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 3:11-12
It is very easy for us, 2000 years removed from the apostles and thousands more removed from the prophets, to forget that they were not working for themselves. They were not even, ultimately, writing and preaching for the people of their day. They were writing and preaching God’s Word for the body of Christ, whenever and wherever it may be found. They were writing for us, today, in Jasper. Further, consider all the evangelists, shepherds, and teachers who have labored for the body here.
It is easy to be discouraged by the work of ministry when we see the church faltering and small. It is difficult to remain faithful when the church sins in large and small ways. It becomes nearly impossible to continue working for God when those sins are against us personally. But, rest assured, God is at work and has been for millennia. We are not alone in our current work but stand on a sure foundation.
And how does God work to glorify Himself in the midst of sinning and stumbling groups of people? He uses the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry and unite them as one body. He will not fail in that task. We will be equipped, and we will be one. The church is God made visible on the earth, and He will ensure that He is glorified through it.
The Church is the Point
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 3:11-12
It is very easy for us, 2000 years removed from the apostles and thousands more removed from the prophets, to forget that they were not working for themselves. They were not even, ultimately, writing and preaching for the people of their day. They were writing and preaching God’s Word for the body of Christ, whenever and wherever it may be found. They were writing for us, today, in Jasper. Further, consider all the evangelists, shepherds, and teachers who have labored for the body here.
It is easy to be discouraged by the work of ministry when we see the church faltering and small. It is difficult to remain faithful when the church sins in large and small ways. It becomes nearly impossible to continue working for God when those sins are against us personally. But, rest assured, God is at work and has been for millennia. We are not alone in our current work but stand on a sure foundation.
And how does God work to glorify Himself in the midst of sinning and stumbling groups of people? He uses the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry and unite them as one body. He will not fail in that task. We will be equipped, and we will be one. The church is God made visible on the earth, and He will ensure that He is glorified through it.