2014-08

EPHESIANS 4:12-13 THE GIFTS FOR UNITY PART 3

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the
saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,13 till
we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
 V12 Equipping is to bring from sin to
obedience…to mend or restore something.
As believers we are to restore those
who have fallen or lost their way back to what they were intended to be, a
useful member of the body of Christ.  A
body only works right if all parts are healthy
Every person, therefore, is essential and valuable as part
of the whole. By ourselves, we may sometimes feel insignif­icant, unneeded, and
of little value, like so much spare change. But as individual parts that make
up the whole, each of us is needed.
All people are unique individuals, but as Christians we are
also indispensable parts of the body of Christ, and of greater value than we
can ever know. –David MCcasland
THERE ARE NO
UNIMPORTANT MEMBERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.
It
says in verse 13 when we do this it results in Christlikeness.  We ought not to be like the Hebrews who had
not matured and not followed these principles.
Heb
5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come
to need milk and not solid food.

EPHESIANS 4:11 THE GIFTS FOR UNITY PART 2

Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
v11 Apostles
·      
Lay
the foundation of the church
·      
Receive,
declare, and write scripture
·      
Give
confirmation of the Word by signs, wonders, and miracles
Prophets
·      
Served
in a Local Congregation
·      
Gave
direct revelation
·      
Explained
scripture
·      
Were
judged by other Prophets
1Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets
speak, and let the others judge.
These two gifts were replaced by the
Evangelists and Pastor Teacher
Evangelists…Share
the good News
Pastor/Teacher…Feed, Lead, and Protect
the Flock