Thursday, November 21, 2024

Build Up the Body of Christ

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…
– Ephesians 4:11-13

The fivefold ministry office gifts were given to equip the saints of God to do the ministry and to build up the body of Christ. Through these gifts, we are being trained by the Holy Spirit to work within the body of Christ to move, as the Message Bible says in Ephesians 4:13, rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive in Christ.

These gifts are such a blessing to the body of Christ, as they devote their lives to serving the people of God. Whether it be establishing and building churches, preaching the Gospel across the country and around the world, caring for a congregation or teaching a Bible study, these men and women of God are anointed by the Holy Spirit to help the church grow.

Lord, thank You for those You have anointed to serve.

Further Reading

• Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
• James 5:1-20
• Psalm 119:1-16
• Proverbs 28:6-7