In Christ, I Am...a Body Builder Series

IN CHRIST, I AM…A BODY BUILDER—Ephesians 4:1-16

(Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…)

Why go to church?

Some people go to church for what they can get out of it: encouragement, friendship, support, or moral direction for themselves and their family. Others, especially today, look for those things in other places. They make friends through youth sports or community activities. They find encouragement and support online, or from friends or relatives. Increasingly, people want to be free to choose their own moral compass, instead of being guided by church teaching.

To be honest, sometimes churches have failed to live up to their calling. They have been focused on putting people into seats, keeping them busy, and sharing helpful information. Seeking “success,” they have given people whatever it takes to make them happy: entertaining worship, fun activities for the kids, and messages that have people feeling good about life.

Some of those may be good things, but the purpose of the church is more than that.

A better question is, Why join with other believers? Why not do our own thing, and maybe go to a church event occasionally, when we think it will help us personally?

To answer that question, we need a bigger vision of the plans God has for us.

Read Ephesians 4:1. Paul says that we (the “you” is plural) are called by God for a purpose. It is a grand purpose, and it can only be accomplished together.

Let’s review what Paul has said about God’s plans in Christ, and the role God has for his people:

Read Ephesians 1:9-11 and Ephesians 1:22-23. Paul says that God’s plan for the end of all things is currently vested in the church, which is the body of Christ. Or to put it another way, the body of Christ is the way in which Christ, risen and reigning forever, is present and visible in the world!

Read Ephesians 2:19-22. The image of the body is supplemented by an image of a building, with the idea that “God is in the house.” Jesus Christ is foundational, and the Holy Spirit lives among the people gathered in the church.

Read Ephesians 3:10-11. The angels and heavenly beings are watching the church! God’s people together are a reminder that God plans to bring everything together under Jesus Christ.

God has a glorious plan for eternity, and his plan for now is that those who know Christ come together and find their place in his plan. His people need to grow closer to Christ, his people need to display the plan of God to the world, and his people need to support the kingdom reign of God in the world.

Are we clear on that? Then we ask,

HOW DO WE BUILD UP OUR CHURCH, TO FULFILL GOD’S CALLING?

WORK TOWARD UNITY. Ephesians 4:1-6.

Most churches appear to be unified, until you get to know them. Like any group, at work or in the community, there are people who don’t fit together too easily. Some people are drawn to each other, and they may shut others out because they don’t have a natural connection. There may even be a critical spirit, a mentality of “us” vs. “them,” or recurring conflict over leadership and decisions.

What is the basis of unity in the church? Read Ephesians 4:4-6.

The basis of our unity is in God’s call; that is the advantage of the church over other groups.

Unity does not mean that we think exactly alike, or have the same preferences; we probably don’t. Unity is not based on whether people always act nice, or treat us with care, or play well with others. It is not based on age, or education, or social status, or political views.

God provides the basis for unity in the church. We are all called by God for a purpose. We share the same Lord and the same faith, and we share a relationship with God.

It is easy to talk about unity, but it is harder to achieve it. Paul says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit…”

Paul lists four attitudes or actions that bring about unity. Read Ephesians 4:2.

• Be humble. The church does not exist to please you. It is not about your status or recognition, or your influence. It is not about getting your way all the time. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:4, 15 “Don’t we have the right…?...I have not used any of these rights.”

Of course, if you have wisdom to share, or a need to be met, or a legitimate concern, you should make that known. You are part of the body, and you have a role to play. But it is not all about you.

• Be gentle.

2 Timothy 2:25 Those who oppose [the Lord’s servant] he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,