Equipping: Introduction
Speaker: Steve Little (Pastor)
Date: July 20, 2025
Equipping: Introduction
Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Hebrews 13:7-9 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Definitions of each of these servants that are to equip the saints (each believer, holy ones set apart) for ministry.
• Apostles (apostolos) – One who is sent out
• Prophets (prophētēs) – To speak for, to interpret, or to foretell
• Evangelists (euangelistes) – Bringer of good tidings or one who announces good news
• Pastors (poimenas) – This Greek word is almost always translated ‘shepard
• Teachers (didaskalous) – To impart knowledge – Teach about God and the duties of man
As I meditated on each of these it just became clear that each of the function was the essence and rhythm of Jesus’ life. Let’s take a look at who He exuded these in His life.
Jesus
· Apostle – One who is sent out
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He sent
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him…
This verse highlights Jesus's unique role as both a messenger sent by God and the one who mediates between God and humanity.
So, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
· Prophet - To speak for, to interpret, or to foretell
John 7:37-41 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Therefore, many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.”
Read Matthew 24: Ponder the prophesies that Jesus gave. Some fulfilled, such as the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, but some yet to be fulfilled.
· Evangelist – Bringer of good tidings or one who announces good news
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
· Pastor – This Greek word is almost always translated ‘Shepard’
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
· Teacher – To impart knowledge – Teach about God and the duties of man
John 13:12-15 So, when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
What about today
· Apostles – One who is sent out
Most of the Christian community today does not understand the function of apostle to be necessary any longer. In scripture there is not given qualifications that were lined out for apostles as it was for other functions of the church. Some church bodies may in good faith choose to still name certain leaders apostles. The word “apostle” is used in different ways in the New Testament: (1) for the Twelve disciples originally appointed by Jesus (and later Matthias); (2) for the Twelve plus Paul and a larger group (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) whose exact numbers are somewhat uncertain; and (3) for others such as Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25) and the unnamed “brothers” Paul wrote about (2 Corinthians 8:23).
Contemporary apostles, of course, will not have seen or been commissioned by the risen Lord in the manner of the “apostles of Jesus Christ,” nor will they be adding their teachings to the canon of Scripture. Presumably they will demonstrate the other marks of an apostle taught in the New Testament.
Today’s missionaries are as close to the ministry of the apostle. They go to those who, where there are no established churches of Christ, share Christ and establish churches.
But we need to remember that we, the church, are the sent-out ones. We have this role in us.
· Prophets - To speak for, to interpret, or to foretell
The New Testament does not make provisions for establishing the prophet in a hierarchical governing structure of the church; in fact, the content of prophecy itself should always be tested by and responsible to the superior authority of Scripture. However, the church should long for authentic prophecy with a message, which is relevant to contemporary needs and subject to the authority of Scripture.
Remember when we as the church talk about Jesus and the return of Christ we are prophesying.
Revelation 19:10 states: ‘And I (the apostle John) fell at his (an angel) feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
· Evangelists – Bringer of good tidings or one who announces good news
Acts 21:7-8 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
Acts 8:34-37 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
· Pastors – This Greek word is almost always translated ‘Shepard’
1 Peter 5:1-3 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock….
· Teachers – To impart knowledge – Teach about God and the duties of man
Acts 18:26-28 So, he (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Servanthood is more important that titles. Titles can become a form of pride. A title does not make the person or the ministry. Jesus said this in Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Benediction Scripture
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
