What Makes The Church Right?

Ephesians 4:9-12 (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS.) 11 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:

Jesus Christ Fills All Things

The Bible tells us that our Lord Jesus died on the Cross. He “descended first into the lower parts of the earth”. He came from glory, from Heaven, and was made like us. We are told in the Scripture that Jesus lowered Himself for our salvation:

Philippians 2:7-8 {Jesus}made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus came for the lowest and the least. He was often found sitting and eating with the dregs of human society. Jesus frequented with sinners, with tax collectors, with lepers, with crippled and broken people. The Bible says “you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”. (2 Corinthians 8:9). Our Lord Jesus suffered. The Bible says “though He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus died among thieves, and was buried in a borrowed tomb.

Jesus Christ descended to the lowest parts of the earth so that He could DEFEAT sin, DISEMPOWER death, and DETHRONE Satan and his forces.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV) Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM WHO HAD THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS, THE DEVIL, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Three days and three nights after Jesus completed His mission on earth, He rose from the grave. Jesus walked and talked among us for forty days (Acts 1:3), being seen of many, before He “ascended up far above all heavens”. Why did our Lord ascend to Heaven, to the Heaven of heavens? The Bible says that Jesus fulfilled all Bible prophecy. Our Lord Jesus taught the disciples while He was with them that He and He alone is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Following His resurrection Jesus told disciples on the Road of Emmaus:

Luke 24:25-27 (NKJV) “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 OUGHT NOT THE CHRIST TO HAVE SUFFERED THESE THINGS AND TO ENTER INTO HIS GLORY?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, HE EXPOUNDED TO THEM IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF.

When Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem, He appeared quite suddenly, frightening them. The Bible says:

Luke 24:36-39 (NKJV) Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

The disciples still did not understand. But Jesus, after proving He was not a “ghost” (not even the Holy Ghost), reminded them what He had taught them prior to His crucifixion:

Luke 24:44-49 (NKJV) “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED WHICH WERE WRITTEN in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might COMPREHEND THE SCRIPTURES. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE CHRIST TO SUFFER AND TO RISE FROM THE DEAD THE THIRD DAY, 47 and that REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Jesus’ descending to the lowest parts of the earth was necessary. Jesus’ death was necessary. Jesus’ defeat of death and resurrection was necessary. And Jesus’ ascension into the Heaven of heavens was necessary. Jesus left His Church on this earth to preach “REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS IN HIS NAME”. There are none other that can bring salvation and light to this world. There is “no other name under Heaven given among men, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED” (Acts 4:12).

The Church Is A Key Part Of Christ’s
Fulfillment Of All Things

No one can be saved without Christ. No one can be redeemed from the devil, death, and damnation without Christ. To this end the Lord Jesus left His Kingdom on this earth. The Church is not a building of brick and mortar. The Church is a body of believers sharing the same Savior and Lord.

Ephesians 4:11 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:

The text begins with “AND”. This “AND” ties this verse with the verse we have been talking about, with the Descension and Ascension of Christ. Jesus left His Church on this earth with the mission of “fulfilling all things” as empowered by Jesus. We are not assistants to Jesus. We are servants to Jesus.

Jesus GAVE the Church APOSTLES and PROPHETS. The Apostles were hand picked by Jesus. They walked and talked with Him, and set at His feet as He taught. The Prophets, like the Apostles, were hand picked, called out by God our Savior. The offices of Apostle and Prophet were the first two set out by Jesus. We previously learned that these are foundational callings:

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV) God has appointed these in the Church: first APOSTLES, second PROPHETS, third TEACHERS …

Ephesians 2:19-20 (NKJV) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone

The Apostles and Prophets did not create the Word of God. They SPOKE the Word of God as God gave it to them. The Apostles and Prophets wrote the Word of God into this Book we call The Bible, the Sacred Scripture. The Bible, the teachings properly applied of the Scripture is the foundation of the Church. When the Church was formed on the Day of Pentecost, the Bible says “And they {the Church} continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42). The Apostles traveled from city to city sharing the Gospel of Salvation, preaching repentance and remission of sins through faith in Christ Jesus.

Jesus GAVE the Church EVANGELISTS. Evangelists are listed before Pastors, and after Apostles and Prophets for a reason. The word “EVANGELIST” is the Greek euangelistēs, which means “a bringer of good tidings, one who intentionally shares the Gospel”. I find it interesting when the Apostles set out the Office of the Deacon/ Servant in Acts 6, that two of the seven chosen to be deacons were:

Acts 6:5 (KJV) … STEPHEN, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and PHILIP

These men, though called to minister to the physical needs of the Body of Christ, were also Evangelists. Though Stephen was not specifically called an Evangelist in the Scripture, the Bible says:

Acts 6:8-10 (NKJV) STEPHEN, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were NOT ABLE TO RESIST THE WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT BY WHICH HE SPOKE.

The second Deacon chosen, Philip, was specifically named as an Evangelist in the Scripture:

Acts 8:5-6 (NKJV) PHILIP went down to the city of Samaria and PREACHED CHRIST TO THEM. 6 And the multitudes with one accord HEEDED THE THINGS SPOKEN BY PHILIP, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 21:8 (NKJV) … we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, WHO WAS ONE OF THE SEVEN {Deacons}, and stayed with him.

Before a Pastor can lead a Church, there must be a Church. Unless the Evangelist preaches the Gospel, and people are born again by faith in that Gospel message, then there can be no Church. The Evangelist comes before the Pastor. But …

Jesus GAVE the Church PASTORS and TEACHERS. Pastors, also called Elders, are Overseers called to share the Word of God to the Church. The Bible commands:

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NKJV) The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, SERVING AS OVERSEERS, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 NOR AS BEING LORDS OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, but BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Pastors are SHEPHERDS. They watch over the Church, insuring that it attends to the Word of God, the Bible. Paul told the Pastors at the Church in Ephesus just before he departed there:

Acts 20:26-31 (NKJV) Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you THE WHOLE COUNCIL OF GOD. 28 Therefore TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES and TO ALL THE FLOCK AMONG WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS MADE YOU OVERSEERS, to SHEPHERD THE CHURCH OF GOD which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure SAVAGE WOLVES will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from AMONG YOURSELVES MEN WILL RISE UP, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, to DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES AFTER THEMSELVES. 31 Therefore WATCH, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

The Pastors, along with the TEACHERS, are to preach the “WHOLE COUNCIL OF GOD”. Paul knew that some Pastors would rise up and depart from this, “SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, to DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES AFTER THEMSELVES”. You don’t have to go very far to find this, whether on the Internet or on the Television. There are many “SAVAGE WOLVES” who pretend to be Pastors and Bible Teachers, but like wolves they do not want to bless the flock of God, but to EAT IT or as the Apostle Peter warned:

2 Peter 2:1-3 (LSB) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU, who will SECRETLY INTRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even DENYING THE MASTER who BOUGHT THEM, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 And many will FOLLOW THEIR SENSUALITY, and because of them the WAY OF THE TRUTH WILL BE MALIGNED. 3 And in [their] GREED THEY WILL EXPLOIT YOU WITH FALSE WORDS, their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Whether Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher, each gift that Jesus gave the Church were given to promote the Word of God, the Bible – not the culture or the darkness.

The Offices Given The Church Has Three Goals

Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fullness of Christ:

The offices of Apostle and Prophet, being foundational to the Church, are not with us anymore other than through this Bible. But the Offices of Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher are still with the Church. They are ongoing. Evangelists are primarily concerned with the message of the Gospel to the lost. Pastors oversee the flock of God, sharing the Word of God and its proper application. Teachers ensure that the whole Word of God – without human perversion – is taught. Let’s break down these verses:

Ephesians 4:12 For the PERFECTING of the saints

Word Study: The word “PERFECTING” is the Greek katartismos, which means “to completely furnish or equip”. Every person who is born again of the Spirit of God, blood bought by the Son of God, every person is a “saint”, someone set apart by God. I want to talk to you about what Theologians call “The Doctrine of Sanctification”, or the making of Saints. Sanctification has three phases:

1 The day you were saved by faith in Christ, the day you were “born again of the Spirit of God”, you were POSITIONALLY SANCTIFIED. What does this mean? Before your salvation God viewed you as a condemned person, a sinner, someone due eternal damnation because you fall short of God’s glory. A sinner without Christ is separated from God (Isaiah 59:2). A sinner without Christ is under the adverse judgment of God. “Whoever does not believe in the Son SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD REMAINS ON HIM” (John 3:36). A sinner without Christ is spiritually dead, and out of touch with God Himself. “The god of this world – Satan – has blinded the minds of the unbeliever” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The lost are in the POSITION of being in the darkness, far from the light of God. But once you are saved, your POSITION changes. The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 1:2 (LSB) To the CHURCH OF GOD which is at Corinth, to those who HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus, CALLED AS SAINTS, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours:

Because you are POSITIONALLY Sanctified, in God’s eyes you are SAINTS not sinners, SONS OF GOD not sons of Satan, CHILDREN OF LIGHT not children of darkness. Your status is changed … FOREVER! We are told that “We are SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL” (Hebrews 10:10).

2 However, once saved and POSITIONALLY Sanctified, God begins to work in you, making you more like Jesus each day. This is called PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION. I preached this text this morning:

Philippians 2:12-13 (LSB) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; 13 for IT IS GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN YOU, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.

If someone says that they are “saved”, then there should be some ongoing evidence of the hand of God in their life. God saves us by Grace, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But once saved, He possesses us. He indwells us. He draws us to Him through His Word. The Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, stated:

“The mere profession of religion will never save a man; faith without works is dead… Try yourselves by the Word; see whether you have a new heart, new loves, and a new spirit. Without these, your claim to salvation is vain. … A man’s conversion is nothing. His believing is nothing. His profession is nothing unless he is made a new creature in Christ Jesus.”

Though a Christian is POSITIONALLY Sanctified, God wants to work in him to make him more like Christ. We do this in cooperation with the Holy Spirit and the application of the Word of God, the Scripture. We are told in:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (LSB) All SCRIPTURE is GOD-BREATHED and PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, 17 so that the man of God MAY BE EQUIPPED, having been thoroughly EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

3 When the genuine Christian reaches eternity, we will experience ULTIMATE SANCTIFICATION. We will be like Jesus! We are told:

1 John 3:2 (NKJV) Beloved, NOW WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODY that it may be CONFORMED TO HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

We will one day be like Jesus. Cleansed from sin, holy and complete. Praise His holy Name!

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the WORK OF THE MINISTRY

The offices that Jesus gave to His Church are NOT the only ones to do the “WORK OF THE MINISTRY”. The Church – that is, every saved member in the local Church – does the “WORK OF THE MINISTRY”. A Church that does not work is NOT a Church. Jesus said to His Church:

John 9:5 (NKJV) As long as I AM IN THE WORLD, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, that they may SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

The Church does not work to glorify itself, but Jesus. We represent the hands and feet of Christ on the earth. We are light in the midst of darkness. We stand separate from the culture, being the Kingdom of God on this present earth.

Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST: 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 FULLNESS OF CHRIST:

The offices Jesus gave to the Church are there to INCREASE THE LIGHT of Christ in the world. The Church is not “EDIFIED” or built up through selfishness, but through selflessness. We live so that others may find fullness in Christ. We are not defined by the culture, but by the proper application of the Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

The world is constantly being tossed to and fro with silliness and darkness, with strange teachings taught by shady people. The Church stands firmly on what the Bible has said. I was listening to a young black woman today talking about the LGBTQ crowd. She said,

“My skin is brown … Let me let y’all in on something. The founder of Chick-Fil-A was a Southern Baptist up until he passed away. That means he followed the Bible. The Bible specifically told him no gay sin. So the founder said, okay, we’re not putting up no Pride Parade flags. We’re not supporting the Pride Community. Y’all can’t get mad! It literally says in the Bible … if you want to be mad at Somebody, go be mad at God. He can handle it. But you getting mad at people for following the Bible is ridiculous. Yes, there are other sins. But you don’t see murderers, thieves, tax collectors, prostitutes … you don’t see none of them people having parades around town. You don’t see none of them people putting flags up. You don’t see none of them other sins doing that.”

I don’t know if this woman’s a Christian or not – but she’s absolutely right! The Bible is very clear on sexual sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18-20; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Leviticus 18:22; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Timothy 1:9-10), that such things are to be repented of and not done by a professing Christian. The Church must stop being tossed around by the culture, taking the low road so that we can keep our tax exempt status, so that we can drift through life in the darkness. The Church is designed by Jesus Christ to promote Jesus Christ to the world.

The Gospel is not fire insurance. It is a life changing message, backed by the very power of God.

The Church that is right will be led by leaders that are Biblical, unashamedly Scriptural. It will not compromise, no, not one little bit. Before one of my favorite Pastors, Adrian Rogers, went to be with the Lord Jesus, he said:

“I’m willing to compromise about many things, but not the Word of God. So far as getting together is concerned, we don’t have to get together. The Southern Baptist Convention — as it is — does not have to survive. I don’t have to be the pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church. I don’t have to be loved; I don’t even have to live. But I will not compromise the Word of God.”

Adrian went on to say “It is better to be divided by truth than united in error”. This is where I’m at in my walk with Jesus. I invite you to walk with me, with Jesus and His Word. May Christ draw you daily to His Word – IF you are saved!