Five Fold Ministry (Teacher)
Five Fold Ministry • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsTeacher lesson from Five Fold Ministry Series
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Introduction/Review
Introduction/Review
Good evening and welcome back!
Tonight we are going to be continuing our study on the Five Fold Ministry. First I want to review some of the points that Ryan made last week.
Just as a refresher, does anyone remember the purpose and roles in the Five Fold Ministry?
Purpose
The five-fold ministry exists to equip the church body for works of service in the new testament (Ephesians 4:12). The idea is that each member of the church body has a role to play in furthering God's kingdom. When everyone is working together in their gifts and calling, the Church is able to accomplish more than what any one person could do on their own. God's heart is for all people to be saved and to come to the whole measure of the knowledge truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
Those with a calling into the Five Fold Ministry, would be considered “administrators” (using that term loosely) in the Church. What I mean by this, is these are those with specific callings designed to help the body (congregation) discover, nourish, and express their Spiritual Gifts.
All people have spiritual gifts that need nurturing and developing, but not all have callings into the Five Fold Ministry. Some are called to operate in supporting roles.
However, everyone is called to discover and walk in their gifts, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in support of the ministry of the Church.
We all are called to operate under #1 the Great Commandment and #2 the Great Commission and everyone has a specific role.
What is the Great Commandment?
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
I like to interpret this as “Love the Lord with all your being and live out and demonstrate that love by how you treat others.”
How is the Great Commandment even made possible?
Possessing the Fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Which can only be possessed if we are living in the Spirit (filled with the Spirit)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
And also....
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
And being filled with the Spirit leads to Holiness, which is also a requirement of God.
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
And I started with the Great Commandment and this aspect because this has to come first before we can discover our Spiritual Gifts, which comes next and ultimately feed into our role in the Five Fold Ministry.
So, what are the Spiritual Gifts?
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
And ....
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
**INSERT BUBBLE CHART IN WORD VERSION HERE**
Here is a chart that Ryan referenced last week that shows the different gifts and sort of where they fit in the paradigm.
This is just an illustration to help us understand things on a visual level.
Now, besides the gifts themselves that are mentioned, what are some key aspects of these passages?
Different gifts, but by the same Spirit
Different services, but the same Lord
Different workings, but same God
For the common good
Do not think more highly of yourself than you should
All gifts for the same function
Many members but One body
In fact if we back up to Romans 12:1-2, we see this . . .
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are to offer ourselves fully to God, which is how we express worship, being transformed by God for God’s use. Willingly and cheerfully.
Which leads to the demonstration of the Gifts, the Great Commission, which is?
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
And the key here is the word “go.”
The word “go” is poreuomai, (pore-E-U-ohm-I), which is an action verb, meaning that Jesus is saying we are to take a particular course of action.
We are to do something and not just sit around letting others do for us.
And that doing is, making other disciples.
So, what is the difference between making disciples and getting people saved?
We often stop short of discipleship.
We have been trained to get them saved and it really goes no further.
However, when we are operating in our Spiritual Gifts, fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission, God has given us a roadmap that not only gets people saved but also gets us to the place of disciple-making, which is the Five Fold Ministry.
Does anyone remember the offices/roles of the Five Fold Ministry?
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
And again, look at the purpose here—to prepare God’s people for works of service (or the work of the ministry, means the same thing), so that the body of Christ may be built up.
And for how long-until we ALL reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become MATURE, attaining the WHOLE MEASURE of the fullness of Christ.
In fact, look a little further at what Paul says next . . .
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Do we see this in the Church today?
The end goal though . . .
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
**INSERT DIAGRAM 1 (HAND) IN WORD VERSION HERE**
So, if you remember last week, Ryan mentioned the Hand Diagram when talking about the Five-Fold Ministry.
Here is a copy of what he was talking about.
The one we are going to be talking about tonight is Teacher.
Any questions before we get into it?
Teacher
Teacher
So, when we are thinking about the term “teacher” what comes to mind?
Webster’s defines the term “teacher” as:
“one who teachers” and “one who’s occupation is to instruct.”
Pretty generic, but when we drill down “teach” and “teaches” we find:
to cause to know something
to cause to know how
to accustom to some action or attitude
to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action
to guide the studies of
to impart the knowledge of
to instruct by precept, example, or experience
to make known and accepted
to conduct instruction regularly in
So, looking at that what would come to mind as far as the church and 5-Fold Ministry?
Do you see any overlap between teacher and any of the other roles?
Ability to teach is part of other roles:
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
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Part of Paul’s instruction to Timothy:
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Summary from Flames of Fire Website: A teacher is someone who is responsible for instructing others in the things of God. They often do this by breaking down the Word of God. That can be in a Bible study setting or from the pulpit. Teachers also have a heart for equipping people to be able to study the Bible on their own.
So, what does the Bible say about teachers?
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
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We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
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How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
(Notice it uses the word “preach” but the word is same as “tell” or “proclaim.”)
Remember, Jesus was also referred to as teacher many times (or Rabbi) . . .
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,
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Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
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He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
And we can also use Jesus’ example to look at ways to teach.
What were some of the things Jesus used in His teaching?
Illustrations (Luke 7:31-32)
Object Lessons (Matthew 6:28)
Current Events (Luke 13:4-5)
Stories (Matthew 13)
Lecture (Matthew 24)
Dialogue (John 3)
Rhetorical Questions (Luke 18:8)
Proverbs (Luke 7:45)
Hyperbole (Matthew 5:29) -tear your eye out
Metaphor (John 9:5)
Provocative Language (Matthew 12:3)
Homework (Matthew 9:13)
This is just a few examples, but there are many more.
We have a good understanding that Jesus is “teacher,” but we still have to talk about who the greatest teacher of all is.
Who is that?
The Holy Spirit!
You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.
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But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
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Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
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“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
**THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FACT IT WAS MENTIONED IN 3 GOSPELS**
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
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“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
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As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Summary/Conclusion
Summary/Conclusion
Beyond what we see about teaching in regards to a gift of the Holy Spirit, we can find other principles related to teaching.
It's cultivated through spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 3:6 we find an important qualification to be an overseer, but as teachers are often closely related to pastors and overseers, I find it quite applicable to teaching. Paul says one must not be a recent convert, meaning, a person should be spiritually mature. In addition, it’s important to, as a teacher, be exhibiting the fruits of the Holy Spirit outlined in Galatians 5.
A teacher must have proven to be reliable and experienced (2 Timothy 2:2). This ties closely with the previous point but is worth acknowledging. Paul says to entrust what has been heard (teaching) to faithful men and women who can teach others also.
A teacher must him or herself be under a sound teacher (Luke 6:40). Someone should not be teaching if they themselves do not sit under sound teaching. And I would take it a step further, practically as I’ve seen play out in ministry, to also have a mentor. Having both exhibits a pattern of surrendering to authority, accountability, and correction.
We are told not many should be teachers and those that do teach are judged with greater strictness (James 3:1-2). Which makes it hard to believe that you can scroll through Instagram and find hundreds if not thousands of people claiming to be a Bible teacher.
A teacher must be above reproach, meaning, people shouldn't be able to identify, by looking at your life, cause for sin or concern (Titus 2:7-8). This goes back to the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Does their life, or yours, show good fruit? Wanting to be a Bible teacher but wearing crop tops, or getting drunk, or so many other acts do not show a life above reproach.
(Source: https://www.brittanyrust.com/blog/qualifications-teach-bible#:~:text=A%20teacher%20must%20have%20proven,(Luke%206%3A40) )
Open Discussion
Open Discussion