Title: Ministers and Servants / Ephesians 4:11-16
Contents
Title: Serving with Officials
Text: Ephesians 4:11-16
Just as God created the world, the church is the body of Christ because the church was the institution that Jesus established while on earth.
Because the church is built on the faith that believes in Jesus as Savior and professed faith.
When a person who used to be a sinner confesses his faith and is born again, the enemy devil within us will depart from our body and the Lord will dwell in us.
Ultimately, our body becomes the temple of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
Saints are temples. A place where many saints gather is a large church.
God takes care of the church so that it can carry out His work well. He also sets up workers. It's not like we want to be a worker. Because God needs us, He has called us lowly. When you call, He gives you the grace you need and gives you power.
1. The office of the church established by God
You should be proud of your position.
It happened when the famous British architect Christopher Uren was building Paul's Cathedral in the 18th century.
The construction of the cathedral was a major milestone. One day, Uren in plain clothes
① What do you do to a worker?
He replied bluntly, "I'm just cutting a six-foot-long stone pillar from morning till evening."
② What does Uren do to another person?
The person replied, "I'm doing this just to paste my mouth like it's annoying."
③ What does Uren do to another person?
The man said, Sir, that this lack of people is playing a part in the construction of Paul's Cathedral under the direction of the world-famous Lord Uren.
Dear saints, don't be like the first person, the second person, but like the third person, what you can do with satisfaction in your work. The Lord's church officers are those who serve. I hope that you will become all those who serve with a joyful and joyful heart, and do not force yourself to serve according to your will, but to serve honestly and properly according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What he said in verse 11 is that God has given us any office in the church.
God has given us a position, and He gives us the ability to bear it. These offices are broadly divided into pastors and officers.
The pastor is the office of the Lord's representative.
2. God's Chosen Church Office
In verse 12, the establishment of the priesthood
1) To perfect the saints.
It is to make people worthy of the calling, and to become people who build houses with gold, silver, and precious stones when the Lord comes.
Therefore, those who hold office in the church should not only think about themselves, but also pray for others and work together for good.
2) Let them do the work of service
A deacon means a person who serves, but the purpose of being appointed is not only to serve faithfully, but also to make all the saints become servants.
Service includes material service and spiritual service.
It is to help the church in various ways, to give relief to the poor, to visit the church, and to work and serve in various departments of the church.
Another service is to think of the pastor and others as if it were my body, to pray, and to repent of the sins of others as if they were my own. This is the service of the heart.
3) To build up the body of Christ.
The body of Christ refers to the church, as stated at the beginning. All those who have received the office must do their best to make the church the church.
It is to become the Lord's hands and feet so that the Lord can work through the church.
3. The Office of Loyalty to God
The Apostle Paul said, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he has considered me faithful and entrusted me with his ministry.
Always serve with joy and joy.
Those who have been given the office of God must submit to Christ by beating themselves and pray for the strength to be faithful and the wisdom to handle the task, like Solomon.
The person who serves must always believe that God is with me. Also, like Elisha, we must have the conviction that “they are with us more than those who are with them.”
Also, you need to know that God does not only give you an office so that you can do the work, but also evaluates how well you have performed the task.
A good and loyal servant -> Every day in the form of a loyal servant
Since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with many things.
Participate in the joy of your Lord -> Be invited to the kingdom of God
Saints are temples. The large sanctuary is the church where the saints gather.
You are appointed to serve. It was established by God, and the ministry is to make the saints perfect, to do the work of service, and to build up the body of Christ.
I hope that you will become an office-bearer who is loyal to God and serves with joy and joy.
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