GROWING THE CHURCH
Ephesians: Cosmic Truth For Common People – Part 7
Ephesians 4.1-16
v. 16 “… when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (esv)
WHAT MAKES THE CHURCH GROW?
UNITY: Divinely Called Together
v. 1 “… live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (niv)
v. 3 “… eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (esv)
John 17.21 “May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me.” (csb)
VICTORY: Spiritually Equipped To Serve
v. 7 “… grace was given to each one of us …” (esv)
v. 11 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers …” (esv)
v. 12 “… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ …” (esv)
MATURITY: Corporately Committed To Truth
v. 13 “… we all attain … to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ …” (esv)
v. 15 “… we are to grow up in every way … into Christ …” (esv)
v. 15 “… speaking the truth in love …” (esv)
v. 14 “… infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (niv)