Untitled Sermon (2)
Ephesus • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Lord, help us to understand the operation of the body of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
ministry, motivational
Human beings who are gifts to the church.
Supernatural anointings and gifting to the church through people
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Administrative Gifts
Jesus had and still has all the administrative Gifts
As we meet and operate in Christ and in the power of the Spirit
Apostles - One sent out, like a missionary
Jesus was the great apostle sent out of heaven by the Father to seek and save that which was lost.
Jesus was obedient, sent out from the Father
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
The Bible says Jesus was the great Apostle and High Priest
Missionaries have an in church ministry - a teaching ministry to the church
Prophets = A Preacher of Holiness and Righteousness, speaking truth in love.
They recognize sin. A righteous voice to preach holiness.
17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Evangelists = A person gifted in seeking and saving that which is lost.
Jesus was the perfect evangelist.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
You don’t have to be an evangelist to do the work of an evangelist.
A person motivated to help others reach people. Someone who helps motivate others in leading people to accept Jesus as their personal Saviour.
Evangelists know that you don’t get to heaven
The Bible says
Lost in trespasses
For God so loved the world
All have sinned
The wages of sin is death
You should feel confidence and security after you get saved
You don’t have to be an evangelist to do the work of an evangelist
8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Pastor = Shepherd
Jesus was The Greatest Pastor
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Jesus is the greatest Shepherd and Bishop
I am an under-shepherd - Jesus has called me to be that
Bishop means overseer - feeds, caregiver, heals
Vision
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
It’s tedious, never ending
Qualifications - I am to live in the boundaries of those
I am to live by these to be an example to you
I get to stay where I am and I get to judge the pastor
You are to follow in the pastor’s faith
Bishop - Overseer of the church
If the church doesn't operate in this way it doesn't see it’s potential
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
I want you to be fed
Oversee, not by constraint
Not for money
but ready of mind
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
I’m not your lord - I encourage
Ensamples = a model or an example
I am to live my life in the way for you to follow = that’s heavy
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
God will reward those who are a part of His plan in the church
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Government
Parents
Church
If I come to you and say, I’m concerned about you
Consider
Reconsider
This is my office
Not for my personal interest
What I say to you, instruct you in - I must give an account to that and you will give an account for how you respond to it
The member’s attitude to the pastor is important
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Just love me
Dont receive evil reports
Teachers = Instructors of practical lessons
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus was the Greatest teacher
There are gifted teachers that God gives to the church
What are the purposes:
1. For the perfecting of the saints
Sainthood is sanctification
Our offices are to help you live a pure sanctified life, to mature to walk in the spirit.
2. For the work of the ministry
Pastors - To train you to serve God
If all you do is come and sit you are not becoming the potential God has planned for you - We are to be serving the Living God
Apostles - Given to go and reach the lost and encourage the church to involve themselves in worldwide missions.
Prophets - Given to preach righteousness and encourage the church towards revival.
Evangelists - Given to win souls to the Lord Jesus Christ and encourage others to seek and save that which is lost.
Pastors - Given to direct, counsel, instruct, and give spiritual food to the church.
Teachers - Given to disciple and provide systematic principles to strengthen the church.
These men are to Edify
exhort inspire and build up the church
How?
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
This is what we use for direction and growth in the church
We need Bible
How long:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The Lord knew we would need to grow
He knew there would be division
We have to follow leadership in the church, God gives these gifts to the church for growth
The knowledge of who HE really is
A Perfect man = spiritual maturity
not living a defeated life
not being hurt by deceitful lusts
What would happen if we were all grown to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ?
How powerful would this church be?
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
These are here for strength, so your no longer weak in the faith
no longer paralyzed by trials
I am here to encourage and cheer you on to serve Jesus
Be all you can be
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Be kind
Be compassionate
Speak truth in love
Fitly joined
compacted
every joint