Unity, Gifts, and Maturity

Ephesians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Theology Informs Practice

Over the past weeks we have studied Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church.
We have talked about the struggles the church in Ephesus and throughout Asia Minor faced (false god worship, materialism, sexual sin, etc.)
Paul’s primary topics have been salvation (by grace through faith), the legitimacy of Gentiles being brought into the body, the gospel and its importance, and multiple prayers for the church for spiritual strength and knowledge.
Chapter 4 signals a transition.
In light of these topics, Paul now speaks in the following chapters about what it looks like to live a Christian life, how to live and encourage one another in the church, in our families, in our jobs and communities.

Unity’s Importance (1-6)

Linus and Lucy and TV shows
“Why
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.  "These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold." "Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"Charles Schultz.
“Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”
I read verses 1-6 and gave some more details about this scripture on Wednesday but I need to give you the cliff notes version of it this morning.
Verses 1-6 gives us an understanding of the general attitudes that believers need to have as members of the body of Christ to function and please our Savior.
Paul mentions 5 specific things that believers should strive for...
Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Longsuffering, and Peacemaking
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Longsuffering (bearing with one another in love)
Peacemaking (eager to maintain unity)
These qualities will signal to the world what is already true in us (V 4-6 “there is one body, one Spirit…)

The Spiritual Gift Giver (7-10)

For each believer, Jesus has given spiritual gifts.
These gifts are numerous, diverse, and meant for the building up of the body. (1 Cor. 12-14)
Before Paul begins to speak specifically about the gifts of leadership for the church and their purpose, he talks more about the giver of these gifts.
He speaks of Christ and his ascension/descent and that He is the one from whom these gifts originate.
Jesus himself throughout the gospels promises the gift of the Holy Spirit and tells His disciples it is better for Him to leave so they can experience those gifts and use them.
These gifts are given according to the grace of Christ.
Every believer is gifted in some way.

Equipped to Build (11-12)

Here is where things get dicey.
I am fully aware of the awkwardness of the following passage I preach to you, and yet fully confident that it is not a word from me, but from the Lord.
It is an interesting dynamic that I am 33 and young enough to be the grandchild or child (or much younger brother) of many of our members here. And yet, I am in the position of a pastor/elder/shepherd/teacher.
We have recognized this though as God’s plan here at TBC both in my own family’s life and our church body through your search committee and vote.
So I say all of this so we can get all the awkwardness out of the way- so that we can look at the truth of God’s word which was written well before any of us were even thought of by anyone but God.
One of the gifts that Christ has given to the church is the gift of leadership. Apostles and Prophets have already come and set up the early church for growth.
Now, we have evangelists, and shepherd/teachers
In Verse 12, Paul indicates one of the primary focuses of a pastor and we must understand this concept for the church to thrive. There are other jobs and focuses (preaching/teaching, prayer, etc.) that these leaders are given in other areas of scripture to be sure. But for today, lets look at this one.
A pastor is called to equip the saints (congregation) for the work of ministry.
Why? So the body will be built up.
The pastor is less a minister and more an administer. An equipper gives others the tools they need to complete the task at hand.
Certainly, much of what I am called to do is ministry, but I must also prepare the congregation to do ministry.
Why is this so? Because one person, or one group of people cannot build the church as it needs to be built.
Acts chapter 6 explains an issue in the early church that gives us an understanding of the necessity of spreading the work of ministry around.
READ
This is not to say that serving tables and feeding people is unimportant and not work for pastors (in fact, I would argue that scripture would tell us that if one wants to lead, they must lead as a servant).
However,
We must free our people to use the gifts that God has given them.
When we ALL pitch in, we are all benefitted by the use of those gifts.
When ministry falls on just a few, we see burnout. And we see the quality of ministry nosedive because we stretch people too thin.
We must do the work of the ministry together because God calls us to and has gifted us for it.

Maturation of the Saints (13-16)

If we do what Paul has taught us to do, then what will the church look like?
What if we don’t?
When we equip the saints, we...
attain unity and mature (13)
we know Christ and work together well. (Back to Vs. 1-6)
When we equip the saints, we...
stand firm in right doctrine (14)
When we allow our pastors/teachers the ability to study, grow spiritually, and lead....we then are led in good doctrine.
We will not be swayed like children or like the metaphorical waves.
When we equip the saints, we...
speak truth in love (15)
We use this phrase often and fail many times at it. Immature Christians may do one but not the other.
Speaking the truth unlovingly can push people from Christ.
Speaking lovingly but not declaring the truth of God can lead people further from Christ as well.
When we equip the saints, we...
function properly and grow (16)
God intends the body of Christ to grow and to function properly; each part doing its job.
Why?
That’s how growth happens?
How does a child grow? The body sends signals to its different members to do so. The brain develops, limbs grow longer, it gets smarter, stronger, etc.
“Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”  -Vesta Kelly.
That is how the church grows!

How Should We Respond?

First Question: Am I a part of that body?
To become a part…must be connected to Christ
Second Question: Am I doing my part?
This could consist of many things…but let’s ask these questions...
Am I serving the church consistently and sacrificially?
Am I using the gifts that God has given me for others in the body?
Is my attitude one of excitement and unity? Or seeking my own way and complaining?
Let’s not be in the position of allowing others to miss out on the benefits of the gifts God has given to you!
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