Ministry Gifts

Ephesians 4:11–16 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 4.11-

Continuing in The Practical part of Ephesisans

Instructed to “walk worthily of the Calling”

To maintain he Unity of the Spirit

One Body, One Spirit, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of All

One Body, One Spirit, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of All

There is One Church, but many callings. One God, One Body, but many offices.

He begins to describe what are sometimes called the “ministry gifts” or “five-fold ministry callings”, or “offices” of ministry, etc.

He Gave Some to Be...

Verse ten ends with “That He might fill all things” Now Paul continues

He gave some to be Apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and pastors.

Some scholars see this as “gifts” that are given to Christians empowering them and calling them to these certain “offices” or functions in the church.

in other words, the “gift’ is the ability to perform the function, or occupy the position, given to the person who performs it.

Others may read this as the “gift” being the people who occupying this office given tot he church

in other words, the church itself is the recipient of the gifts, being the people God has given us to fulfill this ministry.

There can be no question that the “He” is Jesus. He is the giver of the gifts

This is true in both senses

Jesus has given the church the gift of Apostles and Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers

Jesus has given these Apostles and Prophets, and others, not only the ability to perform the job, and the position, but also the “unction” to want to.

This also is a gift.

There is nothing greater than knowing your purpose and fulfilling it

To know that you are doing what you were created to do.

requires no title, worldly remuneration, recognition, or reward

Is not discouraged by failure, tribulation, lack or loss.

These five “ministry gifts” are listed

could be more

these are foundational

The body must have these to be healthy, and to grow

We must have these.

Ministry Calling

Some people understand this to apply to those who are called to “full time” ministry

If that were so 1/3 of Pastors might be disqualified from this definition

These are specific and essential functions of the body that must be fulfilled, and there are some people who are specifically “called” and equipped for this purpose, whether or not they are “full time” or receive a salary at all

In fact, Paul was a tent maker, but certainly an Apostle.

Every believer is called to “ministry”

You will not be likely to feel fulfilled in your Christian walk unless you are active in Christian ministry

This may not be full time, or even daily, but should be a regular part of life

You may or may not know what “your calling” is.

most people have natural tenancies toward one or more of these as they grow in their faith

A Church or pastor can appoint someone to a position, but unless they are inwardly called, and equipped, they won’t be this gift to the church, that He is describing.

You can be appointed an Evangelist, but you need an anointing from God, and a love of seeing people saved in order to do it effectively.

Calling requires preparation

Just because you are called does not mean you are ready

Paul said a novice should not be put into ministry

too many people sense an overwhelming unction or internal drive toward this calling, and run off half cocked into failure and error

Just becasue you are called doesn’t mean that you are called alone

A teacher may be called to teach under another teacher, or part of a teaching staff

there are many pastoral roles that don’t include Sunday morning in the pulpit but are no less pastoral

In fact, this may be one of the most misunderstood (or most distorted) of the gifts int these days.

Many of those who are considered the most successful pastors may actually be the least pastoral.

We are called to be part of the body, not separate bodies

Apostles

The Apostles - Those who are “sent”. Those who begin the work, establishing a church or minsitry

The original twelve disciples were all apostles. They were sent and established the church

Paul was also an aposlte

The misty of apostles continues today

Although they establish new churches or ministries, these are still part of the body - not new religions or doctrines

They do not do this without preparation

Paul “immediately” began to preach that Jesus was Christ (acts 9)

But did not begin his apostolic ministry until more than 14 years later ()

He began sharing his faith, (immediate) and then became prepared for ministry. He grew in his faith

A person may have an apostolic calling, and yet require many years of preparation in other areas of calling.

There may be considerable overlap in these.

Prophets

Old Testament prophets, Moses, Elijah, etc.

New Testament Prophets: The disciples, Paul, Agabus, Silas, others.

Often we think of prophets as those who tell the future.

Actually, this is more of a by-product of prophecy than prophecy itselfe

Prophet is One who speaks for God, or proclaims God’s Word.

This may or may not include announcing future events and consequences.

Very often it deals with present tense. What God is saying to us today.

Often confrontational

Often includes exhortation

Those who have this “calling” have an internal drive to speak - even when they know it may not be good for them

This still requires preparation

Too many people with a genuine prophetic anointing or calling are not willing to do the work of preparation necessary to be effective

Just becasue we have an internal whim, does not mean it is “God” speaking.

Just becasue God shows us something does not mean we are supposed to share it, or share it now.

It requires time in prayer and in God’s Word, to learn to discern When ant What to speak for God.

Also requires experience: learning to discern God’s Word and to separate that from the other spirits (test the spirits)

Evangelists

This is a distinct calling, also often misunderstood or distorted today.

The sharing and spreading of the gospel. The good news.

Evangelists are most concerned with leading others into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is a unique joy from seeing others come into the family

This may or may not be one who travels. Would include missionaries.

Many people being called evangelists today would better be describes as teachers, or motivational speakers, but not evangelists.

Pastors

Pastor means “Shepard”

Can often be understood by thinking of what a Shepard does. He cares for the flock

This includes many if not all of the other gifts, but not exclusively

At times a pastor may exhort, or confront both his congregation, and the world

Protects the flock - through intercessory prayer, defending the faith, confronting sin and wrong doctrine,

feeds the flock - cares for the people, prayer, home and hospital ministry, counsel, mediation

Also teaches

Pastor means much more than preaching from a pulpit, in fact that particular role is not even a necessary part of pastoring.

Many lay pastors in the church.

Teachers

Helping others understand the scriptures

Particularly how to apply these to our daily lives

teaching the importance of the Word

bringing understanding of biblical truths in application

apologetics, healthy living, sanctification, giving, charity, forgiveness, heaven, hell, eschatology etc.

The Purpose of These Gifts

For the perfecting of the saints

Our personal growth. Fulfilling our individual calling

For the work of the ministry

We need these gifts in order to do the work necessary in God’s divine plan of ministry

I need the others in order to do my work, they need me

For the edifying of the body of Christ

When each part does its job, the whole body is edified

The Goal of These Gifts

Until we come into the unity of the faith

A perfect body - unity

These separate offices make one body, should be in unity - we should strive for unity

The knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man

unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

We need to be like Jesus

He is the standard.

He is the standard the teacher teaches by, the pastor cares by and the prophet speaks by.

Regardless of which of these calling you may be led to at a particular time, if you prepare adequately and proceed faithfully, you and those you minister to will look like Jesus, and more so as you go.

It is by Him and for Him.

Protected from Error and deception

No longer tossed to and fro, carried by every wind of doctrine

those who will not prepare and proceed and their calling are often “tossed to and fro”

Slight of men, and cunning craftiness

Not all people have faith

some people would use religions and faith to deceive, and to manipulate

As we pursue our calling, we are strengthened against that

Grow Up

Speaking the truth in love

When we speak the truth, we need to make sure we can do it in love

this may require being silent until when can resolve the conflict of how

It may require “preparation” in prayer and meditation first

And then “speak” in season, out of season. But always in love.

Grow up into Him, even Christ

eph4.

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

What a beautiful word picture

The whole body, all of us, knit together by what each one of us can supply.

everyone has something to offer, to add

when we all do that, we are all held together by these loving and nurturing bonds

motivated as much by what we have to offer as by what we can receive

Every part doing its share

Causes the whole body to grow (you too)

Edifies itself in love

The body edifying itself

If you are part of the body, then whatever you do for the body you have done for yourself

Loving the church is loving yourself

In this way, we all grow, and we are all made stronger. When one is blessed, we all are blessed.

The ministry gifts

their purpose

Their completion

What they prevent

The vision fullfiled