"The Church: The Ministry Gifts"

Key Points:

* We are the Body of Christ. This means we are his workmanship created to glorify the Father.
* Since we are his body, God has structured his body in a way to where he is glorified but also in a way to where we can be blessed.
* The Bible says that Christ gave gifts unto men. These gifts that God gave was to benefit his church in 3-ways. (1) They do the Work of the ministry; (2) They are there to help perfect the Saints; and (3) God uses them to edify or build his body.
* These gifts are important to the body. Without these gifts we can not become perfect as God intends for us to be. The gifts are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teachers. They were not appointed by men but by God. God gave the certain authorities.
* They are laborers with God. In other words, God send his message through them for the Church. If the Church receives their word, then the church grows in God's strength. If the Church rejects their word (The Word of God), it loses strength.
* These workers are given by God to build and layout the foundation of Gods will to his people. Once this foundation is laid, we (the Church) must build upon it in order to be what God has called us to be.
* Do not discount how God has chosen to work through and in his body. It is when we understand God's order and submit to it that we find the blessings of the Lord.