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walk in unity - Everyone is in the ministry Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Ephesians 4:7-12 August 16th, 2009
INTRODUCTION Everyone is in the ministry. Listing of the ministers in the bulletin – “Ministers: Entire Congregation” The importance of a missing comma. Overview of TEXT Ephesians 4:7-12 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (8) Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (9) (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? (10) He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) (11) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, § Paul says that “each one” has received grace § Paul says that that this is from the ascended Christ in accordance to OT precedent and promise – Psalm 68:18 § Paul says that the grace comes in the form of certain leaders and teachers § Paul says that each one is called to ministry § Paul says that the ministry is for the purpose of building the body of Christ My main point – “Everyone is in the ministry” CHRIST GIVES § Christ – the one seen in verse 8-10 descending and ascending and filling all things. § Gives: 1. He gives EQUIPPERS - Some (11) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (12) to equip the saints There are two possible ways to take this verse: § KJV, RSV – “he gave…for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body” § NIV, ESV – “he gave…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body” The remove of the comma makes a difference. Does the pastor-teachers do all the work of the ministry? Or does this passage say that pastors equip for everyone to do the work of ministry? The pastors and elders are called to EQUIP. This is our main role. This says that they mainly equip by teaching. I minister not primarily because I am a pastor, I minister because I am a Christian. 2. He gives MINISTERS – All (12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, Saints are all Christians. Every Christian is given grace (verse 7) to do the work of the ministry. They are all ministers. What is a minister or what is ministry? Serving others for the glory of God and the love of His people – being part of God plan or ministry in their lives. Romans 12:3ff and 1 Cor 12 talk about these gifts. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (11) whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. All have been given gifts according to God’s grace. Each has received differently. The purpose of the gifts are not for selfish reasons but the glory of God and the building of the body. 3. He gives all for the BODY’s GROWTH in Christ (12) to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Jesus gives his grace and gifts to the body and elders are called to equip believers to do the work of the ministry for the purpose of the ONE BODY being built up into maturity and healthy growth. Next week we will look at the maturity that he intends for us seen in verses 13-16. CONCLUSION From Paul Tripp: 1. Vision 2. Commitment 3. Training |
