The Ephesians 4 Mandate

I love to play with kids. Their energy and enthusiasm in life makes me enjoy being in their presence. I also enjoy teaching them stuff, a lot of stuff, which later on they'd tell their parents about it. Spending time with them taught me to be more patient and be more mindful on how to teach lessons they can bring when they grow older.

Such is the way for anyone teaching in the prophetic. We are coming into a new season wherein believers are experiencing breakthroughs in their life, especially in their spiritual walk with the Lord. And it is important that in this great move of God, those whom the Lord has called to equip and train others must fully understand the importance of "baby steps".

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." – Ephesians 4: 11-13

Let us take note of a few things that Paul mentioned to the church in Ephesus about the role of the five-fold ministers in the church should do. Here are a few things we can learn from it:

1. To Equip The Church For Service

"to equip his people for works of service…"

God placed men of authority over us to equip us for service. Whether we like it or not, men in position will hold the responsibility to train them, teach them to grow in their walk with the Lord and soon, be on his service.

Sad to say, there are only a few churches in the Philippines who are fully accustomed to this kind of mindset. Many of the churches here would focus on discipleship and evangelism but not on training and equipping.

Now, some of you might think that training is part of discipleship. I strongly believe that discipleship is different from training someone. I'd like to call our discipleship programs at church "grade school" level and the equipping as "high school" level wherein we allow them to flourish and apply what they're learning.

2. Build Up The Church's Faith, Knowledge and Maturity

"so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature..."

I enjoy going to other church's service, fellowship with other believers and just have fun. It's one way to build relationships and in fulfilling the call of Ephesians 4:11 which is to build up the whole body of believers. The 5 fold ministers are called to bring unity for maturity and growth for the bride of Christ. Let us consider our ways that we might fully understand why each other differs from our giftings, calling and even ministry styles.

It doesn't mean that since others are doing it differently, their ways are in error and questionable. God's uniqueness allows us to flourish freely, in the way He created his church to be.

It's this diversity that makes the body authentic and effective. God's main goal to bring in different gifts in the body of Christ to build people up and boost their confidence, grow in their relationship with the Lord, in their own giftings and ministry calling. 

3. For the Church To Attain Christ-likeness In Its Full Measure

"attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ..."

God intended the church to grow and become like Christ, the groom. He has set an example for the disciples to follow. We must follow in their footsteps as well. The only way to reach the fullness of our Christian life is when we unite, grow and understand our maker better and mature through the working of the Holy Spirit.

It all boils down back to those who are placed on top. The five fold ministers are called to minister in their capacity to bring unity and not chaos, to build up and establish Christ's kingdom work and not build their own ministries and to attain Christ-likeness and not our own selfish woes and ambitions.

Why talk about Ephesians 4 as an introduction to the prophetic?

Because it is important to understand that we are called to equip the saints, bring balance to the work of the kingdom and draw men and women to Christ, stir them up for service and work their way up for ministry.

And like kids, they will only do what they are told to do. They will only follow what the older folks are doing and they will only understand when they grow older. Unless the church fully understands that there is more than just what church does, it should make disciples who works,moves and is activated in the same way as what Acts records.

May the Lord continue to raise up leaders and ministers who has the heart of Christ and desire to bring unity in the whole body of believers. May we all be counted for such a time as this!