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And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
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;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Preachers.
Everybody loves preachers.
Yes, the Bible does say that by "the foolishness of preaching" God will save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:21). So, everyone is all fascinated by preachers. It's not uncommon to hear folks say, "I go to brother (x)'s church. He's a great man of God!" or "I love to hear brother (y) preach!" If they don't already have one, and somebody actually wanted to start one, there could probably be a multi-million dollar magazine- similar to the magazines at the grocery store check out lines that are all about the "stars" of our country (Who's in what movie, who's sleeping with who, etc)- all about preachers. Where they are preaching, what they are preaching, who had the "biggest move of God" this week. Top 10 most popular preachers! Sounds crazy, but some folks actually argue over that kind of stuff!
Furthermore, in many places, seems like everybody has a Title. There's Pastor Jones, Evangelists Franks, Prophet Johnson, Apostle Horne, Bishop Johnson, Elder James, Deacon Grant (all made-up names to go with the Title, used for effect only). It seems nobody can be just Brother Mike or Sister Della anymore. Nobody's happy with just being part of the family of God. Everybody's got to have a Title! Nobody's content with doing things for the Lord and for people. We gotta have a special Title to go with it so we're recognized. I thought it was all about Jesus, not us?
Some get really crazy and add Titles the Bible doesn't truly mention: Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle (Yes, there are a couple of verses in Corinthians where Paul is trying to give honor to the rest of the Apostles and saying he's less than them where he talks about them as the chiefest Apostles, but Paul wasn't giving them a Title. He was merely esteeming his brethren as better than himself), Chief Elder, Head Deacon, General Secretary, General Superintendent, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear some folks call themselves Senior most excellent Apostle of (x) someday. Everybody wants a Title and everybody wants to be a preacher.
But, though I've heard of Sunday School Superintendent -again not a Biblical Title, but an important job- I've never heard anyone making sure they are called Sunday School Superintendent Jackson. Why? It's not as glamorous. Why? It doesn't make you look large and in charge. After all, all they do is teach sometimes and make sure the right teachers are in the right classrooms. And you never hear somebody called Teacher Hanks! There's no "glory" in that Title in most people's eyes. But, teachers are a part of the "five-fold ministry!"
Let me tell the church world something. God didn't robe himself in flesh, go through Calvary, defeat death hell and the grave, and pour his spirit out on all flesh in order to create a religious upper class that everybody is to look up to! We are all equal in his sight! It doesn't matter what he's called us to do, we are all part of the body of Christ! He condemned those types of folks in the Bible. They're called Pharisees and Sadducees! The finger of the body is just as important as the big toe, or the knee, or the lungs, or the eyes, or a hair follicle. Everybody has a part in the body. Everybody has a calling. And I can't find a single scripture where we are told to be sure that calling becomes a Title and our name is to follow right after it!
And one more thing before I get off my soapbox:
Yes God ordained preaching. I'm not belittling that calling. But, while Preaching will save you, TEACHING WILL KEEP YOU SAVED!!! Don't believe me? Read on and you'll see what I mean.
Furthermore, in many places, seems like everybody has a Title. There's Pastor Jones, Evangelists Franks, Prophet Johnson, Apostle Horne, Bishop Johnson, Elder James, Deacon Grant (all made-up names to go with the Title, used for effect only). It seems nobody can be just Brother Mike or Sister Della anymore. Nobody's happy with just being part of the family of God. Everybody's got to have a Title! Nobody's content with doing things for the Lord and for people. We gotta have a special Title to go with it so we're recognized. I thought it was all about Jesus, not us?
Some get really crazy and add Titles the Bible doesn't truly mention: Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle (Yes, there are a couple of verses in Corinthians where Paul is trying to give honor to the rest of the Apostles and saying he's less than them where he talks about them as the chiefest Apostles, but Paul wasn't giving them a Title. He was merely esteeming his brethren as better than himself), Chief Elder, Head Deacon, General Secretary, General Superintendent, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear some folks call themselves Senior most excellent Apostle of (x) someday. Everybody wants a Title and everybody wants to be a preacher.
But, though I've heard of Sunday School Superintendent -again not a Biblical Title, but an important job- I've never heard anyone making sure they are called Sunday School Superintendent Jackson. Why? It's not as glamorous. Why? It doesn't make you look large and in charge. After all, all they do is teach sometimes and make sure the right teachers are in the right classrooms. And you never hear somebody called Teacher Hanks! There's no "glory" in that Title in most people's eyes. But, teachers are a part of the "five-fold ministry!"
Let me tell the church world something. God didn't robe himself in flesh, go through Calvary, defeat death hell and the grave, and pour his spirit out on all flesh in order to create a religious upper class that everybody is to look up to! We are all equal in his sight! It doesn't matter what he's called us to do, we are all part of the body of Christ! He condemned those types of folks in the Bible. They're called Pharisees and Sadducees! The finger of the body is just as important as the big toe, or the knee, or the lungs, or the eyes, or a hair follicle. Everybody has a part in the body. Everybody has a calling. And I can't find a single scripture where we are told to be sure that calling becomes a Title and our name is to follow right after it!
And one more thing before I get off my soapbox:
Yes God ordained preaching. I'm not belittling that calling. But, while Preaching will save you, TEACHING WILL KEEP YOU SAVED!!! Don't believe me? Read on and you'll see what I mean.
So, today we want to take a look at a group of people that don't get a lot of praise and adoration in most churches: Teachers.
Everybody talks about the "fivefold ministry" in Ephesians 1:11. And yes, 4 of the 5 listed there are preachers of some sort (pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists). These usually get the spotlight, the pats on the back, and (if there's any given) the money. Preachers get all the Glory. Preachers get all the hype.
I contend that this verse should actually be called, the four-fold ministry. Why? Because it says Apostles (semi-colon) Prophets (semicolon) Evangelists (semicolon) Pastors AND Teachers (no separation of any kind between the two. In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "Apt to teach." (2 Timothy 2:24) Even Bishops are told to be "apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2) So truthfully, "Pastors and Teachers", in my humble opinion is the same office! If you're a pastor, but you can only preach, you need to step down!
In fact, let's break down some new Testament facts:
Matthew through John, we see Jesus ministering and doing miracles. In most places, it doesn't say that he preached. Most of the time it said he taught!!!
Yes, we have preaching in the book of Acts. But, it also tells us that they went from house to house breaking bread (teaching? Acts 2:46), in every house they ceased NOT to teach and to preach Jesus (Acts 5:42), and Paul showed the people and taught both publically and house to house (Acts 20:20).
Then from Romans through Jude, we have letters from the Apostles to CHURCHES and CHURCH PEOPLE teaching them (and us) how to STAY SAVED.
Finally, we have Revelations. It's a book of Prophecy given to the Apostle John to TEACH THE CHURCH ABOUT THINGS TO COME.
Notice a pattern here anybody?
We have 27 books in the New Testament. And nearly ALL of them are almost totally focused on TEACHING!! Preaching is awesome! I love to hear good preaching. I do preach myself sometimes. Preaching has an awesome place in the economy of God. But, my point is that TEACHING IS EVERY BIT AS NECESSARY AS PREACHING!! If you're called to teach the word of God, don't hang your head and act as if you're a secondary citizen in the kingdom of God. Be honored that God has called you into an awesome and necessary ministry!
There is a famine of the word of God in the land- worldwide. And it's not because of preaching. It's a lack of teaching!!
There are different ways to teach.
Some are called to go from house to house and teach Bible studies. There is such a need to do this! Many people won't go to the house of God, but they will accept a Bible study in their own home. Do it with wisdom. The enemy has many traps out there. But, there are ways to do it and do it well. Indeed, those safe ways need to be taught!
Some can lead small group studies in their own home. What do you think the Apostles were doing when they went from house to house teaching? And there are many good ways to do that!
I contend that this verse should actually be called, the four-fold ministry. Why? Because it says Apostles (semi-colon) Prophets (semicolon) Evangelists (semicolon) Pastors AND Teachers (no separation of any kind between the two. In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "Apt to teach." (2 Timothy 2:24) Even Bishops are told to be "apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2) So truthfully, "Pastors and Teachers", in my humble opinion is the same office! If you're a pastor, but you can only preach, you need to step down!
In fact, let's break down some new Testament facts:
Matthew through John, we see Jesus ministering and doing miracles. In most places, it doesn't say that he preached. Most of the time it said he taught!!!
Yes, we have preaching in the book of Acts. But, it also tells us that they went from house to house breaking bread (teaching? Acts 2:46), in every house they ceased NOT to teach and to preach Jesus (Acts 5:42), and Paul showed the people and taught both publically and house to house (Acts 20:20).
Then from Romans through Jude, we have letters from the Apostles to CHURCHES and CHURCH PEOPLE teaching them (and us) how to STAY SAVED.
Finally, we have Revelations. It's a book of Prophecy given to the Apostle John to TEACH THE CHURCH ABOUT THINGS TO COME.
Notice a pattern here anybody?
We have 27 books in the New Testament. And nearly ALL of them are almost totally focused on TEACHING!! Preaching is awesome! I love to hear good preaching. I do preach myself sometimes. Preaching has an awesome place in the economy of God. But, my point is that TEACHING IS EVERY BIT AS NECESSARY AS PREACHING!! If you're called to teach the word of God, don't hang your head and act as if you're a secondary citizen in the kingdom of God. Be honored that God has called you into an awesome and necessary ministry!
There is a famine of the word of God in the land- worldwide. And it's not because of preaching. It's a lack of teaching!!
There are different ways to teach.
Some are called to go from house to house and teach Bible studies. There is such a need to do this! Many people won't go to the house of God, but they will accept a Bible study in their own home. Do it with wisdom. The enemy has many traps out there. But, there are ways to do it and do it well. Indeed, those safe ways need to be taught!
Some can lead small group studies in their own home. What do you think the Apostles were doing when they went from house to house teaching? And there are many good ways to do that!
In the church building, there are different ways as well.
Sunday Schools are very important, but most don't do it right, I believe.
It used to be that Churches took teaching seriously. Teachers didn't use the Sunday School curriculum. Rather, they had their Bibles out. They studied and prayed until the Lord gave them a lesson for their class. Then, when they got the message, they prayed for ways to teach those lessons to their students that would reach into the student's hearts and impact their lives!
There are people in our churches that have expertise in areas that are needful:
Titus 2 tells us that Godly older women are to teach younger women about marriage and family and living for God. It also says Godly older men are to teach the younger men about marriage and family and living for God. And it doesn't have to be the same older saints teaching them. It can be rotated around. After all, different older people have gone through different experiences and have valuable Biblical insight into these topics they can pass on.
While we do not all agree on every topic, there are folks that know scriptures well. They can teach others what they've learned through prayer, study, and experience how to teach folks about Salvation, the Godhead, Holiness, etc.
If you have musicians and singers that know how to teach music to younger folks, and you have the facilities to do it, what's wrong with teaching them at church? It can be done during Sunday School, or at some other time. But, it needs to be taught.
Some folks could teach end-time theology. Yes, there are differing views on the subject, but what's wrong with teaching each of these views and letting the saints pray and see how God leads?
Some could even teach how to study scripture itself! Different teachers could rotate through, explaining what works for them. After all, people learn differently. Eventually, somebody's way of studying is bound to click with them.
There are many, many subjects, specialty classes, etc that can be taught that could help the church family to progress in their homes and in the family of God. God's house has many rooms. If people aren't taught about all this stuff (the gifts of the spirit and their Biblical explanations and use, the fruits of the spirit and how we learn to bear fruit, new converts classes to explain the basic doctrines of Christianity, the different callings and giftings that scripture teaches so that folks maybe can see the direction God is leading them, and on and on!
How many churches are doing these kinds of things? I understand that some do not have the facilities or the people to do all of this. But, pray about it! Some of these things can be done! And more can be added as the Lord allows in the future.
And while I'm on the subject, just because you're a pastor or prophet or Apostle, or evangelist doesn't mean a) you can't teach some of this stuff and b) you don't need to be taught some of this stuff yourself!
While there is great preaching in the land, there is also bad preaching in the land. Teaching, along with prayer and personal study, will allow us to recognize bad preaching and bad teaching when we hear it. That way, we can consciously reject the bad and keep the good.
Pastor Jeff Arnold tells his testimony of how he was trying to find God years ago. He and his wife were in a denominal church. But, because his wife had grown up in a godly Apostolic Aunts home, she was able to warn Brother Jeff off of bad doctrine and point him to true doctrine.
Because a SUNDAY SCHOOL teacher had a burden and taught sister Arnold truth, Brother Arnold would later be born again and their ministry would impact millions of lives!
Teaching is too important to leave to chance. Teaching is too important to leave to organizational Sunday School books. It must be done in prayer, sometimes fasting, and personal Bible study so that the TEACHER can get a lesson and anointing from God! Only then will it be Biblical teaching. And only then will it have an impact on the students that they teach.
Why do people think it's okay to be gay? The world teaches them it is- and the church doesn't teach that it's evil! Some do, but many don't.
Why do people think it's okay to watch whatever they want, read whatever they want, listen to whatever they want, wear whatever they want, sleep with whomever they want, etc? The world teaches them it's okay- but many churches don't teach them it's not!
To change and paraphrase what I heard Pastor Wayne Huntley say in a sermon called, "Preach them out of hell:" TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACHER!!! " We need to teach them so that they will stay out of hell!
So please, church, please! PLEASE return back to actually praying, studying, and teaching the word of God! Please do not take your calling as a teacher lightly. It means the difference between heaven and hell for some of your students.
Remember, Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!!!
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