THE ULTIMATE GOAL
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
📖Scripture: “And He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastor-teachers, to the kat-ar-tis-mos of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12
🔎Reflection: In sports, passing the ball has both an IMMEDIATE and an ULTIMATE goal. The immediate goal is to get the ball to a teammate to score. But the ultimate goal is to win the game or even the championship. In Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul reveals the IMMEDIATE goal of servant-leadership… to the kat-ar-tis-mos of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. But the ULTIMATE goal is the glory of God.
Paul reveals that it is Christ Himself who gifts servant-leaders to His Church to this end—not for their elevation… and not for them to entertain, affirm, or to numb the reality and consequences of our rebellion against God’s WORD and will, but instead for kat-ar-tis-mos: the perfecting, correcting, and proper alignment of the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 2:10), for the building up of the Body of Christ, for the glory of God.
Many churches today pervert both the immediate and ultimate goals. God’s WORD is for the tickling of ears, but for the purifying and sanctifying work of redemption, sanctification, instruction, rebuke, and reproof to build up Christ’s Body & Bride (See 2 Tim 4:3–4; John 17:17; Eph 5:26; 1 Pet 1:22–23; 2 Tim 3:16–17; Titus 1:9; Heb 4:12; Eph 4:11–12; Acts 20:32). Contrast this objective biblical truth with the modern approach of “church-as-spiritual-opioid”—clowns, hacks, charlatans, and snake oil salesmen dispensing motivational soundbites and uplifting experiences that leave souls unchanged, uncorrected, and sprinting in blissful rebellion toward judgment and eternal condemnation.
The WORD of God is ripe with warnings about such people, their methods, and their punishment:
False Prophets & Corrupt Messages — Deut 13:1–5; Jer 23:16–17; Ezek 13:2–9; Matt 24:24
Wolves & Deceivers in the Church — Matt 7:15–20; Acts 20:29–30; Rom 16:17–18; Tit 1:10–11; Rev 2:20
Satanic Masquerade & Selfish Agendas — John 8:44; 2 Cor 11:13–15; Gal 1:6–9; Col 2:8
Itching Ears & Counterfeit Doctrine — 1 Tim 4:1–2; 2 Tim 4:3–4
Testing & Discernment — 2 Pet 2:1–3; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 1:7–11; Jude 1:4
Punishment of the Wicked — Deut 18:20; Matt 7:21–23; 2 Pet 2:17; Jude 1:13; Rev 21:8
Authentic ministry is not about our private spirituality or personal prosperity and comfort. It’s about our radical and supernatural transformation into Christ’s likeness (Rom 8:29). Through ministry and its trials, the Holy Spirit is producing a people set apart (holy) and zealous for the “good works,” which God prepared in advance for us to walk in as our new way of life (Eph 2:10; Tit 2:14).
Neither the Church nor its ministry exists for our self-preservation (Hell Insurance), self-sufficiency (DIY Salvation), self-awareness (Pop Psychology), self-fulfillment (Personal Happiness), self-exaltation (My Stage), or self-indulgence (Consumer Christianity). The Church exists as the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27), interdependent and oriented toward, and for, the glory of God. Our authentic anagennēsas (Strong’s Greek - literally have been begotten/born again) in Christ produces infinitely more than our “tolerating” or even “embracing” God’s correction, conviction, and conformity to His truth… the saints of Christ crave and relentlessly pursue it! That’s what validates and verifies authentic faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
🤺Action: Ask the LORD to examine your heart, life, and ministry in the church for whether you “go to church” seeking anesthesia, or serve Christ as a devoted, functional, and integral member of His Body & Bride. Being “open” to the Holy Spirit’s correction isn’t the same as craving it and proactively seeking it out. Do you view “church” as a place to be served for self-preservation, self-sufficiency, self-awareness, self-exaltation, or self-indulgence? Test yourself: Is your faith, salvation, and devotion to Christ tangibly evident in building up His Body to the glory of God the Father… or only serving you? How are you presently advancing Christ’s kingdom… gathering with Him… and unashamed of the GOSPEL?
🙏Prayer: Lord, forgive me for times when I pursue personal comfort rather than You and Your correction. Align my heart to Your divine and revealed truth in and as the WORD. Holy Spirit, please sanctify me by the washing of the WORD. As it pleases You, O God, strengthen me to edify Your Body & Bride for Your glory, not my own. Grant me humility to receive rebuke, even when not delivered to my liking. Help me to focus on the GIFT rather than the method of delivery or wrapping paper. LORD, renew my heart to rejoice in faithful service in and through a God-honoring local church for Your glory alone. I pray this in Christ Jesus’ name, Amen!
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Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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