Understanding The Pastor/Teacher

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-22-2026

Ephesians 4:9-16

 

Introduction:

A.  Last week, I read these verses to let us all know that God has given to the local church evangelists (missionaries), the pastor/teacher.  I want to go back to these verses one more time before moving on, as many do not understand the person and work of the pastor/teacher.

 

B.  We read the list of reasons for having a pastor/teacher, not just a preacher.  Seven things were mentioned here.  Seven very important things.

 

1.  Perfecting of the saints.

 

2.  The work of the ministry.

 

3.  The edifying of the body of Christ.

 

4.  The unity of the faith.

 

5.  The knowledge of the Son of God.

 

6.  The doctrinal purity of the local church.

 

7.  The spiritual growth of the believers.

 

C.  Verse 16 speaks of the unity of the body, compacted together, effectual working, edifying itself in love.

 

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

D.  A vital part of the ministry is the perfect unity of the local church in love for each other and a sound doctrinal foundation.

 

E.  Division within the local church is the pastor’s nightmare!  As long as the enemy attacks us from the outside, we can band together and win the fight.  When the enemy sits on the pew, the fight becomes, at times, confused and therefore devastating.

 

F.  Paul reminded the Corinthian church to follow him as he followed Christ.  1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

1.  The pastor/teacher is a permanent gift because he is important to the proper functioning of the local church.

 

PASTOR, n. [L. from pasco, pastum, to feed.] 1.  A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds. 2.  A minister of the gospel who has the charge of a church and congregation, whose duty is to watch over the people of his charge, and instruct them in the sacred doctrines of the Christian religion.

 

TE'ACHER, n.  One who teaches or instructs. 1.  An instructor; one who instructs others in religion; a preacher; a minister of the gospel.

 

2.  His Position – the Evangelist or missionary church-planter established the local church through preaching the gospel, baptizing the converts, and assembling the saints.  The Pastor-Teacher took charge of the local assembly, overseeing and teaching the flock.

 

3.  His Responsibility.

 

a.  The Pastor-Teacher Is An Overseer -   1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

(I believe in pastoral authority but not pastoral dictatorship.  My work is not to rule over your homes, that is your job.)

 

OVERSIGHT - look diligently, to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for, beware.

 

1)  He Watches For Disunity - 1 Kings 22:17  And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

 

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

Philippians 4:2  I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

 

2)  He Watches For Wolves - Matthew 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 

3)  He Watches For Doctrinal Impurity - 1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

b.  The Pastor-Teacher Is A Teacher.

 

1)  He Feeds His Sheep - 1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

Ecclesiastes 12:11  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

 

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.

 

Jeremiah 23:4  And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

 

Jeremiah 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

 

1 Timothy 5:17   Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

2)  The Pastor-Teacher Leads The Sheep - Psalms 23:1-3  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 

Isaiah 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs     with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

4.  The Pastor-Teacher Is A Friend.

 

a.  He Will Die For His Sheep - John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

1 Samuel 17:34-36  And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear,   and took a lamb out of the flock: 35  And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  (We get our saying, “I would fight a bear for you!” from this verse.)

 

b.  He Will Live For His Sheep - 1 Peter 5:3  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

 

c.  He Will Restore His Sheep - Luke 15:4-6  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,

saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

 

Amos 3:12  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

 

d.  He Will Comfort His Sheep - Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

e.  He Will Encourage His Sheep - Psalm 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 

f.  He Will Love His Sheep - John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  (He gets to know his people and, at the same time, he allows them to get to know him!)

God Will Not Forsake His Children

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2026

Psalm 94

 

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 94 teaches the believer several valuable truths. 

 

1.  In the Book of Psalms, we find exhortation, correction, instruction in righteousness, and a bond with our wonderful, faithful, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Lord! 

 

2.  Thus, it is with the hymnal that we use in church.  The songs we sing encourage us to walk through this wicked world, not unscathed, but undaunted, undeterred, and unafraid.

 

B.  We live in a wicked world, and it decays more by the day as it rejects God and God’s Word!  Change and decay in all around I see. 

 

1.  I would never have imagined, years ago, that I would live to see this day in America.  Sodomy (Lot’s Day) has both permeated our land along with acceptance with so many.  They blaspheme God by saying that He is binary so as to justify their wickedness.  They have to deny the very science that they say is right:  there is no such thing as transgender, and God utterly condemns sodomy!

 

2.  Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (Noah’s Day), where people are eating, drinking, building, and chasing their dreams instead of seeking God.  God deniers!  Sunday has become just a lazy day off to goof off on.

 

3.  God’s people!  We are in the midst of the “falling away” of 2 Thessalonians chapter two.  Not only doctrinal impurity but also a general forsaking of God’s house and holiness is a thing for an older generation! 

 

a)  Hebrews 10:25 is a command of God, not a choice.  Hebrews 10:25-27  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (26)  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

 

b)  Be ye holy is a command, not a choice!  1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  (Leviticus 20:7)

 

Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 

C.  You may say, “Preacher, you seem angry tonight.”  I read this Psalm and thought, God is righteous and His judgment will be done in righteousness.

 

1.  I am not angry, I am disappointed, though.  I am not discouraged; I am trying to exhort and encourage tonight.  But I cannot exhort without also reproving and rebuking.  I believe that is what the Apostle Paul commanded Timothy to do. 

 

2.  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2) 

 

3.  Sinful people do not like that kind of preaching anymore and will find a church where their lacks-a-dasical (My invented word) lifestyle is both accepted in the pulpit and the pew.  The time will come and now is when people get offended by straight preaching and heap unto themselves teachers, having itching ears.

 

D.  In Psalm 94, we find the justice of God, the chastening of God’s people, and the Lord’s promise of preservation both temporally and eternally. 

 

E.  Psalm 94 was a psalm written in a time when, seemingly, the enemies of God’s people were “waxing eloquent,” and in total control of the circumstances, while God is seemingly silent. It is at this point that the Psalmist cries out for the LORD God of vengeance to appear and take charge of the situation. 

 

F.  We all have times like these when it seems as if this world is getting the best of us.  Wickedness seemingly is rewarded while righteousness is not.  These times cause disappointment, which turns into discouragement, which turns into distress, which can be an open door to defilement. 

 

G.  A good division of the psalm is:

 

1.  Verses 1-7, The World’s view.  It answers the question, “Does God care?”  I believe that the key verse here is verse 7.  The world does not believe that God sees or, if He does see, He does not care.  My opening observation is that many professing believers have adopted this same worldview. 

 

Psalms 94:7  Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

 

a.  We see their pride.  The God of “I” or self.  Psalms 94:4  How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

 

b.  We see their wickedness.    Psalms 94:5-6  They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.  (6)  They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

 

c.  We see their ignorance.  God’s children need to understand that God both knows everything that happens and will also bring about judgment and rectification at the right time and place.

 

d.  We see their error.  The wicked know who God is and think that He cannot see or does not care.  Bad mistake.  Psalms 94:7  Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

 

e.  We see their ultimate end.  Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

f.  We see that vengeance is God’s business, not ours.  Vengeance is never an option for the believer.  Vengeance means to get even, instead of to get right.  God knows the hearts of both the saved and the unsaved.  Leave vengeance to the LORD!

 

2.  Verses 8-11, God’s view.  God fully answers the question, “Does God know?”

 

a.  God knows.  Psalms 94:8  Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 

 

b.  God hears. “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?”

 

c.  God sees.  “he that formed the eye, shall he not see?”

 

2 Chronicles 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him ...

 

Psalms 33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

 

Proverbs 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

 

d.  God understands their thoughts afar off.  “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”

 

e. Self-deception is the worst deception.  Proverbs 11:21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 

3.  Verses 12-18,  we see our view.  It answers the question, “Does God control?”

 

a.  We need to stay clean.  Therefore, focused.  Get our eyes off the world and on our own hearts.  Psalms 94:12  Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

 

b.  We need to stay comforted.  God has us in His hands.  Psalms 94:13  That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

 

c.  We need to stay content.  Psalms 94:14-15  For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.  (15)  But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.

 

d.  We need to stay confident.  Psalms 94:16-18  Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?  (17)  Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.  (18)  When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

 

4.  Verses 19-23, God’s safety in Troublesome times. 

 

a.  Delight thyself in the Lord.  “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

 

b.  Stay close to the Lord.  “But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”

 

The Precious Blood of Christ

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2026

John 20:15-17

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, I mentioned the two ascensions of Christ.  Throughout all my years of sitting under fundamental preaching, I have never heard verse 17 explained or preached on, and yet it is one of the most important verses in the Bible!

 

B.  In verse 17, we find the resurrected Jesus as a purified High Priest.  So holy that Sinful man could not touch him!  In one verse (There are others, but for time’s sake, I will only mention the following), we find the holiness of our resurrected High Priest.

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

C.  The blood of Christ that was shed paid the price for sin once, forever.

 

1.  The Approval of Christ’s sacrifice.

 

Isaiah 53:10-11  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

2.  The Acceptance of Christ’s blood, which is now shed, would soon be offered.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

D. Some teach that salvation came through the shedding of blood, the death of Christ. 

 

1.  Some of these teach that the blood of Christ ran into the ground and perished.  This is a cardinal theological error!

 

1 Corinthians 11:24-25  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (25)  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

2.  The Blood of Christ HAD to be applied; else His death-burial-resurrection would have been in vain.  These men try to separate the shedding of Christ's blood from its application.

 

3.  This false teaching concerning the lack of importance of the application of Christ’s blood destroys the Old Testament type.  The High Priest’s work was not done on the day of atonement, when the paschal lamb was slain, until that blood was applied to the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies!

 

4.  The Book of Hebrews explains the application of the blood clearly.

 

Hebrews 9:6-7  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.  (7)  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

 

E.  Having said these things, we find the work of Christ finished by our High Priest. 

 

John 20:15-18  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.  (16)  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.  (17)  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  (18)  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

 

1.  In verse 17, I do not doubt that Mary Magdalene, who loved her Lord so much, tried to touch Him by either falling at His feet or hugging His neck.  These were expressions of love.  She was not allowed to touch Christ. 

 

2.  The Old Testament priest was washed and clothed at the Laver.  Then, as a purified high priest, he took the censor, got burning coals off the bronze altar, went into the holy place, placed incense on the hot coals, then, blood in hand, went in through the veil and applied the blood of the sacrifice to the mercy seat above the ark of the covenant.

 

F.  Both of Christ’s ascensions were of great importance.

 

1.  The First Ascension:  As our High Priest, the Priestly work had to be done, and only Christ Jesus could do it.

 

a)  From a purified High Priest who could not be touched - John 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Hebrews 9:24-26  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  (25)  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  (26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

b)  To a merciful High Priest who can be touched.  Hallelujah!  John 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

 

Matthew 28:9  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

 

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

2.  The Second Ascension:  At the end of His appearance here on earth after the resurrection, Christ Jesus ascended back to heaven as our High Priest representing us to God, as our Intercessor making intercession for us to God, and as our Advocate speaking to God for us.  Thus, the promise (John 14) that, if He went away, He would come again as King of kings and Lord of lords for His children.

 

Acts 1:9-11  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  (10)  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

Hebrews 8:1-2  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;  (2)  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

 

G.  The Blood had to be applied.  Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

(People continue to look for the Ark of the Covenant but cannot find it because it is now in heaven’s Temple.)  Revelation 11:19  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

 

H.  Our sin had to be atoned.  The only mention of “atonement” is in the New Testament, as well as the last mention of “atonement” found in the bible.

 

Romans 5:9-11  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  (10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 

 

Atonement – restoration to reconciliation.

 

J.  The Blood must then be Available.  Christ’s blood was shed and applied for the redemption of all mankind, from Adam to the last person who will ever live.  The Blood of Christ is AVAILABLE to all.

 

1 Peter 1:20-21  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21)  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  (22)  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  (23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

K.  The Blood makes eternal life assured.  It will always be there on the Mercy Seat.  An eternal blood brings about an eternal salvation.

 

Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

1.  The Price of The Blood – Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

2.  The Purity of The Blood – Matthew 27:4  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

3.  The Purpose of The Blood – Colossians 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

 

4.  The Product of The Blood – Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

5.  The Preciousness of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

 

6.  The Preeminence of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

7.  The Permanence of The Blood – Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

8.  The Power of The Blood – Romans 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

9.  The Pardoning of The Blood – Romans 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

10.  The Preaching of The Blood – 1 Corinthians 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts - Part 6 - The Church Gifts

Temple Baptist Church - 4-15-2026

Ephesians 4:4-16

Introduction:  “Diversity of Gifts”  Ephesians chapter four is an important one as it speaks of Church gifts that are both partial or passing and gifts that are permanent. 

A.  As long as our Lord walked on this earth, He personally took care of His people.  He guided them; He comforted them; He protected them; He fed them, etc. 

 

1.  It is no wonder that, in John 14, He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled!”  He was going away, and they thought that they were being left to fend for themselves. 

 

2.  I am glad that such was not the case.  The Lord will never leave us alone to walk through this present evil world.  God gave to the believers the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, individual gifts, and gifts to the local church.

 

B.  When our Lord resurrected, He did two things that are listed in verse 8:  He led “captivity captive” and “gave gifts to men.” 

 

1.  He brought out of Abraham’s Bosom all of the redeemed from Adam to the resurrection.  Now the saved dead are with the Lord in heaven. 

 

2.  Secondly, He gave gifts—both individually and corporately—to those who remained after His resurrection.  We found lists of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 8, and Ephesians 4.

 

C. We have been discussing gifts of the Spirit given to individuals.  Tonight, I want to look at the purpose of the gifts given to the church corporately. 

 

1.  Passing gifts were the Apostles and Prophets (foretelling).  The Prophets and Apostles were passing gifts given to the early church until the coming of “that which is perfect,” the Word of God.  They received divine revelation from God, and both gave it as they were “moved by the Holy Ghost,” incorporating it through the establishment of local churches.

 

2. The Apostles were foundational in nature.  There were only 12 apostles, with Paul being the 12th, because Judas Iscariot was set aside. 

 

a)  They were foundational in building the New Testament Church.  Ephesians 2:19-22  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And  are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  

 

b)  The Apostles were not the building.  They were the foundation upon which the building was built.  Once the foundation was laid, their work was done and did not need to be repeated or continued.  Their foundational work is eternally established in the foundation of the New Jerusalem.

 

Revelation 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

c)  The Apostles had to witness the resurrected Christ.  (Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 9:1)

 

d)  The Apostles had to be personally commissioned by Christ.

 

e)  The Apostles were given the authority, through the Holy Ghost, to establish both churches and doctrine.

 

f)  The Apostles were uniquely qualified and non-repeatable.

 

3.  The Prophets.  Ephesians 3:2-5  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  (3)  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (4)  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

 

a)  The Prophets, before the completion of the Scriptures, were given divine revelations that confirmed and communicated truth not previously known. These Prophets foretold events in the absence of a completed Scripture that we can sit down and read.

 

b)  We now have a completed revelation, and prophets are no longer necessary.  Such prophecy today would be extrabiblical revelation and would, of necessity, be added to our now-completed Bible.

 

D.  The Lord also gave permanent gifts to the local church: evangelists and pastor-teachers.  I want to look at them individually.

 

1.  The Evangelist.  To bring glad tidings, to preach the Gospel. 

 

a)  In our day, the word “evangelist” has taken on an unbiblical meaning.  When we think of an evangelist, we think of a man who preaches revivals in local churches.  Biblically, I believe these men are “Revivalists.” 

 

b)  The biblical evangelist is the missionary!  These men are of utmost importance to the local church and to the world.  In order to obey these great commands:

 

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

c)  Evangelists, called missionaries, are essential to carrying, preaching, and teaching the Gospel to those the local churches cannot reach.

 

2.  The Pastor and Teacher.  One and the same man!  Though punctuation is not inspired, it is right here.  Learn English. 

 

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 

Semicolons mark the end of one thought and the beginning of another.  “apostles;”  “prophets;” “evangelists;”  Now, look at pastors and teachers.   There is no semicolon between “pastors and teachers.”  The word “and” ties two equal things together in English.

 

a.  Simply stated, the God-called pastor is also a God-called teacher.  This is clarified in 1 Timothy, the first of the Pastoral Epistles, where the qualifications of the “bishop” or pastor are given.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

b.  The value of the pastor-teacher is obvious in verses 12-16.

 

1)  You find the perfection of the saints!  Vs. 12  The word perfecting means to be “completely furnished.”

 

2 Timothy 3:14-17  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (fully equipped)

 

2)  You find the work of the ministry!  Vs. 12  Winning a lost world to Christ is not my job!  It is not your job!  It is OUR job!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-18  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

 

3)  You find the edification of the local church!  Vs. 12  The use of the word edifying, in relation to the local church, means architecture or to fitly build the church.

 

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Everyone has a part in the work of the church so, if you are not doing anything, a part of the work goes lacking.)

 

4)  You find the unity of the faith!  Vs. 13  By faith, Paul meant the fullness of the Scripture.  It is more than just salvation; it is much more than just doctrine; it is the fullness of the Christian life!

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

5)  You find the fullness of Christ!  Vs. 13  As full of God as you can get; as full of the Holy Ghost as you can get!

 

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  (So filled with God that you overflow in the presence of a lost world.)

 

6)  You find the protection of the doctrine! Vs. 14  Not susceptible to false doctrine.  Knowing what the Bible says and being able to recognize and spiritual enough to avoid false doctrine.

 

Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

7)  You find the fellowship of love!  Vs. 15  Charity covers a multitude of sins!  If you love me, you can both tolerate and live with me.

 

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.