Ephesians 4:11 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: 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: 14: 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; 15: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16: 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.

Introduction

There are two kinds of ministry that God has called and tasked local churches like Grace & Truth Bible Baptist Church. Two kinds of ministry that we must fulfill as a local church—one is global ministry, and the other is local ministry. The global ministry concerns with our ministry to the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The local ministry is about our ministry within the body of Christ. Every member is to do his or her part in the local body’s growth and maturity. The apostle Paul writes in verses 12 and 13, “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.”

The local ministry that God has called us to carry out is to edify and to equip the believers in the local body we are part of. God’s plan and purpose for the church is to grow and to mature. The apostle Paul addresses that in this section. He will give us God’s plan for church growth, not so much in numbers, but growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will give us God’s plan for the spiritual maturity of the members of the body of Christ. Now, how is God going to accomplish this? That’s what I invite you to consider with me this morning—God’s Plan for Church Growth. This morning, consider with me three important matters concerning church growth, namely, The Provision for Church Growth, The Process of Church Growth, and The Purpose of Church Growth. This morning we will talk about the Provision and the Process. Then next week the Purpose.

I – The Provision for Church Growth

Back in verses 7 through 10, the apostle Paul describes to us how God is going to grow and mature the church.

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9: (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10: He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

God has made a provision for the growth and maturity of the church. It is by God bestowing each member of the body of Christ at least one spiritual gift. Every one of us has been granted some spiritual gift and capability to serve God and to benefit the church. But then Paul goes on to say in verse 11, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Here, Paul lists the four kinds of ministers which have been given by Christ to His Church. Not only has God given gifts to every Christian, but He has also provided gifted leaders to the church for her growth and maturity.

Let’s look at them for a moment.

1. Apostles

Let’s start with the apostles. The word Apostle simply means a sent one. Apostles of Christ were ones who were sent out with a message and authority from Him. There are at least three qualifications to be called an apostle, namely, first, you have been a witness of the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1, Acts 1:22-25), second, you have been explicitly chosen by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15), and third, you have the ability to perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 2 Corinthians 12:12). So, in a strict sense, there are no more apostles today. Because to be an apostle means that you meet these three qualifications.

But in a broad sense, all followers of Jesus Christ are called to be apostles. We are all “sent out” to preach the gospel (Acts 1:8). We are all to be messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:15). We are all to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). That’s why, disciples like Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Timothy (1 Thess 2:4-6), Titus (2 Cor 8:23), and Silvanus (1 Thess 2:4-6) though they have not seen the resurrected Christ, they were also called apostles. Apostles in the sense that were “sent out’ to preach the gospel.

2. Prophets

Next on the list of Christ’s provision for church growth and maturity were the prophets. What is a prophet? A prophet is somebody who foretells the future, but it is also somebody who forth tells the truth. We commonly associate a prophet with predictions of future events, but this is not his primary function. The primary function of prophets is to forth tell or to speak forth or to proclaim the Word of God. Again, just like the apostles, in the strict sense there are no more prophets today, foretelling future events. There is no need for prophets foretelling future event or receiving new direct revelations from God, since we have the complete revelation of God in the Bible we have.

So, in the strict sense of the word, there are no more prophets today receiving direct revelation from God and predicting future events. But in the broad sense we have prophets forth telling the truth today. Every follower of Jesus Christ is to be telling forth or proclaiming the Word of God.

Back in chapter 2, verse 20, Paul said that the church was “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Both the apostles and the prophets laid the foundation of the church by writing the New Testament and teaching and proclaim its doctrines. Since the foundation of the church is already built, there are no more apostles and prophets receiving direct revelation from God today.

3. Evangelist

Next on the list of Christ’s provision for church growth and maturity are evangelists. What is an evangelist? The root word is evangel which mean good news or gospel. So, an evangelist is somebody who brings good tidings. An evangelist is a preacher of the gospel. It has in mind those who are especially gifted at sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard. There are examples of evangelists in the New Testament, such as Philip who planted churches, is called an evangelist (Acts 21:8). In 2 Timothy 4:5, Timothy was instructed by the apostle Paul to do the work of an evangelist. Peter who was a fisherman became an evangelist when our Lord called Him to follow Him. Our church supports an evangelist by the name of Paul Mershon.

Unlike the 12 apostles and the New Testament prophets, evangelists still exist today and are always needed. This spiritual gift is still very much active in the church today. No, they don’t receive direct revelation from God. The apostles and prophets laid the foundation of the church, and the evangelists built on it by winning the lost to Christ. The evangelists by proclaiming the message of salvation in Christ complement and continue the work of the 12 apostles and the prophets.

Understand that every believer is to be a witness. But there are people also today who have the gift of evangelism. As someone puts it, “The fact that a believer may not possess this gift of evangelism does not excuse you and me from being burdened for lost souls or witnessing to them.”

4. Pastors-Teachers

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Finally, Christ gave pastors and teachers for church growth and maturity. It is not clear if Paul intends two separate gifts—pastors and teachers or one simple gift—pastor-teacher. The fact that the word ‘some’ is not repeated could indicate that Paul intends here one office with two ministries. This is one of those cases where we cannot absolutely be certain. Let’s just say pastor-teachers. All pastors are teachers but not necessarily all teachers are pastors. It is possible for a person to be gifted in teaching but not in pastoring. But every pastor is a teacher.

The word ‘Pastor’ is the Latin word for shepherd. This indicates that the local church is a flock of sheep (Acts 20:28), and as the name implies, the pastor’s responsibility is to take care of the sheep. The pastor or the “shepherd” is one who is to provide for the sheep, to protect them, to lead them. One of the important responsibilities of a pastor is to feed the flock and he does this through teaching. He nourishes the flock with the Word of God.

The late Warren Wiersbe writes, “The Word is the staff that guides and disciplines the sheep. The Word of God is the local church’s protection and provision, and no amount of entertainment, good fellowship, or other religious substitutes can take its place.” Amen!

Just like the evangelists, pastor-teachers still exist today and are always needed. And just like the evangelists they complement and continue the work of the 12 apostles and the prophets. In Romans 8, the apostle Paul tells us that all believers have the Holy Spirit and have the Word of God. We can all understand the Word of God, but God has gifted pastor-teachers the ability to study it and to proclaim it to God's people.

So, not only has God given spiritual gifts to every Christian, but also provided gifted leaders to the church for church growth and maturity.

II – The Process of the Church Growth

Now, after reminding his readers God’s provision for church growth and maturity, the apostle Paul now tells his readers the process of church growth.

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Here, Paul gives us three steps in church growth, namely, the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

1. Equipping the Saints

The first step to the growth and maturity of the church is perfecting of the saints. Jesus Christ has gifted the Church with these ministers—apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers, for what? For the perfecting of the saints. And what is a saint? The word “saint” comes from the Greek word “hagios,” which means “holy, set apart, consecrated to God.” All the believers are saints. Even when a believer isn't living very saintly, they are a saint by calling. Believers are saints, not because they are super holy and have been canonized. No, believers are saints because of the new relationship they have with God through Jesus Christ. They have been set apart for God and for His service.

Now the word “perfecting” in Greek is katartismon, which means equipping. The word “equipping” could mean to repair something, like repairing nets, mending nets. Or it can also mean preparing something. It means “strengthening, developing, or furnishing completely.” That's the idea here. The role of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the Body of Christ is for the equipping of the believers.

And how is the perfecting or equipping of the saints going to take place? How are the believers going to be equipped? It's through the Word of God. Notice that all these gifted leaders that Paul listed in verse 11 have to do with the Word of God. The apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, and the pastors-teachers have been endowed with speaking gifts to primarily proclaim the Word of God. God has gifted the church with speaking gifts to equip the saints. These gifted leaders are for the equipping of the believers.

We see the same idea in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, where we read, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” It is the Word of God that is the instrument to equip us believers. It is through the ministry of the Word. The perfecting of the saints will take place through the teaching and preaching of gifted leaders given to the church. The Word of God is designed to equip you and me. This is the first step in the process of church growth. You and I cannot skip the process of God's Word.

2. Equipping the Saints for Service

The first step in the process of church growth is the perfecting or equipping of the saints. Now the question is what are the saints being equipped for? What are we being prepared or furnished for? Look at verse 12 again, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Our Lord has provided the church evangelists and pastor-teachers in order that the saints might be equipped for ministry. Gifted leaders have not been given to the church so that they do all the work such as equipping the saints, doing the work of the ministry, and building up the body of Christ. That is not what Paul is saying here. Gifted leaders have been given to the church in order that the church might be equipped for work of the ministry. Gifted leaders help the church by preparing God’s people for works of service. We do have evangelist and we do have pastor-teachers to equip every believer to serve the needs of the body of Christ.

God has designed the church so that every member, not just few leaders do the work of the ministry. The work of service is not just for the evangelists or the pastors and teachers. The work of service is for every saint, every believer, every member of the body of Christ. God wants all of us to be involved and serve others. Note that the pastor-teachers are not doing their work for the saints but are preparing the saints for saint’s work!

Don’t expect the pastor to do it all. My role is to equip you that you might do the work of the ministry and that the church might become mature. As someone has pointed out, “No matter how gifted a Pastor or a group of leaders may be, there is no way that one person, or even a few people, can effectively do everything that needs to be done in the local church. No one is that gifted, and no one has that much time.”

This is why it is important for each of us to know our spiritual gift that we have in order that we may function in the body for the benefit of the whole body. It is not enough for us to simply show up at the church. We must go beyond merely attending and become actively involved in the work of the Lord in the world.

Vance Havner writes, “Every Christian is commissioned, for every Christian is a missionary. It has been said that the Gospel is not merely something to come to church to hear but something to go from the church to tell—and we are all appointed to tell it. It has also been said, ‘Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses; it has become a professional pulpitism, financed by lay spectators!’ Nowadays we hire a church staff to do ‘full-time Christian work,’ and we sit in church on Sunday to watch them do it. Every Christian is meant to be in full-time Christian service ... There is indeed a special ministry of pastors, teachers, and evangelists—but for what? ... For the perfecting of the saints for their ministry.”

3. Equipping the Saints for Service unto Edification

Ephesians 4:11 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:

Here is the process of church growth and maturity, the gifted leaders equip the saints for the work of the ministry in order that the whole the body of Christ may be edified. The word “edify” means “build up.” According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the word indicates the promotion of “spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor.”

Edification is an important theme in Ephesians and in Paul’s doctrine of the church.

Ephesians 4:16 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 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Grace was given, gifts were given, gifted leaders were given to the church, so that each one of us might perform the work of ministry that builds up the body of Christ. The church is built up and grows in maturity as the people with speaking gifts equip believers, who then go forth and do the work of the ministry.

It is important to keep in mind that this is not about growing the church numerically, though that is desirable. This is not about increasing of the number of attendees on a given Sunday! This is not about growth in numbers, but about growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The important issue in view here is not quantity of saints, but quality of saints. It is about equipping saints for service through the ministry of the Word, as a result, the whole body of Christ, including the gifted men, may be edified, may be built up.

Closing Exhortations

As we close, let me speak to the saints; those who have relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ and have been set apart for God and for His service. Let me repeat what I said a while ago, it is important for each of us to know our spiritual gift that God has gifted us. We all have different gifts, but whatever spiritual gift you may possess, remember they were given for the benefit of the whole body. Whatever spiritual gift you may possess, they are not for your personal satisfaction and enjoyment. They are for the well-being of the body of Christ. They are for the edification of the church and ultimately for the glory of God. And so, I exhort you today, to cultivate a mindset that says, “I am not simply show up at the church. I will go beyond merely attending but become actively involved and serve and build up my fellow believers in the Lord.”

If God has spoken to you this morning and you are saved but not sure of your spiritual gifts, I invite you to come and talk to the Lord about that matter. Pray and ask Him, “Lord, what gifts have You given me?’ and then ask Him, “Lord, help me to use them for the building up of the whole body?”

Now, if you are here and still not saved, I invite you to come to Jesus Christ. He will save you and He will gift you to serve Him and His church.

AMEN!