Teaching the Teachers - What Are You Called To Do
-The Apostle Paul writing to the 1st church in Ephesus, 1st century
Ephesians 4:11-12 in the New Living Translation
[This is the 9th lesson of this series]
Followers of Christ have long segregated themselves into different denominations, each slightly different than another, and each one claiming they are the real church. The interpretation of the excerpt above is an example of how the different churches differ in their beliefs. We are not going into those differences as it will be out of the scope of this particular lesson, it will not be beneficial or worse, it will just make us lose time off from what God is calling us to do.
Calling
First thing we need to find out is what are we called to do?
The succeeding verse (Ephesians 4:13) goes like this:
"This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."
United - One Body of Christ
First thing we need to find out is what are we called to do?
The succeeding verse (Ephesians 4:13) goes like this:
"This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."
United - One Body of Christ
Now one question is have we all reached such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son?
I will let you answer that, as you also ask Our Father in heaven in your quiet time. And a second question is have we even been vessels of love and unity ourselves?
Chosen
Now, regardless of our denomination, each one of us has been called (and given a gift). Some are teachers, some pastors, others evangelists, prophets, apostles and a few others responsibilities.
Why? So as to equip God’s people to do God's work, build up the church - the whole Body of Christ up until there is unity in the faith. (Not for personal accolades, ambitions and interests).
Each one of us then have work to do, and we ought to ask God what that is we are being called to do (what gift is given us) and to get on with it, while there is still time to do so.
I will let you answer that, as you also ask Our Father in heaven in your quiet time. And a second question is have we even been vessels of love and unity ourselves?
Chosen
Now, regardless of our denomination, each one of us has been called (and given a gift). Some are teachers, some pastors, others evangelists, prophets, apostles and a few others responsibilities.
Why? So as to equip God’s people to do God's work, build up the church - the whole Body of Christ up until there is unity in the faith. (Not for personal accolades, ambitions and interests).
Each one of us then have work to do, and we ought to ask God what that is we are being called to do (what gift is given us) and to get on with it, while there is still time to do so.
Professional Work
We all have our duties that we do. It's different for everyone, some of us are salespeople, others marketers, healthcare workers, food industry workers, administrative staff, customer service reps and other service workers, laborers, homemakers, athletes and many others. That's what we do for a living.
Like Apostle Paul, he was a tent maker. But he was also an evangelist and a teacher. That was what he was called to do.
We all have our duties that we do. It's different for everyone, some of us are salespeople, others marketers, healthcare workers, food industry workers, administrative staff, customer service reps and other service workers, laborers, homemakers, athletes and many others. That's what we do for a living.
Like Apostle Paul, he was a tent maker. But he was also an evangelist and a teacher. That was what he was called to do.
[Note: All pastors are teachers, but not all teachers are pastors]
1 Corinthians 12:28-30
"Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!"
1 Corinthians 12:28-30
"Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!"
In our quiet time with our Lord, let us find out what we have been really called to do. Now even if we have not heen called to teach, we still ought to study and learn the things of God, not necessarily for the sake of others, but for our own.
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