Sore Joints In The Body

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Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copies and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Pastor James May

Sore Joints in the Body

Ephesians 4:11-13, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"

Ephesians 4:15-16, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:27, "Neither give place to the devil."

Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

Here we have a picture of the perfect church, like the one that we are all striving to build and be a part of in ministry.

The church is founded under the Lordship and Head of Jesus Christ and can only exist in the fashion that God has intended for it to exist if those who are members will allow the Lord to establish, direct and protect them from any influence of those who would sow discord whether purposefully or unwittingly.

It was Jesus Christ himself who established the church by going to the Cross-and giving His life’s blood for the salvation of man. While Jesus was in the time of his 3-½ years of earthly ministry in the body of flesh, He personally set in motion the mechanism that would be used to build His church.

While man has failed so many times in following the direction of the Holy Spirit in the operation and fulfillment of the duties of the church, the true church has continued to exist and, in these last days, it is stronger than ever.

Jesus said that upon Himself this church would be established with Him as the Head and then all else to fall into its proper place under His direction and guidance.

Matthew 16:18, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

From the very beginning of the church Satan has used every trick in the book to destroy the unity, fellowship and effectiveness of the church, BUT HE HAS FAILED TO STOP IT!

Jesus is not respecter of persons and therefore we do not believe that there is one calling that is any more or less important than another in the Body of Christ. Whether we are Apostles, Pastors, Prophets, Teachers or Evangelists is not the most important point. What is important is our faithfulness to the calling of God and truthfulness in our ministry within His church.

Jesus sent His disciples out as the first Apostles.

An Apostle is chosen to preach the gospel as a pioneer. He goes out into foreign, uncharted, and remote areas where the message has never been heard. Apostles are much the same as Missionaries who preach the gospel in foreign lands and people. They are the front line force that God uses in the introduction of the gospel to every tribe and nation. These men and women of God have to exert great faith in God, belief in their cause and must be passionate about their calling. They face greater hardship than most Christians but they also have the satisfaction of seeing salvation come to those who have never heard.

God then places Prophets in the church.