Engage- Introduction

– Introduction - Ephesians 4:11-16                                                            Effective evangelism is part of a disciple-making church culture that emphasizes the importance of both social justice and faith-sharing. Evangelism begins with Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Our response to this question leads us into God’s mission of rescuing and reconciling a broken creation. Our mission includes relieving suffering and offering people the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. The work of the church is a foretaste of the restored and healed creation.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. 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 people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. 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.” Ephesians 4:11–16