Message by Paul Mermilliod.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:1
[11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-13
BIG TRUTH: THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO EQUIP THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12
Big Idea:
The “work of ministry” is the result of new life in Jesus. (Eph 4:17-24)
[17] Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. [18] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. [19] They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. [20] But that is not the way you learned Christ!—[21] assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, [22] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:17-24
Big Idea:
The “work of ministry” begins among the family of God. (Eph 5:1, 18-21)
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another… Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 4:25, 5:1-2
Big Idea:
The “work of ministry” overflows from the family of faith into the family at home. (Eph 5:22-6:4)
Wives are called to model the gospel through submission. (Eph 5:22-24, 33)
Husbands are called to model the gospel through sacrificial love, leading in the truth, and the pursuit of holiness. (Eph 5:25-33)
Children are called to model the gospel through obedience and honor. (Eph 6:1-3)
Parents are called to model the gospel through equipping their children to know, love, and follow Jesus. (Eph 6:4)
[22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Ephesians 5:22-24
[25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:25-33
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3] “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 6:1-3
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
Big Idea: One specific “work of ministry” given to parents is the privilege and responsibility of being the primary disciple-makers of their children. (Eph 6:4)
- Family discipleship begins with fathers.
- Family discipleship is first and foremost about the heart, not behavior.
- Family discipleship requires discipline.
- Family discipleship requires instruction.
- Family discipleship is ultimately a pursuit of God.