seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.
14 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. 15 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. 16 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.
Here's the link to the study guide.... chapter 3Wow, Paul actually prayed. Good boy! The problem is, he prayed from his high horse, in my opinion. He made his "prayer" and further instruction so difficult to read it takes one of those priests he appointed to understand it. ugh....
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are supposed to be called by Jesus, according to Paul.
This is from the study guide.... chapter 4.
Pastors and teachers (or, pastor-teachers; the ancient Greek clearly describes one office with two descriptive titles), who shepherds the flock of God primarily (though not exclusively) through teaching the Word of God. “Teaching is an essential part of the pastoral ministry; it is appropriate, therefore, that the two terms, pastors and teachers, should be joined together to denote one order of ministry.” (Bruce)
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are called by Jesus. These people have a talent that was issued to them by Jesus Himself. Pastors and teachers seem to be the "boots on the ground". Thrills and financial gain, however, are what drives some of the people working in religion these days. It's a real shame. People out here in Arizona feel so "Christlike" that they need to strap on their guns before going to church. The need to "buy study materials" leads to passing the hat, and once the hat is passed, we drop the temptation of all that cash on some poor soul, who only wants to help, and if that poor soul gives in to that temptation.... to steal... that's on us! We did that to him. We "had to buy". We "had to collect shiny baubles".... and the temptation to "just take a couple coins or bills for my time and trouble" is too strong for some.
I used to be a teacher. In Florida, I taught the teens. In Maryland, I taught the children k-3. It was one of the highpoints of my life and if you have an itch to do it, I would suggest you give it a try. It's very, very rewarding.
IMHO.... and it's only my opinion.... If the church leaders are truly "Christlike" they would be so busy helping, healing, and teaching, there would be no time for the fakes. People would be pitching in, helping, giving, and whistling while they work, and there would be no time for faking it.
Today, I'm taking my dolls to a craft show. The last thing I completed for the craft show was a Nativity. There's Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a manger. I posted a picture online and my favorite aunt asked me "how much is it?" and it dawned on me... I can't sell the Nativity. So, I told my aunt "I hope some little girl comes up to see it, and tells me about Jesus." If that happens... I'm going to give the set to her. [I say girl because I'm a girl and when I was little, I would have fallen in love with it.]
Does your church "sell" itself, or is it so busy being "Christlike" they don't even notice they are working?
Is your pastor "Christlike"?
