First Ref0rmed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day, September 29, 2002 Anno Domini

Ephesians 4:11-16

Christ's Gift of Teachers for the Church.

The ministry of the word is given to build up the church to maturity in love.

  I.  Christ himself gave the church ministers of the word.
 

      A.  His first gifts are the gifts of men for teaching.
        

Romans 12:6 ff.;1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 14:1, 3, 12.

      B.  The Apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and
teachers
     

      C.  Christ himself gave ministers of the word for his own purposes.
     

  II.  Christ himself states his goal for the ministry of the word in his
church .
 

      A.  Till we all come to the unity of the faith.
     

      B.  Till we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God.
     

      C.  Till we all come to mature Christian perfection.
     

   III. Christ foresees the danger of corruption and provides the defense
of truth.
 

      A.  The danger of immaturity.
     

      B.  The danger of the trickery of men with their plots.
     

      C.  The body of Christ is defended by speaking the truth in love.
     

      D.  The body of Christ is defended by having every part do its share.
     

  IV.  Christ will be glorified in his church until the end of the age
 

      A.  His promise of help is given to those he has called to go,
disciple, and baptize.
     

      B.  He calls and equips his saints to minister in his church.
         1.  Listen to the preaching and teaching and counsel of your
pastor and elders.
         2.  Compare everything you hear against the rule of the word of
God.
         3.  Apply what you learn to serve the church.
        

      C.  He directs and nurtures the growth of his body, the church.
     

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185