Christ Nourishes His Church for Growing Together
Summary of the Message
God’s vision for the church is grounded in his calling her to be a theological statement about his own glory and wisdom. Indeed, the power of the gospel is seen most keenly in the character of the church. Because of this grand purpose, Christ himself supplies his church with the resources to change the saints into servants with hearts like his so they can serve one another, helping the church to grow into unity and a greater experience of himself.
God’s vision for the church is grounded in his calling her to be a theological statement about his own glory and wisdom. Indeed, the power of the gospel is seen most keenly in the character of the church. Because of this grand purpose, Christ himself supplies his church with the resources to change the saints into servants with hearts like his so they can serve one another, helping the church to grow into unity and a greater experience of himself.
Key Sermon Points
1. Christ does not intend for the church to be a collection of free agents (Eph. 4:11)
Though Paul does not take time to explicitly define what these word-based leadership ministers do, it is clear their roles are distinct and, most importantly, they are necessary for growing the spiritual health of the church. These roles all proclaim the gospel salvation and the lordship of Jesus Christ, and as such it is assumed that the church is sitting under and being affected by their ministry.
2. Christ wants to make you spiritually strong for spiritual labor for spiritual formation (Eph. 4:12)
The intended effect of the ministries previously listed is the equipping or transformation of the saints so they will have the appropriate character to the work of gospel ministry. The word-based ministry that shapes them includes correction, rebuke, and encouragement (2Tim4:2), resulting in the kind of character that serves the body of Christ faithfully.
3. Christ wants a church united in spiritual conviction and his active church (Eph. 4:13)
There is much confusion about what unity means, e.g., is it conformity or submission to things you don’t like, but for the sake of unity, you conform or submit to leadership or the majority? But when we consider passages like Acts 4:32, 1 Corinthians 1:10, and Philippians 2:2, unity clearly is rooted in a shared conviction. Of course, that conviction is on the priority of the gospel and living it out faithfully. That unity also includes the shared experience of practically submitting to Christ’s Lordship. The result? Maturity and experiencing the full measure of the fullness of Christ!
1. Christ does not intend for the church to be a collection of free agents (Eph. 4:11)
Though Paul does not take time to explicitly define what these word-based leadership ministers do, it is clear their roles are distinct and, most importantly, they are necessary for growing the spiritual health of the church. These roles all proclaim the gospel salvation and the lordship of Jesus Christ, and as such it is assumed that the church is sitting under and being affected by their ministry.
2. Christ wants to make you spiritually strong for spiritual labor for spiritual formation (Eph. 4:12)
The intended effect of the ministries previously listed is the equipping or transformation of the saints so they will have the appropriate character to the work of gospel ministry. The word-based ministry that shapes them includes correction, rebuke, and encouragement (2Tim4:2), resulting in the kind of character that serves the body of Christ faithfully.
3. Christ wants a church united in spiritual conviction and his active church (Eph. 4:13)
There is much confusion about what unity means, e.g., is it conformity or submission to things you don’t like, but for the sake of unity, you conform or submit to leadership or the majority? But when we consider passages like Acts 4:32, 1 Corinthians 1:10, and Philippians 2:2, unity clearly is rooted in a shared conviction. Of course, that conviction is on the priority of the gospel and living it out faithfully. That unity also includes the shared experience of practically submitting to Christ’s Lordship. The result? Maturity and experiencing the full measure of the fullness of Christ!
Discussion Questions
- When teaching this passage, many will carefully explain what apostles and prophets are, taking time to indicate whether these offices continue today. Pastor D in his message de-emphasized that discussion, choosing to emphasize the spiritual impact those roles are intended to have. How does the mindset of trying to clarify those roles sometimes help and at other times hinder our ability to be impacted by the teaching we hear from them?
- In your mind, how vital is the local church to your spiritual growth, and in what practical ways do you see how the church strengthens you spiritually? Can one survive and thrive spiritually without a commitment to a local church?
- Changing churches is a common pattern today, and there can be good spiritual reasons to do so. What are some of those good spiritual reasons? What are some bad reasons?
- In your own words, describe a spiritually mature church and how do you think we can experience the fullness of Christ in such a church?
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