The Work of the Church (Ephesians 4:7-12)

24 April 2016
Pastor Art Brammer, Tay Street Baptist Church
http://www.taystreetbaptist.org.nz
The church grows in numbers and in spirituality.
I. What Christ did: He gave gifts to believers v. 7-10. (Adapted from
Psalm 68:18)
A. He ascended on high -- Jesus ascended to Gods throne.
B. He led captivity captive -- believers delivered from Satan.
C. He gave gifts to men (the main thought of this passage).
1. Jesus Christ has given many gifts to men, but this applies
specifically to spiritual gifts.
2. Every believer has a spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:7).
II. What pastors do: equipping saints for ministry v. 11-12a.
A. God gave gifted men to the church (v. 11).
1. These spiritual gifts were more than a gift to the men, they were
a gift to the church.
2. Only pastor-teacher relates to the things of v. 12.
B. The pastor is given to the church to equip the saints.
1. He does this through teaching (2 Tim 3:17).
a. feeding your spiritual life.
b. giving answers for the important & searching questions.
c. stirring your souls to meet needs.
2. He does this as overseer of the church ministries.
Through the ministries of the church there are opportunities
to serve others.
3. He does this through prayer (Heb 13:17).
4. He does this through example (Mk 10:43-45).
III. What believers do: the ministry v. 12b.
Church isnt meant to be a spectator sport.