Chapters 1-3 of Ephesians are doctrinal truth. Chapters 4-6 are practical applications. Christians need both doctrinal truth and applications of those truths. Doctrinal truth is who God is and what He has done. Practical applications are what He expects of us. Doctrinal truth is worthless without practice. Our practice/lifestyle is to be built on doctrinal truths. The recipients of this letter were mostly recent converts from paganism/heathenism and needed instructions in both doctrine and practical applications.
Ephesians 4:17-18 (ESV) "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."
Paul is saying if you are called to follow Christ, then act like it. Ignorance and futility are reversible, but not if you steel against God's truths.
Ephesians 4:19-20 (ESV) "They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!"
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
So how are Christians supposed to Act Paul gives only a short list, but it is very instructive.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV) "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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, 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. Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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."
God gave us....
1. Apostles (who walked with Christ/ taught directly by Him)
2. Prophets (whom He spoke to...to give us His messages)
3. Evangelist (charged with presenting the gospel to us)
4. Pastors (shepherds) to counsel, guide and instruct
5. Teachers (who explain God's words to us)
All of these leaders are for this purpose
To equip the saints (prepare/train/enable)
1. For the work of Ministry.
2. For the building up of the body (church).
3. For the growth into (spiritual) maturity.
There are many more things these leaders do, but we are going to look at Paul's presentation here...
I. To Equip the Saints for the work of the Ministry
The Greek word "diakovias" is where we get the word deacon which means to serve. Who do we serve? We are servants of God; called to serve Him. We (mostly) serve God by serving others.
John 21:15-17 (ESV) "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"
Ministry is sometimes pleasant and rewarding, but always work. What is Peter called to do? Feed Christ's sheep. Are only Christians His sheep? No all men are made in His image, but we are called to particularly to serve other Christians.
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV) "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
II. For the building up of the Body (church)
The stronger the church the greater the ministry for Christ and to the people. When tragedies hit a community we are not called to sit back and watch what happens. We are called to serve them. If every person is contributing how much greater impact we would have on our community. So those only active in attendance, please pray about your part in serving at OBC. If you are still uncertain talk to Josh.
III. For growth into (spiritual) Maturity
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV) "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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
We are never fully mature because of our sin nature, but this is what we strive for. How is it best to grow to be Spiritually Mature? By knowing and adhering to truth.
Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV) "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained."
Add service/ministry- it is part of the process of maturing.
Summary:
Ephesians 4: 15-16(ESV) "Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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."
When each part of the physical body functions properly it is a healthy body (highly functional). In the body of Christ (the local church) if every person serves then you have a stronger and healthier church. If you are called to be a part of OBC; what are you called to do? To serve Christ and the church and community?
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
We have talked about spiritual gifts a lot lately. Scripture is clear...you are spiritually gifted for...
1. the work of Ministry
2. Building up the Body
3. Growing into Spiritual Maturity
If you are not sure how you are gifted or where you are to serve? Get with Josh and discuss with him or other workers at OBC. If you do then it will benefit you, the church and our community.
Closing Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV) "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen"
No comments:
Post a Comment