God’s purpose is to build up the body of Christ. It is not your agenda, your ideals or your doctrines. It is to build up the body of Christ by saving the saving of souls and renewing of weary hearts.

Ephesians 4:11-16

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:

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 fulness of Christ:

14 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:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

V11 – God has a team assigned to the saints to Maturity

• Apostles and prophets through their writings and words
• Evangelists teach us the value of soul winning
• Pastors and teachers keep believers strong in faith
• They are called to “perfect” or “mature” the saints

V12 – Who is to do the work of the ministry? The saints!

Saints are to do the work of the ministry:

• saints are those who have been born again
• All believers are called to do the work of the ministry

We tend to reverse the divine plan by:

• making pastors do the work of the ministry
• people show up to listen and critique sermons
• congregations seek to perfect the pastors to minister
• we are becoming paid spectators

By doing this:

• the church becomes as slow as s snail
• Members miss the blessing of the ministry
• When the body is not busy it creates busybodies

We must return to being the WHO behind the ministry

V12 – What is the work of the ministry? Anything that builds up the body of Christ!

The ministry is anything that builds up the body

• to edify is to build up
• What are you doing to edify? Fellowship? Support? Compassion? Praying?

The ministry is caring for the afflicted

• Comforting the sick and sorrowful

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

• Visiting and care for the fatherless and widows

James 1:27

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

• Being a caregiver for the physical needs of believers

Romans 12:13

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

• Helping the poor

Romans 15:25-26

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

• Helping those overtaken by a fault

Galatians 6:1

6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

• Encouraging one another

Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

V13-16 – What happens when we do all the work of the ministry?

• The church is unified
• Believers become Christlike
• Christians become solid in faith
• The church is protected from false teaching
• Love flows through all preaching and teaching
• The church grows and is known for fellowship and love

– And out of this people can be saved, delivered and set free!