Tag: Ephesians 4:11-16
Sunday rest and reflection
March 3, 2023
Greetings! Hopefully, you are spending part of this day with God’s family in a place of worship! God redeemed us from slavery to sin to lead a life of worship! We are to worship personally and corporately. We come together to meet with God and His family and prepare ourselves for a week of ministry and witness. We come together to hear the Word of God preached and taught by those with gifts of teaching and preaching. We use our gifts to encourage other believers and pray. The gifts in the body help us to become equipped to do the work God has for each person and the church family. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Moses is one of my favorite Old Testament characters. He was strong and vigorous at 120 years of age. Evidently the manna and water diet kept him healthy and strong! Moses was greatly concerned for the next generation. He wanted them to be blessed and and take by faith all that the Lord had promised as their inheritance. He clearly understood how their sinful human nature was a danger to them. He shared that nature and because of his own anger and dishonoring of God would not be able to go into the promised land himself. Deuteronomy is the record of his last messages preached to this next generation before he died.
God chose the preaching of His Word to be the vehicle of teaching and inspiring this next generation. (1st Corinthians 1:21) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word! (Romans 10:17) Faith also works by love and God calls them to love Him and love each other! (Galatians 5:6) Love is not a feeling, but a commitment to act for the highest good of another. God’s promises show His love and our faith and obedience show our love in return! God’s love hasn’t changed! He is still using preaching to reach people and inspire faith in them. (Romans 10:14-15) He still desires faith and obedience as a show of our love for Him. (1st John 5:2-4) When we walk in faith and obedience and love Him, His face shines on us! (Number 6:22-27) Have a great day of rest and reflection! In His Love, Pastor John
Sharing the load!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Exodus 16-18, Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4:11-14 “And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Jesus is the Head of the Church, His body. He places each person in the body as He desires to help it function properly. His Body is designed so that each part, when doing what they are called to do faithfully, causes growth to maturity of each part. The Body is protected from false teaching and faulty doctrines and brought into the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace as God works into each one the fullness of His Son. God places certain gifts and gift-people in the Body to facilitate this growth. There are no “big I’s” or “little you’s” but all are equal in the benefits of salvation. As Moses of old was advised to pick out leaders of trustworthiness and integrity, so those leading Christ’s Church must meet God’s standards. His people lead by serving and setting a good example and faithfulness.
Ephesians 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him Who is the Head, into Christ from Whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for designing the Church and building it up in love. Thank You for the gift-people and the gifts You give to build up the Body. Help me to faithfully work in my calling as a pastor/teacher to equip the body for ministry and see it built up into maturity. Help each member of Your body to faithfully bear the burdens of helping others find salvation and grow to the fullness of Christ.
Exodus 18:21-22 “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide for themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.”