Romans 12:6 &Ephesians 4:11-16  - Growing up

 

INTRO : Growing up can often be painful & embarrassing -

A) Most of us can remember - stupid things that we did or said as kids that caused us a great deal of pain or embarrassment

 

B) I remember the time that I experimented w/ riding my bike w/ my eyes closed - did good until I hit a parked truck .

1)  We all have 100’s of stories that of those type of things

 

C) My son Aaron the other day actually asked me - Dad when you were younger - ever do or say stupid things or embarrassing things 2nd - 3rd grade

1)  He is going into 3rd grade. - I said sure - in fact I still do & say stupid things now .

 

D) Then he said - I can’t believe some of the things I did in the 2nd grade.

 

 

There are also times when kids are younger that they want to grow up faster or appear more grown up than they really are

A) 2 weeks ago my daughter turned 2 - celebrated her birth day

 

B) Next day I found her in our bathroom - standing in front of the closet mirror putting on Denise’s Mascara - Wand in one  hand / bottle in the other

 

Yes it is true that growing up can be embarrassing we - have all done & said stupid things - and we a have all had those times - appear more grown up than we really are .

 

 No one grows up over night - and there are no short cuts to spiritual growth -  SAME IS TRUE SPIRITUALLY -

 Eph. 4 is about  growing up / and the passage we are looking at today presents us w/ a neat picture of what the grown up Church looks like

A) What the grown up believer - looks like .

 

11  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

14  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

15  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

 

 

Now in the growing of our human bodies there are 4 systems that God has placed w/ in us that are essential for life & growth.

A) the skeletal and muscular framework,( the bones & the muscles )  the nervous system, the digestive system, and the circulatory systems.

 

 

D) There are other systems in the body which are not essential for life itself (such as the reproductive system) but these four are.

 

E) And these 4 systems  correspond to four areas of gifting that the Lord has given to His Church . noted here in v. 11

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

These four categories--apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers--are among of the gifts which constitute what  some call "support gifts"  or offices w/ in the Church !     Structure !

 

A)And  These four offices or giftings in the body of Christ correspond rather well  those major body systems in  the physical body.

          1) So for the sake of explanation - I want to build this analogy

 

B) In the human body  the First system is the  basic structural system of the bones and muscles.

1)  This gives the body its fundamental support and allows the body to be mobile  and active.

 

C) We would all be nothing but rolling, shapeless globs of gelatin if

      it were not for our bones and muscles!

 

D) Now This image of the bones & muscles clearly corresponds to the apostles & their function in the body of Christ.

1) Their work was foundational, skeletal

 

DD) They formed the basic structure which made the body of Christ    assume        the particular form it has. In Ephesians 2:19  20, Paul says, "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

 

EE) The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, as Paul declared to the Corinthians, (1 Cor. 3:11),  "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ"

 

G) the primary work of an apostle was to declare the whole body of truth concerning Jesus Christ. That is the foundation.

1)  recorded for us in the New Testament and the church must  rests squarely & firmly upon that foundation.

The Lord Jesus made very clear that if a man builds on the wrong foundation, he is in trouble.

A) A man may  build his house on the sand and the house may look very beautiful and impressive, but when the storms come, it falls.

 

B) But the man Who  builds his house on the rock will stand in the storm. His house might not look as good on the outside

1) It is the foundation which  makes all the difference.

 

C) The basic meaning of the word Apostle means one who is sent out on a mission !

          1) Jesus Chose 12 - Disciples Mission to Change the World !

 

D) Now the 1st 12 apostles who were sent out by Jesus seemed to have a unique place in the history of the church!  God's plan!

          1)      They were used by the Lord in the birthing of His Church

                   & in the putting together of God's word! ( Inspired!)

 

E) Paul was later classified in this group of original apostles & gives the

          criteria for being one in defending his apostleship

          1)      When wrote " need to have seen Jesus / sent out by Him!"

 

F) Because of that criteria I do not believe there are apostles                                today in that original way / same type of authority as 12 apostles

 

G) Reason I mention that is there are men today who claim to be Apostles

     on  an equal level w/ the originals / their words above scripture !

          1)      Listen when listening to any teacher / take what say &

                   check it w/ scripture     Bereans

 

          2)      Doesn't match we need to reject them & not true

 

 

Now there are those who function in gifting of an apostle in that they do what apostles did!

A) Go to places preach gospel plant churches / get going / missionaries   

       have     an apostolic like ministry ( Brian London - Greg Hungary )

         

B) Pastor Chuck Apostolic like ministry amongst Calvary’s

        

C)     Term apostle is used in a general sense of men like Barnabas

          Timothy , Silas.  Sent out By the Spirit.

         1) So   4 types : Jesus / Disciples He appointed & Paul/ Those sent               by the Spirit / And Missionaries today Apostolic ministry

 

D) In a very broad sense all believers are called to a apostolic type ministry

 / we have been commissioned by the Lord - be ambassadors for Christ!

 

E) So apostles were those sent out /The  1st by Jesus  - made up the Bones & Muscles of the body ! Governing Ministry ( Foundation & Structure )

1)  Here is the skeleton of the body, and upon this the church is built and from this comes its strength.

 

 

Linked with the skeletal system in the human body is the nervous system. A) It is the means by which the bones and muscles are stimulated to activity,     

       The nervous system is the directive system.

 

B) It is  linked directly to the head, and from there it conveys messages to every other part of the body.

1)  This system  corresponds to the work of prophets in the body of Christ.

 

BB) Now the reference here is to New Testament prophets. 

1)  They were men who were given, as were the apostles, particular

      insight into the doctrines of the faith

 

C) A prophet is essentially a man who speaks for God, who unfolds the mind of God.

 

D) Believers in the New Testament churches did not possess Bibles, and  the New Testament written and completed.

 

E) How, then, would these local assemblies discover God’s will? His Spirit would share God’s truth with those possessing the gift of prophecy.

1)  Paul suggests that the gift of prophecy had to do with understanding “all mysteries and all knowledge” (1 Cor. 13:2), = spiritual truths.

 

F) And The purpose of prophecy is “edification, encouragement, and comfort”   GUIDING MINISTRY

 

 

Even though many of the apostles were also considered prophets The gift of a prophet differs from that of an apostle- In this :

 

B) The apostle gives an authoritative declaration of the whole body of truth concerning Jesus Christ; but the prophet interprets that authoritative word and explains the truth s that it becomes very clear

 

Bb) office use in Birth of Church  vital, and compelling. Prophets today ?

1)  Not in the sense of like the first - But some have considered Billy Graham a Prophet for this Gen. Message of Repentance to the World

 

 

 

The third support ministry within the body of Christ is the evangelist.

   Gathering ministry

A)     Gathering people into the kingdom!    Person w/ a strong

          desire & unique ability to share gospel w/ results!

 

A)     All called to share but person w/ this gift / very effective leading

                 others Christ / bringing to church!

 

B)     Think of people like Greg Laurie /  but Know people who may

          never preach at church or a crusade/ very effective!

 

C) Since the evangelist is used in  the numerical growth of the body of Christ, the ministry of the evangelist corresponds to the digestive system within the human body.

 

D) taking food which is quite unlike flesh and transforms it into flesh and bones, making it a living part of the body. What the Evangelist does

          1) That which is not part of the body makes part

 

 

All Christians are expected to evangelize, but not all have the gift of an evangelist.

A) Christians are to evangelize as witnesses, but a witness is different from an evangelist.

1)  Any individual Christian should be able to explain to others what 

     happened when he or she became a Christian. 1 Peter 3:15

             "always be ready to give ... a reason for the hope that is in you"

 

B) Witnessing should be as easy as talking about any other meaningful life experience.

1)  If you can talk about how wonderful your husband is, or your wife, or your children or grandchildren, you can witness for Christ.

 

C) But the person w/ the gift of an evangelist goes further - He is able to share the message of Jesus w/ great results !

          1) Burden / boldness - and an effectiveness !

 

 

The fourth great physical system which the body depends upon for life is the circulatory system

A) the veins and arteries linked to the heart and lungs, which distribute food and oxygen to every part of the body ,& take away the accumulated wastes.

 

B) This corresponds to the work of Pastor - teacher  within the body of

Christ

1)  Those who are there to maintain the life of the body by feeding and  cleansing it - by giving a steady diet of the word !

 

C) Pastor teacher = one office - Every pastor - needs to be have the gift of teaching - yet not all teachers are called to be Pastors

 

D) Pastor is synonymous w/ the word Bishop & the word Elder in - the Bible

1)  All 3 describe the position from a different view point

 

E) Bishop - episcopus -overseer/ - Ministry = watches out for the flock

1)  Elder - Man - mature in the Lord - /

 

F) Pastor = Shepherd describes the method -  feed & tend & to guard - grounding & a guarding ministry !

 

 

So these are in the body for the purpose of v.12  equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

A) preparing them for service, getting them ready for action./ Ministry

       ministry   3 Aspects

 

1st UPREACH = exaltation /   Worship that goes beyond singing

A)     Col. " Whatever you do in word or in deed.............. Lord!"

 

B)     2nd INREACH = Edification ( Building up the body of Christ )

ministering to each other & helping one another grow!

 

C)3rd OUTREACH  EVANGELISM   " Going out & sharing the gospel

1)  So 1st see fathers heart that kids would be equipped for ministry!

 

 

Now it is this 2nd aspect of ministry which Paul focuses on in the rest of this section. Aspect of building up the body - Bringing it into maturity

A) That Maturity is seen in 3 things / 1st That we would become more like Christ - 2nd that we would put away Childish tendencies

 

AA) 3rd That we would be functioning as a unit and fulfilling our role w/ in the body of Christ.    A Godly Cooperation

 

B) The 1st mark of maturity is seen - V.13, &15  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 15  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

 

C) Paul says that we need to grow up into the head - who is Christ -

1)  Have you ever seen a child who’s body hasn’t yet grown into it’s head . ( How hold that head up )

 

D) But over time their bodies  will catch up w/ their heads

 

E) Christ - is the head - that we are growing into - Paul mentions 2 things in v. 13 that are essential for measuring that growth

 

 

1st - Growing in our Knowledge of Christ

A) Knowledge - speaks of that which is an experiential knowledge - a knowing - and that which is precise & full.

 

B) In other words it is not just talking of head knowledge - but of truly knowing - it speaks of a relationship .

1)  Knowing about Him - but really knowing Him

*****

C) There are no short cuts to spiritual growth - no cliff notes on Christianity -

 

D) Only way to grow in that kind of relationship w/ Jesus - growing in our knowledge of who He is and what that means for our lives

1)  We must study - the word -

 

E) In the volume of the book it is written of me ! See Jesus - touch Jesus!

1)  Paul on the road - Who are you - What want me to do

2)  Phil 3 Lay aside all - might know Him

 

1Cor 2: 2  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

 

EPH. 1: 18  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

20  which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

 

EPH. 3: 19  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

 

 

PHIL 3: 8  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9  and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

So it is a knowing of Christ that - translates into a longing to be more like Him !  

A) Which is the 2nd aspect of growing into the head that Paul mentions in the latter part of v. 13

 

to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

 

B) Paul is pointing out that Christ is the measuring stick of our maturity !

1)  Word perfect = complete -

 

C) Measuring stick of our Christian maturity is going to be seen in how like Christ are we becoming!

1)  Are we partaking of His mind - Let this mind be in you …..

 

D) Marked by a sacrifice of self - servant of all

 

 

Are we seeing people w/ His eyes - dealing w/ People w/ his heart ?

A) I find this so intriguing that the 1st measure of our Christian growth & maturity isn’t in how much knowledge we have obtained .

 

B) But is in how much of Jesus - do we know & how like Him - have we become !

 

 

Now the 2nd mark of our maturity that Paul mentions is that we are becoming more stable - more Grounded - less Childish

V.14 14  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

 

A) The life of a child - Baby first born - carried & breast fed / then crawling & being spoon fed - then toddler - eating solids / walking - eating meat

 

B) Good description of Christian growth - Baby in the Lord 1st born again - need to feed on the milk - get down the basic - carried & supported a while

 

C) Next comes - crawling stage - spoon fed - going to studies

1)  Toddler - good description - unsteady - falling down getting up

 

D) Good description of early days in the Lord - widespread emotions - highs & lows ups & downs - tossed here in there .

1)  Desperate need to get grounded - to get solid - to begin to eat meat / begin to really walk - stand on solid ground

 

 

But unfortunately there are many Christians who forever remain toddlers - being tossed to & fro chasing - stumbling after winds of Doc.

 

B) Good description of Christian growth - Baby in the Lord 1st born again - need to feed on the milk - get down the basic - carried & supported a while

 

C) Next comes - crawling stage - spoon fed - going to studies

1)  Toddler - good description - unsteady - falling down getting up

 

D) Good description of early days in the Lord - widespread emotions - highs & lows ups & downs - tossed here in there .

1)  Desperate need to get grounded - to get solid - to begin to eat meat / begin to really walk - stand on solid ground

 

 

But unfortunately there are many Christians who forever remain toddlers - being tossed to & fro chasing - stumbling after winds of Doc.

A) Did you know there are fads in the Church that come and go like fashions in clothes?

 

B) Immature Christians are always riding the crest of a new fad, forever picking up the newest thing that has hit.

C) One such new fad - Holy laughter - Toronto blessing - Pensacola revival Laughing uncontrollably for hrs / barking oinking / flapping /

1)  No Scriptural basis - getting people’s eyes off of Jesus & onto experience !  H.S. will testify of Me - Glorify me - focus me

 

D) Marks of Childishness / - Emotional - fickle / undiscerning / chasing fads

 

 

Paul uses some pretty descriptive words in describing this spiritual immaturity - and instability

A) Tossed to & fro describe a boat - lost at sea w/ no anchor - just tossed about by the wind & the waves

 

B) Sadly that is the description of many people today w/ in the Christian Church. - Tossed to & fro - one false teaching to the next

1)  Never growing never stabilizing - but only obtaining a false sense a spirituality.

 

C) Shouldn’t really be surprised ! 2 Tim. 4: 3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears,( Lit. an itch for novelty - that which  is new )  they will heap up for themselves teachers;

4  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

 

2nd mark of growing up is evidenced in a putting away of Childish things

Becoming stable - not tossed - no chasing fads -

 

3rd Mark of maturity found in v.16 - Functioning as a unit - Godly co-operation - 16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

 

A) Again Paul’s imagery here is powerful - joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share,

 

B) Joints & Ligaments - knit together - perfect fit !

 

C) Bones w/ out Ligaments tendons - painful - bone on bone -

 

D) Almost machine like - every part doing it share - causing the body to grow

1)  Growth that is seen in love !

 

So maturity is seen in coming into that place where you know your role - you know your place - you know where you fit .

A) And you are functioning in that capacity to cause those around you to be built up & grow in love !

 

B) Doing away w/ petty divisions - of selfishness - of competition and garbage like that -

1)  Healthy team work - moving & functioning to build up one another !

 

 

   A man broke his left arm.  One night when he couldn't sleep, he imagined a dialogue between his right and left hands.  Right Hand said, "Left Hand, you are not missed.  Everybody's glad it was you that was broken and not me.  You are not very important."    Left Hand asked, "How are you superior?"

  

Right Hand replied, "Why, my owner cannot write a letter without me."

   Left Hand: "But who holds the paper on which he writes?"

Right Hand: Who swings the hammer?" Left  Hand: "Who holds the nail?"

  

Right Hand: "Who guides the plane when the carpenter smoothes a board?"

   Left Hand: "Who steadies the board?"

   Right Hand: "When our owner walks down the street and lifts his hat to greet someone, which of us does it?"

   Left Hand: "Who holds the briefcase while he does it?" Then he continued, "Let me ask you a question.  When our owner shaved yesterday, you held the razor, but his face is cut because I wasn't there to help.  Also, our owner's watch has stopped.  Why?  You may do the winding, but if I'm not there to hold it, the watch won't get wound.  You can't take money out of his wallet to pay for something because I'm not there to hold it.  The master can do very few things without me."

   So, too, does each of us have a place of service for the Lord.  None is greater just different.