Building Up the Church
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· 1,280 viewsIt's easy to become discouraged. God has given church leaders to the body of Christ to build up and equip the church. Let's look to the book Ephesians to see how we can grow together in unity.
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Building Up the Church
Building Up the Church
It’s easy for us to get discouraged. It’s also possible for the church to get sidetracked and splintered over inconsequential matters. We often need to be built up. God has given the church leaders whose job is to equip and build up the church. Let’s look at our text for this morning.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
A. “Edify” - This is a short word with an important meaning. To “edify” is to build up. The goal of this text is to build up the body of Christ.
B. Church leaders are to build up the Church. The church is the body of Christ. What can we do to build up our church?
We can put away our differences (13)
We can put away our differences (13)
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
1. Unity is vital for a church to be effective.
a. Those in the upper room were of one accord ()
b. On the Day of Pentecost all were of one accord ()
2. Power flows through a united church.
3. Grace enables us to forgive those who have wronged us.
We can focus on Jesus (13)
We can focus on Jesus (13)
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
1. People may fail us, but Jesus never fails.
2. This is the secret of consistent Christian living - focusing on Jesus - ex. Peter
3. Three life changing words are given to us in Hebrews.
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1. These words eliminate all excuses for failure.
2. No hiding behind the hypocrites allowed.
3. Christ, the perfect One leads on to higher ground.
4. Our relationship with Christ is revealed by how we live.
We can get back to the basics (14)
We can get back to the basics (14)
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
1. Many efforts to build up churches flounder.
1. Many efforts to build up churches flounder.
a. The emphasis may be on programs rather than on people.
b. Some search for a strategy other than sharing the gospel.
2. We must build on sound doctrine, not supposed new revelations.
a. The winds of false doctrines are ever blowing.
b. Cunning counterfeit characters are waiting to deceive.
3. How can we counter false teaching and build up the church?
We can speak the truth in love (15)
We can speak the truth in love (15)
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
1. Truth and love make a dynamic combination.
a. The gospel is the truth; we need to make sure we stick with it.
b. Presenting the gospel in love brings sinners to Christ. Speaking to one another in love edifies and helps us grow.
2. New converts build up a church and bring new life.
Conclusion:
A. The goal of a church should be to edify its members.
B. The church is an organism; all grow as each grows.
C. Edifying a church results in Evangelizing the community.