apostleship of Peter

a.      Galatians 2:8   

                                            iii.     These men were Authorized to write the New Testament

1.     Peter wrote his Epistles - 1 Peter 1:1 

2.     Paul wrote his epistles - Galatians 1:1 

3.     John wrote his gospel, epistles and Relation - Revelation 1:1-2 

4.     Luke writing on behalf or for Paul wrote Acts, his gospel and possibly Hebrews - Luke 1:1-4 

b.     Lower Case “a” Apostles

                                               i.     They are simply “sent ones” - Romans 10:13-15 

                                             ii.     They do not add to the cannon of Scripture - Revelation 22:18-19 

        3.     Prophets

a.      Capital “P” Prophets – Foretellers

                                               i.     These Prophets are the authors of the Old Testament

1.     Their message was from God’s Himself - 2 Peter 1:20-21 

2.     Christ did not come to overturn their message - Matthew 5:17 

3.     Christ did however define their message - Matthew 22:37-40 

b.     Lower Case “p” prophets – Forth tellers

                                               i.     These prophets must submit themselves to the authority of the revelation of the Apostles and Prophets

1.     1 Corinthians 14:37 

                                             ii.     These prophets are to boldly proclaim God’s Word

1.     2 Timothy 4:1-2 

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