"Christ's Plan to Build the Church"

I. THE PEOPLE GOD USES TO BUILD HIS CHURCH! – (4:11)

A. GIFTED LEADERS – (v.11)

1. APOSTLES & PROPHETS – (v.11a)

APOSTLE (αποστολους) – “one who is sent” or “messenger”

PROPHET (προφητας)

2. EVANGELISTS & PASTOR/TEACHERS – (v.11b)

Evangelists (ευαγγελιστας) – (Acts 8:26)

Pastors/Teachers (τους δε ποιμενας και διδασκαλους)

The words DEFINE their WORK or FUNCTION:

1) PROTECTION – (Acts 20:28-31)

2) LEADERSHIP – (1 Peter 5:2-5a)

3) CARE & HEALING – (Matt 18:12-13)

4) INSTRUCTION – (“teachers”) – (2 Tim 4:1-5)

1 Thessalonians 5:12 NIV84

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Hebrews 13:17 NIV84

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

B. The SAINTS – (vv.12, 16)

It is the “saints” who do “the work of service/ministry!”

The Church was NEVER intended to be an organization where the work is carried out by a handful of paid professionals!

Q: “Who is Christ using to build His Church?”

A: ALL OF US!

“joints” are points of CONTRAST—the place where differing parts come together!

When we are “fitted” and “held together” and “each individual part” properly working, Jesus “…causes the growth of the body!”

In His sovereignty, Jesus gives tremendous responsibility for the growth of the Church to the believers in Jesus Christ!

Just as the responsibility to REACH THE LOST (EVANGELISM) is dependent on you and me having the courage to witness—to share our faith, so to the BUILDING UP of the Church (EDIFICATION) is also dependent on us—leaders and saints alike being connected together and working together!

CONCLUSION: Can you not see how very important you are to the Body of Christ? Will you JOIN WITH US in being used by Jesus Christ to BUILD HIS CHURCH?