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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Ephesians 4:8-10

 

Ephesians 4:8-10

He That Ascended Up Far Above All the Heavens

 

Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

 

         1.     The Apostle Paul’s Scriptural Proof for God’s Plan for the Church – vs. 8*

a.     Paul observed something interesting in Psalms:

                                               i.     Psalm 68:17-19 

b.     Paul saw this because Christ Himself points to this passage as a proof of His divinity

                                               i.     John 3:9-15 

         2.     If God is Eternally in the Heavens, How Did He Ascend into Heaven? – vs. 9*

a.     First of all, Jesus is God

                                               i.     Colossians 2:9 

                                             ii.     1 Timothy 3:16 

b.     Jesus came to earth on a special mission

                                               i.     Philippians 2:5-11 

c.     Jesus looted the Devil’s possessions

                                               i.     Colossians 2:14-15 

d.     Jesus broke the authority of the Devil over us

                                               i.     Hebrews 2:14-15 

         3.     He that Descended Also Ascended to His Great Exaltation – vs. 10*

a.     Jesus is the victor over death

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 15:54-57 

b.     Jesus alone can break the seal and reveal God’s plan for the end of the age

                                               i.     Revelations 5:1-5 

c.     Jesus has all power

                                                              i.      Matthew 28:18-20