+IV. The end of Christ's ascension.+--"That He might fill all things." _All things_ may refer--1. To the Scripture prophecies and predictions. 2. To the Church as He might fill that with His gifts and graces. 3. To all things in the world. This latter interpretation preferred. He may be said to fill all things--1. By the omnipresence of His nature and universal diffusion of His Godhead. 2. By the universal rule and government of all things committed to Him as Mediator upon His ascension.--_South._ Vers. 11, 12. _The Work of the Ministry._ +I. It is evident that public teachers in the Church are to be a distinct order of men.+--Christ has given some pastors and teachers. None has a right publicly to teach in the Church but those who are called, sent, authorised to the work in the Gospel way. All Christians are to exhort, reprove, and comfort one another as there is occasion; but public teaching in the Church belongs peculiarly to some--to those who are given to be pastors and teachers. +II. Public teachers are here called Christ's gifts.+--"He _gave_ some pastors and teachers." The first apostles were commissioned immediately by Christ. They who were thus commissioned of Heaven to preach the Gospel were authorised to ordain others. Christ gave pastors and teachers, not only to preach His Gospel, but to train up and prepare holy men for the same work. +III. Ministers are to be men endued with gifts suitable to the work to which they are called.+--As in the early days of the Gospel public teachers were called to extraordinary services, so they were endued with extraordinary gifts; but these gifts were only for a season. As the business of a minister is to teach men the things which Christ has commanded in the Scriptures, so it is necessary he himself should be fully instructed in them. In the early days, as there were evangelists who went forth to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been named, so there were pastors and teachers who had the immediate care of Churches already established. +IV. The great object of the ministry is the building up of the Church of Christ.+--The ministry is intended for the improvement of saints, as well as for the conversion of sinners. The apostle mentions also the unity of the knowledge of Christ. We must not rest in attainments already made, but continually aspire to the character of a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.--_Lathrop._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 13-16. _True Christian Manhood_--