Sermon Central
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Working In The Family Business Series
Contributed by Rick Stacy on Apr 14, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the second sermon in a series of four on our church family. It is based on Ephesians 4
Working in the Family Business
Those of you that are familiar with Elvis Presley will know that "TCB" (which stand for "Taking Care of Business") was Elvis’ personal saying. It was kind of a slogan. He even had a diamond ring made with the letters "TCB" on it.
Elvis was, in his day, bigger than life and his business was to be the King of Rock and Roll. His life of music, concerts, and movies was just his way of "taking care of business".
Elvis Presley died at age 42 on August 16, 1977. I remember the day because of a weird coincidence. I was driving in downtown St. Joseph MI and had just noticed a car with bumper sticker that proclaimed in brash bold letters, "Elvis - King Forever" the radio announcer broke into the regular programming to announce that Elvis Presley was dead.
Jesus is the forever King not Elvis!
While many were shocked by his sudden death I was both surprised and at the same time reminded that the only "forever" king is named Jesus and he is also "taking care of business".
Jesus’ way of taking care of business is far different than Elvis’ way. Instead of focusing on personal appearances, fame, and fortune, Jesus has turned His business over to His church.
The God of the universe, the son of God who came in the flesh, the spirit of God who is joined with us in new life has given us His work to do. Pretty amazing! But God does not give us the responsibilities of His business without giving us the resources we need.
Taking Care of Business
This Sunday we’ll be looking at Ephesians 4:11-16 and learning together the gifts that God has given all of us to use to take care of his business.
We all have a part of the work to do. Everyone of us is included. Let’s encourage each other as we "take care of business".
God has equipped His family to take care of His business. He’s given us a clear plan, an exciting purpose, and an effective method!
Question: If this is true - why isn’t it working in churches today?
Answer: Simple – Churches are not following the plan, they don’t understand the purpose and they’re not using the method!!!
Let’s make sure that MCC is the exception to the rule!
So, what is the plan, the purpose and the method? We find it in Ephesians 4.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 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.
14 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.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 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.
His Plan…
Part I is in Ephesians 4:11
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
In God’s plan some are called to lead and are gifted as apostles
Literally translated “sent with a message”
We speak of ambassadors and today what we commonly refer to as missionaries. In some ways they are like the Marines. The first troops in!
They bring the good news to peoples and cultures that never heard of such a thing
In God’s plan some are called to lead and are gifted as prophets
Literally: to speak forth. Prophets are truth tellers – they are powerful preachers. In some ways they are like the air force – bring air power to bear as they drop powerful realities that explode like bombs in the lives of rebellious and sinful people.
In Acts 2:36-38 Peter preached the first sermon and the words struck them in their hearts so powerfully that they were moved to say “What shall we do?”
Therefore, let the entire house of Israel understand beyond a doubt that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!"
When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"
