GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

Sermon Notes, November 16, 2014

Rev. Dan White

            Pastor Dan’s message was titled “Gifts to the Church,” and his text was Ephesians 4:11-12:  “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…”

            Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)  When you’re building, you need to build on a good foundation.  Jesus, the Messiah, is the foundation the church is built on.  Christ loves His church.

            He gave gifts to His church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers.  We don’t call them apostles and prophets today, but pastors preach and tell the things the Lord has revealed to the apostles and prophets.  Pastors must love the church. 

He has given us evangelists.  What do evangelists do?  They expand the church.  They are traveling soul-winners.  Phillip was the first evangelist—he won souls.  We are to bring people to the Lord, but He is the one who wins them.  When the Holy Spirit is in your life, you can bring people to the Lord.

He has given us teachers.  It was a Sunday School teacher who led the famous evangelist D.L. Moody to the Lord, so don’t be discouraged when it seems like you’re not doing enough.  Just do what the Lord tells you to do.  He’s given us a church, and He can do great things with us.  Pray a lot.  Talk up the church.  This is God’s church; it’s His gift to us.