Ephesians 4:1-16

My First Sermon

On July 3, 1988 I preached my first sermon as the pastor of what was at the time First Assembly of God Church in Smyrna, TN. My text on that inaugural Sunday was Ephesians 4:1-16. (This was not the first sermon I had ever preached but it was my first sermon as a Senior Pastor. Actually, at the time I was the only pastor at the church but why quibble?)

Selecting the text that first Sunday morning was not difficult. I had known for quite some time that if I ever had the opportunity to pastor a church this would be my first sermon because this clearly spells out the vision and purpose for the church.

The tradition I grew up with (and the one those at First Assembly were familiar with) was one where virtually every service was aimed at winning the lost - during the service. This had struck me as quite odd for some time. Why were we supposed to preach salvation messages to those who were already saved? Of course, occasionally there might be an unsaved person present and they might hear the salvation message and respond to an altar call but that actually a pretty rare occurrence. More often than not those who responded to the altar call were ones who had been convinced of the need to doubt the salvation experience they had last month instead of genuine unbelievers. Besides, shouldn’t a “worship” service focus on the One being worshipped instead of on those who don’t believe in Him?

We are supposed to see the lost won to Christ; however, instead of trying to re-win the choir each week it might be a better plan to prepare God’s people for works of service. Most of their week is often spent out there where there are actually some unbelievers present. In fact, according to this passage that is exactly what those in the “so called” five fold ministry are supposed to do. As a Pastor my job is to prepare (train up, equip, encourage, challenge, inspire, etc.) God’s people to go out and be the Church! Be the Body of Christ in the world! 

If we will do this then instead of playing religious games we will actually “become mature”. If we will do this then the church will not be so susceptible to false teaching even those its practitioners are cunning and crafty. If we will do this then the believers will begin to actually “speak the truth in love” and grow up. Christ will be the Head and He will strengthen and enlarge the Church as each one does their meaningful and fruitful job. 

There was an old Rock and Roll hit in the 70’s that declared “One is the loneliest number.” But one is not the loneliest number when it refers to one Body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, on Baptism, and one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.