1. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. God never does anything without a purpose! Ephesians 4 v 11-12 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.(major ministry gifts to the Body of Christ. (to His Church, his Bride). Ministries created for action. Ephesians 4 v 13 – 16, goes on to explain the purposes of these 5 major ministries for the Body.

2. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 1.For the perfecting of the Saints This is the first and probably the main reason, to bring all men to their fullness in Christ. To be A Whole being, complete in every Spiritual way and understanding. The trend is attitudes and what happens in the World, somehow gravitates into the Church. When it does it indicates that WE are not attuned to the Kingdom of God. That is why the ministries are essential to be present within the Body of Christ. So that the Saints, you and I, can be Perfected.

3. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 2. For the work of the Ministry The Ministry gifts of the Lord, requires work. Work from all in the calling of Christ. We are called to serve. Luke 10 v 1-2 Jesus sent out the 72 telling them “the fields are ripe for harvest, but the labourers are few”. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says that “ WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD”. Wow, what an honour and privilege. The Bible doesn't say that God wants us to labour “for” him; but rather, “WITH HIM.” That is precious!

4. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 3. For the edifying of the Body of Christ These ministry gifts are for the building up, of the body of Christ. They have nothing to do with inward and selfish motivation. They are for pouring out, to give away, to bless others, and to be of help. 1 Corinthians 15 v 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. That is what Jesus and the Salvation message is all about.

5. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 4. Till we all come into the Unity of the Faith. When, not if, we stand together fully as Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and stop disagreeing amongst one another, then the devil will be defeated, because the Body of Christ will have come into UNITY. Malachi 2 v 10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? UNITY will Defeat the Enemy.

6. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 5. And the knowledge of the Son of God. It is easy to have knowledge about so many things except Jesus. We are to come into the true knowledge of Son of God, who He is, What He is, and what He can do. He is not a has-been God, He is the living God. Anything He has ever done, He will still do! Anything He can do, He will do! 2 Corinthians 4 v 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

7. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 6. Unto a perfect man. God is not looking for a defeated people, but a Victorious people, which are you today, in defeat or in victory. God is seeking us to be perfect in Him. These ministries and gifts will remain until we become a perfect man. Luke 1 v 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

8. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 7. Unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ. We will keep these ministries active until the full Body reaches the fullness of Jesus. Look at Christ – standing tall, with faith, with no fear, before demons, demoniacs, storms. It’s didn’t matter! There was no fear! The ministries are there to bring All to be tall, be strong and be confident, just as Jesus was.

9. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 8.That we henceforth be no longer children. Some folk will believe everything they are told, just like children, without questioning. We are to encourage one another to hold to the great principles of divine truth from the Word of God. The ministries are there to instruct us and keep us from being led astray into false doctrines by deceitful men.

10. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 9. But speak the truth in love. We are to speak God’s truth not in anger, but only in love. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head; and from Him, the whole Body is joined together. Don’t worry about what you will be. He will get you there. HE never fails. Ephesians 4 v 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 1 Corinthians 16 v 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

11. The 9 purposes of the Ministry Gifts. 1. For the perfecting of the Saints 2. For the work of the Ministry 3. For the edifying of the Body of Christ 4. Till we all come into the Unity of the Faith. 5. And the knowledge of the Son of God. 6. Unto a perfect man. 7. Unto the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ. 8. That we henceforth be no longer children. 9. But speak the truth in love.

12. First of the Major Ministries – Apostles Ephesians 4 v 11- And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers: The office of Apostle – some say they died out with the original 12, others disagree and say we have Apostles today. There are at least 24 Apostles mentioned in the NT alone. The office of Apostle is not appointed by men. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is the One who establishes these ministries in the church. The word “Apostle” from the Greek means a delegate, one sent, representing the Trinity in Heaven. One delegated with the power of attorney to act on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word “Apostle” is also translated in the NT as “Messenger”.

13. We find in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and in Philippians 2:25 both Titus and Epaphroditus referred to messengers. You do not become an Apostle by studying, or working hard; He was made an apostle by by God, born through the power of the Holy Spirit. In these days people are reluctant to recognise Apostles, but this position is needed within the Body of the Church. Hebrews 3:1 The Lord Jesus Christ was the first Apostle. John 3:16 “God so loved the world, that He gave, (sent, delegated) his only Son. Others in scripture, Paul,(Galatians 1:1) Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by men) but by Jesus Christ….. Matthew 10:2-4, The first 12 Apostles who walked with Jesus. Acts 1:26, Matthias, elected after Judas, 1 Corinthians 9:5-6, Barnabas. 1 Corinthians 4:6,9 Apollos 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Silas and Timothy Finally the 70 Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1-20, the follow up group to the original 12. ALL APOSTLES sent by and with the power of the Holy Spirit.