God's Program for Church Growth: The Persons 2

God’s program for the growth of His church from Ephesians 4:11-16:

The persons selected for the growth of the church
The plan secured for the growth of the church
The period set for the growth of the church
The purpose stated for the growth of the church
The power supplied for the growth of the church

First, the persons selected for the growth of the church, 11

Because the whole human race was dead in trespasses and sins, God did 3 things:

1. He sovereignly secured a people for Himself
2. He sovereignly made us alive together in Christ
3. He sovereignly reconciled the saved in one body

A. Christ gave apostles to His church

Seven qualifications of an apostle:

#1: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be a Jew
#2: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be personally chosen by Christ
#3: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to have received the gospel directly from Christ
#4: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be a witness of the resurrection
#5: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be personally sent out by Christ as an ambassador
#6: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be personally sent out by Christ to do miracles
#7: An apostle of Jesus Christ had to be called by Jesus to suffer for the gospel
B. Christ gave prophets to His church
Acts 21:10, Acts 13:1
1 Corinthians 14:29-32, 37
Ephesians 2:20
C. Christ gave evangelists to His church - 2 Timothy 4:5
D. Christ gave pastors and teachers to His church
Shepherds have 3 primary responsibilities in Christ’s church:
#1: Shepherds lead Christ’s sheep