24-0505a - Detailed Summary

Introduction to Ephesians: The speaker suggests revisiting Ephesians 4:11-16 to discuss the practical implementation of equipping the saints.

Purpose of Equipping: The scripture outlines the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of service, aiming for unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Roles Given by Jesus: Jesus appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints.

Objective: To achieve unity in faith, knowledge of Christ, maturity, and to prevent being misled by false doctrines or philosophies.

Warning Against False Teachings: Paul warns in Colossians 2:8 about being taken captive by philosophies and human traditions not aligned with Christ.

Equipping as Protection: The equipping of the saints is designed to guard against such threats.

Growth in Truth and Love: Equipping leads to speaking truth in love, fostering growth into Christ, and the unity and proper functioning of the body of Christ.

Need for Further Exploration: The speaker expresses interest in defining what equipping entails, suggesting it involves practical lessons from the apostles.

Paul’s Teaching on Unity: Ephesians 2:17-22 discusses the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ, forming one household of God built on the foundation of the apostles, prophets, and Christ as the cornerstone.

Use of Construction Terms: Paul employs building terms like foundation, cornerstone, and structure to describe the church’s growth and individual believers' growth.

Significance of the Cornerstone: The cornerstone (Jesus) is crucial for the stability and orientation of the entire structure, symbolizing the church’s foundation.

Peter’s Confession: Jesus declares that His church will be built on the rock of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus as King: Jesus confirms His identity as King before Pontius Pilate, aligning with His purpose to testify to the truth.

Architectural Significance: Jesus is described as both the rock (foundation) and the cornerstone, essential for the church’s structure and orientation.

Scriptural Reference: Paul in Ephesians 2:19 describes believers as members of God’s household built on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Christ as the cornerstone.

Psalmist’s Verse: Psalm 118:21-24 is referenced, where the rejected stone (Jesus) becomes the cornerstone, leading to rejoicing in the day the Lord has made.

Parable of the Wicked Tenants: From Luke 20, Jesus tells of vineyard tenants who reject the owner’s son (representing himself), leading to the vineyard being given to others, with the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.

Peter’s Defense: In Acts 4, Peter, while under arrest, preaches that Jesus, rejected by the builders (Jewish leaders), has become the cornerstone, emphasizing that salvation is found in no one else.

Living Stones: Peter describes Jesus as a living stone in 1 Peter 2:4-10, and believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.

Believers' Role: The metaphor continues with believers likened to living stones in a spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices through Christ.

Purpose of Equipping: The equipping by church leaders, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:12-13, aims for unity, maturity, and the full measure of Christ, directly linking to the building metaphor of the church.

Summary of Lesson: The lesson focuses on how believers, like living stones, are equipped for ministry to build up the body of Christ.

Future Exploration: The next session will delve into the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets and what should be built upon this foundation, with a caution from Paul about how we build.