The Fight that Follows

2000 years ago the Romans army was massive, fierce, and feared.  

Peace came at an edge of the sword.
  

The Romans understood if they could keep their soldiers in a tight formation, they could move into battle as a formation. 

In doing so, they could penetrate the opposing army's line.  

We need to attack the enemy now, and reach our city!  

Paul challenged the Ephesians Christians to remain unified.  

Ephesians 4:7-16  (NKJV)

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

8 Therefore He says:(Psalm 68:16)

“When (Jesus)He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

They were captive to sin, but Jesus freed them on the Cross to take them to heaven. 

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

This refers to the incarnation of Christ, or God's son becoming a man.

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 

These are people with gifts that God has given to the Church. 

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 

This verse is in reference to training and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ in the Church. 

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 

If the disciples are trained in the truth, they cannot be easily mislead.  

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 

The sign of a mature Christian is not how much you know, but have much you love.  

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 

1 Peter 5:1-2  (NKJV)

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.

    

There are three words that describe a Pastor in the Bible. 

1. Pastor: The word Pastor derives from the Latin noun which means Shepherd (which is to take care of the disciples). 

2. Overseer: This refers to his management of the  people.
  

3. Elder: The Pastor is to be a mature, growing disciple of Jesus Christ with that comes with it the responsibility to teach.

Acts: 20  (NKJV)

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 

As a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ....

#1. Follow your God given leadership.

#2. Focus on maturing disciples.     

I encourage you to maintain your prayer emphasis because God's Church moves forward on its knees. 

#3. Keep your focus on reaching the lost.

#4. Keep your focus on fellowship with other believers.  

The devil is a predator that preys upon  strays. 

    

Habakkuk 2:14 (NKJV) 

For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.

#5. Be a steward of the Gospel message. 

#6. Be a steward of the power of prayer. 

#7. Be a steward of your resources.  

God does not call you to steward what you do not have.  

Whatever you do have.  You are a steward of it. 

Eliminate Debt.  

Debt is an anchor which hinders God's work.  

Work to get and stay out of debt.

Darryl Craft, Pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church.