And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. — EPHESIANS 4:11–12
Are you feeling unequipped for the task? Seize the opportunities your church provides for you to be equipped. Seek to be discipled. As God grows you, then seek opportunities to disciple others. And pray for the missionaries who have gone out to raise up pastors and churches who will continue the model of Ephesians 4:11–12.
Thank you for listening to this episode of Declaring His Glory Among the Nations: Daily Scripture Meditations from Pastors Around the World.
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The Bible teaches that everything was created through Jesus (Col. 1:16). According to our passage, Jesus Himself, as gracious Lord of all, has given you and your church a special gift. And this gift has a specific purpose. His gift to your local church is pastors who tend to your soul. The text lists five offices of the gifted people granted to the church: 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) evangelists, 4) pastors, and 5) teachers. The church today no longer has apostles like Peter or prophets who reveal a new word from God. We do have evangelists who proclaim the one true gospel, and pastors and teachers who proclaim and apply the word of God. Biblically qualified pastors are a reflection of God’s grace to the church He loves.
God puts pastors in churches for a specific purpose. He intends that through their diligent labor, you will be equipped for the work of the ministry. It is their job to get you ready to proclaim the gospel, to encourage others with the truth, to restore those caught in sin, and to give of yourself generously and graciously. To claim that you are not gifted is contradicting what God has said. We are all responsible to join in Great Commission work.
Are you feeling unequipped for the task? Seize the opportunities your church provides for you to be equipped. Seek to be discipled. As God grows you, then seek opportunities to disciple others. And pray for the missionaries who have gone out to raise up pastors and churches who will continue the model of Ephesians 4:11–12.