THAT WHICH EACH JOINT SUPPLIES
TEXT: Ephesians 4:10-16 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
INTRODUCTION:
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplies
the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY: Determine what your contribution should be
WHAT SHOULD YOUR JOINT SUPPLY…your “WORK”
Thoughts naturally turn to DO’s and DON’T’s
IS THAT WHAT PAUL IS SPEAKING OF?
Is that what your joint should supply?
I. WE ALL WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
A. ADDED TO THE CHURCH
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
B. TRANSLATED INTO THE KINGDOM
Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
C. NOT THE END OF OUR WORK…..IT IS THE BEGINNING
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.
1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, HOLY, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
D. ONCE WE ARE ADDED TO THE CHURCH
E. IS ADDING MORE SOULS TO CHURCH THE WAY WE BUILD UP?
F. IS THAT WHAT PAUL IS SPEAKING OF?
II. ABSTAINING FROM SIN
A. AFTER PETER PREACHED BAPTISM
B. HE WAS NOT THROUGH WITH HIS SERMON
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, SAVE YOURSELVES FROM THIS UNTOWARD GENERATION.
C. JAMES PREACHED…
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
D. PAUL’S LETTERS WARNED
1 Corinthians 10:14 dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
E. LIKE FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS
SOMETHING THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO IN AMERICA
Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
F. ANY FOOD PREPARED BY CHINESE, VIETNAMESE, CITIZENS OF INDIA
HAVE BEEN DEDICATED AND BLESSED BEFORE AN IDOL
WE HAVE TO SETTLE FOR…….
1 Corinthians 10:25-27 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the Fullness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
G. IN OUR SECULAR, MATERIALISTIC CULTURE
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
H. BIG PROBLEM FOR THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST CENTURY
I. AND FOR THE CHURCH IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENUTRY
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Timothy 6:9-11 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
J. REFRAINING FROM SIN
….IS THAT WHAT PAUL MEANS BY…..BUILDING UP THE CHURCH??
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
K. IS THAT OUR PART IN THIS CONGREGATION
L. IS THAT OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH?
II. DOING THE “THOU SHALT’S”
A. RUNNING AWAY FROM SIN
B. MUST INCLUDE RUNNING TOWARD SOMETHING
C. PARABLE OF THE EVIL SPIRIT AND THE VACANT HOUSE
Matthew 12:43-44 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
D. BY DEFINITION, REPENTENCE AND CONVERSION IMPLY TURNING TO GOD
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
E. TO BE A “NEW MAN
1. LIKE CHANGING CLOTHES
Colossians 3:8-10 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2. REPLACE SIN WITH HOLINESS
3. STOP LYING AND TELL THE TRUTH
Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
25 So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth because we all belong to each other in the same body.[a]
3. GIVING INSTEAD OF TAKING
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
28 If a person is stealing, he must stop stealing and start working. He must use his hands for doing something good. Then he will have something to share with those who are poor.
Ephesians 4:28 29 When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you.
D. IS PERFECTING HOLINESS SAME AS BUILDING UP THE CHURCH?
E. IS OBEYING COMMANDMENTS OUR “PART” IN THE CHURCH?
Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
F. IS THAT WHAT PAUL IS TEACHING US?
G. IS THAT OUR PART IN THIS CONGREGATION
H. IS THAT OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH?
III. WE BUILD UP THE CHURCH ON A LOCAL LEVEL
A. SPEAKING OF GIFTS AND OFFICES
B. WHOSE AUTHORITY IS LOCAL
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
C. EXAMPLE
John 15:17-18 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
D. OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER
1. WHATEVER IT IS
2. SOMETHING THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
3. IN THE WORLD
4. MUST BE ABLE TO SEE AND RECOGNIZE
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
5. PERSONAL, INDIVIDUAL,
John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
6. OLD COUNTRY CHURCHES PRACTICED THIS
a. ALONG WITH SINGLE CUP, HEAD COVERING, AND FOOT WASHING
b. AMISH CHURCHES IN OHIO TO THIS GOOD DAY
c. WOULD IT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW FOOT WASHING IS PRACTISES RIGHT HERE IN WAXAHACHIE?
d. IT IS
IV. There are 59 “one another” statements in the New Testament.
A. THAT’S RIGHT, 59.
1. That’s just under 60 exhortations in scripture
2. to actually “do” something towards another person.
3. These are behaviors we may do out of an overflow of our relationship with Jesus,
4. but they are not things that we do solely unto Jesus.
5. Other people must be involved in order to fulfill them.
6. Many of them have been taught by the church in the Sunday pulpit
7. but few of them have the opportunity to be lived out by believers
8. within the context of most church programming.
9. The primary activity of the church was “one-anothering” one another. – Andy Stanley
10. When everyone is sitting in rows…you can’t do any “one anothers.” – Andy Stanley
B. Of the 59 “One Anothers” of the New Testament……..
QUESTION: DOES REPETITION MEAN ANYTHING IN BIBLE TEACHING?
1. LIKE PAUL
Galatians 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
2 Corinthians 13:1-2 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
C. MOST OFTEN REPEATED COMMANDMENT….16 at least
3. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)
4. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)
5. “…Love one another…” (John 13:35)
6. “…Love one another…” (John 15:12)
7. “…Love one another” (John 15:17)
11. “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)
35. “…Make your love increase & overflow for each other.” (I Thes 3:12)
36. “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)
47. “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)
49. “…Love each other deeply…” (I Peter 4:8)
54. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11)
55. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23)
56. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7)
57. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11)
58. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12)
59. “…Love one another.” (II John 5)
D. SOME REQUIRE ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTACT
2. “…Wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
15. “Greet one another with a holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16)
18. “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (I Corinthians 16:20)
19. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (II Corinthians 13:12)
53. “Greet one another with a kiss of love.” (I Peter 5:14)
27. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns &d spiritual songs.” (Eph 5:19)
16. “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (I Cor. 11:33)
E. ENCOURAGE
37. “…Encourage each other…”(I Thessalonians 4:18)
38. “…Encourage each other…” I Thessalonians 5:11)
40. “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)
42. “…Encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)
F. EDIFICATION
41. “…Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)
45. “Confess your sins to each other…” (James 5:16)
46. “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16)
knowledge puffs up while love builds up.1 Co 8.1
INSTRUCTION
14. “…Instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)
33. “Teach…[one another]” (Colossians 3:16)
SERVICE
20. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
51. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” (I Peter 4:10)
SHARING BURDENS “BEARING”
23. “Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)
31. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13)
PEACE
1. “…Be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)
HARMONY
10. “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)
48. “…Live in harmony with one another…” (I Peter 3:8)
DEVOTION
8. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
HONOR
9. “…Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
ACCEPTANCE
13. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)
CONCERN
17. “…Have equal concern for each other.” (I Corinthians 12:25)
PATIENCE ( LOVE IS PATIENT)
24. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
KINDNESS (LOVE IS KIND)
25. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)
FORGIVING (LOVE DOES NOT REMEMBER WRONGS)
26. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32)
32. “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)
SUBMISSION
28. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)
HUMILITY
29. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Phil 2:3)
52. “…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…”(I Pet 5:5)
ADMONITION
34. “…Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
HOSPITIBLE
50. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Pet 4:9)
NO NEGATIVES
12. “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Rom 14:13)
21. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:15)
22. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)
30. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)
43. “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)
44. “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)
CONCLUSION
DEVELOPING AS A CHRISTIAN INVOLVES ALL THIS
A. ADDING THE THE CHURCH BY EVANGELIZING
B. OBSTAINING FROM SIN
C. WORKING IN THE KINGDOM
D. TRUE MEANING OF………..
39. “…Build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11)
Ephesians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 14:12; 1 Co 3:9-13
DEVELOPING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR BRETHREN.
“ONE ANOTHERING” ONE ANOTHER
