Kickin' Up Dust!

Daily Reading:  Ephesians 4

Scripture Focus: And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4.11-12)

Devotional Thought:  We often think that the "ministers" of the church are the preachers and pastors, but what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 belies that notion.  Paul wrote that the various offices of the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor/teachers) have a very specific function: "to equip the saints for the work of ministry."

Let’s look at a few different translations of verse 12:

CEV: so that his people would learn to serve …

MSG: to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work …

NASB: for the equipping of the saints for the work of service …

NIV: to prepare God’s people for works of service…

NRSV: to equip the saints for the work of ministry …

KJV: for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…

Who are the ministers of the church?  Paul wrote that God gave pastors and preachers to train, equip, prepare, perfecthis people to minister.  Those are the words that translate what the saints are to do.  The pastors are to equip.  The Greek word is katartismós.  It means to "fit together."  I like that.  Pastors help people get their lives put together and help churches work together!

God’s people, on the other hand, are then responsible for the work of ministry!  The word translated ministry is from a root word meaning “to kick up dust,” metaphorically to run (an errand).  I really love that description of the church.  We are to be kicking up dust.  Too often we get the notion that being a part of the church is a sedentary role: observing the pastor and other leaders doing the work.  The Bible, however, paints a different picture, a picture of action: kicking up dust!

Are you, "Kickin' up dust"?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for "letting the preacher do it" when I should be doing it myself.  Help me to kick up a little dust for you and your people today.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 148.7-14

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!

9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!