Word@Work Eph42 - Ephesians 4:11-13
Published: Mon, 11/24/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LIVING GIFTS
Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)
God is no mean investor. In order for His church to grow and multiply - to achieve everything He has planned, He invests heavily in people. Every business manager knows that without the right people in the critical places, failure is inevitable. So God takes some of the people He has saved and gives them the core competences upon which the rest of the church will be constructed.
Apostles are the church planters; prophets speak out God's strategic instructions to the other Christians; evangelists explain the gospel and persuade unbelievers to repent and receive Christ; pastors guide, direct and guard the Christians so that they will be a credit to the Lord; and teachers explain how God wants people to relate with Him and each other. All these functions are essential in the team leadership that God designed for the church. Their objective is to enable the church to grow organically in a coordinated way, so that immaturity gives way to an integrated core of mature people - who, collectively, speak and act like Jesus would.
And, of course it makes a lot of sense. We are where we are, because God has used some or all of those people in our lives at some time or another. But immature Christians think that they can manage ok by themselves: not much need for church, no daily Bible reading, occasional prayer and decision-making by 'best guess'. It is as foolish as thinking that you can grow a business without external advisors (accountants, lawyers, bankers), or that you work to best practice in Health and Safety, VAT and Human Relations without going on courses. Wherever you find people who have these spiritual gifts, honour them and let them minister to you, and encourage others at work to benefit also.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for those whose words and example have led me to You and encouraged me to live well for You. Help me to encourage others at home and work to learn from people like them, who share Your wisdom in churches, books, audio messages and the internet. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
God is no mean investor. In order for His church to grow and multiply - to achieve everything He has planned, He invests heavily in people. Every business manager knows that without the right people in the critical places, failure is inevitable. So God takes some of the people He has saved and gives them the core competences upon which the rest of the church will be constructed.
Apostles are the church planters; prophets speak out God's strategic instructions to the other Christians; evangelists explain the gospel and persuade unbelievers to repent and receive Christ; pastors guide, direct and guard the Christians so that they will be a credit to the Lord; and teachers explain how God wants people to relate with Him and each other. All these functions are essential in the team leadership that God designed for the church. Their objective is to enable the church to grow organically in a coordinated way, so that immaturity gives way to an integrated core of mature people - who, collectively, speak and act like Jesus would.
And, of course it makes a lot of sense. We are where we are, because God has used some or all of those people in our lives at some time or another. But immature Christians think that they can manage ok by themselves: not much need for church, no daily Bible reading, occasional prayer and decision-making by 'best guess'. It is as foolish as thinking that you can grow a business without external advisors (accountants, lawyers, bankers), or that you work to best practice in Health and Safety, VAT and Human Relations without going on courses. Wherever you find people who have these spiritual gifts, honour them and let them minister to you, and encourage others at work to benefit also.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for those whose words and example have led me to You and encouraged me to live well for You. Help me to encourage others at home and work to learn from people like them, who share Your wisdom in churches, books, audio messages and the internet. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
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