Topic: EQUIPPED FOR EXPLOIT
Scripture:
EPHESIANS 4:11-14
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: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;_
The local church is a place where believers are equipped for the work of the ministry.
If you belong to a church, it is vital that you humble yourself by subjecting yourself to be trained and equipped for life and ministry.
The first thing this passage teaches us is that the pastors equip the people for ministry
“It was Jesus who gave … some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.”
Some people think that ministry is something that the pastors are supposed to do. The pastors do the work of the ministry, and the people come to church and get ministered to. But that’s not what God says. According to this passage in Ephesians, Christ didn’t give pastors to the church to do the work of the ministry.
Christ gave pastors to the church to equip God’s people to do the work of the ministry. “It was he who gave … some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare or equip God’s people for works of service.”
So part of my job as a pastor is to equip you for ministry. That means that each one of us in the body of Christ should be serving in some way.
It is important to note at our church that “the pastors are the administrators, the members are the ministers”. That’s right.
You are a minister. You have been called to works of service.
No one is exempted. We are all to serve in the body of Christ.
You are equipped for exploit.
PRAYER:
Oh lord I yield my spirit soul and body to the leadership of the local church to be equipped for exploit. I declare that my mind is stayed on you in Jesus name Amen.
