N EW D URHAM B APTIST C HURCH P ASTOR F RANK C UOZZO L ESSON 2: “T HE M EASURE OF THE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH ” “I T ’ S L IKENESS TO J ESUS C HRIST ”

We are talking about becoming a First Century Church. Last week in our first lesson, we listed seven things about that Church. We said, 1) T HE C HURCH STARTED W / C HRIST AND H IS DISCIPLES AND WAS EMPOWERED AT P ENTECOST. 2) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH HAD A S AVED M EMBERSHIP. 3) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH HAD C HRIST AS THE O NLY H EAD. 4) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH WAS DECLARED TO BE T HE P ILLAR AND G ROUND OF THE T RUTH. 5) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH WAS ALWAYS AN I NDEPENDENT C ONGREGATION. 6) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH TOOK RESPONSIBILITY TO E VANGELIZE THE W ORLD. 7) T HE F IRST C ENTURY C HURCH WAS P ASTOR L ED.

This week we want to look at the measure of the First Century Church. Ephesians 4:11-16, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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.”

 Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”  The measure of our ministry is in our likeness to Jesus Christ!  We find our Unity in the Faith in the Person of Jesus Christ as we yield ourselves to Him.

Ephesians 4:11, “And he gave (gifts) some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”  Apostles- Sent Ones. John 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me (apostello), even so send I you.”  Prophets- Foretelling/Forthtelling.  Evangelists- Church planting Missionaries.  Pastors- Shepherd, Bishop, Elder, Overseer.  Teachers- Scriptural teaching, line upon line, precept upon precept, comparing scripture with scripture. (Isa 28:10)

The goal of the Pastor is to work towards the unity of the faith in the church. He does this by doing what Paul said in Colossians 1:24-28, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

The Pastor’s responsibility in leading his congregation to the unity of the faith- (The Pastor’s Job Description)  To warn every man.  To teach every man.  To present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. James 1:22-25, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

 We assemble together so that we might be perfected.  God’s Word and the Light of God’s Spirit show us where we need to improve in our Christian lives.  We come to church to do the work of the ministry.  We come so that we might be edified and built up to be strong in the Lord to have this unity of the faith to go out and do God’s work.  The person who is truly following the Lord comes to church with Bible in hand, with an open heart, saying to the Lord, “Lord, speak to me, show me, help me, reveal to me areas in my life that need to be yielded to Thee. Enable me, help me, strengthen me and build me up to live the Christian life in a way that demonstrates Christ.”

Let’s look at Paul’s ministry in the church at Ephesus.  Three months in the Synagogue. Acts 19:8, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”  Two years in a rented hall. Acts 19:9-10, “But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

 A great uproar in the City. Acts 19:18-20, “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”  Paul summarized his ministry in Ephesus in Acts 20:24-32, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

 Paul summarized his ministry in Ephesus in Acts 20:24-32, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Lessons we can learn from Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus,  Do not shun any of the counsel of God. Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”  Take heed to yourself. Acts 20:28 says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves.” Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”  Feed on God’s Word daily. Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”  Commend all to God. Acts 20:32, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God.”