ONE CHURCH
ONE VISION

Ephesians 4:1-16

1.  Visioning the full potential of the church

     …the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:23)

     …so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)

     “the Church is the dwelling place of Christ’s attributes and powers…” (Ernest Best, One Body, 141 n.2)

The Bible sees all the believers as one body of Christ.  It cuts across all geographical and racial boundaries.  This is the vision of OCAC, we are one church, one body in Christ.  Although we speak three languages, we are one in Christ.  This is perhaps the reason why God is blessing OCAC that much.  What we have been doing is God’s will.  We are better together.  We are stronger together.  We are bigger together.  Together we can do more for the Lord.

The Bible sees the church as the fullness of Christ – the dwelling place of Christ’s attributes and powers.  This is the potential for the church.  The church is not just men and women gathering.  It is a body that contains the attributes and powers of God himself.  The church is God’s representation on earth.  The world knows God through the church.

2.  Measuring the full potential of the church

When can we see in this body of Christ?  How is Christ’s fullness shown in the body?  When the life of Christ is in the body, we are supposed to reflect the following qualities:

•             Spiritual Vitality: You are energetic

You are enthusiastic

You are tireless: you don’t get burnt out easily.  You are able to do the Marathon in ministry. 

You can do more over time. 

You take up more responsibility over time.

•             Spiritual Maturity: You are mature

You become wise.

You become understanding.  You are slow to criticize

You become patient: you can accept differences

You are able to provide direction

•             Spiritual Ministry: You are effective

You have learned to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit.

You deliver results.

You bring harmony and unity to the body.  Richard Foster said that any true ministry always brings unity to the body of Christ.  What is the point of doing something in the church while dividing the body of Christ?  I don’t think that this is serving God in his will.

•             Spiritual Productivity: You are reproductive

You produce disciples

You multiply leaders

•             Spiritual Fulfillment: You are joyful

You are satisfied with yourself

You are fulfilled with your growth

3.  Reaching the full potential of the church

•             Focus on your character (4:1-6)

Love

Patience

Humility

Gentleness

That we have three languages, cultures, backgrounds, growth stages is the best place for us to learn love for one another, patience with one another, humility towards one another.  There will be a lot of give and take.  You need to yield your rights instead of insisting on your rights all the time. 

•             Use your gifts (4:7-10)

Finding your gift

Using your gift

You are committed to the church as a member.  You are no longer a spectator.

“Do ask what the country will do for you.  But ask what you can do for the country!” John Kennedy

•             Learn the Word (4:11-14)

Daily devotional guide

Listening to sermons with an open heart

Digging deeper with tools

Seminary training in the church: People with their specialties coming to provide more technical training

•             Serve together (4:15-16)

Serving within the ESM

Serving with CSM and MSM: cross-pollination, mutual enrichment

•             Pray fervently (6:18)

You can have all the elements, but one thing that makes everything working together is prayer.

It provides the energy for the whole machine.

It provides the harmony for the whole machine.

Ignite Prayer