(Audio/Video/Text)
Title: Five Roles
Intro:(Today’s message may stretch two Sundays, depending on how the discussion goes….it’s a six pager…)
Story of how Ben was called to the ministry in the Fall of 1997.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…” (NKJV)
In the verse we will be looking at today, we will see four offices or roles that Jesus “gave himself” over so that these men could do the work that they were called to do.
The first point I want to make, therefore, before we even get into the unique specifics of each role, is that Jesus died, not only so that we might avoid the penalty of sin, but also so that we could actually LIVE in the sense that now our lives inhibit a much larger purpose and role that we are called to.
Now, this list that we see here is not exhaustive, there are many other roles not listed here that are also callings and gifts of the holy spirit. Paul’s point is not to provide a comprehensive list of Chrisitan giftings or duties, but rather to remind the Church that Christ’s death was indeed with purpose, even beyond the forgiveness of sins.
In essence, Paul is reminding us that Christ died so that we may discover our role/roles in the furtherance of HIS kingdom and find a joy in that pursuit that is singular.
So let’s look at each of these callings and their unique characteristics:
“Apostles”
Greek: apostolos
Definition: 1. a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
2. specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
This is the most specific and limited of the roles Paul mentions, Generally, we understand the term “apostle” to mean one who was directly commissioned by Christ.
Here’s a fun trivia question: How many Apostles are there in scripture?
(Hint: there are actually three correct answers)
(12, 13, 14 depending on your view of Paul, Matthais, and Judas)
“Prophets”
Greek: prophētēs
Definition:
In Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things
one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation
The OT prophets, having foretold the kingdom, deeds and death, of Jesus the Messiah.
of John the Baptist, the herald of Jesus the Messiah
of the illustrious prophet, the Jews expected before the advent of the Messiah
of men filled with the Spirit of God, who by God’s authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men
of prophets that appeared in the apostolic age among Christians
they are associated with the apostles
they discerned and did what is best for the Christian cause, foretelling certain future events. (Acts 11:27)
in the religious assemblies of the Christians, they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, having power to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, and stimulate, their hearers
a poet (because poets were believed to sing under divine inspiration)
of Epimenides (Tit. 1:12)
So I think we can all agree that the calling of “Prophet” is much larger than maybe we realized, amen? But, for the sake of practical application, let me give you an outline of a person who I believe is rightly called a modern day, “Prophet”.
He is local, his name is not important, some of you may know him, but I don’t want to out him, lest you all start calling and pestering him about what lotto numbers to play.
(Description of RP and specifically his ability to see, lead, and communicate a vision years before they happened, all while being humble to the Scriptures, the counsel of others, and the Holy Spirit)
Evangelists
Greek: euangelistēs
Definition:
1. a bringer of good tidings, an evangelist
2. the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles
This is the first of these listed roles that I would argue is universal and specific.
Help me out with this:
In what ways are we ALL called to be evangelists?
1. The Great Commission applies to us all
2. We are never “off the clock” as ambassadors
3. We have specific contacts because of family, jobs, neighborhoods, and interests/hobbies
4. Others?
But I would also argue, that while we are all called to some type of evangelism in everyday life, there are some who are extremely gifted in this area of making connections and sharing the good news.
One of them is with us today, Dan Phillip. (Story of the Redeemer picnic)
Now Dan, be honest, do you think your ability as an evangelist is a gift, or a learned skill, or both?
Pastors
Greek: poimēn
Definition:
a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow
the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church
of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
As I alluded to in my opening story of how I was called to the ministry, this is a very special thing to me. And, it may surprise you to hear that I am sometimes angry at people who refer to themselves as “pastor” or “reverend”
(Here are four examples of what gets my ire up: Dude who married Cole, political leaders with the moniker “Rev.”, someone who decides to go to seminary and become a minister, frankly, someone who decides to leave the ministry.)
Anyone else share this anger?
Essentially I take this role very seriously, not because it was the role I was assigned, but because I do not believe it’s available to everyone.
I take this duty very seriously, it is the greatest honor I have ever been given, I am so unworthy of the title, the office, and mostly, I am so unworthy of you. I have no right to be here. I have no skill to be here, and the fact that I have spent 23 years at this church, 19 of them as the Shepherd, makes we astonished that God could use this blob of idiocy for
“Teachers”
Greek: didaskalos
Definition:
a teacher
in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so
the teachers of the Jewish religion
of those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist, Jesus
by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation
of the apostles, and of Paul
of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit
of false teachers among Christians
I am going to take the position, that, even more so than the role of “evangelist” this is the most universal role on this list.
Why?
(take answers)
We are all given the great responsibility to preach the good news, and then to teach what truth is.
Some are uniquely gifted in teaching, but no believer is excused from it.
How many of you have a handful of favorite pastors, teachers, authors, etc. that you lean on? Who are they?
(Tim Keller while working out, Voddie Baucham while driving for Ben, but I go through seasons)
You ever find that some people recommend people that you just can’t seem to connect with?
Why do you think our personalities tend to gravitate to certain teachers but not others?
I want to then leave you with a $10,000 question:
Look at that last statement again. What does that tell us about US as teachers?
Whether you like it or not, whether you feel qualified or not, YOU are going to be someone’s “go to” teacher. It might be your spouse, your neighbor, your child, your co-worker, but it’s going to be SOMEONE, I promise you!
So BE TRAINED by your “Go To” teachers so that you are worthy of being the “Go TO” teacher for someone else!!!