Growing Up

He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. Ephesians 4:11-13

Where do we find all of these? In the local church and if not all in the local church in visiting ministries.

All have something to give and all are necessary for maturity. Without the evangelist churches become insular, without the prophet they lose vision, without a teacher they do not understand the word, without pastors they live wrong, without the apostle they are not lead, churches are not planted.

God's plans is that we reach maturity and unity. If this does not happen then we are dysfunctional. God is all about balance, unity, growth and maturity.

The measure is Christ's fullness. In Him all the above attributes were displayed. Jesus was the great evangelist, teacher, preacher, prophet and the first of many (apostle). Knowing him brought maturity and fullness. We can see this in Acts. The foolish Peter became an apostle, Phillip was an evangelist, John a prophetic teacher, Matthew wrote a gospel and taught, and the list goes on.

A complete, mature person shines, attracts, blesses those in their world. Whole Christians do great exploits, are stable, fruitful and a joy to have around. Amen!