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Daily Devotions
A systematic reading of the Scriptures, portioned to complement your daily time spent with God.Pastoral Letters
- Meditation
A weekly pastoral column that complements the pulpit messages and bimonthly theme. - Grace Works
A weekly pastoral letter to minister to young adults, inspired by the grace of God. - Youth Walk
A weekly pastoral letter written to encourage young people in their daily walk with God. - Parenting by the Book
A series from the Book of Proverbs that teaches us how to bring up children and build good Christian homes. Study Notes
- Morning Worship Messages
Message notes from every Sunday’s Morning Worship with a common bimonthly theme. - Evening-Bilingual Worship Messages
Message notes from every Sunday’s Evening-Bilingual Worship with a common bimonthly theme. - Prayer Meeting Notes
Notes from our weekly Monday Prayer Meetings - Bible Study Notes
Notes from our weekly Tuesday Bible Study - Senior Sunday School 4 Notes
Notes from Pastor Charles’ Sunday School class - Combined Sunday School Notes
Message notes from Combined Sunday School focusing on the Life and Teachings of Christ Jesus - Young Adults’ Group Messages
Message notes from our weekly Young Adults’ Group meetings. - Young People’s Group Messages
Message notes from our weekly Young People’s Group meetings. - Family Camp Messages
Message notes from our annual family camps where different themes are explored every year. - Spiritual & YAG Retreat Messages
Message notes from our biannual Spiritual & YAG Retreats that serve to instruct, correct and regenerate. - Youth Conference Messages
Message notes from our annual youth conferences where young people learn the relevance of faith. - Intermediate Sunday School
Message notes from the Intermediate Sunday School
Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
Text: Ephesians 4:12
SAINTS EQUIPPED FOR THE MINISTRY
As the believer grows in his knowledge of Christ and in his faith, he soon discovers many other things. He learns much about “the work of the ministry”. The infant Church in Jerusalem found its hands full with the following challenges (Cf. Acts 2:41-47). The ministry is perhaps more easily seen when it is delineated.
1. The work of reaching out to the multitude [Acts 2:37-40 (work of the evangelist)]
2. Preparing and baptizing believers [Acts 2:41 (teaching ministry)]
3. Further instruction of new believers [Acts 2:42 (laying of foundation)]
4. Fellowship among the brethren [Acts 2:42 (pastoral care)]
5. Prayer [Acts 2:42 (pastoral care)]
6. Caring for each other (practical concerns) [Acts 2:44-45 (pastoral care)]
CHALLENGES OF THE MINISTRY
It seems natural to do all of the above. However, the practical reality is quite different. Strife could occur and that could threaten the stability of the Church. Such an incident occurred in the fledgling Jerusalem Church.
In their desire to look after the physical needs of widows, there a problem arose. There was discrimination against the Greek speaking Jews. The Hebrew speaking Jews neglected the Greek speaking Jews in their daily distribution of food.
Peter, the leading apostle in the Jerusalem Church stood up and suggested that specially equipped saints be found to help them in this ministry.
It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God
and serve tables.
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men
of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to
the ministry of the word.
ACTS 6:2-4
Peter highlighted the kind of “equipped saints” the Church would need. Three things were pre-requisites. They are still relevant and vital for ministry today.