Grow Up
Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16
Series: Great Expectations
Matthew Sullivan
We live in a day and age when it seems that the church is becoming less and less important in our society. Many argue that the greatest challenge the body of Christ faces is not in becoming extinct (Remember: Christ will build his church, so that the gates of Hades will not prevail against it--See Matthew 16:18), but irrelevant. By the way, this is not all the fault of the new generation which by and large has come to believe that they have better ways to spend their time on Sunday mornings. We are told that only 17% of all Americans regularly worship. Assuming this number is accurate, this means that 4 out of 5 people do not feel the need to attend a church of any kind. Much of the responsibility for our current spiritual condition falls squarely on the shoulders of those of us old enough to have molded and shaped Christianity over the years. What God intended to be a dynamic relationship with Him that would transform our lives and relationships, has in some circles, become nothing more than the practice of religion with little or no bearing on the way we live. I’m reminded of the mom who was trying to persuade her seven-year-old son to go to church with her. "Daddy doesn’t go," the boy said. Thinking quickly the mother replied, "Well, when daddy was your age, he went every Sunday." "Is that true?" the boy asked his father. He was assured it was. "All right, I’ll go," he said, "but I don’t think it will do me any good either."
So what are we to do about this? We need to decide exactly what the church is here for. What is the purpose of the church?
It is not uncommon in the last twenty years for churches to spell out what they exist for, and what they intend to do through Vision and Mission Statements. Shoals Christian Church’s is as follows:
• Vision Statement
o The Shoals Christian Church will be a beacon in our community and in all the world to lead every one into God’s family.
• Mission Statement
o Gather as God’s family.
o Grow in faith, love, and service.
o Go into the world as disciples glorifying God.
The next step is to get a list of goals and a timetable to accomplish them by. You then measure to see if they have been accomplished. That sounds like modern management but really it is as old as Ephesians 4. This passage states God’s Purpose for the church and Paul mentions Christ’s goals and Objective.
If I were to ask what is the purpose of the Church I imagine I would get quite a few answers. Each would come with conviction and each would come with insight.
Some would give us a missionary Mandate- They remember the words of Mark 16:15 that say to us to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
This command is repeated various times in the gospels and in the book of Acts. It is neglected at our own peril. But is this the purpose of the church? Those who think this see the church as a mighty Army waiting for a great world wide invasion and they see the church as militant.
Some would give a social concern Mandate- They remember that Jesus spoke of separating the sheep and goats based on whether or not they clothed the naked, visited the imprisoned, welcomed the lonely, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, and looked after the sick (Matthew 25:31-46). Most who see this as the purpose look to the church as a massive social organization. But is this the purpose of the church? Is that the proper emphasis?
Some would see the church as a retreat- they see the church as a fortress. A place to be protected from the harsh world, to lick our wounds, and help each other heal from the weight of a very harsh world. We are encouraged to fight another day. But is this the purpose of the church? Did God establish the church as a place to come and hide from earthly conflicts?
Paul gives us exactly what God’s purpose for the church is. I don’t think Paul or God would have a problem with any of the ideas we have talked about. Those are all jobs the church is called to do and areas we are called to function in. However, “Purpose is a more embracing concept.” Paul sees the purpose of the church as God developing wholeness and maturity in his people. God wants us as His Church to be built up (11-13).
We know that God has great expectations for His Church. Of course the Church is you and me. Somewhere along the way we as a Church and as individuals have stopped growing. So as we begin 2007 I want us to look at the last three chapters in Ephesians. Chapters 4-6 tells us exactly how we can grow up in Christ and make ourselves and the body of Christ both universal and local bigger and better and more important more relevant. The hardest thing for established conservative churches to do is being relevant and getting in touch with culture.
Chapters 1-3 is a strong presentation of Christian Theology. Paul talks about our adoption in Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and people of all walks and nations coming together in one body known as the church. Basically the first three chapters of Ephesians tells us how Blessed we are. Paul ends this section with a great doxology Ephesians 3:20-21 20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
He then goes on to verse 1 of Chapter 4. What Paul does is give some great teaching in chapters 1-3 but he can’t stop there. Because for true Christian growth to occur we must practice what is taught. There are two concepts important to remember “Orthodoxy” and “Orthopraxy” What is taught and how it is lived.
For Three chapters Paul has reminded these Christians how good God is and what a marvelous salvation they have. Now they are called to live a life that is worthy of that.
We are challenged to live out our faith. So often Christianity is presented as nothing is required but to join. The New Testament never gives this impression and our actions are wedded to God’s actions.
Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16:
4:1 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be 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. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
First we need to grow by become more Christ Like- We need to be more like Jesus Christ. The word that Paul uses here is “walk.” Paul structures his teaching on ethics around this word.
4:1 “walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”
4:17 “walk no longer as the Gentiles walk.”
5:2 “walk in love.”
5:8 “walk as children of the light.”
5:15 “therefore are careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.’
Paul says our attitudes should drive our actions. An attitude adjustment is good but that needs to translate into action. For the past few chapters Paul has not asked his readers to do anything except remember their past alienation and present acceptance in Christ. Now we must put our money where our heart is. One commentator said the problem is we have a million dollar salvation and a five cent response. Look starting in verse 2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
As we grow in Christ there needs to be a change in actions. In our actions we need to make every effort to be humble. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that our salvation is not for works but of grace so that no one can boast about it. Paul also said in Philippians 2:8-9 that we are “to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves.” If we are going to live humble lives we have to do a good self-evaluation. We need to understand we are not worms because we are created in God’s image, but compared to His perfection we are as low as worms.
In order to have humility we must give up our self-centeredness. I don’t know about you but that is hard for me. I tend to be the center of my world. When I am not the center of my world, my family is the center of my world so that really is still about me. Even in the ministry it can become about me. It is not about being a great person or a worm. It is not thinking of our selves at all (humility).
Watchmen Nee tells the story of a Christian farmer who would work with a hand-worked water wheel to lift water from the irrigation stream to water his rice fields. His farm was on a hill and every night after irrigating his fields his neighbor, who was not a Christian, would drill a hole in the fence and would drain the water from his neighbor’s farm to his own. The farmer was distressed but kept working to irrigate his field but every night it would be stolen again.
He went to his fellow Christians and asked what should I do? What is the right thing to do? After much prayer a fellow Christian told him that he must do more that just what is right. So the Christian farmer began by irrigating his neighbor’s field then his own and the water stayed. After a while the farmer who had stolen asked his neighbor why he responded the way he did. Eventually he became a Christian because of the humility of his neighbor.
To many times in life we make things about us. Being humble means giving up self-importance for the greater importance of God and others. Humility means putting Christ first, others second and ourselves last. Ask yourself, are you more concerned with the needs of others and the adversities they face? Or, are you more concerned with your own personal agenda and the problems you might encounter? Humility is not thinking of us at all.
In our actions we also need to be gentle. Is it natural for you to give people the benefit of the doubt or are you quick to judge? So many times when we get in the thick of life in general we grow harsh and unsympathetic. We almost become uncaring unintentionally. Paul says we need to develop a gentleness that conveys sensitivity. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Probably one area we struggle with this the most is with my family. It is amazing we can be so gentle and understanding with church folks yet so harsh and short with our family. How many times are we harsh, critical and even hateful on the ride to services and then we get all friendly and gentle with the people once we arrive.
In our actions we need patience. The word translated patience can mean long tempered or slow to anger but it really kind of takes on the meaning the willingness to wait. We live in “now” society. Lack of patience really demonstrates a loss of perspective.
Unfortunately the best way to lean patience is through suffering.
In our actions we need to bear with one another in love. There times in our lives when we need to not focus on our rights but instead focus on what is right in God’s eyes. Sometimes we must be willing to forgo our desires and rights in order to put up with others in love. The hallmark of Christianity should be our love for others. It was never said they will know we are Christians by our memorization of scripture or public prayers. Not even Church attendance or church works is talked about. Those are important but let me give u an example of love in action:
Do you find yourself saying, “Someone ought to take an interest and help that family” or do you say, “We’ve got to get involved and try to help them.”
One takes sacrifice and that is what love is about.
Second, we need to grow by having unity (4-6)
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
In this part I believe he is speaking to the Church. That word is not mentioned but Body is and that is one of the Metaphors Paul uses to speak of the Church. The body is something that works together.
I Corinthians 12:21-26 is an argument for the unity of the church. We are a body we suffer at division.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don’t need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don’t need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
One Spirit- same word as the word breath in Greek it is the life of the church as breath is the life of the body.
One Lord- That is Jesus and No one is saved apart from him Paul tells us that all the world will confess that fact that Jesus is Lord. This is very meaningful to the Ephesus Christians because of Emperor Worship. But has great meaning in our Multicultural world today.
One Faith- this is complete commitment to Jesus Christ.
One Baptism-
To reach the world we have to be united. Max Lucado says, “The greatest obstacle in reaching the world for the Christ is not immorality but the Church’s disunity.”
Maybe that is why Jesus prayed in John 17
That is not always possible Paul himself said to make every effort. In Romans he said as far as it is possible make peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). But as shown above the unity is based on principles that must be in place.
When the church is unified on these principles then God is glorified.
We have a spirit of unity here at Shoals. WE may not always agree but unity is not about uniformity but about unity of purpose and determination to personal and corporate growth.
Third, we grow by using our gifts-
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ
We have all been given different gifts. Why have we been given different gifts? Is it so we can be glorified? Is it so we can keep moving up the ladder? Is it so we can get famous and be popular? No. We have been given gifts “so that the body can be built up.”
It is said that Napoleon used to look at a map of China and say, there lays a sleeping Giant because of their untapped resources. I wonder if God would say the same thing about his church. We are a sleeping Giant if we could just get on with it and use what God has given us.
As we mature as Christians our ambitions become less about ourselves and more about building up the Kingdom. It’s not even just about building up this part of the body Shoals Christian Church. You know on most sports teams there are two names on a jersey; there is the team name on the front of the jersey and an individual name on the back of the Jersey. Guess what teams usually when championships? The teams that win championship are usually the ones with the players that care more about the name on the front of the jerseys.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON said, "It’s amazing how much a man can accomplish if he doesn’t care who gets the credit."
In Dave Stone’s first ministry at the Shively Christian Church he served as youth minister. One Wednesday night in the summer, his lesson for the teens was on servant hood and how Jesus was a servant. He studied washing the feet of the disciples. To make the lesson stick, he divided all thirty-five kids into groups and said, "For the next two hours I want you to go out and be Jesus to the city of Louisville. If Jesus were here in the flesh where would he go, what would he do, whom would he serve? We’ll meet back at my apartment in two hours and share our stories."
They dived into cars and headed out. They had a blast. Two hours later, they packed into my apartment and we started listening to each group tell of their attempts to be like Jesus through their service. One group had gone to a McDonalds. They pooled their money together, bought ice cream cones and took six melting ice cream cones to an apartment complex and delivered them to elderly widows. Those ladies never forgot it. Another group bought a get-well card and went to a hospital to visit one of our elders from church. Another group went to a nursing home. Dave asked them what they did and they told me they sang Christmas carols. He said, "But its August!" They said, "Yeah, we know, but they loved it." We later found out later that although they enjoyed it, it did confuse a number of them!
Every group was sharing their stories, and about that time anther group came walking in. We didn’t realize that they hadn’t been there and we said, "Greg, where have you been?" Greg was a junior in high school and he said, "Well Dave, when we left the parking lot, we went over to Shively Baptist." Everybody kind of went, "Ooohh!"
Shively Baptist was our arch rival in church softball and basketball. I said, "What did you do over there?" He said, "The preacher told us that there was an elderly lady from their church who needed some yard work done, but they hadn’t been able to get anybody to do it, so we volunteered. We drove over there and mowed and raked and trimmed. Before we left, she wanted to have a prayer circle in her front yard." Greg said when they loaded up the car and got ready to leave, the lady came over to thank us and she said, "Thank you so much. You kids at Shively Baptist are always coming to my rescue!"
Dave said “I interrupted him and said, ‘Well Greg, didn’t you tell her you were from Shively Christian?’” Greg said, "No, I really didn’t think it mattered." It didn’t matter, and it doesn’t matter.
Jesus didn’t say, "Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your church." Jesus didn’t say, "Let your light so shine before men, so that they may glorify your denomination." Jesus did say, "Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your FATHER who is in heaven."
I fully expect through the ministry of Shoals Christian Church this coming year for us to care more about the name on the front of the jersey and work toward that. We all need to use our gifts to God’s glory. When we all use our gifts for Christ, there are great results. When we grow up spiritual with our attitudes, our actions and our ambitions some amazing results take place according to Paul.
When we use our gifts and we are united and as we strive to become more Christ like then and only then can we attain Maturity-
14 Then we will no longer be 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. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
The Goal of those in the body of Christ is to become more like the head, Jesus. Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
We want to become more and more like Christ. Do you love the Lord more today than five years ago? Has your appreciation for grace grown?
The question for our church is do we look more like Christ than we did five years ago?
Have you ever been to an amusement park here they have those wooden cut-outs? You put your head through and take your picture and you look like a muscle man or some type of animal. When you get the picture back sometimes you laugh because the head doesn’t match the body. When our community looks at us I hope they don’t laugh. I hope they don’t say the head doesn’t match the body.
We are all on different spots as Christians. Some have been Christians for years others for a short time. Regardless let me ask you “Are you Growing Up?” Do you look anymore like Christ now than when you were baptized?
High in the Alps is a monument raised in honor of a faithful guide who died while ascending a peak to rescue a tourist. Inscribed on that stone are the words, “He died climbing.” A mature growing Christian should have the same kind of attitude.
I want us all to “Die Climbing.”
Pass out Challenge. Pray.
Let Jesus have his way with you.
