Teacher’s Belt

Ephesians 4:11-16

Verse 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.

    During our time together yesterday we mentioned about the importance of teaching truth.  This passage shows the solution the Lord put into place for this issue.  Each Christian is given a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit to use in the work of the Church.  Paul knew a few of them were to help with the need of truth for God’s people.

    We have discussed how important truth is to our ministry as a Church but it is also very important in our life as a Church.  If Biblical truth isn’t being taught on every level of a Church family the people of the congregation will no doubt be more easily misled by other teachers or sources in their life.  There are so many phrases and teachings which seem like they could come from the Bible but given deeper thought they don’t fit with the theology of Jesus at all.

    The gifts Paul listed in this passage are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  The qualifications for apostle included having known the Lord throughout His ministry while living on earth (Acts 1:21-22) so no one these days would qualify, but He is still gifting plenty of His people to be prophets (those who forth tell His word, not necessarily telling the future as that isn’t as needed for the building of the Church), evangelists, pastors and teachers.

    The question is are they doing the necessary work to know truth?  While the Spirit gives the gifts He expects those with the gifts to use them which means putting in the work and testing it against the Spirit.  For them to preach and teach the truth they have to come to know it as clearly as possible and that comes from some serious time spent with the Lord in prayer and studying the Scriptures.

    Paul understood the necessity of having leaders in a church helping the congregation grow spiritually which can only happen through the teaching of truth.  It was truth which would keep the Church from being blown about by every new teaching that came up in society.  Truth helps us mature in our faith that is something each of us should want.  We can seek out truth by seeking out those God has given to teach truth.

Making It Personal

    What false teaching had you believed until you learned a truth from a spiritual leader?  What is a commonly believed lie which bothers you to hear people accept it readily?  What truth do you need to proclaim today?

Making It Personal Kids

    Is there something you always thought was true but later learned it wasn’t?  What is a truth about Jesus you know and wish others knew too?  Who can you tell about that truth?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for giving us people chosen by You to teach us Your truths.  Give us an ever growing desire to know truth.  Teach us, Father.  In Jesus’ name, amen.