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THE CHURCH MINISTRY
Ephesians 4:11-13
Andres C. Guevara Jr.
April 11, 2018 WED p.m.
The functions of the Local church ministry as recorded in the New Testament are simple works that is focused and designed to accomplish certain goal.
Let us take a look at some passages regarding the ministry in the local church.

I- THE FUNCTION OF THE MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

     A. Evangelism- v. 19 “baptizing”
The Lord great commission is not a suggestion neither a mere opinion but a command. A church without a heart in evangelizing the lost and has no part in missions of reaching world is a dead church. Preaching the gospel and baptizing the converts is the function of the church ministry.
     B. Discipleship-v. 20 “Teaching”
After a soul has been saved by the gospel preaching and was baptized, the command of the Lord Jesus Christ did not stop there.  There must be teaching of all things that the Lord have commanded us. That is making them to be followers of Christ and that is discipleship.

II- THE PEOPLE OF THE MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH

Ephesians 4.11-12 “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:”

     A. Leaders-v.11 “Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor and Teachers”
It all started when God gave those God called men of God in the church. The theological background, strong biblical conviction, stands for bible separation, spirit-filled character, and morality of the ministers has a great influence to the ministry in the church.
     B. Multipliers- v.12 “saints, for the work of the ministry,”
Local church members should not be dividers of the congregation but multipliers of ministry. Teach all saints to be a follower of Christ as fishers of men reaching and bringing more souls and even send out when called by God to plant churches.

III- THE FOCUS OF THE MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH

Ephesians 4.12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

     A. Equipping the Believers – “for the perfecting of the saints”
The church main focus is to help church members to grow and become spiritually mature. Thus, equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. We must encourage the saints to be zealous and serving Christ in the ministry and not just contented of becoming saved, sitting and satisfied.
     B. To Edifying the Body of Christ – “for the edifying of the body of Christ”
As we focused in equipping the saints and we see them busy working in the ministry this will results in building the body of Christ. With or without large, expensive and beautiful church building let every church focus in building the body of Christ Is much more important than building concrete walls of the ministry.

IV- THE GOAL OF THE MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH

Ephesians 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. To arrive to the Unity of the Faith –“come in the unity of the faith”
Paul exhorts the believers to come in the unity of the faith having united in our beliefs toward God and His Word. We must not be divided and hold in our human based opinion but rather hold on the Word of God.
     B. To attain to the Knowledge of the Son of God –“and of the knowledge of the Son of God”
The Apostle Peter encourages the believer to deeply know more about Christ.—2 Peter 3:18. We must be like the Apostle Paul as he expressed His desires to more of Christ. - Philippians 3:10.
    C.  To achieve to the Measure of the stature of Christ –“unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
The Christian ultimate goal is to be like Christ. Paul writes in the book of Romans that believers must be conformed to image of His Son. —
Romans 8:29. Christ-likeness is every believer's goal. 

V- THE APPLICATION FOR THE MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

     A. No prescribed form for church services in the New Testament.

     B. The Primary means of the early church in reaching the goal: Apostolic doctrine, fellowship, communion, prayers.
Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
     C. All local church activities focused on reaching the goal: Through biblical means.
Modern approach and strategies copied from secular successful business is good but still God laid down proper guidelines and biblical means how the early local churches held their activities to reach the goal purposed in Christ alone.
     D. The Primary function of the Church Leaders: Prayer and Preach the Word
Acts 6:3-4 “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
The power of prayer and the penetrating Word of God must not be neglected and become secondarily concern by the ministers. People of the ministry go visiting and soul-winning with a wrong heart and weak spirit must heard the Word that will give them the right and revived heart. Saints can participate grudgingly in worship giving but with the Word preached they will become cheerful givers. Church members who are discouraged, apathetic and sad because of their dear love ones or close friends who are gone out backsliding from the church will be fiery and encouraged to work in the ministry after God touched their heart with ministers fervently and unceasingly praying for them.