Pastor Rockwell / GIFTED MEN PRODUCING GODLY PEOPLE

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

GIFTED MEN PRODUCING GODLY PEOPLE

  1. THE GOAL OF GIFTED MEN, vv. 12-13. The five men assigned to the process of providing the church with gifted people are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11). The gifted men of “apostles” and “prophets” have essentially been phased out as they were the men who established the scriptures we have today. Note Ephesians 2:19-20 (KJV), 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. The “foundation” in vs. 20 is the “scriptures.” The context of these two verses indicate that Jesus abolished the Law when he died on the cross and rose again three days later (Eph. 2:15). That event provided for Gentile (who had “no hope, Eph. 2:12-13) and Jew to be “reconciled to God” (Rom. 5:10). 
  1. THE PURPOSE IS THREEFOLD, Ephesians 4:12. To understand vs. 12, it is important to notice the three-letter word “for.” The first “for” attaches the responsibility to the list of five men who oversee the doctrine and activities of the church. The subsequent word “for” is connected to its antecedent. 
  1. For “the perfecting of the saints.” The function of the five men listed in the first part of vs. 12 has this responsibility. The word “perfecting” means “complete, equipped, mature.” Paul stated a principle of maturity in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV), “When I was a  child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I  thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put  away childish things.” An adult should conduct themselves as adults, not children. Most conflicts in the church grow out of immaturity, physical immaturity, and spiritual immaturity. Someone stated it this  way when seeing an adult acting “childish.” They said, “Act your age, not your shoe size.” Think about that for a moment. Interestingly, the word “mature” is not found in the Bible.
  2. For “the work of the ministry.” The second phrase is connected to “saints” with the word “for.” The “saints” are to do the work of ministry. That does not exclude the “gifted” men in vs. 11, but they are to carry a large load of the ministry. Looking at the early activities of the church, we should not wonder what was told the “disciples” in Acts 6 when the ministry had grown to large proportions. The problem of ministry was addressed in Acts 6:2-3 (KJV), “2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should 

 leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you 

 seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” It is not clear what is meant by “serve tables” (vs. 2), yet one thing is clear that this was a matter of ministry due to the word “ministration” in Acts 6:1. The word is found seven times and only in the New Testament. All of the uses except Luke 1:23 has the emphasis of serving, or ministry. The word is translated “deacon” in two places (1 Tim. 30:10, 13) which is a statement 

 about the “office” of deacon. These two connections indicate the any saved person is part of the “saints” and have responsibility for serving in the ministry of the church. 

  1. For “the edifying of the body of Christ.” The word “edify” means to “build” or “build up.” It is used in building a building, yet it is also applied to building people. It should be noted that the current American society has not been instructed on some of the principles that made our nation a “civil” or “decent” society. That is noted in how men treat women. Young people do not exercise the principle I was taught as a young boy, and that was that men opened the door for a woman. A man, when walking down the sidewalk with a woman, should always walk on the traffic side of the walkway. I was taught to say, “Yes, sir,” and “Yes, ma’am” to people. I was in Fort Gordon, GA (U.S. Army), and a friend asked me if I would go downtown with him, which I did. We were not shy about talking to girls and conversed with a couple we met. In our discussion with these girls, one asked a question that required a “yes” or “no” answer. I said, “Yes, ma’am.” She looked at me and said, “I am not an old woman, so you don’t have to say, ‘Yes ma’am’ to me.” In the church, these types of principles must be practiced. You teach a young man some biblical or ethical principles and build him up to be decent. In the church, it is important to be taught correct doctrine, so believers know how to conduct themselves as the Bible instructs. The book of Proverbs has a host of practical instructions for living as a child of God. Look at some of the principles the word “edify” addresses.

a. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV), All things are lawful for me, but all things are 

not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 

b. 1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

c. Ephesians 4:12 (KJV) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 

d.  Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

e.  Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

f.  1 Timothy 1:4 (KJV) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 

  1. THE PRINCIPLES APPLIED, Ephesians 4:13. Godly people will build the church. Look at Eph. 4:10. Christ came to fill all things. He wants to fill you – mold you into His image. That is the biblical definition of a perfect man. LOOK AT Galatians 4:19 (KJV), My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. Romans 8:29 (KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [Emphasis added.] Now compare Ephesians 4:15-16. There is a big difference between Christ being in us [by His Holy Spirit] and Christ being formed in us. THIS IS THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP. If you have not been through the Discipleship training ministry, why not sign up?
  1. THE PROSPECT OF GOOD DOCTRINE FOR THE CHURCH, vss. 14-16. It says we are to “be no more children,” vs. 14a. 
  1. Unstable, The spiritual weather forecast, Ephesians 4:14b (KJV) “. . .tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,” We might call this the “spiritual weather forecast.” The natural wind blowing in the atmosphere can create havoc when it gets very strong. In fact, it can create instability in the atmosphere and subsequently affect us humans. It creates an “unstable” environment. “Unstable” equals unanchored. While living in the Panhandle of Texas, we could have some strong winds in the range of 40-50 mph. There have been some straight winds in the 70 to 80 mph category. That will move a lot of things around that are not anchored. Living in Florida, with the threat of hurricanes, we are told to pick up any loose items and tie down anything susceptible to being blown around by a 90 to 120 mph wind. 
  2. It says we are to be aware of deceitful men, Ephesians 4:14c, “. . .by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” This is a warning to be careful of deceiving men, vs. 14b. There are many of these types in our environment and even on YouTube. Deception is everywhere. When I first started preaching the major false teachers were in the Mormons, Jehovah [false] Witnesses, and Muslims. Most do not know how to discern if these are false teachers. The Apostle Paul gave a stern warning to the church at Galatia when he told them in Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV), 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. You may not be aware that two of the three “false religions” noted above originated when an “angel” appeared to them and gave the basis of their false teaching. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, was visited by the Angel Moroni, who interpreted the “golden plates” Joseph had found. Charles Taze Russell became disenchanted with the Bible teaching he received in the Congregational and Presbyterian churches because they believed in “hell,” which Russell rejected. He began to write in what is known as the Watchtower magazine and then developed the belief that Jesus was not God but an archangel. Their bible, The New World Translation, interprets John 1:1 as, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was a god.” Jesus was God! According to John 1:1 (KJV), In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Muslim religion was founded by a man in the Muslim world named Muhammad, who received the Quran from an angel named Gabriel, whose name was Jabril. This supposedly transpired in 610 A.D. 
  1. It is Imperative that Bible Students Have Bible Answers, vs. 15. Ephesians 4:15 (KJV) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. We can only keep these things from happening through sound doctrine. We need to know what the Bible says and how it applies to our lives. Can you answer those who ask why you have this hope? Colossians 4:6 (KJV) says, Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 2 Corinthians 5:12 (KJV) For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. Now look at 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV), But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Are you able to answer a person about a question that runs contrary to the Bible? If not, why not?
  2. Growing as a Disciple, vs. 16. The passage moves back to another word for unity, “fitly joined together” (vs. 16). This phrase is a suggestion of the function of a body and is an illustration of the function of a body, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:14-25. The body should be “fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth.” This is the “unity” found in Ephesians 4:4-7.
  3. The Discipleship Ministry – Four Goals. All of this passage is about growing as a believer and the relationship between those who have and office of pastor and teacher. 

1. Establish the believer in the Word of God.

2. Establish you in the fellowship of the believers.

3. Establish you in the church.

4. Establish you in the ministry.