EPHESIANS OUTLINE #23 of 34

Ephesians 4

I The gifts of an Ascended Christ

Introduction

Let the minister accept his office as from Christ, a direct, divine appointment. Let him regard himself as Christ gift to the Church. Let him strive always to please Him who chose and called him, careful to be in the place of His selecting, and, withal, content therein. Likewise, let the Church receive the minister as from the Lord, standing in reverence at His word; "He that

receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me." (John 13:20). Let them wait diligently on his ministry. Let them pray for him, upholding him with love in the Lord. Et them refuse to him anything that would tend to subvert or secularize his high calling. Let them show a worthy walk as the chief reward of his labors. God speed the day!

A Apostles

1. They along with prophets were the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20)

2. Two qualifications are necessary for the office of apostle.

a. He must have personally seen Jesus (I cot. 9.1)

b. He also must be a witness to Resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Arts 1:21-22)

c. Obviously the technical office of an apostle must die out because none can now meet the qualifications.

B. Prophets

1. A prophet is not as ouch a fore-teller as he is a forth-teller (exact meaning of the Greek word).

2. The announcing of word of God they necessarily would fore-tell the future because they would warn men of the consequences of disobeying God.

3. The work of a prophet results in edification, exhortation and comfort. (I cor. 14:3)

C. Evangelist

1. An evangelist is a bringer of good news

a. Note that the gift of an evangelist is essential to the healthy spiritual growth of the church.

b. The gift of evangelism brings with it the ability to sway the wills of lost people to come to Christ.

c. They are gifted in bringing the glorious message of salvation in power and blessing.

D. Pastors and Teachers

1. Barclay says: in one sense, they have the most important task in the church.

a. They are not wanderers as is the evangelist, they are settled to the work of one congregation.

b. It is the function of the pastor to teach the whole truth of Coo's word to the saints

c. He is responsible to teach all the great doctrine of the faith of Jesus Christ.

2. Another role which is as important as His teaching is his shepherding of God's flock

a. Jesus commanded Peter to feed his flock

b. Paul warned the elders at Ephesus that they must guard the flock God had committed to them.

c. Peter exhorts all elders to feed the flock of God over which God hath made you overseers.

d. The shepherd of the neck must carry God's people in his heart even as Priest carried the twelve tribes of Israel on His breast.