Inspirational Messages
October 10 thru October 16, 2021








Sunday, October 10, 2021
A Pastor’s Purpose
Dr. Ernest Young
Ephesians 4: 11-16

Almighty God,
It is to Thee we come again with a passion for praise and humility of heart. Thank You for all grace, goodness, and mercy. Speak now, Dear God, with clarity, and conviction. Speak, Thy servant heareth. Amen.
 
To God be all glory for blessings even now. To Pastor Epps for the privilege to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at Second Baptist Church, thank you. I congratulate you and your family for your achievement of thirty-four years as the pastor of Second Baptist on this, your appreciation day.
 
As you know the number thirty-four, Biblically speaking, is a blessed number. It is a combination of the numbers three plus four. The number three, equals the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The number four equals creative works; cosmos, corners of the earth, seasons and winds. Their sum total equals the number seven. The number seven symbolizes completeness. It is the number of spiritual perfections. Creation occurred in six days; God rested on the seventh.
As God has allowed you to reach this moment, again I congratulate you and family.
 
Additionally, I wish for you: 
                                              A sunbeam to warm you,
                                               a moonbeam to charm you,
                                               a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
                                               Laughter to cheer you.
                                               Faithful friends near you.
                                               And whenever you pray,
                                               God will hear you.
                                                                          ---Unknown
 
The scripture text is Ephesians 4:11-16
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the best and even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working for the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
 
Consider what you perceive as a pastor’s purpose.  
Monday, October 11, 2021
Kerry, a government worker, suffered with kidney disease since his twenties. Ellen heard about him over the broadcast news media and believed she could help. After undergoing several tests, her blood and tissue type matched, and she became a kidney donor to Kerry. When Kerry was asked what does this mean to him, he replied, this means life!! Yes beloved, life. You see, that is what Jesus Christ did for humanity when he died on a cross at Calvary. He gave us life, eternal life!!
 
The words of the scripture text are from the pen of the apostle Paul, a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His writings and works still puncture the pages of history because he worked with a great zeal against the Church of God. But after his life was changed, he worked for God and the church.
 
It is asserted by some biblical scholars that Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians church during the time he was imprisoned in Rome awaiting the Emperor Nero’s punishment. Paul is a unique personality. He is of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3: 5 and 6). Pertaining to faithfulness, he sat at the feet of Gamaliel and was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day (Acts 22:3). He was not one of the original twelve disciples of Christ. He did not walk and talk with Jesus in the flesh as did James, John, Peter and the other disciples. But in due time, he heard the voice of the Lord calling him into service for the Lord and his life was changed forever. As he served, he founded more churches, wrote more Epistles and traveled on more missionary journeys than any other disciple in the New Testament.
 
In this text, Paul is encouraging the believers, especially the Ephesian Elders (Pastors), to hold on to the faith in God through Jesus Christ. Like Jesus, Paul was also compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Jerusalem, symbolically speaking, is not a place of either/or, but a place of both/and:

--Both Affection and Ascension
--Both Conflicts and Comforts
--Both Gloom and Glory
--Both Hurts and Healings
--Both Suffering and Salvation
--Both Trials and Triumphs
-- and Both Victimization and Victory
 
Consider what a pastor’s purpose means as she or he
symbolically, "goes to Jerusalem".  
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the best and even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working for the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
 
Paul presents a challenge in this text as he indeed directs and pulls our attention to service. He reminds about a pastor’s purpose. A pastor’s purpose should be to do God’s will and God’s way according to God’s word. Like Jesus, we should be led by the Holy Spirit to accept that it’s not my will, but Thy will, oh Lord, be done. Thus, I contend there are a few observations that Paul pursues in this text regarding a Pastor’s Purpose. That purpose is:

1.    Perfecting the saints. (verses 11-12)
2.    Unifying the faith. (verses 13-15)
3.    Connecting the body. (verse 16)
 
Perfecting the Saints
 Beginning in verse 11, Paul reminds us that He (Almighty God) gave spiritual gifts to the Ephesian believers and those in leadership of the Church. He gave spiritual gifts to some of the apostles or builders of the Church; also to prophets or future forecasters for the Church and to evangelists or iterant (mobile) preachers, like Jesus. Finally, He gave gifts to some pastors and teachers in the Church. From the four ministerial gifts listed in this letter to the Ephesian church, it is interesting that only the last one, pastor and teacher are combined. Could it be that the pastor is also a teacher? Not only should a pastor proclaim or preach God’s word, but also teach and model God’s word.
 
Then in verse 12, a pastor’s purpose is to use their God given gift(s) “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ”. From Paul’s statement, perfecting means complete in all respects - faultless and flawless, becoming more and more like Him; the one who called us to follow Him, Jesus Christ.

Ministerial work requires much meditation, study, and prayer. A pastor’s purpose should always include seeking Divine direction in the work of the ministry in all areas, whether it's preaching, reaching, speaking, teaching, or visiting.
Divine direction is paramount.
 
Then Paul adds, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Edifying, according to Paul, means to improve morally and spiritually. As we edify Christ our life should mirror or reflect the life of Christ; the one we edify, follow, praise and worship.
 
Consider what it means to perfect the saints.  
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
13Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the best and even Christ. Ephesians 4:13-15
 
Unifying the Faith
 The unity of our faith in God through the Spirit of God, with our faith in God through the word of God, should be the goal of the believer. Paul proclaims in verse 13 that faith in God through Christ is necessary:
--till we come to unity
--till we gain knowledge of the Son of God (Jesus Christ)
-- till we attain the stature of the fullness of Christ
 
Then in verses 14 and 15, Paul writes, "a pastor’s purpose is to reach out to those who are like children, tossed to and fro, insecure in their faith, unsure in their confidence and are easily deceived by craftiness and cunning acts. Speaking the truth and faith in love should be the pastor’s purpose to enable these individuals to embrace a positive path in Christ."
 
Consider what it means to unify people with an understanding of the faith.  
Thursday, October 14, 2021
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working for the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16
 
Connecting the Body
The body metaphor that Paul writes about is the Church; the living organism that Christ purchased with His blood that was shed on Calvary. The body, the Church (believers) in the world today, is tasked to be and remain the light of the world. The light that should shine until those in darkness may see their way out of darkness and into the marvelous light.
 
When the believers’ faith is aligned with the Holy Spirit, the connection with the body can and will take place. God’s word is still with us and informing us. God’s spirit is still empowering us to continue to be faithful even until death.
 
Consider what it means to connect the Christian community with one another as expressions of the presence and work of Christ in the world.  
Friday, October 15, 2021
Conclusion
Raymond Rasberry was an African American male, born in 1928 in Akron, Ohio. He was gifted by God with amazing musical ability that was revealed at an early age. At age 8, he could hear a composition or a song, memorize it, and play the exact notes again on the piano. Later in life, he traveled and played with the Clara Ward Singers, Alex Bradford, Mahalia Jackson, and others. He composed such songs as: One of These Days; We’re Crossing Over One by One; and what I believe to be his signature song, a gospel/inspirational song that has brought calmness and joy to humanity. The song is entitled, Only What You Do for Christ Will Last.
 
You may build great Cathedrals large and small,
You can build skyscrapers grand and tall,
You may conquer all the failures of the past,
But only what you do for Christ will last.
Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
Remember only what you do for Christ will last.
Only what you do for Him will be counted at the end,
Only what you do for Christ will last,
Only what you do for Christ,
Tho’ your armies may control each hemisphere,
And your orbits out in space cause men to cheer,
Your scientific knowledge may be vast,
But only what you do for Christ will last.
Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
Only what you do for Him will be counted at the end,
Only what you do for Christ will last.
 
Consider what it means that only what you do for Christ will last.  
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Just as Paul pointed us to God and Jesus Christ through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, a pastor’s purpose should be to instruct, inform, and inspire us to use these gifts to perfect the saints, model the ministry, and edify the body of Christ. Yes, beloved, it matters what we do for others, but it matters most what we do for Christ, because surely it will last and last. Therefore, we continue serving till we come to the unity of faith and the fullness of Christ, speaking the truth in love. Amen.
 
Consider what your pastor has done to fulfill the responsibility of edifying the saints, unifying the faith and connecting the body of Christ.  



Only What You Do For Christ
~Mahalia Jackson
2412 Griffith Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90011 
Phone: (213) 748-0318