Ephesians 4:11-16 Cameron Jungels 12-2-2012

Ephesians 4:11-16

"The Pastor's Job Description: Equipping the Church"

¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love,we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

• As the head of the Church, Christ has appointed his own leaders. (Eph 4:11)

• The function of church leaders is to equip the people for ministry. (Eph 4:12)

a. The goal of church ministry is Christian unity and maturity.

i. Unity in faith and knowledge (Eph 4:13)

b. Maturity in Christ-like character (Eph 4:13)

i. Stability in sound doctrine (Eph 4:14)

ii. Maturity through mutual ministry resulting in mutual growth. (Eph 4:15-16)

Christ's plan for the church is that pastors equip all the members for ministry so that the whole church will grow in unity and maturity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron Jungels Eastside Baptist Church December 8, 2012 Sunday PM Unless otherwise noted, the verses are in NIV.