(Eph 4:14) “ 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;” Children can be led and influenced easily by others. They have a tendency to accept the word of an “authority” But you and I are to read and study the Word of God daily so that we might “….live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.” That is how we grow in Him – how we mature as a Believer. Deceivers are many times deceived themselves from a lack of critical study of the Bible for themselves. They seek to take “short cuts” to study through the writings and outlines of others. So….get and stay in the Scriptures. 

(Eph 4:13) “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:”  A Christian not only possesses the greatest “Self-Help Book”, but it is more than that – it is a “God Help Book”. We have a tendency to become satified with “who we are” or “what we are like”. If people don’t like it – tough. Friend, each of us with the Spirit’s help can be better men and women than we are today! In fact, we are to seek to be better men and women than we are today. With God, we are never to think, “Tough. This is who I am.” Read the Book and ask the Lord for His help!

 (Eph 4:13) “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:”  It is so important that we exist in unity at our churches. The Bible speaks much about it, like unto this Scripture, “How can two walk together except they be in agreement?”  The answer is, “They cannot”. We should love our pastor, love our objective, and love our fellow beleivers. It is the mark of a believer, “By this shall all men know ye are My disciples, if ye have love one for another.”  If you cannot love those at your church, find another. Never be guilty of being a negative influence which will spiritually hold back the work of God!  

(Eph 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:”  Thank God for those who teach us the precious Words of God! I think often of my own pastor, Rev. HL Petty. After six years of his teaching, the Lord called me into the ministry. At college I had a leg up, for he had diligently over the years studied and taught the Scriptures. Each Sunday after the service I would stand beside him as He said something to each of those departing. I would do so asking my Bible questions and he would try to answer my questions and say something to them at the same time. Thank God and take advantage of the Word that is being taught at every service! .   

(Eph 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:”  The pastor is referred to also as elder and bishop in Scripture. Each speaks of a various responsibility of the office. Timothy tells us they are to focus on reading (the Word), exhortation (the growing of the saints), and doctrine (the sound teaching of Scripture). There are many other things a pastor does, but these should be the center, for not only is it desperately needed to keep Him on track, but also the church.    

  (Eph 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:”  My personal belief is that evangelists are the missionaries of today. What do they do? They go forth and evangelize, gathering people into New Testament Churches, pastors them until the Lord raises up a pastor from among them, and then do it all over again. Praise God for missionaries. Their lives say they love the Lord more than anything else: a house of their own and the constant communion of relatives. They are exceptional saints of God and should be supported in every way we can!

(Eph 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:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”.  Prophets in the New Testament Church were for a limited time, giving forth the Word of God as the Spirit brought it forth. This office ceased when the Word of God was completed, (1Co 13:8) “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  IF a person stands up in a Service and says something like, “The Lord wants us to love one another more”, is that prophecy? I say no, for we already know that from the Bible. Nothing new has been given, so it is not prophecy. If they gave us something new, would it not be adding to the Word which is seriously warned against in both the Old and New Testaments? Thank God we have the completed Word of God. We need no more. Praise His Name! 

(Eph 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:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”. It is important that the Bible be interpreted and then taught by Its whole. The teaching on the Apostles is one such subject:  (Luk 6:13) “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”  When you hear the word, “disciples”, you probably think of the twelve. Yet, because of lack of teaching the Bible as a whole, we do not understand that Jesus had many disciples. The twelve were called “apostles” from the very beginning.  IF we are daily in the Word of God and learn to look at it and interpret it as a “whole”, then we will protect ourselves from many errors of interpretation we are subjected unto.

 (Eph 4:8) “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.)”The “fill all things” is referring to “fulfilling all things”. The predetermined plan of God was to come to this earth, fulfill all of God’s laws, offer Himself as the sacrifice for sins, die in the place of man, and then rise again from the dead, setting free the souls of  those who died in faith in the blood, and now spiritually birthing both Jews and Gentiles into the salvation experience so that they might go to heaven also. (Long sentence!)