Dec 7-13-08 All Are Ministers & Spiritual Checkup

ALL Believers ARE “Ministers"

A simple way to define "ministry" is that it is the work of God for the people of God. Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who

gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and

some as pastors and teachers,


12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the

Son of God — a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full

stature.


It is the work of serving others, using the gifts, resources, and

power that God gives us.


This is important for the church today to understand, because many Christians assume that

"ministry" belongs only to professional ministers, or clergy.


But ministry belongs to everyone in the body of Christ. All believers are "ministers." All have been gifted to carry out the work of

God.


Romans 12:4 NET For just as in one body we have many members, and not all

the members serve the same function, 5 so we who are many are one body in

Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another.


6 And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is

prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is service,

he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach;


8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he

must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so

with cheerfulness.


What, then, is the role of the clergy? To equip, or prepare, the

"ministers" to do their work of ministry.


Ephesians 4:11 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets,

some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is,

to build up the body of Christ,


This involves teaching the truth of God's Word, helping believers overcome the problems that

hinder them, giving them a vision for reaching out to others with the

love of Christ,


and helping them develop and utilize the practical skills required to carry out their God-given tasks.

Ministry is the calling, privilege, and responsibility of every member of

the body of Christ.


Some congregations help to remind their people of this truth by listing

professional workers under the title of "staff" or "pastors" in their bulletins and

newsletters, and reserving the term "ministers" for all members.


It has been said that when believers are baptized, they are

ordained into the ministry. Perhaps it would help to recover

this perspective.


It might free pastors and other church leaders to focus on their

crucial role of equipping the saints for the work of ministry.


It might also help to redistribute the load, which is often crushing for

clergy and their families.


Broadly shared ministry would mobilize and affirm the whole

church and enrich every part of the world where the "ministers"

live and work. (Word In Life Study Bible)

Time for a checkup

How can we evaluate the quality of our faith? Are there any ways to

assess spiritual progress and growth? Yes, Paul gives us a

number of them here in Ephesians 5.

Time for a checkup

Ephesians can be viewed as two halves of one big picture about

giving and receiving faith. Chapters 1-3 describe what God

has done for us in Christ.

Time for a checkup

Chapters 4-6 describe what we are to do in response to what God has done

for us.We are called to live for God and to be

imitators of God, Ephesians 5:1 NET Therefore, be imitators

of God as dearly loved children

Time for a checkup

Just as children follow after the patterns seen in their parents.

Here are some of the patterns that a godly lifestyle would include:

Time for a checkup

(1) Living in love, which means giving of ourselves sacrificially for the benefit of others, just as Christ has done for us.

Ephesians 5:2 NET and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and

fragrant offering to God.

Time for a checkup

(2)Forsaking selfish pursuits such as self-seeking immorality and ruthless greed.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality,

impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

Time for a checkup

Ephesians 5:5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or

greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the

kingdom of Christ and God.

Time for a checkup

(3)Replacing filthy talk, flippant chatter, and unkind jesting with communication rooted in thanksgiving to God and affirmation of others.

Time for a checkup

Ephesians 5:4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or

coarse jesting — all of which are out of character — but rather

thanksgiving.

Time for a checkup

Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Time for a checkup

(4)Exercising discernment about what we are told so as not to be susceptible to trickery from others.

Time for a checkup

6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's wrath comes on the sons of

disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them,

15 Therefore be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise,

Time for a checkup

(5)Bowing out from situations where evil is the agenda.

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful

even to mention.

Time for a checkup

(6)Managing our time well.16 taking advantage of every

opportunity, because the days are evil.

Time for a checkup

Perhaps you'll want to develop your own list of Christlike patterns from this passage and others. Consider asking a close believing friend to

assess your progress over several days or weeks.

Time for a checkup

Allow these patterns of godliness to affect your own life before using

them to evaluate others.(Word In Life Study Bible)

Time for a checkup

Matthew 7:1 NET "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For by

the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.

Time for a checkup

3 Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam

of wood in your own? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me

remove the speck from your eye,' while there is a beam in your own?

Time for a checkup

5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and

then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your

brother's eye.

Time for a checkup

6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around

and tear you to pieces.

Let’s Review

The Apostle Paul tells us that Emmett’s, Dewy’s, & my purpose

as teachers is to prepare Believers in Christ for the work of

ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ.

Let’s Review

Have you ever thought about that? Calling the one who preaches “The

Minister” is not really correct! He is a minister whose job is teaching God’s Word so God’s people are able to go

into the world and minister.

Let’s Review

Believers in Christ minister to people in order to build up the

body of Christ. Something to think about isn’t it? Are we as teachers doing our job so you are prepared

to minister?

Let’s Review

How did you do on the little Spiritual Check-up? Perhaps each of us should have a copy of those 6

Check-up points and review them everyday to help keep us on the

straight-&-Narrow?

Dec 7-13-08 All Are Ministers & Spiritual Checkup

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Transcript of Dec 7-13-08 All Are Ministers & Spiritual Checkup