"grow Up In Christ"

“GROW UP INTO CHRIST” (Outline)

September 25, 2022 – Pentecost 16 – EPHESIANS 4:11-16

INTRO: Age does have benefits. We start our learning with the ABCs. Letters lead to words. Words to sentences to stories. During our lives we have many different experiences. We combine our learning with life experiences. Wisdom. Spiritual wisdom works the same way. We begin by learning Bible basics. We combine our spiritual learning with our life experiences. With age we uncover God’s divine wisdom for us and our lives. "The law

of the LORD is perfect. It revives the soul. The testimony of the LORD is trustworthy. It gives wisdom to the inexperienced" (PSALM 19:7). The Lord gives us spiritual wisdom to:

“GROW UP INTO CHRIST”. I. By God’s different gifts. II. Speaking the truth in love.

I. GOD’S DIFFERENT GIFTS

A. Verse 11. The Lord lists the special gift he gives to his church.

1. Apostles = those sent by the Lord. 12 Apostles. Lord still sends workers today.

2. Prophets = those who proclaim God’s Word in truth and purity.

3. Evangelists = Gospel announcers. “Evangel” is the Greek word for gospel.

4. Pastors = shepherds. Has the meaning to guard. Shepherds led and protected the sheep.

5. Teachers = instructors. Those who taught the basics and moving to more difficult.

B. Verse 12. These different gifts of people had one purpose from God for God’s people.

1. They were to train the believers for works of serving. Serving is word for minister.

2. By pointing to the Savior, Jesus Christ, the body of Christ, the church, was built up.

C. Verse 13. This purpose of knowing Jesus better and better was a continuing process.

1. Believers would grow in faith and knowledge of the Son of God by continual learning.

2. Would grow together reaching an understanding of the fullness of Christ. Know Christ better.

D. That is quite a list of different gifts that the Lord God gives to his church. We know that some are called to be those gifts. We also remember that scripture teaches the “universal priesthood of believers”. This means that believers also have these God-given gifts. In Luther’s time the church taught that only certain men could be priests. Luther, as scripture clearly stated, rightly taught that all believers belonged to the priesthood. Mothers and fathers could, would, and did teach their children about God. As believers today we are teachers. We are evangelists who tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He lived, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. We are sent (apostles) by God to proclaim (prophets) God’s word in all of its truth and purity. "In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us" (ROMANS 12:5, 6a). Consider God’s grace how you may use his gifts to build up the body of Christ.

E. We might feel that we are not qualified for such a high calling God gives us. We have excuses. We make excuses. Possessing the wisdom of God’s eternal salvation qualifies you to share the Good News of forgiveness through Christ. Eternity. It will take continual study of God’s Word. We strive to know the fullness of God. “Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me” (PHILIPPIANS 3:12). Jesus has taken hold of us.

F. God has blessed us with a lifetime to grow in the knowledge of salvation. To know Christ Jesus better and better. God’s word contains two parts. Law = Shows us Our Sin. Gospel = Shows us Our Savior. "Make every effort to present yourself to God as one who is approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 TIMOTHY 2:15). People do need to know about sin. Only in that way will they see their desperate need for a Savior. We know the Savior. We can share Jesus.

“GROW UP INTO CHRIST”. We use God’s wisdom as God’s different gifts to train others.

II. SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

A. Verse 14. Purpose of training to continue to the goal. Goal = not tossed about by false teaching.

1. Children can be easily deceived. They are trusting. Learning leading to wisdom is needed.

2. The goal is to stand firm in the truth of the Bible. Requires constant training. Learning.

B. Verse 15. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.”

1. Christ alone is the Head of the Church. This is the truth. A need to speak this truth in love.