UNDERSTANDING MEN ARE NEEDED IN THE CHURCH!

UNDERSTANDING MEN ARE NEEDED IN THE CHURCH!

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. —I Chronicles 12:32

            Oh, that we would have “men who had understanding of the times.”  And that they would know what we are to do and then it would be done.  We so desperately need leadership that will do the right thing.  This is true for our nation and for the church.

            In the church—

“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 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” —Ephesians 4:11-16

            These leadership gifts are to be actively leading, knowing the times we are in and—

• Equip His people
• His people have work God had given them (Ephesians 2:10)
  • This equipping
    • Builds up the body of Christ
    • Guides us toward unity in faith
    • Guides us toward unity in the knowledge of Jesus
    • Guides us toward maturity
    • Guides us toward stability
      • Able to identify false teaching
      • Not be impacted by false teaching
      • Not be impacted by cunning people
      • Not be impacted by craftiness of people
      • Not be impacted by deceitful schemers
    • Guides us to speak the truth in love
    • Guides us to growth/maturity in Christ
    • Guides the body to stay connect to Christ
    • Guides us to build up the body in love
    • Guides each one to do his part

So yes, we need people that understand the times and know how to guide the body of Christ.  These people are ones, gifted ones, that Jesus has given the church— “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers.”  Oh, may they be faithful!  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be for Your Honor and Glory.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2S9y3r0XE