Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the equipping of the Saints for the work of Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, 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; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole Body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the Body for the edifying of itself in Love. 

 

After several days of study, we find ourselves making nine concluding statements about Ephesians 4:11-16, which is God’s Purpose and Pattern for the Church. As we read through these statements, let us be open to the convicting Power of the Holy Spirit because that’s how we grow.

 

1. ONLY God Calls people to Ministry Positions of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.

2. The SOLE Purpose of every Calling is to equip and edify other believers for Ministry.

3. This Work is to continue until the entire Body of Christ comes into UNITY of the Faith.

4. God intends for EVERY BELIEVER to take an ACTIVE PART in Ministry.

5. God’s Will is for all believers to be MATURE in their faith and KNOWLEDGEABLE about Jesus Christ.

6. A mature, knowledgeable believer will NOT BE SWAYED BY FALSE DOCTRINE.

7. The Church is the BODY, and CHRIST is the HEAD of that Body.

8. Every part of THE BODY IS KNIT TOGETHER and is to DO THEIR SHARE. 

9. All is to be done in LOVE.

 

This is God’s Pattern for the Church, and it is all to be done IN LOVE. Jesus set forth two Commandments for us to live by: Love God and love one another. The first characteristic listed in the Fruit of the Spirit is Love. God is Love. He loves every one of us, and we are to do the same.

 

When people understand God’s Pattern for the Church and live their lives in accordance with His Pattern, God will not only use us in tremendous ways, He will bless us beyond our wildest imagination!

 

God’s Pattern for us will……….turn the tide

 

Love you!     Doreen

 

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