Grown Up Christians
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11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Easton: Papa I’m 5 years old, and Beau is just 1 year old, he is just a baby.
Arielle: The eyes for the puppets. They are on your head.
Jake: I’m not happy. You’re not grandma either.
All are juvenile, funny, stories about some of us who have not yet arrived at maturity.
yOu can’t stay 5 all your life. And if you knew someone who didn’t grow up, you’d likely not hold them close for long.
Even though the toys r us theme is “I don’t want to grow up”, you have to.
And in the church, it is critical for the body that we all mature and become the person/servant that Christ created us to be.
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
These do not exist for their own sake.
The main point of certain people having special roles, is so that every single Christian and the church as a whole may be equipped for their work of service.
Shepherds and teachers… protection and supervision of the flock.
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
The role of the specialized ministries in verse 12 is the equipping of God’s people for service. It is to “prepare”, to put right.
The most significant (seemingly) and insignificant part of the body of Christ is meant to have purpose. Look at 1 Cor 12.22
22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
We have purpose, meaning, and ministry together. Christ is our example in Mark 10.45 and Luke 22.27
27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Don’t wanna grow up. But you have to.
This is the church “complete”. This unity arises from an increasing knowledge of Christ as the Son of God in corporate as well as in personal experience.
It means coming of age, perfect, full grown man.
The word “manhood” or personhood is singular.. it is singular because the church is seen as a whole...
iphones, irobot, itunes… the individual in our society is important. In the role of the church not so. We are a collective unity and our maturity depends on our unity.
Individualism is a mark of immaturity.
Silos in the church are a mark of immaturity. Silos are not a sign of growth, they are usually a sign of missiles. Groups in the church are meant to be a part of the whole or are a mark if immaturity.
Division, tearing down the unity is a mark of immaturity.
The trinity… jesus, the father, and the holy spirit work in unison which is how the body of Christ must work.
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Babies,, boats, and storms. with loaded dice.
They're all in this together. and they are out to trick you.
The thought of growing up, maturing is carried over from verse 13. Look at 1 Cor 13.11
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
“Cunning”- cheating at dice, and so by extension, trickery of every and any kind.
“Craftiness”- unscrupulousness that stops at nothing. Error is organized with a deliberate policy to undermine the truth of God.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Learn to speak the truth. About Christianity, about Christ, about heaven and hell .
Be able to tell the gospel story with love and clarity so that someone WANTS to hear it again. It isn’t to invite someone to “come hear my pastor”.... no, the pastor is to mature Christians. Christians are to grow up so they can to what this verse tells us… speak the truth in love.
The truth of the God of love can’t be stated with loveless speech.
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Christ is at one time the One into whom all Christians grow and out of whom, at the same time, the church consolidates itself in love.
Equipped-set in place, like a surgeon setting a bone to heal, to have purpose… etc.,
The process depends on the fact that the various parts of the body are interrelated. The whole is continually being integrated and kept firm by each separate ligament.
Mutual Love Build A Stronger Body
Mutual Love Build A Stronger Body
When Christians Live Together Like One We Can Love the World Like Christ.
We are not only children; we are members of each other. We need and should love each other.
Mutual Love Build A Stronger Body
Mutual Love Build A Stronger Body
A. Not being together does not encourage love for each other.
I don’t like the music. I don’t want to get up so early. I can’t ......
You can’t love me if you’re not with me.
B.Thinking of only my wants and desires instead of the whole focuses on me instead of “us”.
The point of the church is the “us” that becomes the “me.”
If it’s all about me it can never be about Him.
C.Our growth depends on each other…The individual is important to the whole.
See Ephesians 4.16
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
D. Our Growth is Gauged by our Love
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
1. Climbing the mountains, crossing the plains,
Fording the rivers, sharing the pains;
Sometimes the losses and sometimes the gains,
Getting used to the family of God.
CHORUS:
Going together, enjoying the trip,
Getting used to the family I'll spend eternity with;
Learning to love you, how easy it is,
Getting used to the family of God.
2. Reaching our hands to a brother that's new,
Learning to say that I really love you;
Learning to love as the Master would do,
Getting used to the fam'ly of God.