Staying In Service To The Lord (1)
Ephesians 4:11-14;
11 And He gave some to be apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 until we all come into 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 fullness of Christ;
14 that we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Apostle Paul lets us know that Christ gave gifts unto the church, so that the church may be perfected for the work of ministry. This clearly reveals the primary job of a pastor – to teach. The way the church will be perfected for the work of ministry will be by the knowledge of God’s word, hence Paul says “…until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God…” The growth is in knowledge, and that’s very vital. This means that the ministry gifts will all be focused on teaching.
Now, the believer won’t be taught of God. The pastor is there to teach/equip the believer for the work of ministry, not for business or anything else. The work of ministry is going to build up the body of Christ. The Christian must therefore be given to learning from his pastor, he must value the knowledge of God’s word via the ministry gifts in the local church.
Vs 13 -14 Shows us that one of the hallmarks of spiritual growth is Stability. Stability shows us that one is growing spiritually, and not being tossed to and fro. It is only a baby who puts everything in his mouth. Growth in God’s word brings stability, it brings discernment, all to the end that the believer is equipped for the work of ministry.
The Christian should stay in the place of knowledge. He shouldn’t be in a hurry to learn God’s word. Oftentimes, in a bid to show hunger, what is being demonstrated is impatience and not knowing boundaries. Learning God’s word and growing in the knowledge of the same takes time, it isn’t something that happens overnight. Don’t be tossed to and fro. Learn to stay where God has placed you as long as God’s word is being properly taught.
Again, one of the spines of spiritual growth is that you are stable; stability in knowledge and how the knowledge comes. The pastor is the one that ensures this stability because the church exists for knowledge. (Eph. 3:17-18; 2Tim. 3:15-17)
The scriptures makes us wise unto salvation and equips us for all good works. Good works refer to the work of ministry – primarily, our preaching and teaching – expected of every believer.
1Tim. 3:15;
15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The church is the ground and pillar of truth. So, when we come to the church, we have come to learn the truth of God’s word. We have not gathered to entertain ourselves or to discuss business… No! We have gathered for a single purpose, to grow in our knowledge of God’s word.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
2 Chronicles 21-24
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Supernatural Discipleship (2)