445 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 1 - Part 1 - Book 38 - Maturing in God’s Word

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 1 * BOOK 38 Maturing in God’s Word We are part of what Paul calls in I Corinthians 3:9 "...God’s building..." Last lesson we left off in Ephesians chapter 4. Today we’ll pick up with verse 12. Remember that in verse 11, Paul leaves the Church with evangelists, pastors and teachers as we discussed in the last lesson. These are specially gifted men that God is going to provide for the Christian community. I think it also ties in with I Corinthians chapter 13, the love chapter. I Corinthians 13:13 Evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Now verse 12, and what’s the purpose of these three? Ephesians 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, (notice Paul said to perfect the saints, not the lost. for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" You know I’m always stressing that I think too much of Church activity is geared in the wrong direction, not that it’s all that bad, but so much Church activity is supposedly directed to lost people. Oh we’ve got to save the lost, most Churches will say, and I’m also concerned about the lost, but the best way to reach lost people is not wait for that poor preacher, or Sunday school teacher to do it all, but every ordinary believer should be in the position to open the Scriptures to lost people, and that’s what I think Paul is referring to here. All evangelists, pastors, and teachers are given for what purpose? Ephesians 4:12 Now verse 13. Ephesians 4:13a Well it’s almost that ridiculous when we try to send people out to witness to the lost, when they know nothing about the Word of God. So the whole purpose in Paul’s writings is to edify the believer, and now let’s look and see what the believer is supposed to do. II Corinthians 5:18 "And all things are of God, who hath (past tense) reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us (the believer) the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, (that is to say) that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses (sins) unto them; (they’re forgiven) and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.:" Paul tells us someone must present this Gospel to them. Now finishing our thought with verse 20 of II Corinthians chapter 5. II Corinthians 5:20a "Now then we (as ordinary everyday believers) are ambassadors for Christ,..." Now what’s an ambassador? We’re in foreign territory! Paul tells us as believers our homeland, and citizenship is in heaven, and we’re to be ambassadors. We’re to have a heart for lost people, of course we are. It’s absolutely unbelievable, and people are just up against it. Watchman Nee was one of the great Bible study teachers in China, and not that I agree with him 100% on theology, but he had a tremendous ministry establishing small Bible study groups in the great apartment complexes of China’s huge cities. The only thing left for the believer then, and kept the Christian community alive, was those little cells of home Bible study. So I never want anyone to say, "You’re putting down the local Church!" No I never put down the local Church if they are true to the Word. Ephesians 4:14a "That we henceforth (from the time that God has given us these gifted men who have now been teaching us, that from henceforth we) be no more children, tossed to and fro,..." Now you know when I see a particular word in Scripture. I Peter 2:1-2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" I Corinthians 3:1-3 "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, (sometimes carnal can mean the unbeliever, but here it’s referring to the believer who is just simply immature) even as unto babes in Christ. Paul doesn’t say they weren’t believers, because they were, but they didn’t grow. Now back to Ephesians chapter 4. Paul reminds us that we’re not to stay as baby Christians. Ephesians 4:14 Because we’re being besieged with deception like never before since Paul’s own day. Matthew 24:3-4 (remember in I Corinthians 1:22, Paul tells us the Jews required a sign) There is a flood of people deceiving other people. Well, I ask them if it lines up with the Scripture? Now coming back to Ephesians chapter 4. So we’re not to remain as babes in Christ, because if we do remain that way, then the chances are good that babes in Christ, will be blown about with false doctrine. Grow up! Paul’s letters are written for the Church Age believer and are deep. Now verse 15. Whenever you see the word "Truth" what is another word that you can put in place of it? Christ Himself! So Truth, Christ, and Gospel are all three absolute Truth! "But speaking the truth in love,..." We are to get so skilled with the Gospel and supporting Scriptures that when we get out into the work day world we’ll be able to share in a moment if the occasion arises. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible