Ephesians 4:11-12
It was He (Jesus Christ) who gave some as Apostles, some as Prophets, some as Evangelists, and some as Shepherds and Teachers, in order to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ.
This week, we are going to continue to look at Ephesians 4, particularly what it teaches us about the gifted people that Christ has given to equip us. Ephesians 4 is a significant passage that connects Jesus’ discipleship mandate in the Great Commission of Matthew 28 with the mission of the Church. This mission is founded on the ministries of the Apostles and Prophets. All that we do as followers of Christ is catalyzed by Apostolic Vision and Mission and Prophetic Passion and Direction.
(more…)
1 Timothy 3:14–15
… I am writing these instructions to you… to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
This week we have been considering the way the Scriptures define both The Church and The Body of Christ. As we move forward with all these truths and ideas, we might need to reorient our thinking in a significant way. In our times, most people think in terms of “going” to church. We often think of it as a place or destination or building. From what we have seen and heard so far, it is clear that the Scriptures define The Church (and so the churches) in terms of people and our identity. Because of this, we—as Christ’s people—should think more in terms of BEING the Church.
(more…)
One of the most significant truths that we all need to know is that Father God has completely qualified us to serve as Priests in His “New Temple.” We have been 1) chosen, 2) called, 3) set apart, 4) clothed, and 5) anointed spiritually in Christ in order to serve.
(more…)
Jesus has a vision for His Church. He has given us what we need – more specifically who we need – so that we can grow to maturity In Him. Understanding Jesus’ purposes for us is critical to understanding the role of the Church in our lives and in the World.
(more…)
Ephesians 3:10
The purpose of this enlightenment (the proclaiming of the Gospel) is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.
This week, we will begin to bring together all that we have been learning together to focus on our mission here on Earth. Simply stated, we have been called up into The Story that is much larger than us. We are here to reveal both the “multifaceted wisdom” (Ephesians 3:10) and the “multifaceted grace” (1 Peter 4:10) of Father God in the ways that we work together in the Church, the Body of Christ.
(more…)
Today, we come to some simple conclusions about the Mission and Vision that Christ has set for The Church. We are simply called to make disciples/students of Jesus and to lead them to spiritual maturity.
(more…)
Today, we discuss the Goals and Outcomes of Father-God’s desires for us? We have been called to proclaim The Kingdom of Christ to this present World. The Kingdom is coming and it cannot be stopped. We are here to warn people about the choices they make now and how they will have consequences in the age to come.
(more…)