In our Adult Bible Study class at The Spoken Word Church today, I mentioned the TRUTH that HE knits the members of His body together, with each "stitch" being very important to the whole "garment". And then I read this today in our Bible Reading Plan from Ephesians 4:16:
16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
The whole of chapter 4 of Ephesians is speaking of the Church, His body, AND the local churches that He has called us each to. Verses 8 and 11-12 tell us this:
8 Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 11 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: KJV
There is something very interesting about these verses that I want to share with you here. In between every "gift" that is mentioned we see the word "and". In all but one instance this is the Greek word "de", which is a particle that links consecutive things in a list together. We can change this "and" with "also" and be correct. The last instance, however, between the gifts of "pastor" and "teacher" are not meant to be consecutive, but cumulative. . THIS is the Greek word "kai". I see this as saying that He gives us some who are Pastor/Teachers! I personally do not see how anyone can successfully pastor unless they CAN teach the Word of God. Everything we do as born again believers MUST be based on the Word of God. So, if YOU are involved in a local church that does NOT teach the Word of God, then I suggest that you pray, asking the Lord Himself to direct you to the church that HE would have you become a part of! AMEN! Now for more of Ephesians 4, lets look at verses 13-15:
13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. 14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. 15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
So there is our goal! Let's be diligent ot become more and more like Jesus so that the lost can see HIM in us, and WANT Who we have! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Empires":
Shalom in Him!
