Sunday, January 19, 2014

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS - by Pastor Robert N. Renberg Jr.





In this day and age of grace, God has given to His Church, the body of Christ, gifted leaders. Their primary aim is to teach sound doctrine and to preach Christ as contained in the Mystery, the revelation given to and through the Apostle Paul. 

However, God's purpose for these men, who are referred to as "pastor-teachers" in Ephesians 4:11, is not just for them to be cold, didactic expounders of the Scriptures alone. His purpose is for the pastor-teacher to be equipping the saints for ministry (diakonia). The Word of God is alive and powerful (Heb. 4:12), and, taught correctly, it has the ability to produce in its hearers an echo that reverberates to those around (1 Thess. 1:8). 

For many years, the basic layman had the attitude, Let those who are trained do the work of ministering, and he came to church only on Sunday mornings to get a weekly "fill-up." As we come to God's Word, however, this reasoning does not hold up under the light of the gospel. In writing to the "saints and faithful ones in Christ Jesus" in the Book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul sets forth the type of men that have been given to the Body as gifts. In Ephesians 4:11, this list of gifted men is given. We want to further develop the thought and intent of the Holy Spirit in verse 12 concerning the "work of ministry." 

The goal of the pastor-teacher is to equip the saints for a specific purpose. This purpose is the "work of the ministry" or "work of ministering." It was never our heavenly Father's intent to have only certain ones in the body of Christ do all the work. In fact, we find in First Corinthians 12 that, just as in our physical body, every member has a vital role to play. Much more in the Body of Christ every member is a necessary part to a smooth functioning organism. 

On what then is the focus of the pastor-teacher to be centered? Is he to be running all the various departments and all programs of the local assembly, plus do all the visitation, organize all special events, do all the emergency counseling, and all the other administrative functions? When does he make time for his real focus, the study of God's Word, which is a prerequisite for teaching the Scriptures? 

The pastor-teacher must be a trainer and example to his people through teaching the Word and personal discipleship. Then as the various ministries are established, leaders are established also. Being confident with this leadership, the pastor can move on to spearhead the other needed ministries, still having time to do those pastoral functions and study God's Word. Therefore, he is still able to bring out the truth of the Scripture in a clear, concise and applicable way so that the Holy Spirit can motivate others to "the work of ministry. "

While it might not be the flashiest and quickest way to motivate the hearers, teaching the literal intended meaning of the New Testament writers in a verse by verse method is by far the best way to produce grounded and foundationed saints. These believers are then motivated by the Holy Spirit, not the flesh, to do the work of ministering. 

As a pastor-teacher, I am constantly looking at how I can involve the other members to do these very things, and it has been my privilege to see others picking up in areas that need special attention, but that are often overlooked because they are considered of lesser importance by some. God simply needs saints who are available and willing. Be assured that when you desire to be used, He will give you a "work of ministry" that will bring glory and honor to His name!

"And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3:23,24)  



 How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


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