Here are some of my thoughts on Ephesians 4:11-16….

Jesus made some apostles. An apostle is literally “a sent one.” It’s a word used to describe one sent as an ambassador -- on a mission. Jesus Himself was an apostle -- sent by the Father (Hebrews 3:1 teaches). Jesus appointed 12 apostles -- lost one - Judas -- and JESUS appointed Paul as an apostle. The Holy Spirit appointed others -- like Barnabas (Acts 14:14). In some ways we all have received an apostleship (Romans 1). We all have been sent.

Here the idea is that the LORD Himself appoints some to be apostles -- to go and pioneer ministries -- to officially go for the LORD into new territory….

He has given some to be prophets. Prophets speak for the Lord as they are moved by the Holy Spirit. According to 1 Corinthians 12:3 -- the prophet speaks edification, exhortation, and comfort to men. We should all desire to prophesy. But here Paul is speaking of a person who has this role -- this gift. A prophet will never contradict the word of God -- HE will speak for the LORD into a situation -- even making application to a particular situation.…

He has given some to be evangelists. And evangelist is a bringer of good news -- one who shares the gospel. We should all share the gospel -- but undeniably there are those who are particularly gifted evangelists -- like Billy Graham.

And finally, He has given some to be Pastors and Teachers. These two words describe one person -- a pastor -- literally a shepherd -- who feeds the sheep the word of GOD -- who protects the sheep with the word of God -- who leads the sheep with the word of God -- who comforts the sheep with the WORD of GOD. Pastor/Teacher is connected. A teacher who has a heart for the people -- who is gifted in making the WORD understandable…

Of course the Holy Spirit teaches each of us -- and one of the ways the Holy Spirit teaches is through gifted pastors…

So the LORD has given some to be these things -- He gave some to be ---for a purpose…

When the Lord gives these gifts -- these special callings and abilities -- it’s for a purpose. He gives these gifts so that all believers may be equipped for the work of ministry -- so that the whole church and be edified.

We’re all called into the ministry. Ministry is simply serving the Lord. We’re all called to serve the LORD. Ministry is not for professionals only. Ministry is not supposed to be some special thing that only certain people do. We’re all ministers.

It’s the Pastor and Teacher’s role -- it’s my role -- and the other elders -- to equip believers -- to give believers what they need so that they can serve the LORD. It’s not my role or the elders’ role to do all the ministry. It’s not the leadership’s role to do all the evangelism. We’re all ministers -- servant of Christ. I teach the word -- to equip others for ministry. As we all then seek to serve the LORD -- then the whole body -- is edified or built up.

The church is not an activity center. It’s not a club. The church is an equipping station for ministers --- so that you can be effective in your ministry…. The role of the church will remain and continue --- pastors and teachers will teach -- so that the saints can be equipped -- so that the body can be edified….
Our objectives are unity in the faith (that we all would believe the truth), that we all would know JESUS, that we all would be mature or complete like JESUS… That’s our goal -- that’s what we’re aiming for. And as we move on toward this objective -- there are blessings that come.

As we all mature, we tend to be less blown about by different doctrines. We’re less susceptible to be not fooled by men or by the devil. As we learn the word, as we’re equipped to serve and we serve the body, we’re growing and becoming firmly established in Christ….

Then instead of jumping from one new doctrine, from new teachings, new ideas, and the latest book to the next -- instead of being influenced by whatever is blowing through, those who are equipped to minister, those who are taught the word can then speak the truth in love, pointing people to CHRIST -- to focus on JESUS -- to look to JESUS -- who is the head….

People need truth and love to grow. Truth and Love agree. Truth doesn’t have to be compromised to love. Love does not have to be diminished to be truthful.

As people are loved and taught the truth they mature and grow in their connection with Jesus (who is the head)….and that’s wonderful because we as a body find all that we need from Jesus.

JESUS gives to each us individually a portion and a place in HIS body. As a human body where the parts are held together by joints and ligaments, we’re joined together, knit together by our relationships with one another. When our relationships are working, as we’re connected with Christ and one another, when we’re doing what He’s called us to do ( that’s our share) then the body grows and edifies itself -- it builds itself up -- in love -- as a loving environment -- with LOVE being predominate…

Unity is a necessity -- if we’re going to be who the Lord has called us to be. We are HIS body -- the fullness of HIM -- Ephesians 1:23 says. We’re each different -- we each have a role to play -- a part in what’s happening. We’re all ministers. WE all serve the Lord. As we come together -- just as a body has various parts that work together and help one another --- we need each other to grow and function properly…. Unity is necessary for growth -- for us to experience the fullness of HIM in HIS body….