And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in 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 (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Sportsmen know the importance of having a good coach; the value of being trained by the best, to be the best. Many Christians don’t realize that they’re spiritual sportsmen. The Bible says that we’re running a race, likening us to sportsmen: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Also, in 1 Corinthians 9:26 (TLB), Paul, by the Spirit, writes: “…I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around .” Did you notice that? We’re not shadow-boxing; we’re actually in the ring. We’re sportsmen for the Lord, and sportsmen need seasoned coaches to put them through.

Can you see why being a member of a local assembly can’t be overemphasized? It shouldn’t be seen or taken as another routine; no! We learnt about that in our previous study. The church is a place of worship, where we assemble to be blessed, refreshed, strengthened, and energized for victory by God’s Spirit. We come to church to learn the Word of God, to be trained, and to be coached.

Notice our opening verses one more time. It says God gave the ministry gifts, the five-fold offices, for the edification and equipping of the Church, for the perfecting of the saints, and for the work of the ministry. This will go on until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto perfection, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That’s where He’s taking us. That’s the reason for the coaching, the spiritual training that we’re receiving through the Spirit.


Further Study:

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 AMP
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. 27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].