Tuesday after the Sunday after Ascension, 5/29/01

Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. --NASB In the name of the One Who gave the ministry to the Church, amen.

This week we are looking at the office of the public ministry. The office of the public ministry is the office in the Church that deals with the administering of the Means of Grace (the Gospel in the word, and the sacraments--Baptism and the Lord's Supper) on behalf of the Congregation. No one should ever assume to take that office on his own. Rather, it is Christ Jesus Who gave us that office and places individuals into it. That is no invitation for those in the ministry to think that they can say and do anything that they please. Rather, it is a reminder that they must answer to Jesus.

At the same time, the office of the ministry should be respected by all because it was given by Christ Himself. But more than that, when the Gospel is proclaimed, we should believe it as if it were Christ Himself Who were speaking. The fact that Christ gave us the office of the ministry is our assurance that the words of forgiveness spoken by His servants are true and valid. We can stake our eternal life on it. Amen.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You did indeed give some to be apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. Help us to hear their words as if You Yourself were speaking to us. Comfort us through them so that our faith will be strengthened, and we will glorify Your holy name forever, amen.

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