Dr. Montia Setzler, Senior Pastor
April 10, 2016
Series: It’s Your Serve
Preparing the Church for Service
Ephesians 4:11–16 (HCSB)
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head – Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
1. GOD GIVES THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP TO SERVE THE CHURCH
v 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers…
We are the recipients of God’s gifts.
God gives leaders to the Church.
Leaders model service to the Body of Christ.
2. THE MEMBERS ARE THE MINISTERS AS THEY SERVE IN MINISTRY
v 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ…
Two things must happen for explosive growth to occur:
• The leaders must let go of the ministry, and
• The ministers must let go of the leadership.
3. MATURITY IS THE GOAL OF THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE MINISTRY
vv 13-16 … 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head – Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
Results of serving the Lord and one another:
• There is unity in the church.
• We know more about Jesus.
• We grow into mature believers.
• We will be sound in doctrine, not swayed by false doctrine.
• Our maturity in Christ helps us understand how we fit in the Body.
God loves the church so much that He provides leaders who have the responsibility to equip the members of the church to become mature ministers. These ministers serve Christ and one another as they mature into authentic followers who are grounded in the faith and understand how they fit in the body of Christ that they serve.
