A Church Leader that Stands as God’s Masterpiece (Ephesians 4:6-12) 12/18/2022
The 24 Answer of the 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
A Church Leader that Stands as God’s Masterpiece (Ephesians 4:6-12) 12/18/2022
God desires to make the lives of His saved people into a masterpiece. That is His absolute reason for saving us, being with us, answering us, and blessing us. He desires us to glorify His church and save the 237 nations and the future generations. That is his absolute goal that he desires to fulfill by forming us into His masterpieces.
God created life to be that way from the beginning. He created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27), He poured over His power on us (Genesis 2:7) and blessed every home and every work of mankind (Genesis 2:8-18).
Genesis 3 caused mankind to completely lose this blessing. They became deceived by Satan, the authority of darkness (Genesis 3:1-4), fell into arrogance that led to crimes (Genesis 3:5), their relationship with God was severed (Genesis 3:6-8), and lost everything that God had given them. God sent his son to restore this lost blessing. That is salvation.
There are three powers that God gives to the saved people.
First, it is the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). He freed us from all curses and made us someone that will enjoy God-given blessings.
Second, it is the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). We are no longer weak and lacking. God will make us witnesses to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Everything and anything will become evidence.
Third, it is the power of light (Isaiah 60:1-7). It doesn’t matter if the darkness covers the earth. The moment we received Christ who came as the light, we became a child of light that possess the power of light. We will save people, finances, and the church. It will be a masterpiece of light. The lay leaders are the ones who will be the model of this blessing and be used by God. Starting next week, we must raise new lay leaders. If the Lay leaders become the masterpiece of the gospel, masterpiece of the Holy Spirit, and the masterpiece of light first, they will be able to save everything.
- What is the beginning of a Church leader? It is the position itself that God gives through his grace.
1) He is the Father of all creation, He is above all creation, and He is among all creation as the triune God (6).
① Whether the lay leaders are raised through appointments or votes, whatever the method, they happen with God’s permission. That is why the church must pray with the faith that all things that go on in the church happen within God’s sovereignty.
② When Jesus appointed His 12 disciples, he prayed all night and chose the 12 (Luke 6:12-16). When the Mark’s Upper Room appointed Matthias over Judas, they did so by a lottery (Acts 1:26). When they chose their deacons, the congregation cast a vote (Acts 6:5). Whatever the outcome, they believed in God’s sovereignty and became united.
2) A position that gets filled that way is a gift of grace that only God gives (7). Since it is given by God, there is nothing to be arrogant or boastful about. We must all live in deep humbleness and thanksgiving. Salvation was given to us as a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). It does not come from our deeds or efforts. The grace and answers we will receive is also God’s grace. Evangelist Paul lived his entire life with this confession (1 Corinthians 15:10). Satan makes us lose hold of this grace. We mistakenly think that we can either do something, or we can’t do anything.
3) The blessing of blessings that a lay leader who is raised this way will enjoy is the blessing of the Throne.
① When Christ ascended into heaven, he gave each person a position as a gift (8).
Even now, the one who ascended into heaven is the one who blesses all lay leaders that Christ appointed.
② The blessing of the Triune God, the Throne, and the blessing of saving the 3 ages will come upon us. The specific content is the 3,9,3 prayer. A Church leader can lack many things. However, if they enjoy the deepest of things of prayer, everything will stem from it (blessing of Tower).
- This is the blessing that the Church leaders that arise this way will enjoy. The masterpiece of the Church leader is what comes from it.
1) There are many Church leaders in the church. The Triune God has raised some people as priests, some as evangelists who proclaim the gospel, some as pastors, and some as teachers in the Bible (12). Not only elders, deacons, and encouragers are lay leaders of the church. All people who carry out the important works of God in the church are lay leaders. Because they need to do important errands in the church, they must receive important blessings and answers. They will have no choice but to become God’s masterpiece.
2) God desires for all Church leaders to become three masterpieces (12).
God desires for the Church leaders themselves to become the best masterpiece before God (rightful masterpiece). “This position makes us whole.” It is talking about the grace and answers that Church leaders themselves will enjoy. How can we do God’s work when we are so lacking? It is hard to even do work in this world. Therefore, when we go forth looking for God’s grace all the more, He will give us all the wisdom, power, and strength to handle all things (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
② With that spiritual gift, God desires us to become masterpieces to serve all congregations (necessary masterpiece). It says, “to equip his people for works of service.” People who do “service” are called the “servants” (Colossians 1:23, 25). They are not people who are served or demand things of others. They think of what the congregation may need before others and serve them. They notice what the church members may need and have the heart to help quietly. To show this posture, Jesus washed the dirty feet of his disciples (John 13:14). There are individuals that discover what others need before anyone else and serve according to the needs. They become acknowledged, and they succeed.
③ Through me, the masterpiece of the entire church standing firmly will be established (absolute masterpiece). “So that the body of Christ may be built up.” There is no reason for the church to shake or crumble.
- There are three missions that the Church leaders and the church, that is the body of Christ, must be strengthened to carry out. From there, the conclusion of the Church leader and the future of the church is revealed. There are three courtyards that must be restored within the temple.
1) Courtyard of the gentiles. Within the church, all people of all nations must come together as one and share their strength. The Israelites of the Old Testament lost hold of this, so they became slaves and captives of the gentiles.
2) Courtyard of the children. We are preparing the future for our remnants (the ones who remained, the ones who remain, the ones who will remain, and the ones who will leave behind), who are the future generations. Therefore, we are told not to treat children harshly (Mark 10:13-14). It is because they are the future of God’s Kingdom and the future of the church. We will start the summit school in the new year. All churches and lay leaders should try to pray, devote themselves with their talents, and support them through offering.
3) Courtyard of prayer. The mystery by which the church is strengthened is the power of prayer (Pastor Charles Spurgeon and his co-workers in prayer). All there for the congregation and lay leaders to do when they gather is pray, and all there is to do when they disperse is evangelize. Everything will become a masterpiece.
Conclusion – Have you been facing many problems throughout the year? It was God’s time schedule and process in which he makes you a masterpiece. Many new lay leaders will be appointed and raised. May all congregation and Church leaders become established as God’s masterpiece.