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?
4
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
properly
 Remember 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 missionary
 As
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.
 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!
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.
 Eph 6:19-20
Prisoner AND preacher
Mission
> misery
Fearlessness > 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 heart
in Ephesians!
Every
member is a minister!
Every member is a missionary!