Constructing the Church
Notes
Transcript
Building the shed
Drawings of what the shed should look like when it is finished and
Step by step process on how to prepare the shed
The Foundation
The Foundation
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Set -to appoint - assign a duty
When God sets someone, He does so that completes and perfects the child of God
Pizza Hut to get Holly’s engagement ring
It was a means to an end - I had no desire to make this my career
God set first the foundation of the church
Building the shed
Prepared the ground
Had stone delivered
Levelled the soil
Laid a foundation (black plastic) and stone
Levelled the stone
Began putting the floor together
Apostles
An apostle is one that has seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
This was confirmed by the signs of miracles that came with the apostleship
2 Cor 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
The foundation of the church
Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 3:4-6
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
When the apostle John died on the isle of Patmos, he was the end of the apostolic age
Many of the books of the NT were written by these men
Prophets
Floor - Supported BY THE FOUNDATION
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
As God gave the NT through the disciples, and the canon of Scripture developed, the prophets of the NT would teach that which the apostles gave through the inspiration of the HS
This ministry was to pass along to the local churches truth made available to the church at large by the apostles.
As the Word of God became written and put into circulation, the need for prophets declined.
Once the NT canon (genuine books of the Holy Scripture completely given and nothing lacking), the unique gift of prophesy would be withdrawn
1 Cor 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Their role was to follow the leading of the HS
Not forcefully
1 Cor 14:32
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Willingly yielded
2 Pet 1:20-21
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Calling Mark Bosje the other week - I was going to call you this week
Would not add or take away from what God had said:
Rev 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Teachers
1 Cor 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Teachers give the framework that rests upon the foundation
God gave the church teachers. They knew Aquila & Priscilla - tent makers that worked with Paul in Corinth
Acts 18:24-26
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
They taught Apollos who would preach in Corinth
2 Tim 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
God continues to give the church teachers
Pastor
1 Tim 3:1-2
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Bishop - overseer - watches over the ministry
Teachers
Daniel
Dan 9:2
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Daniel understood what God had said by Jeremiah and taught accordingly
The Supports
The Supports
Building the shed - As the framework and walls were erected - supports were needed to as the shed was stabilised
This is where these next gifts come into importance
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Miracles & healings - there were sign gifts:
Power over situations
Power over sickness
Teaching has always been more important than these sign gifts!
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
God has given sign after sign, but these things deal only with the temporal and material aspect of life. Teaching deals with spiritual and eternal value.
As the church began to be constructed, the signs were needed to support the what was being built on the foundation. As the walls were fastened together, the supports became unnecessary. Were they needed for a time, yes, but the important work has been done.
Some state that this is still necessary to show that God is for the church.
Why?
Are the wondrous miracles God has miraculously preserved for us in His Word not enough?
Is the story of Peter raising Tabitha from the dead any less of a miracle?
Does God have to provide miracles for His Word to be still true?
I’m in no way claiming that God does not or cannot do miracles today.
Piano - Pool table here - electric practise piano was over there
Steve Atkins - £330
Sold the pool table for £386.20
Harley - the 2 ladies that knocked on his door
These things assure our hearts of what God is doing, but our basis for action is not based upon on the experience of the moment but rather the truth of God that never changes!
The Decorating
The Decorating
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Helps
The HS leads in this as the Comforter
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Comforter - Helper
Rom 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The HS leads and instills this in us
Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Governments
Greek - kybernesis - Cue-bear-knee-sis - administration ⇔ steering n. — administration understood as the act of setting and holding the course (of a sailing vessel).
Make sound decisions and oversee the administration of a local church
Buildings, staff, programmes, ministries - all have to be steered
This gift is so important especially in today’s ministries
Paul saw the benefit of 1 or 2 gifted men in administration than thousands in a balcony babbling in tongues
Diversities of tongues
Paul put this gift as the least desirable gift - it is better to serve in a ministry of helps to the poor in our community
It is better to administrate a ministry than to speak another language
Some have emphasised this gift so much they willingly teach and open themselves up to demonic activity
Paul knows there is value to speaking another language when the opportunity to preach the Gospel is presented. When the need to preach Christ is presented the gift of speaking multiple languages is of value.
Paul concludes with these thoughts:
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
The answer is NO!
Not everyone was an apostle. Not everyone was a prophet. Not everyone is a teacher.
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Covet - to be zealous v. — to be or become marked by active interest, passion, and enthusiasm for something, often a cause or faith.
Paul said there’s a better way than just being worried about what gift you may or may not have… Vs 13:1 “charity” - the action of love