Bible Study - Connect (3) - Connected in Growth - Ephesians 4:11-16 - September 21, 2014

Bible Study – Connect (3) – Connected in Growth – September 21, 2014

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Connected: My Life in the Church.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 4:11-16.

Church members need one another in order to grow in CHRIST.

GOD chose the structure of Christian growth to be based upon Christian interaction in unity with GOD, CHRIST and the Holy Spirit. CHRIST is the head of the living Spiritual body. GOD places Christians in unique positions to form the remainder of the Spiritual body through obedient service and ministry meeting the needs of that Spiritual body. HE equips them with Spiritual gifts. Just as the human body is made up of many different parts, they all have a purpose within the body. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Ephesians 2:10:

10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

GOD has a plan and purpose for every Christian. But Christians must yield their wills to HIM and allow HIM to lead, direct and empower their lives through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The foundation for obedient service for GOD is to be in unity with HIM through an intimate relationship with CHRIST and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

This leads us to our next scripture.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:7-10:

7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the • Messiah’s gift. 8 For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people. 9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

GOD’S grace is HIS free gift to all Christians. HE gives them grace in proportion to “the Messiah’s gift” to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. Once a person gives his or her life to CHRIST, GOD’S grace is sufficient to carry him or her through life upon earth into heaven. Satan has been defeated and all who place their faith in CHRIST have also, in essence, defeated Satan.

As the victor, CHRIST captured all who place their faith in HIM to become Christians. HE took them from Satan’s domain and control. HE took them to heaven. The spoils of HIS victory over sin and death resulted in the opportunity for salvation for all who will place their faith in CHRIST. Some of these spoils are eternal life, rebirth, citizenship in GOD’S kingdom and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit has an arsenal of Spiritual gifts which HE chooses according to the plan and purpose of GOD to be manifested through specific Christians to minister to the living church as well as to those yet to receive salvation.

CHRIST willingly came from heaven to earth to live as a human and to give HIS sinless life for the redemption of all who will place their faith in HIM from sin and eternal death. HE left HIS Glory in heaven when HE came to earth, so that HE would be 100% human and experience life as a human even to the point of being tempted as humans are tempted, yet HE was 100% Divine. HE had HIS divine power at HIS finger tips to use but HE chose not because if HE had, HE would have sinned and the barrier between GOD and mankind would remain. The Good News is that HE remained faithful to HIS Father’s redemptive plan and we owe our salvation to HIS faithfulness. CHRIST paid the sin debt we could not pay. Why did HE pay the sin debt? It is because of HIS love for us.

Let’s read Philippians 2:3-11:

3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. 5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] 6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [ possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! 9 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, 10 That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Amplified)

HIS victory over sin and death makes it possible for HIM to gift those who place their faith in HIM.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:11-12:

11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the • saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

Paul lists just a few of the gifts CHRIST has to give which are apportioned by the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit chooses.  “HE chooses” is critical. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Paul lists some of the Spiritual gifts but notice verse 11:

11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.  

Roughly there are 29 or so Spiritual gifts identified in the Bible but that is not the max. I have found that some gifts are for a season and some are for a longer period. Spiritual gifts belong to GOD and are HIS to give. Christians can desire certain gifts but with gifts comes responsibility and accountability.

The gifts that Paul listed in this scripture focus on building and benefiting the living body. Notice that HE gave some to be – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

Apostles and prophets are foundational to the living body.

Apostles are defined as “sent out ones.” Some define apostles as those who had seen CHRIST, witnessed HIS resurrection and had been commissioned by HIM. Yet, Paul considered that he was an apostle, I think, because he encountered CHRIST on the road to Damascus. Barnabas was sometimes referred to as an apostle. Bottom-line, GOD gifts some with a special calling to build a solid foundation upon which Christians can grow Spiritually.

Prophets are those who are inspired by GOD to reveal what GOD has revealed to them. A prophet’s message may have past, present or future implications. It is GOD’S message that the people need to hear to discern HIS will, plan and purpose.

Some Bible scholars think that apostles and prophets were for the early days but not now. I believe they are for the times GOD needs for them to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. We have to be careful because JESUS cautioned that there will be false prophets as we approach the end times.

Evangelists are those who proclaim the gospel of CHRIST. They are gifted with communication. In the early days, evangelists were itinerant that is they moved from place to place as led by the Holy Spirit.

Pastors and teachers are considered as one office in the Greek. The office of pastor and teacher is “for the training of the • saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.” Christians are referred to as “saints” who get their name from sanctification or that which has been set aside for the specific use by GOD. Christians are saints. GOD intends for Christians to work in the Spiritual vineyard as HE gifts and directs them.

They are to help the living body grow through “ministry.” Ministry can be translated “serving.” Serving others helps the living body to grow physically and Spiritually. The key is to serve where GOD places us and gifts us. Spiritual growth is not necessarily instantaneous. Some grow faster than others. Often, things in our lives have to be brought to the surface or weeded out of our lives in order for us to grow into the Spiritual person GOD intends for us.

Yes, there is a gift of teaching as well as many other gifts to equip and grow the living body in unity and harmony with GOD’S plan and purpose.

What is the end-point? How do we know when we have reached GOD’S goal? Let’s continue.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:13:

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

HIS goal is for all of HIS children to reach HIS goal as described in verse 13. The word “until” connects Spiritual activity in verses 11-12 to the objective in verse 13. It is all about unity in faith and knowledge. One faith in CHRIST based upon knowing HIM by growing. Growing is an active, dynamic process. First, the soil of the heart has to be prepared to receive the Spiritual seed. The seed is planted and it must germinate. It must be watered, fertilized, weeded, protected from insects, maybe pruned and harvested. Even the product harvested has seeds, which can be planted to produce a later harvest.

 It is more than knowing facts about JESUS but knowing HIM by walking with HIM as a normal part of your lifestyle. It is about Spiritual growth until the fullness of CHRIST has been reached in us. The word “reached” means to arrive at a specific destination of Spiritual maturity which is measured by the standard set by CHRIST. GOD’S objective is for all Christians to grow into the image of HIS only Son, JESUS.

Why?

Let’s read Ephesians 4:14-16:

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head —Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

The word “then” connects us to the answer. When Christians are Spiritually mature, they are in unity with GOD, The Father, CHRIST, The Son and The Holy Spirit. They are complete and foundationally solid because they have grown from the exploring stage of Spiritual life to the knowing stage of Spiritual life which comes from experience. They are no longer Spiritually “little children” or “infants.”

Their Spiritual maturity comes from knowing GOD through an intimate, dynamic, loving, personal relationship with HIM.

Those called by GOD in verse 11, GOD equipped to minister to those called to salvation. All Christians are on the path to Spiritual maturity, which is built upon trust and Spiritual growth in partnership with the indwelling Holy Spirit Who has come along the side of them 24/7.

We must keep in mind that GOD never takes away a person’s right to choose: Christian or non-Christian. HE made us to seek and explore. When Christians are Spiritually mature, the winds of doctrine may blow and the angry waves may billow around them but they are not discouraged or waiver because their faith is built upon the solid foundation of CHRIST their redeemer. Their anchor holds because they are in unity with HIM.

Fully grown and Spiritually mature Christians are one with GOD through faith in CHRIST, Who is the head of the living Spiritual body. The Holy Spirit brings all together as ONE built upon the Solid Foundation of CHRIST. The rains may come but the solid rock of JESUS holds.

When Paul wrote this, there were all sorts of religions and religious practices throughout the Roman Empire. When the Romans captured various areas, those captured had many different religions. The Roman government decided to create one religion for all to follow, which could be accomplished with all except Christianity. Christianity was unique. CHRIST was and still is the way to the One True GOD. There were a lot of false teachers who blended head knowledge about CHRIST to false religious practices in that time.

As we get closer to the second coming of CHRIST, we will see a resurgence in false teachers and only those on the firm foundation of CHRIST, the Spiritually mature, will see the error of their teaching and will discern the truth.

Humans are cunning, deceitful and clever. Deceit has its origin in Satan. He is the father of lies and his goal is to confuse, lead astray and defeat every Christian and to prevent non-Christians from becoming Christians. Humans can speak the Christian language but insert a twist. To the Spiritually immature such deceit can confuse and lead them astray in an effort to prevent them from yielding to the truth as taught and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that GOD gives Christians and non-Christians alike the freedom to choose.

In verse 15, Paul made it clear that “speaking the truth” meant living the truth. It is not do as I say but live as I live. Christians are to grow Spiritually into the image of CHRIST Who is the head. CHRIST is the head of the living Spiritual body. CHRIST being the head means there is a Spiritual support structure which results in Christians making up the rest of the Spiritual body as directed by the Holy Spirit. That is why GOD gives Spiritual gifts to those HE calls to make up the true living body as guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. HE gives Spiritual gifts to accomplish HIS plans and purposes.

HIS Spiritual gifts are many and varied to make the Spiritual body complete and function according to HIS will and purpose to bring unity for the purpose of teaching and training the saints until they reach full Spiritual maturity. Then, they are fully equipped to function within the living body as GOD chooses.

Christians must “speak the truth in love”, which means they are to live by what they say. Speaking the truth in love, results in growth. The degree of unity in a body reflects the Spiritual health of the body.

That is only possible by the power and strength of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christians must walk the talk.

Verse 16, brings to mind JESUS’ message of connectedness as recorded in John 15:1-8: (JESUS is the source of life giving power necessary to function as a viable obedient Christian. Christians must be in unity and intimate with CHRIST Who is the way to GOD and the conduit for Spiritual nourishment, growth in order to produce fruit.)

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already • clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.

As Christians obediently serve by using their Spiritual gifts and abilities to help others, they continue to grow in unity and become more like CHRIST, Who is the head. Each Christian chooses the degree he or she will yield to obediently serve. It is difficult to say, “Here I am LORD use me as You choose.” That is necessary because HIS will must be done through HIS strength and according to HIS plan and purpose. Satan will do all he can to keep you from yielding your life to CHRIST. The decision is yours to make and now is that opportunity. Blessings!!!