1. HOW GOD DESIGNED HIS CHURCH TO FUNCTION

2. Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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.

3. Ephesians 4:14-16 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 men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 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.

4. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. - v7

5. So - what did the Lord give us and why?

6. I. God Gave the Church Leadership. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. - v11

7. A. Apostles ( ἀ πόστολος ) = ones who are sent forth on a mission, missionaries. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

8. 1. Who were they originally? Luke 6:13 - When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles... Acts 1:21-22 - Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

9. 2. What was the proof of their position? II Corinthians 12:12 - The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

10. 3. Who else were considered apostles? Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God... I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

11. 3. Who else were considered apostles? Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God... Acts 14:14 - But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd... I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

12. 3. Who else were considered apostles? Romans 16:7 - Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

13. 3. Who else were considered apostles? Romans 16:7 - Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Galatians 1:19 - I saw none of the other apostles — only James, the Lord’s brother. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

14. 4. Did they leave any succes- sors? II Corinthians 12:12 - The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

15. 5. How is the church provided direction today? I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

16. 5. How is the church provided direction today? The criteria for a New Testament book was that it: a. Had to have been written by an apostle or a close associate. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

17. 5. How is the church provided direction today? The criteria for a New Testament book was that it: b. Had to be recognized by the leaders of the church to be doctrinally correct. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

18. B. Prophets ( προφήτης ) = inter- preters, proclaimers of the divine message. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

19. 1. How did God use them in the Bible? They were given messages directly from God! I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

20. 2. Who were some of them? The prophets of the Old Testament! I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

21. 2. Who were some of them? Agabus. Acts 21:11 - Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

22. 2. Who were some of them? Agabus. Acts 11:27-28 - During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

23. 2. Who were some of them? Philip’s daughters. Acts 21:8-9 - Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

24. C. Evangelists ( ε ὐ αγγελιστής ) = the bringers of good news, gospel proclaimers. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

25. C. Evangelists ( ε ὐ αγγελιστής ) = the bringers of good news, gospel proclaimers. 1. Originally these were Syrian couriers bringing news of victory on the battlefield. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

26. C. Evangelists ( ε ὐ αγγελιστής ) = the bringers of good news, gospel proclaimers. 2. Some New Testament evan- gelists. II Timothy 4:5 - But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

27. C. Evangelists ( ε ὐ αγγελιστής ) = the bringers of good news, gospel proclaimers. 2. Some New Testament evan- gelists. Acts 21:8 - Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

28. C. Evangelists ( ε ὐ αγγελιστής ) = the bringers of good news, gospel proclaimers. 3. Who are they today? The preachers! I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

29. D. Pastor/Teachers = the New Testa- ment elder or bishop. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

30. D. Pastor/Teachers = the New Testa- ment elder or bishop. 1. What did they do? I Peter 5:1-2 - To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers... I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

31. D. Pastor/Teachers = the New Testa- ment elder or bishop. 1. What did they do? I Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

32. ... to prepare God’s people* for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... - v12 * God’s people ( ) = saints! * God’s people ( ἅ γιος) = saints! E. The Saints = God’s people! I. God Gave the Church Leadership.

33. II. God Gave the Church a Mission. - v12-16

34. A. What do the leaders do?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

35. B. What do the saints do?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

36. B. What do the saints do?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 How? 1. By nourishing one another - providing spiritual growth. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

37. B. What do the saints do?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 How? 2. By witnessing to non-believers - providing numerical growth. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

38. C. How long are the saints to do this?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 1. Until unity of faith is obtained. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

39. C. How long are the saints to do this?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 2. Until knowledge of the Lord is obtained. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

40. C. How long are the saints to do this?... to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. - v12-13 3. Until maturity in Christ is obtained. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

41. D. What are God’s goals for His church? Philippians 2:5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus... 1. To have the mind of Christ. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

42. D. What are God’s goals for His church? 2. To conduct yourselves so others can see the Lord in you. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

43. D. What are God’s goals for His church? 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 men in their deceitful scheming. - v14 3. To be grounded enough to be able to recognize false teaching. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

44. D. What are God’s goals for His church? Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 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. - v15-16 4. To develop a love for the Lord & for His authority. II. God Gave the Church a Mission.

45. You need to take what the Lord has provided for you. Function the way the Lord planned for you. Glorify Him the way He wants you to glorify Him!