Lesson 63 – Purpose of the Ministry

Text:

Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV  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:

Intro:

Romans 10:14-17 KJV  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  (16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  (17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God has chosen humanity to labor with Him in reaching lost souls. This labor is often referred to as the ministry. Ministry simply means service. Those who are involved in the ministry are servants of God who are called to serve others here on earth. Therefore, the ministry of the church is accomplished by servant leaders. Paul, an excellent example of a servant leader, gives us the purpose of the ministry. Our primary purpose is to perfect the saints of God.

The Perfecting of the Saints:

Matthew 5:48 KJV  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

James 1:4 KJV  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Biblical perfection means maturity. God gave the ministry to the church in order that they may develop into mature Christians. This can only happen through the joint effort of the ministry and the saint. This cooperation is a requirement if an individual is to reach the state of perfection God expects of each of us.

1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Those in the ministry are the custodians of the gospel. We are not to speak whatever we or the people desire. We are to preach the gospel to every creature.[1] If the saints are to be perfected, it will only happen when the gospel is preached to them and they obey it. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel, when properly preached, involves repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Sinners cannot be saved or become saints unless the ministry preaches this truth to them. God chose the ministry as the gift to the church which would preach the message of salvation.

Hebrews 13:17 KJV  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Every Pastor will give an account to God for the spiritual maturity of those he is called to lead. The “hireling” leader will use the excuse that he “can’t force anyone to do right.”[2] The real shepherd (pastor) will work night and day with a saint of God until they reach spiritual maturity.

Guarding the Holiness of the Church:

Ephesians 5:27 KJV  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Under the Old Covenant, the priesthood was charged with ensuring that the Tabernacle was kept as a holy place. That was the place where God and humanity met together. Those ministering in the Tabernacle were to be strictly Levites and were there to perform sacred rites. Under the New Covenant, this responsibility falls upon the pastor of the church. Jesus died for the sins of humanity so that he would have a perfect church. The purpose of the ministry includes safeguarding the holiness of the place where God meets with His people.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 KJV  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Pronouncing blessings upon people will not perfect them. Paul’s charge to Timothy was that his preaching must change people. Preaching is not always supposed to feel good. There have always been those who wish to claim the benefits of salvation while avoiding the responsibilities. These will always find “ministry” who will tell them what they want to hear in order to build a large church. Our duty is to speak the truth in love!

Ephesians 4:14-15 KJV  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:

The New Covenant demands of the ministry to judge sin and deal with it according to the scriptures. When Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered, I am in the midst of them”,[3] he was specifically dealing with Church Government. When Paul heard that there was sin in the church of Corinth, He rebuked them sharply and demanded that the situation be dealt with immediately.

1 Corinthians 5:5-7 KJV  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  (6)  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  (7)  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

It is the Pastor’s responsibility to direct every aspect of the church and see to it that EVERYTHING is being done decently and according to God’s command.[4] When the Pastor is made aware of sin, he must deal with that person and their sin. If they do not repent then they are unqualified to perform ANY role in the church. After being “sat down”, if they still will not repent they are to be asked to leave the church.

Conclusion:

The purpose of the ministry is not to get people to come to your church. It is not to see how large of a crowd you can build. The purpose of the ministry is to get people prepared for heaven. Lead them by example. Preach to them the Word of God without fear and without favor. Confront those who are unwilling to repent. Challenge those who are uncommitted to grow. They are sheep, they need a shepherd. They must be holy and sinless before they pass from this life to eternity.