Navigating Your Destiny Through The Bible: EPHESIANS – Where Most Pastors Won’t Go…When They Start Churches.
“Okay,” the pastor says to his wife, “Where should we begin our new church?” As this idealistic young pastor and wife team plans their new ministry, they talk about their options. “Maybe we should be close to family,” the wife suggests. “Sounds good,” chimes in her husband, “How about that real nice area of town where it’s peaceful, safe and surrounded by strong Christian families and wholesome living.” “I agree,” responds his wife, “I like that neighborhood. The people are like us and we want our children to grow up with their same race.” On and on they talk, planning out the “perfect” place to plant a church. But had they lived in the Apostle Paul’s day, he would have sent them to one of the wickedest and most convoluted cities on earth…Ephesus!
Ephesus was a city of extreme mixture. A bastion of races, cultures and religions, it boasted of sensual lifestyles, cult prostitutes and wealth beyond measure. It hosted the great temple of the Greek Goddess, Artemis, daughter of Zeus (Roman name Diana) and the coliseum that seated 25,000 where men fought beasts to the death. And all this debauchery was united under one grand banner…GREED! But amidst sin’s darkness, the light of Christianity sprang up. Most would have avoided this hostile den of iniquity as a location to plant a church. But not Paul! To him, Ephesus was fertile ground. There he introduced her inhabitants to a new banner of righteous living and unity…CHRIST!
So, if you’re a pastor planning to start a church…or if you’re a parishioner desiring to be part of a pioneering church, what should you know before you begin your new ministry? Let’s gain insight from Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus that he wrote…while he was a prisoner of Rome.
1. Some People Living In Wicked Places Are PREDESTINED For Righteousness (Eph. 1:3-12). No one fully understands this concept…it’s hidden in God’s sovereign purposes. But here’s your task: find them by preaching Christ’s redeeming love and His kind intentions for their lives. When they respond with repentance, you’ll know that God sent you there for them!
2. There Is NO RACIAL SEGREGATION For Those Who Are In Christ (Eph. 2:11-18; 3:4-10)! If you’re afraid your children might date and marry outside their race, don’t go to where the Apostle Paul sends you! The Jews became racial supremacists believing that God loved them more than all other races. The issue has never been about Race…it’s about Faith (Gal. 3:28)!
3. You Can’t Plant a Church Without The POWER of Christ’s LOVE (Eph. 3:16-21)! The love of God is Power! Power to love the unlovable. Power to be patient when wronged. Power to forgive when offended. Power to extend mercy and grace when judgment and harshness is deserved. Power to represent Christ and to reconcile sinners back to God (2 Cor. 5:18-21).
4. You Can’t Do This Without ALL FIVE LEADERSHIP GIFTS At Work (Eph. 4:7-16). It’s impossible for all five leadership gifts to reside in just one person. If you don’t expose your congregation to the other four gifts, your church will be deficient in its faith and its maturity.
5. Make Sure Your Own FAMILY Is In Proper Order (Eph. 5:21-6:4)! It’s not easy building a church. It puts strain on everything…including the family. Remember, family relationships must reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church. And the congregation knows if it doesn’t!
6. Don’t Forget…You’re In a SPIRITUAL WAR ZONE (Eph. 6:10-18)! Paul closed out his letter to the Ephesians with the reality of what happens when churches are planted in the midst of evil. All Hell Breaks Loose! In other words, you’ll quickly discover that a shrewd devil is plotting to discredit and destroy you and the work you’re doing! And the “smart-weapon” he uses against you is your own fallen nature! That’s why you need ALL of God’s armor to protect yourself!
Dan Rhodes
