By: Erin Pearce
This morning I have been very encouraged by reading Ephesians 4:11-16 and by hearing Dr. Young's sermon yesterday.
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. " - Ephesians 4:11-16
I know sometimes I have read this passage and thought, "So if I don't have the teaching gifts listed above, does that mean I do not have an important part in the body?" This morning it has hit home again that we ALL NEED the gifts of teaching in our lives to equip us. Hearing truth should propel us to service and keep us from being deceived. This truth that we hear grounds us and guards us from trickery and deceitful schemes.
As I reflect this morning on the sound teaching we have at Grace Evan, I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit has appointed these men to encourage our souls and warn us of the lies that surround us daily. Although I am encouraged by these verses, I am also saddened that I don't hold this gift of truth with higher value. This truth helps us all to be used to our greatest capacity in the body through the Spirit. This truth is being poured into us week in and week out.
Since we all have a part in the body, how are we using this glorious truth we are receiving to glorify God in the spheres of influence He has specifically given to each of us?
