Growing Together: The Fivefold Ministry's Role in Maturity
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the critical role of the fivefold ministry in the spiritual development and maturation of the church, the body of Christ. I emphasized the importance of continual attendance and engagement in the church community as a means of growth and protection against false teachings and spiritual deception.
I began by encouraging everyone to persist in their journey of faith, even when they do not fully understand everything at first. The key is to keep coming, to remain steadfast in the pursuit of spiritual growth, and to trust in the guidance provided by the church leadership.
I then delved into the dangers of being spiritually immature, likening such individuals to ships tossed by the waves, vulnerable to every new doctrine and deceitful scheme. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of the fivefold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—for the perfecting of the saints. Without this structure, believers can easily become prey to false teachings.
I highlighted that the church is called to grow into the full stature of Christ, which requires a commitment to truth and love. This growth is facilitated by the fivefold ministry, which equips believers to carry out the work of ministry and build up the body of Christ.
Furthermore, I discussed the dual process of commendation and correction through which God purifies and matures His church. Just as Paul used this approach in his ministry, commending the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel and expressing confidence in God's work in them, we too must embrace both commendation and correction in our spiritual lives.
Lastly, I addressed the issue of commitment and submission within the church. I likened believers to trees that need to be firmly planted to grow and bear fruit, emphasizing that frequent shifting from one doctrine or community to another hinders spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual growth is a journey that requires perseverance and commitment. It is not about immediate understanding but about continually seeking God's presence and guidance. The process of maturation unfolds as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of God, trusting in the leadership He has provided to nurture and guide us. [48:26]
- The fivefold ministry is essential for protecting believers from spiritual deception and for promoting maturity. Without the structure and support of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, we risk being swayed by every new teaching and trickery. The fivefold ministry serves as a stabilizing force, helping us to grow in discernment and faithfulness. [51:41]
- God's method of purifying and maturing His church involves both commendation and correction. We must be open to receiving God's approval when we walk in obedience and His correction when we stray. This balance is crucial for our spiritual development and for preparing us as the bride of Christ. [57:18]
- Commitment to a local church body and submission to its leadership are vital for spiritual health and growth. Just as a tree cannot thrive if it is constantly uprooted, believers cannot flourish without being rooted in a community where they can be nurtured and held accountable. [52:23]
- Each member of the body of Christ has a role to play in the maturation of the church. We cannot be passive spectators; rather, we must actively engage in ministry, using our gifts to edify others and contribute to the collective growth of the church into the fullness of Christ. [55:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)
> "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
2. Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)
> "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
3. Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV)
> "And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 4:11-12, what roles did Christ give to the church, and for what purpose?
2. In Philippians 1:3-6, what is Paul’s attitude towards the Philippians, and what does he express confidence in?
3. Hebrews 12:5-6 mentions two actions the Lord takes towards those He loves. What are they, and what is their purpose?
4. How does the sermon describe the dangers of being spiritually immature? ([50:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for the church to "attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" as mentioned in Ephesians 4:13? How does this relate to the fivefold ministry?
2. How does Paul’s confidence in Philippians 1:6 about God completing His work in the believers encourage us in our spiritual journey?
3. In what ways does the Lord’s discipline, as described in Hebrews 12:5-6, contribute to our spiritual growth and maturity?
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being rooted in a local church community. How does this concept relate to the analogy of a tree that needs to be firmly planted to grow and bear fruit? ([52:23])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel like you are being "tossed back and forth by the waves" of different teachings? How can you seek stability through the fivefold ministry? ([50:10])
2. How can you actively engage in your local church community to contribute to its growth and maturity? What specific steps can you take this week to use your gifts for the edification of others? ([55:11])
3. Think about a time when you received commendation or correction in your spiritual life. How did it impact your growth? How can you be more open to both commendation and correction from God and church leadership? ([57:18])
4. The sermon likens believers to trees that need to be firmly planted. Are there any areas in your life where you feel uprooted or unsettled? What can you do to become more rooted in your faith and church community? ([52:23])
5. How can you demonstrate commitment and submission to your local church body and its leadership? What practical steps can you take to show your dedication and support? ([52:23])
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to grow in truth and love. What specific actions can you take to develop in this area, and how can the church community support you in this process? ([53:28])
7. Reflect on the role of the fivefold ministry in your own spiritual development. How can you seek out and benefit from the guidance of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in your church? ([51:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Perseverance in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is a journey that requires steadfast commitment and trust in God's leadership. It is not about immediate understanding but about continually seeking God's presence and guidance. As believers, it is essential to persist in the journey of faith, even when the path is not fully clear. The process of maturation unfolds as one remains steadfast in the pursuit of God, trusting in the leadership He has provided to nurture and guide. This commitment to spiritual growth is akin to a long-distance runner who keeps pushing forward, regardless of the challenges faced along the way. The church community and its leaders play a pivotal role in this journey, offering support, wisdom, and encouragement as one grows in faith and understanding. [48:26]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to demonstrate your commitment to spiritual growth and to encourage others in their faith journey?
Day 2: Stability Through Fivefold Ministry
The fivefold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—is essential for protecting believers from spiritual deception and for promoting maturity. Without the structure and support of these roles, individuals risk being swayed by every new teaching and trickery. The fivefold ministry serves as a stabilizing force within the church, helping believers to grow in discernment and faithfulness. It equips them with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of spiritual life and to stand firm in the face of false doctrines. This ministry is not just about leadership; it is about empowering each member of the church to contribute to the collective strength and wisdom of the body of Christ. [51:41]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." - Ephesians 4:11-12
Reflection: How can you actively seek to benefit from the guidance of the fivefold ministry in your church, and how might you support its work?
Day 3: Embracing Commendation and Correction
God's method of purifying and maturing His church involves both commendation and correction. Believers must be open to receiving God's approval when they walk in obedience and His correction when they stray. This balance is crucial for spiritual development and for preparing the church as the bride of Christ. Just as a skilled gardener prunes plants to encourage healthy growth and fruitfulness, so does God prune His people, commending their strengths and correcting their weaknesses. This divine process ensures that the church grows in holiness, love, and effectiveness in its mission. [57:18]
"Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked." - Psalm 94:12-13
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance where you experienced God's commendation or correction, and how did it impact your spiritual growth?
Day 4: Rooted in Community
Commitment to a local church body and submission to its leadership are vital for spiritual health and growth. Just as a tree cannot thrive if it is constantly uprooted, believers cannot flourish without being rooted in a community where they can be nurtured and held accountable. A stable church environment provides the necessary soil for spiritual roots to grow deep, allowing believers to withstand the storms of life and to bear fruit in their walk with Christ. This rootedness also fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, as each member contributes to the life and ministry of the church. [52:23]
"They are like trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in its season, and their leaf does not wither. In all that they do, they prosper." - Psalm 1:3
Reflection: What are some ways you can deepen your roots in your local church community to enhance your spiritual growth and the growth of others?
Day 5: Active Engagement in Ministry
Each member of the body of Christ has a role to play in the maturation of the church. Believers cannot be passive spectators; rather, they must actively engage in ministry, using their gifts to edify others and contribute to the collective growth of the church into the fullness of Christ. This active engagement is not only about serving within the church but also about living out one's faith in the world. By doing so, believers demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel and encourage others to grow in their relationship with God. [55:11]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10
Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts to serve in your church or community this week, and how can this service contribute to the growth of the body of Christ?
Quotes
"Just keep coming, just keep coming, that's all you got to do. Just keep coming, don't let nothing stop you from coming. Keep coming, keep coming... Pastor said it, I need to be here, there's something inside of me that the enemy tried to rob all of my life." [48:26]
"So then we may no longer be children, tossed like ships to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, the prey of the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men... This is why the fivefold ministry has to be prominent in the body of Christ." [51:41]
"You can't take a tree and plant it over here for two weeks and expect it to grow, and then pull it up and go over here. That tree is going to die, never produce what it was supposed to produce, never provide shelter, never produce fruit, because it's not under... you're tossed between every wind of doctrine, won't submit." [52:23]
"Let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him who is the head, even Christ. For because of Him the whole body, the church in all its various parts, closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, grows to full maturity." [54:18]
"The way the Lord purifies and matures His church is by two things: Commendation and correction. Commendation and correction. This is how God purifies and matures and prepares His bride. He tells them when they are doing well and He corrects them, points out the areas they need to fix." [57:18]
"It is the assignment of the fivefold ministry to help build and mature the body of Christ to be effective even as we are waiting for His return. Occupy till He come... Ephesians 4:11, let's make sure we understand... the purifying of the bride, but I got to build down some foundations." [42:34]
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