HOW
THINGS SHOULD BE/EPHESIANS 4:11-16
We all have an idea about the way things should be.
And, for the most part, none of us would agree on
these things. And,
in a few of these cases, that’s OK.
But, in the majority of these
case, it’s not OK.
We have a tendency to tell the Lord of the Church,
Jesus Christ, how His Church ought to be run.
But, the truth is, He doesn’t ask for our input or
opinions. He
knows how things should be, and has clearly communicated to
us how these things should be.
As I’ve thought about where we are as a church, and
where we need to go, I found Ephesians 4 a powerful wake-up
call. I’d
like to walk through this text with you this morning as we
prepare for what I think is a defining year for
Bigelow
Church
. First,
...
I)
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES–EPH.
4:1-10
A) Paul
wants us to know that there is a balance between our
profession of the faith and our practice of the faith.
Paul begins chapter 4 with a command
to walk (conduct our lives) in a worthy manner that becomes
our calling as saints/believers (v.1).
Such a walk is governed, and characterized by
humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love (v.2).
The goal of which is “unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace” (v.3).
At the heart of this unity is oneness expressed in verses
4-6. And,
in verses 7-10,
Paul speaks of the gifts of grace given by Christ.
Now to the heart of the matter in what follows
...
II)
HOW THINGS OUGHT TO BE–VV.11-16
A)
First, we are taught that Jesus has given gifted men to His
church–apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and
teachers (v.11).
The first two are considered foundational offices
that are no longer operative (Ephesians
2:20
). Evangelists
are like church planters who go where there is little to no
gospel witness. Pastors
and teachers are men who have the responsibility of leading
a local church. The
focus is upon the task pastors have been called, and gifted
by Christ to do.
1)
Pastors are called to
equip (v.12a).
The word equip means “to
put right, to set a broken bone, to mend a net, or the
restoration of the spiritually lapsed.”
There is a pattern by which this can be judged or
measured. It
must be clear that the pastor’s role is to equip the
saints–believers. But,
equip them for what?
B)
Pastors are to equip the saints to
do the work of ministry or service (v.12b).
Note that it is the saints,
that’s you, who do the work of ministry.
Until the saints come to know and do what Christ has
called the saints to do, there will be little to no growth
in the local church. Is
this what is happening in Bigelow?
1) A
true Christian will have a desire to serve others as a
concrete example of their love for God cf.
Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 3:18; 4:7-8.
If we are not serving, then we need to do some
self-examination: are we in the faith, or do we need to
repent of living for self.
How can we know that we are accomplishing our tasks?
C) That
the body of Christ at Bigelow is being built up (v.12c).
Note with me how Paul concludes verse
16 with the body being built up in love.
So, what constitutes the body being built up?
Cf. Vv. 13-16.
1)
There will be growth in our unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of our
faith (v.13a).
Practically speaking, we will be more concerned about
our growth corporately, rather than our growth individually.
A mature Christian knows the value of the body of
Christ, and wants to be a part of the body’s growth
overall. This
is evidenced by one’s participation in the ministries of
the church. Does
this explain your desire?
2)
There will be a maturing in Christlikeness (v.13b).
In other words, we will imitate Christlike qualities
more and more cf. 1 Peter
2:21-23;.
Mark
6:34
. Is there
evidence of such growth in maturity in your life?
Ask God to bring you to maturity through service to
Him and others.
3)
There will be an ability to stand for truth in the midst of
erroneous teaching, either intentionally taught or not (v.14).
This means we will be discerning as to what we hear
taught or preached. How
easily are you persuaded to abandon the truths of Scripture
for something that tickles the ears?
I pray not at all!
4)
There will be the speaking of the truth in love (v.15).
This not only applies to what we say, but to what we
do. Truth
without love is harsh.
Love without truth is hollow.
We need truth and love working together to bring
about the building up of the body.
Are you speaking the truth in love to others among
us? Are you
open to others speaking the truth in love to you?
5)
Finally, there will be a use of the spiritual gifts given to
each believer at the moment of salvation (v.16).
If you are truly born again, then you have been given
a spiritual gift to be used in serving the body of Christ (1
Corinthians 12:7).
Some gifts are more noticeable, while other gifts are
less noticeable. Yet,
each are vital to the growth of
the body. Note
again the language of verse
16 ... “every joint supplies,”
“the proper working of each individual part.”
What is your part?
Are you doing your part?
It is imperative that the pastors equip, and it is
equally imperative that the saints serve.
The end result will be growth of the body both
internally and externally. May
God bring this to pass here at Bigelow in the year to come!
