Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Purpose & Mission of Ministry
Ephesians 4:7-16 

v12"... to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."  
Practice what you preach- this is how the disciples lived. Matthew Chapter 4 is where the disciples first meet Jesus. During Jesus’ life on Earth, he called twelve special men who immediately got up as soon as Jesus said “Come, Follow Me”, left all their possessions and followed Christ diligently. Jesus prepared the hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit to spread the Word and love of our Father. Each of the disciples went out in the world to preach, to tell the message of Jesus to every person they could have reached to. The disciples didn’t just learn about the Word, they also practiced what they preach.

As individuals prepare to work and serve in church, they should do it with joy and determination to ensure everyone receives the Good News. In Acts 5: 41-42 it states: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” In Ephesians 4, Paul does not state we will be comfortable while spreading the Word. Even if we work joyfully, we need to realize that the journey won’t be easy. We need to lean on God to give us the knowledge and resources in order to complete our mission. Praying to God for strength and Jesus’ presence in our lives is mandatory in order to be fruitful in building the church.
PRAYER
Help us to be faithful to You even when the road to spreading Your Word won’t be easy.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Purpose without preparation is meaningless. – Andrena Sawyer
Stacy Mathew, St. John’s MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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