The Church and the Word (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Gary McManus, 10/02/2016Part of the God's Word is Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
October 2, 2016 Ephesians 4:11-16
Intro.:
DCC wants to help you have a stronger
relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible desires that we GROW in our
relationship with Jesus.
The church is supposed to help ALL of
us navigate the changes in ourselves.
We are to find at church examples. . .
Consider this month:
why does ministry matter?
-God’s Word
-God’s Word for the Pastor
-God’s Word for the Prophets
-God’s Word for the church
See Psalm 68:11
See Isaiah 6, Amos 7:14-15,
Jeremiah 1:5, Jonah 1:1-10
Ministry may matter but
they system that provides ministers
in the U.S. doesn’t seem to work well.
Ephesians 4:
The Bible tells us that Our Lord
provides servants for the church of Jesus Christ:
. . .Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the pastors and teachers,
Luke 22:37, Jesus states: I tell you that
what is written about me must come true.”
What is written of Jesus MUST happen. . .
Jesus has to bring it about. The Word compels Jesus.
Jesus is called “teacher” and Jesus refers
to himself as “teacher.”
Jesus teaching was remarkable:
Matthew 7:29, Mark 1:22,
Mark 7:37, Mark 10:26.
Like Jesus, the teaching of the Apostles
is also remarkable. In one instance,
although a witness sees a miracle, he
states that it was the teaching (not the
miracle) that was astonishing (Acts 13:12)
A number of Pastors are aware of the power
of God’s Word to astonish. Many of us would
like to convey that power to our hearers.
Often our humanity makes it difficult to do.
Still, Jesus taught, Jesus told us to teach.
(Matthew 28:18-19) Go, make disciples. . .
TEACHING.
. . .even if you don’ hold the office!
The New testament is full of examples of
those who are NOT teachers who share
their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Today’s scripture: 15 Instead, speaking
the truth in love, [Apostle is not talking
about preachers—speaking the truth in love—
WE—ALL of us. . .we will grow to become
in every respect the mature body of him who
is the head, that is, Christ.
Imitators of Christ? Innovators of Christ.
Amen
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