Every member...Ephesians Study Series

Ancient Ephesus

As a letter coming from Paul the prisoner, what was his heart for every member of the church in Ephesus?

What is the heart (for every member) that we can take today?

1. Every member, a minister

As God draws near to meet our needs, we in turn are called ‘minister’ to others.

Eph 4:11ff “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets…evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers…to prepare God’s people for works of service…as each part does its work”

(KVJ: effectual working in the measure of every part).

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1. Every member, a minister

NIV…as each part does its work” ESV: …when each part is working

properlyRemember that we are all “members”

of his body (Eph 4:4-6), the church and that we are never to be independent. Instead, God has designed us to be “interdependent.”

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2. Every member, a missionaryAs God raises us to be mature

children, He expects us to share his interests and engage in his concerns. He has a ‘mission.’

Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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Eph 5:8-9 You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light and make your light shine.

God never designed church membership to be a self-centered concept!

Eph 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Prisoner AND preacherMission > miseryFearlessness > freedom When we have a missionary heart,

EVERY situation is evangelistic!

All times are evangelistic times because… God loves people all the time People are lost all the time People change and have changing or

growing needs all the time God works in people’s lives (even if they

are unaware) all the time

Everything is evangelistic! Matt 28:19ff can be translated “While

going, make disciples…” (= as you go) Public transportation Going to the mall, errands Lunch break is evangelistic Birthdays are evangelistic (yours,

spouse, family, kids) Weddings and funerals too Spending time with family (kids,

relatives) Untoward events are evangelistic

Kelvin – Guangzhou church

Flooding – Colorado, USA

Flooding of compassion – Colorado Campus

Let’s capture God’s heartin Ephesians!

Every member is a minister!Every member is a missionary!