Practical Ecclesiology (7)

Objective of The Church: Equipping Believers

Is the great commission directed to the local church or the universal church?

So discipleship is for every individual believer.

How many of us discipled someone before.

Are Pastoring and Discipleship the same ?Pastoring is an office and a specific gift , Discipleship is a skill that has to be cultivated overtime through maturity and obedience by faith to the word of God.

But without discipleship I don’t think I would be pastoring.

During my graduation from MBC&S . There where giving out academic achievement ropes. If you have a curtain GPA you would receive one.

Many different schools of thought on discipleship.

- You are to disciple a person unto sainthood. In other words one a person has matured enough to hear from God on there own theres no need for discipleship. “ The word disciple isnt really mentioned in the Pauline Eptiles.

- You only have one discipler. So you cant have many disciplers

Many people discipled me.

- You can have multiple disciplers

- You are discipled until God calls you home.

Until you are called home you have to be discipled by someone. No question.

- I’m only discipled unto Christ. Thats it

For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism.

Can I be a disciple without making disciples.

These questions are important because it will determine how you view you relation to the church and your relationship to God.

Let’s break into groups and discuss this subject.

Eph 4:1-6 - Paul is speaking about unity the value of that unity. Endeavoring the keep peace.

Now he’s speaking about diversity.

( Eph4:11-12 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,”

The equipping of the saints is more implied than identified in the first years of the early church. Acts 2:43-47 , 4:32-37, 6:3, 8:4

But in Ephesians 4 he begins to identify what that means.

You see the function of the body and every joint supplying .

American Heritage Dictionary “equipping “ or “ to equip” means to supply with necessities . Such as tools or provisions; to furnish with qualities necessary for performance.”

Equipping - adequacy ( satisfactory or acceptable in quantity or quality) ; complete furnishing, a preparation or training that fully qualifies.

The word picture is “ Boot Camp” when you first enter boot camp. You get your boots coyote leather , your patrol cap, the rank insignia, your jacket you receive proper training , PT, rifles etc. This what it means to equip everything you need for this life as a believer.

Katartismos - means rendering fit, sound,or complete; mending or repairing that which is broken; completing preparing, equipping , adjusting ,putting into order; making one what he ought to be.

Katartismos is found fourteen times in the NT. It’d the same word used in Matthew 4:21 James and John mending their fishing nets Hebrews 11:3 explaining how Gods word “ framed “ the worlds.

According to Eph 4:11,12 - God has gifted believers with spiritual leaders to perfect the saints or equip the saints. Even though Apostle’s and Prophets are no longer here. WE are still gleaning from there lives and the written word.

Pastor Wright Brooklyn NY. “ P.R.O.F.I.T.

This guy claimed to be a prophet but really wanted to make a profit.

But God places minsters of the gospel to mature and establish believers.

You cant grow in maturity apart from God placing different minsters to build and encourage you.

Pauls ministry to equip believers

Acts 14:22-23 “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Right after Paul was stoned and left for dead. Paul began strengthening the souls of the disciples.

He was strengthen them because of the hardships they will face and also the promise and anticipation of the kingdom of God.

Making them more firm

Barnabas in chapter 11 in Acts encouraged the believers in Antioch Syria.

Matthew Henry said it this way, “ Ministers’ work is to establish saints as well as to awaken sinners..... Those that are instructed in the truth must know the certainty of things in which they have been instructed; and those that are resolved must be fixed in their resolutions.”

- Paul also organized local churches and ordained them elders in every church. Acts 14:23

Paul taught the spiritual leaders of these local churches to “ watch” over and “feed” the church of God ( Acts 20:17-35)

If you ever been out with Pastor Scibelli for a conference or to just encourage another church. He does this all the time. He would have all the leaders and Pastor get together and just exhort them. Pastor Schaller does it.

Theres another level of maturity when you began to pastor Pastors.

Paul encourges them to restore the backslidden believer

Gal 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Paul tells timothy to preach the word ( in season out of season), which is profitable for making the believer “ perfect , thoroughly furnished unto all good works”( 2 Tim 3:16-4:2)

He’s charging Timothy. Allot of men don’t go because they never been charged.

They been puffed up and faltered there whole Christian life but never been charged.

Charge - means that hes exhorting timothy , he’s warning.

I grew the most when someone was very clear doctrinal and passionate.

Now why does Paul do all of this ?

There are two basic reason the Lord delineates why spiritual leaders are to perfect and equip believers .

Eph 4:12 “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,”

So what are some practical ways to equip the leadership in the church.

-Organize equipping sessions .

Intiutate formalized meetings.

Maybe have the team read certain reading materials in order to learn proper leadership skills. ( J. Oswalkd Sanders “ spiritual leadership)

Sunday school teachers should learn how to properly discipline a child. The old lady’s at my previous church would use a ruler we cant do that now.

How to properly teach kids.

Those who are Christian leaders in the church should be challenged to grow in Christian maturity ( 1 Thess. 3:10 )

Equiping the chior . Have the right director in place.

He should be teaching how to use proper vocal techniques, and music theory.

Also the importance of the lyrics in a song must be addressed .

Offering class of the obvious and perceived needs in the church.

For example issues with sanitation meeting

Issues with youth program meeting

Issues with choir meeting

All these things should be opportunity to equip the saints.

Meeting with the greeters and ushers. Equipping them how to usher.

Formal Equipping opportunities.

- Bible College. I’m praying about starting classes in Edgewood. Already talked to Philppe and this will be a formal way to equip the saints.

You can even work with local churches to staff the Bible Insutite

I like the program a GGCA were they give a scholarship for one year to those who are just graduation high school.

I believe they also have one for men and women from the inner city of baltimore.

-Sometimes creating responsibilities for people is a way to equip and train the body.

Make someone apart of the welcome committee.

Visitation committee

WE had people just call different body members and do a wellness check.

We people call body members just to pray for others

What are other practical things we can do in order to equip the saints ?