Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry (Follow)
Speaker: Steve Little (Pastor)
Date: September 21, 2025
Scripture Reading
John 5:19-20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry
Follow
Over the last month and half or so, we have been looking at the scriptures with “Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry” as a focal point. We see in the scriptures that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teacher to equip us for ministry.
Equip meaning, complete furnishing, preparing, and making something perfectly whole or ready for its intended purpose, similar to how someone would mend fishing nets or set broken bones.
The scriptures bare out that these gifts, God has given to the church, are not to lead people to themselves but to Christ. Throughout history they let mankind know that there is a living God that wants a personal relationship with them and how they live that out from day to day,
We saw that God Himself equipped us with a way to have a personal relationship with Him.
We saw that He brought us in to a new kingdom. His kingdom here on earth. Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We saw that we do not have to live this life out by ourselves but equipped us with His Spirit to be with us and in us, plus He gave us others to walk it out, that entity called the church.
Teaching Points
· Jesus Followed
· The Early Christians Followed
· Our Call to Follow Today
When we open the pages of the Gospels, one truth stands out about Jesus: He lived every moment in obedience to His Father. He did not come to do His own will, or chase after His own desires. He came to follow God’s will.
In John 6:38, Jesus says, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.”
That obedience led Him all the way to the cross. Philippians 2:8 tells us, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Because of His obedience, salvation has been opened to us. His obedience is not only the foundation of our faith — it is also the model for our lives.
But here’s the question: How do we, in this day and age, actually follow Jesus in obedience? Let’s look at how Jesus was obedient to the Father and how the early Christians — the men and women of the 2nd and 3rd centuries — lived out their faith.
· Jesus Followed:
Let’s start with Jesus Himself.
In John 5:30 (from our scripture reading today), Jesus says, “I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent me.”
Read John 1:1-14
Imagine that. The Son of God, equal with the Father, humbling Himself to obey. He chose the Father’s will over His own.
This wasn’t begrudging obedience. It wasn’t forced. It was out of love. Jesus trusted the Father so completely that He could say “not my will, but Yours be done” in the garden of Gethsemane.
And if we call ourselves His disciples, then obedience is not optional — it is the very mark of being a follower of Christ.
· The Early Christians Followed
In reading about the early church, those believers to Jesus’ call to follow seriously.
Jesus told His disciples to remember this, “If they hated Me, they will hate you also”. Welcome to following Jeus.
The Roman world was often hostile toward them. They were misunderstood, mocked, and persecuted. Yet their lives shone with a love and faithfulness that even their enemies had to admit was remarkable.
· Tertullian, a Christian writer around the year 200, recorded what pagans said when they looked at the church:
“See how they love one another.
” That was their reputation. Not their buildings, not their numbers, not their power — but their love.”
· Ignatius of Antioch, a bishop who lived in the early 2nd century, urged his people:
“Let us not merely be called Christians, but actually be Christians.”
What did he mean? He meant that following Jesus could not just be a name we wear. It had to be a life we live.
· Justin Martyr who lived between 100-165 AD wrote to the Roman emperor:
“We who formerly hated and murdered one another now live together and share the same table, and we pray for our enemies and try to win over those who hate us without just cause.”
· Origen (c. 184–253 AD) Defending Christianity against the critic Celsus:
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind by either country, speech, or customs… but they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but as sojourners… They love all men, and are persecuted by all.”
These early believers worshiped faithfully, cared for the poor, and even forgave their persecutors. They understood that obedience to Christ meant laying down their lives daily in love.
And you know what, that’s why the church grew. People didn’t join because Christianity was easy or comfortable. They joined because they saw a people living like Jesus.
So, that leads us to today’s church.
· Our Call to Follow Today
Let’s bring it home to us. We live in a culture that prizes comfort, convenience, and self-expression.
But let’s see the characteristics of Christ and what He expected His church to look live out.
Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
1. Self-Denial and Cross-Bearing
Following Jesus means surrendering personal desires and being willing to endure sacrifice for His sake.
2. Love for Jesus Above All Else
Matthew 10:37–38 – “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…”
A true follower puts Jesus first, above relationships, possessions, and even self-preservation.
3. Obedience to His Commands
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Following Christ is demonstrated by living in obedience, not just in words or feelings.
4. Love for Others
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Genuine discipleship is marked by sacrificial, forgiving, and active love.
5. Abiding in His Word
John 8:31 – “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
Followers of Jesus shape their lives by Scripture, allowing His teaching to direct their path.
6. Bearing
15:8 – “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Spiritual fruit is evidence of following Him.
7. Willingness to Suffer
2 Timothy 3:12 – “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
A disciple accepts that following Christ may involve opposition, ridicule, or hardship.
8. Living by Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Following Jesus requires trust in Him even when the path isn’t clear.
9. Humility and Servanthood
Mark 10:43–45 – “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
But Jesus still says the same thing today as He said long ago
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
If Jesus following His Father’s will went to the cross, where should we expect to go?
If Jesus laid down His rights, how can we cling so tightly to ours?
If Jesus loved even His enemies, can we justify hating ours?
The early Christians had no illusions. To follow Christ meant obedience — costly obedience.
And yet — it was joyful obedience. Because they knew the One they followed.
That is the same call for us today. To love in such a way that the world takes notice. To live in such a way that people say,
“There goes someone who truly follows Jesus.”
