Equip: The Pastor and the Church

Mission and Strategy Series: Fall 2024

Mathiston First Baptist Church

Message #3— Equip: Baptize and Teach

Ephesians 4:11-16.

Central Idea: Paul explained the relationship between church leaders and the church.

Cognitive: I want the hearers to know the importance of and purpose of the relationship between the pastor and church members.

Affective: I want the hearers to feel the sense of camaraderie as we serve the Lord together.

Psycho-Motor: I want the hearers to respond by seeking out training and serving opportunities in the church.

Intro.:

Our Mission:

“Mathiston FBC exists to evangelize the lost through verbal proclamation of the Gospel; to equip the saints for the work of ministry; to engage the Word of God, in the worship of His name, and the world with the hope of His gospel.”

What are the identified desires of Paul in this passage??

1. He wants to inform the reader about the relationship between church leaders and church members. [vv. 11-13]

a. What is really in view in these verses is the gifts for leadership in the church.

b. The gifts identified are as follows:

i. The gift of the apostle — those sent with a divine message or task.

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

The distinguishing features of an apostle were, a commission directly from Christ: being a witness of the resurrection: special inspiration: supreme authority: accrediting by miracles: unlimited commission to preach and to found churches.

ii. The gift of the prophet — Revealed God’s will to believers for the present (forthtelling) and predicted the future (foretelling)

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

Preachers and expounders under the immediate influence of the Spirit, and thus distinguished from teachers, 1 Cor. 12:10.

iii. The gift of the evangelist — Gifted in sharing the Gospel and church planting.

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

Travelling missionaries.

iv. The gift of the pastor/teacher — Provided oversight, comfort, and guidance while also instructing the people through God’s Word to help them understand how to apply it to their lives.

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 4

The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class. The two belong together. No man is fit to be a pastor who cannot also teach, and the teacher needs the knowledge which pastoral experience gives.

[Descriptions not cited are adapted from CSB Study Bible, Ephesians 4:11-12.]

c. Namely, that of pastor and teacher is applicable to now.

d. The goal (calling) of the pastor and teacher:

i. To equip the saints for the work of ministry

1. That the body of Christ may be built up

a. Until all reach unity in faith

b. Until all reach unity in knowledge of Jesus

c. Until all reach maturity

d. Until all reach measure of maturity

i. Measured by the fullness of Christ

e. The assumption of these verses is this:

i. If the role of the pastor/teacher is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, then the saints are expected to do the work of ministry.

2. He wants to inform the reader about the purposes of the relationship between the leaders and the church. [vv. 14-16]

a. The goal of the relationship between the pastor/teacher and the church members is encompassed in verses 14-16:

i. Maturity in doctrine and belief.

1. I.e., no longer children tossed by waves and blown around by every wind of teaching…

ii. Unity in love, growth, and service.

1. Speaking truth in love

2. Growing into Christ (sanctification—growing into Him both in the sense of becoming more like Him, but also measuring growth by the standard of His life)

3. Properly working of each individual part—promoting growth of the body for building itself up in love

Response Questions:

[1] Have you considered that God has a distinct purpose for the relationship between church leaders and church members?

[2] Have you considered your role in that relationship and the fulfillment of the purpose?