UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
(Building up the Body of Christ - May 29, 2022)
Series Big Idea: "The Church is meant to be a place where unity is encouraged and lived out in daily life"
Sermon Big Idea: "A healthy church is one in which every member is conscious of God's grace and is actively serving"
Key Scripture (Ephesians 4:7-16)
Jesus, at this very moment, is a work serving and leading His Church. The next section of Ephesians 4 that we will look at today focuses completely on Christ and His work. He is providing the resources the body of Christ needs to grow and be effective. He does this by giving grace to every member of the Church and by giving leaders as gifts to equip this community.
(Ephesians 4:7-16)
Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. 8 For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people. 9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head —Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
The church does not just look back on Jesus for inspiration, but it also looks forward to him. He is currently in charge of directing, empowering, and enabling the church's development. He's close by. So, what are a couple of the ingredients that Paul says Christ gives that enables the Church to be healthy?
1. Every Christian is given grace by Christ and is Called to ministry
This section begins and finishes with a focus on each individual member of the body's distinct potential to help others (4:7,16). In reality, gifted leaders have the job of equipping the diverse members of the body of Christ to minister to one another (4:12). A healthy church is one in which every member is conscious of God's grace and is actively serving.
Even though Paul does not use the word "priest" to describe every believer in this chapter, the idea is clear. The doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers" is greatly enhanced by this scripture (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Today there is a growing trend among church members toward a consumer mindset, this is a very vital truth to confirm and teach. "The body of Christ is not a place to sit and soak, it is a place to serve." If you are a Christian, you have been called into full-time Christian ministry. Our gifts and our roles may be different, but as Christians, we are called to minister.
2. God gives the Church Leaders who help it grow
Some Christians have a special gift for serving in church leadership. Here, Paul discusses five distinct gifts that illustrate various church ministry responsibilities. Some of these gifts (such as pastors and teachers) are needed for people working in local church positions (such as elders and overseers), as he discusses elsewhere. All these leaders are commissioned by the risen Lord to train and prepare other believers to service to one another in the body of Christ (in accordance with their gifts). Paul doesn't say how this preparation should take place; all he says is that it should and that it is the responsibility of these talented leaders.
Conclusion:
Many modern church leaders (particularly paid employees) are tempted to view their position as doing ministry on behalf of church members who simply absorb it. Jesus has challenged church leaders to devote a significant amount of time and effort to equip people to carry out the ministry's mission.
Therefore, apostles are supposed to do more than only plant churches; they are also called to raise up others to continue the work. Prophets are given to the church not only to preach the word that the Spirit gives them but also to assist others in growing and developing in their awareness of the Spirit's voice and in the correct function of this ministry.
Pastors, meanwhile, are asked to not just faithfully preach the Word, but also to find people who are equally equipped, mentor them, nurture their talent, and provide chances for them to preach the Word. This may be tough in this age of "excellence," especially in larger churches where perfection is expected. However, this is exactly what the Lord has commanded of his leaders. What act of service can you provide to another church member to assist in the growth of the body of Christ?
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
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Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
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Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
Snodgrass, Klyne. Ephesians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Founders Study Guide Commentary. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002.
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Osborne, Grant R. Ephesians: Verse by Verse. Osborne New Testament Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.
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Carr, Alan. “Maintaining the Unity of the Church the Place of Our Unity (Ephesians 4:1–6).” The Sermon Notebook: New Testament, Alan Carr, 2015, pp. 2734–39.
Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
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Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians. Zondervan, 2010.
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