God's Health Plan Series

God’s Health Plan

Ephesians 4:11-16

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,

A Precious Gift

God has given spiritual leaders

 Apostles - Initiate

 Prophets – Cast vision

 Evangelists – Proclaim salvation

 Pastors – Nurture the flock

 Teachers – Instruct

 Unique giftings and calls

A twofold call

 Equipping the body for ministry – outward

 Building up the body for maturity - inward

Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)

until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

The End Result

Growing in knowledge of Christ

 Experiential

 Intimate

 Taught

Identifies the fullness of Christ

 Maturing in Christ

 Transformed thinking

 Transformed actions

 A perfect reflection of Christ

 The individuality of the person or church is no longer seen – Only Christ is visible

Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.

Firmly Grounded

Immaturity leads to instability

 Boundaries are not clearly defined

 Judgment is based on feeling not absolutes

 God’s will and leadership is not factored into decisions

Maturity provides a firm foundation

 All doctrine and teaching are weighed against God’s will and direction

 Acts 17:11

Acts 17:11 (NLT)

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Speaking the Truth in Love

Speaking the truth

 Done in two ways

 In love

 In the flesh

 1 Corinthians 13:1

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.

Speaking the Truth in Love

Speaking the truth

 Done in two ways

 In love

 In the flesh

 1 Corinthians 13:1

Staying true

 Our faithfulness to Christ transforms us

 Into his image

 He is the head of the body

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

A Perfect Fit

Put together according to plan

 Christ has gifted each of us uniquely

 We are gifted to fit in harmony with those He has placed around us

 There are no mistakes

Doing your part

 When we live out our full potential, the body is built up

 When we don’t the body suffers

 Growth is hindered

 Full potential is not realized

Key Points

 God has given you leaders to help you grow

 God desires your maturity

 Maturity leads to stability

 You are gifted to serve and your service promotes good health

**Powerpoint available on request