He Made A Way

Chickens Twisted Neck Death Sentence

Up until recently I was not aware of some of the complexities farming, much less caring for chickens. However, in a recent visit with a good friend I encountered an interesting condition chickens can come down with and found it interesting.

The condition is called torticollis this condition for the chicken in potentially fatal and in most cases the chicken will die. In this condition the neck will twist and their face towards the sky as if stargazing. Over time the chicken will no longer be able to eat, or drink and without proper intervention the chicken will die.

This condition can also be found in humans and tends to have the same impact on babies the biggest difference is that in a human, we will go great lengths to correct it so the child will not die.

Today as we look at the church in America we note something interesting… the body like in the case of the chicken is going one way while the face is fixed on the “rapture” its been a long time since the church has had a proper meal, or has had its thirst quenched.

As when I visited with this friend the chicken was weak could no longer stand could not eat if it wanted to much less could it drink… the church today looks just the same

We do not have to live this way and as we close out the series it is important to know that Jesus not only gave gifts but made a way for the church to not implode but to grow and thrive.

Jesus exemplified each office for us to know how to live out the gifts He left for the church

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

We are not growing into ourselves we are growing into Christ

Each of the gifts were given for us to grow and to be built up in love

Jesus both walked these gifts out for us to see and sits in the heavenly places as the model for each

Every gift that has been given to the church for the church… APEST when done well will grow the church. How did Jesus do it?

Jesus the Apostle

Hebrews 3:1–3 ESV

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.

As an apostle goes where He is sent to accomplish the work needed to fulfill the will of the Lord.

Being God is faithful to the will of God

Garden of Gethsemane

Becomes like humanity and serves His own creation

Your life is not your own

jn 3:17

John 3:17 ESV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The assignment was to save the world.

Jesus the Prophet

John 12:49–50 ESV

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

They speak what the Father speaks

He speaks it not to bring condemnation but to bring new life

Sent to speak

Jesus the Evangelist

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Evangelist goes where they need to

Doesn't hold His own position as God but goes to serve the lost

Obedient to the command to be fruitful and multiply… everything He does is to progress the Kingdom

Defender of the Lost

Jesus the Shepherd

John 10:10–11 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14–15 ESV

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Knows the threat coming to the church

Willing to give everything for the sheep

Know them tend to them

Defenders of the flock

Jesus the Teacher

Jesus is referred to as teacher 60 times in the NT

Great commandment is to teach all that He has taught and commanded

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus teaches us truth through His word

Declares that truth is what sets people free

Defender of truth

When Jesus gave these gifts He did to ensure the church was growing and maturing in unity into the fullness of Christ

the gifts were not given for individuals to hoard and to lorde over others they are given to the church for the church to grow.

Jesus makes a way and exemplifies how we are to do it. We need to take seriously this call Apostles Prophets Evangelist Shepherds Teachers its time to come home and to take your office serious

If we fail the church will look like the chicken with torticollis growing weaker and weaker unable to eat, or drink until it implodes

Church its time to rise up and take heart, step into our calling and do the work we were called to.