CHURCH FOUNDATIONS: CRITICAL!

In building any new building, the most critical first step is to secure a firm foundation. Some houses are built on a slab, while many others are built with a basement foundation. With skyscrapers, the taller the structure, the deeper the foundation needs to be. Because of the height of many modern skyscrapers, the foundation needs to go as deep as they can- often having to reach down and anchor into bedrock.

The Church also needs to have a firm foundation. I’ve seen churches that were built on sand (human ingenuity and expediency) and those on the Rock of Jesus Christ.

Matt. 7:24-27 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Fortunately, when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, He gave the ‘tools’ (people) with which He choose to build His church. These individuals have anointings or ‘Ministry Offices’ commissioned and empowered by our Lord. The Five-Fold Ministry consists of:

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.

“When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”  Notice that it says, “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.  Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”    

 -NLT   Ephesians 4:8-13

 

At a future post, I’ll describe in detail the functions of these Five-Fold Ministers; but for today, these are men or women called from the throne of Jesus to build His disciples.  Often, they are fully employed in ministry activity and usually are recognized as “ordained’ ministers of the gospel.

THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY ARE CALLED TO STEDWARD THE VISION OF THE CHURCH.

 

Note: In a future post I’ll explain how the Five- Fold Ministry are to work as a Team- in mutual respect and submission to each other and their giftings.  

 

One last thought for today; The Lord Jesus also reveals an order of Ministry gifts in the building of His church.

Note: order does not mean order of importance or greater gifting…. but those whose gifting is needed foundationally or first for others to build upon.

Illustration: in building a house, many contractors are involved- but the mason needs to first lay the foundation, then the carpenters, electricians, plumbers etc. add their skill.

 I Corinthians 12 talks about diversity of gifts in the body and also the importance of all gifts working together (like in a human body) to fully express the life and ministry of Jesus.

 BUT THERE IS AN ORDER OF FUNCTION LISTED IN 1st Corinthians 12:28

 

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

 

Foundations are important; I’m so glad Jesus gave us a blueprint!

Gary