Lesson 13

Christ’s Gifts to the Church pt.3

I. The Evangelic Ministry

     In the 31st chapter of 1 Samuel we find a story concerning the proclamation of good news. Upon a low barren range of mountains neighboring the valley of Esdraelon on the east, the Philistines proved to be far too mighty for the men of Israel on that dismal day. Though Saul and his sons fought with valor and skill, they were ultimately outmatched on that fateful mountain, Gilboa. The King of Israel watched in horror as his sons were dispatched. In desperation and defeat, Saul deprives the aggressors from taking his life by taking his own. How is this good news? Well, certainly it wasn’t glad tidings for the Jews. We hear the mourning of that multitude who poignantly feels the shockwaves of failure. We hear the song of mourning painfully pieced together by David (2 Sam 1:19-27). He laments that mountain and mourns the passing of his closest friend, Jonathan. However, one man’s buffeting is another’s blessing. At the news of Saul’s defeat, cities were abandoned by the Jews and taken over by the Philistines. In a heinous display and amongst a chorus of cheer, the weapons and body parts of Saul were sent throughout Philistia by a select group as a proclamation of good news for this people.

     I believe that this story illustrates something pertaining to our study of Christ’s Gifts to the Church. In Ephesians 4, we learned of that regal procession surrounding our Lord’s resurrection. Paul elsewhere brings further elucidation to this victorious procession by affirming that Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities,” making “a public display of them, having triumphed over them” (Col. 2:15). Much like the events that transpired on Gilboa, we see a stunning defeat of another kingdom upon another mountain, Calvary. A crushing blow was inflicted upon the kingdom of darkness as the head of this kingdom perishes upon his sword. With this wooden weapon, Satan intends to defeat the Son of God while failing to see that this cross is the sword upon which he would perish. So blinded by his pride, Satan is unable to discern that God is using him in part to bestow freedom to the very mass of people he had voraciously enslaved. Completely foiled! Utter shame! Envision him reeling in the ignominy of complete and utter failure. Can you hear how the festive songs of darkness are changed in an instance to screams of distress as Christ triumphantly cries from the tree, “Paid in full.” As the veil is rent in two in the temple, simultaneously the kingdom of darkness feels the forceful hands of the omnipotent tearing it asunder. The minions of darkness who made their homes in the lives of the unredeemed are seen fleeing from what has become the dwelling of God.

     What a glorious day! Yet, the glorious procession hasn’t stopped. In fact, this banner of victory has been uniquely carried from Christ’s empty tomb three days later until this very day by a very special group of people: the evangelists. As our Lord took into captivity a host of captives, he gave us ‘evangelists’ to make this known in a powerful way. Like the select people found in 1 Samuel, they are commissioned to go throughout the world and proclaim this incisive victory. They go, bearing in their lives, Satan’s broken grip from their lives. It is the job of the evangelist to declare the “good news” of Christ’s death and resurrection, so as to progressively up root the diabolical occupation of a routed foe. How wonderful is the news that God’s reign now includes his gracious rulership over a lost people! In the words of Isaiah, “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, "Your God reigns" (52:7)!

II. The Pastoral Ministry

     Whereas evangelists are typically itinerant, pastors are stationary. While evangelists gather people into the fold, pastors guard the fold. Using terminology normally applied to sheep is fitting, seeing the word ‘pastor’ simply means ‘shepherd.’ Pastors are to the church what shepherds are to sheep. Although this parallel isn’t terribly flattering, nonetheless it is fitting. Sheep are among the sort of animals to be most pitied. Within the animal kingdom, they are among the easiest prey. They have no speed with which to escape the pursuit of a carnivore. They don’t have teeth or nails sharp enough to ward off the crushing jaws of adversaries. They don’t have the intelligence to stave off normally avoidable dangers like falling in a ditch or wandering from the fold. These creatures depend on the shepherd for their existence. The fact of the matter is that Christians have similar traits. Instead of running from danger, we aimlessly run headlong into it; we wander from the flock and place ourselves at grave risk. Our speed is often minimal; our discernment is often clouded; our defense is often non-existent; our need for a shepherd is manifestly clear. It is because of our weak disposition that Christ took on the role as the Chief Shepherd, implementing certain individuals within his fold to tend his fold.

1Peter 1:1-4, “1 ¶ Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

     If you would, pastors are the instruments of the Good Shepherd. They are the ‘rod’ with which Christ beats away pernicious predators; they are the ‘staff’ with which Christ delivers snared saints; they are His arms which gather into green pastures and the hands that anoint our heads. Pastors are his body laid in the protective posture at the gate of the sheep fold. His voice is heard through theirs; His heart felt by us through their hearts. These individuals are gifts to us by Christ for our continuity of successful Christian living upon this earth.

III. The Teaching Ministry

     Finally, we open the fifth present given to us by God for our growth: Teachers. As we unwrap this last present, we find a group of people gifted by God to unwrap spiritual truths. We find an apt example from Ezra and his men. It is said that they, “explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. And they read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading” (Neh 8:7&8). These men took truths which were inaccessible to the crowd, and brought it down to a level where they could process it and apply it. You may liken this gift to a big brother who reaches the cookies on a high shelf and brings the treats down to the level of his little brother. He is now able to devour what was previously inaccessible to him.

     This sums up our study of Christ’s gifts to the Church. We have seen the five presents opened by the church after Jesus’ resurrection: apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors; teachers.

Possible Discussion Questions

1. How are these five ministries often intermixed or interdependent upon one another?

2. Why is the success of evangelism dependant upon pastors? In other words, why is it necessary for new converts to be turned over by the evangelist to the pastor?

3. In light of our status as sheep, in what practical ways are we dependant upon our pastors?

4. What are some unhealthy examples of pastoral dependence? Discuss Peter’s admonition to pastors on this issue.

5. Why is ‘teaching’ the backbone of the previous four gifts?

6. As with all the gifts we will be reviewing, reflect upon the role of gifted individuals to develop their gifts.