The New Testament Church: The Ministry of the Saints (AM)

Ephesians 4:11-16

Introduction:

1. Over the past few weeks, we have seen the role, function, and requirements of elders, deacons, and evangelists in the church.

2. This morning, we look at the end goal of each in Christ’s purpose.

3. They were given to equip/perfect the saints for ministry.

Discussion:

I. Equipped/Perfected for Ministry

A. The term for equipping is very informative in its varied uses:

1. Mending/restoring what is torn/fallen (Matthew 4:21; Galatians 6:1).

2. Supplying what is needed (1 Thessalonians 3:10; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:10)

B. What follows in Ephesians 4 shows the source of such equipment.

C. Every Christian is to minister in, to, and for the Lord’s church.

II. United in The Faith and Knowledge of Christ

A. “The faith” often indicates, not one’s personal faith, but the sum of Christ’s will (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:23; 1 Timothy 3:9; 5:8; Jude 3, etc.).

B. Verses 14-15 indicate this is the meaning here in verse 13:

1. The knowledge of the Son of God is a matter of teaching/doctrine.

2. The threat was crafty, deceitful doctrines of men making one waiver.

3. Truth spoken in love brings maturity in Christ as we grow up into Him who is the Head (cf. Ephesians 4:24; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

C. Only the truth can set us free from sin (John 8:31-32) and sanctify us for service to Him (John 17:17).

D. We must be united in the truth of God’s word (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1).

III. Every Joint Building Up the Body in Love

A. The elders, deacons, evangelists all serve to equip the saints to minister.

B. The ministry of the saints is to build up the body, to the ends that we all attain the unity of the faith mentioned above.

C. That unity is in our connection to Christ the Head (vs. 16; Colossians 2:19).

D. “Joint” is a term meaning a fastening in a building (cf. Ephesians 2:21) or a ligament in the body as here in verse 16.

E. When every joint (Christian) does its share, the body builds itself up.

Conclusion:

1. As our bodies have many members that work in unison; so does Christ’s body.

2. As with our physical bodies, we must not let any joint in Christ’s body fail.

3. Let us all hold fast to the Head in pursuit of fulfilling our role in His body.