Ephesians 4:11-13 Persevere to Prepared

Musings of the Moderator

Greetings from the Moderator: Thanks to all who thought I was up to the task of this position. Although I had no idea what being a moderator would entail. It has been challenging and I admit most of the time I am convinced I was far less than adequate.

I have learned a lot and have seen first hand what the theme for 2025 has been: Persevere. Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

First of all, Matt abandoning us to climb the ladder of leadership of Oklahoma Baptist. I took it personal, if you couldn’t tell. I there may come a day in time will come to forgive him but not forget! JK, Matt you were the perfect candidate for the position of Regional Ministry Partner. Your heart for pastors and your leadership experience will benefit this association, pastors, and church leaders in NW Oklahoma.

Second, churches who continue to operate without a pastor. Leaning hard on pulpit supply and strong church leadership to continue on in the work God has called them to in their communities.

Lastly, persevering against time and the elements as it eats away at our Associational assets with the continued diligence as strong waves eat away at seashore. We have seen Elisha house major repairs and the deterioration of our Associational Building this last year. We have strived to manage upkeep and plan for the future as an Executive Board. Looking for solutions that make us good stewards of God’s resources that He provides us.

Through all these challenges we have continued in the work of the Gospel. Not losing heart or becoming weary of doing good, i.e., the work of planting the seed and gathering the harvest. Many churches in our association the last year have seen an uptick in attendance and commitment of younger leaders stepping into roles in the church that bring strength.

This truth provides the perfect Segway to the theme of this year: Prepared. Taking instruction from Ephesians 4:11–13

Ephesians 4:11–13 NASB95

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

I want to quickly draw your attention to the word “we” in both of the passages of our themes. We is the most important thing we do as an association. The strongest attribute of this truth is God. We do all these things by the power of Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit through us. The application of the spiritual gifts of every believer. I’m not going to overly elaborate on the scripture of this passage today because Brother Jonathan Gilliand is bringing a message at the conclusion of today’s meeting and I do not wish to steal an of his thunder.

Paul is speaking in the passage against the Jewish establishment and promotes God’s design for building the church. The overall theme of unity is prevalent in every chapter as it should be in God’s church and in every association. Paul is calling God’s people to be on mission for Christ.

Take a look at our Theme Logo for this coming year. Prepared: Word, Unity, and Faith. The image of a field, plowed, planted, and preparing to grow a harvest with the power of the Sun’s energy looking down and powering this work.

Here are the Moderator’s Musings of this picture and this year’s theme.

As any farmer will tell you if you can get him to stop for a minute or two is that there is work to do. The ground will clear, clean, or prepare itself for planting. Much time, energy, and resources will have to be applied to get the result of a Prepared field.

So, we must be Prepared for the work. As I have experienced in the last 2 years as a church planter, back me up on this Brother Kevin Hisey, there is work to be done. And it is never ending, constant work to bring success in God’s harvest. It’s funny that the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Verse 11, says He gave some to be the leaders to accomplish this work: evangelists- missionaries and preachers, pastors- shepherds that lead an guide their flocks, and teachers of the Word. All these are responsible for building up the Prepared to do the work. Working the soil, removing the rocks in the stony fields, clearing away the obstacles, and leveling out the ground to build strong, firm foundation of soil ready to receive the seed and prepare of a bountiful harvest. All the while the Son is at work because no harvest comes without the Son.

The Prepared are built for service (the work). God has given all believers spiritual gifts and we as Christian leaders have to instruct them in the use of these gifts so they become the prepared. God is calling them to service in the church, the mission field, and their communities. Service builds foundation. And is is hard with many obstacles to overcome. We must teach the prepared to meet these challenges with the biblical perspective. James 1 :2-4

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2. We must be Prepared in Unity. Unity of faith as Paul states in verse 13. This is a unity that leads to perfection in Christ or completeness. Maturity. The prepared are coming together in unity under the sanctification process to become a successful unit in God’s work. The work together is a “we” thing. Growing together as the body of Christ to continue to prepare for the harvest. Repeatedly coming together to strengthen and build up each other. As many times as it takes to reach perfection. You want to be a master of anything do it 10,000 times. But under the power of Christ within the body brings perfection. Under the instruction of God’s Word, Christ centered preaching, and teaching sound doctrine. We have the Son as it’s source. John 6:68–69 “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”” That is the center of all we need to unify and be the Prepared.

3. We must be Prepared to grow our faith. We must prepare our people to grow in their faith. That does not come from a sprinkling of water and a little sunshine. It comes from what? Romans 10:14–15 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!””

It is our responsibility as leaders to build up the Prepared through teaching them to work, to work together in unity using their spiritual gifts, and last, and I would argue the most important, to grow their faith. Creating faith based servants of God. Those who trust God. FAITH. The more we trust Him the stronger we become. This trust is food for the soul. Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”

At the heart of the Prepared are those who are practicing and living out their lives in Christ. Bringing glory to God and living out their lives in faith.

They are learning discernment by practicing discipline as a believer.

And operating from the truth of sound doctrine and teaching.

We are are called as an association to be the Prepared. Working in the power of the Gospel, Unifying under Christ prepare the soil, plant the seed, and prepare for the harvest.

And lastly build up are faith and the faith of those around us to prepare them be servants of the Most High God and daily seek for guidance and instruction from the Lord.

The harvest is coming are we prepared.

Let’s Pray.