Sermons on Ephesians 4:7-12:

Gifted To Grow

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 6, 2014

God has given the church what she needs. The diversities of talents and gifts are intentional. When everyone serves, the Body of Christ is built up and grows, until we become mature in Christ.

We are the church. We are the Body of Christ. • By now, I believe you do know that. The church is not a building. It is not even the activities that make the church. It is the people. • You and I form the church. It is not an organization, although it is organized. It is an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unity Of Faith Series

Contributed by Cameron Bottema on Jul 24, 2013

"Unity of faith" is value which must be sought and maintained for the church to function, bear fruit, and serve one another in love.

Introduction: It was January 1862, in the heart of the American Civil War, when then Union Army marched its way to the heart of the South where it endured a long fought battle against the Confederate Army in New Orleans, Louisiana. Finally, in April of the same year, New Orleans came under the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Friends

Apostles In The Church

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? When we have those feelings, it may be because we are missing an important ministry of the church: the ministry of apostle.

Does it ever feel like the church never changes, or at least that if it does change, then the wheels of change turn very, very slowly? Does it ever feel like the church is timid, afraid to take on new challenges? Does it ever feel like the church is so busy just holding its own, surviving, that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Part 1: Know What We're Here For: Maturity Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Churches that aren't clear on their purpose for being can hardly be effective. Our goal is maturity in Christ.

One of the deepest joys that I have ever experienced in all my life is the joy of watching our children turn into adults. I guess I always pretty much figured that would happen some day. But then, there were those times when they were upset with each other over the silliest things and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

2: Equipping The Saints Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Some people are content for church to be a spectator sport. But church works best when everyone gets out of the stands and gets into the game of ministry.

Would all the ministers of the church please raise their hands? You all know I’m the minister with my name on the sign. Are there any other ministers? I see hands going up. Let’s see some more. Let’s see more and more until every hand is up. If you are in God’s family, you are called to be a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

3: Building Up The Church Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

Do you neglect your soul all week, then come to church, expecting to be filled up? Or do you nourish your soul all week and come to build up others?

The Bible is full of different images to try to explain what the church is like and how it works. For example, the Apostle Paul often talks about the church as a building. But he didn’t mean a building made of wood or brick or stone. He meant a figurative building in which the members of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 2:5, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 14:26  (view more)  (view less)

3: The Church Is A Living Body Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 24, 2019

We need to rise above seeing the church as an institution and see the warm heart of love that really makes us the church

We are continuing in one of the Bible’s most comprehensive pictures of the church, a picture of a church that will meet many of the deepest longings in our hearts for rich and deep relationships, but a joyful and effective church. And there is so much in it to build that it takes a while to do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Ligaments In The Church Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Our culture suffers from profound loneliness, but God calls us into a church family with rich relationships.

You’ve heard me talk about my days of playing basketball years ago. I was never a star, but I had a lot of fun. There could be several reasons that I was never a star. There were a couple of minor problems, like I wasn’t especially good at either shooting or dribbling a ball. But another ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 12:16, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:10, Romans 15:7, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11  (view more)  (view less)

5: Speaking The Truth In Love Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Churches can become deeply dishonest as we fear to talk about the deepest longings and pains in our hearts. We grow when we dare to be honest together.

Back in 1997 a Jim Carey movie came out called Liar, Liar. Carey plays the title role. He is an attorney, a very successful attorney. But the movie opens with his little boy at school on the day when the children are giving reports on what their fathers do, and his son announces, “My daddy’s a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Speaking (And Hearing) The Truth In Love Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

It can be scary to be really honest with one another. Here are some guidelines to help us get started.

Two summers ago Kathy and I headed to northern Wisconsin for a vacation week. One of our stops was a day of white water rafting on the Wolf River. It was late in the season and the water was low, so it wasn’t as fast and splashy as the springtime might be. But the low water brought another ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, Galatians 6:1-2, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 10:17

That All May Be One--Despite The Cost Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 9, 2019

Every plan, every agenda, every meeting of any Church body must be focused on the mission that Our Lord Jesus gave to us as He ascended into heaven.

Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Course 2019 St. Josaphat Every plan, every agenda, every meeting of any Church body must be focused on the mission that Our Lord Jesus gave to us as He ascended into heaven. He wants the Gospel to be preached throughout the entire world, so that everyone on earth has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13, John 17:20-26

Denomination: Catholic

What Good Is Church?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 4, 2020

Church is taking a bashing, but it was created and called for by God.

We live in a time in the Western Church where people are seeing less and less value in attending church. They say that God is omnipresent and in our hearts so why can’t we just be part of the invisible church? Why can’t we be Digital Disciples and just watch ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Acts 6:3-4, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Decade Of Discipleship

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 1, 2020

Jesus commissioned His disciples to "Make Disciples of All Nations!" How can we do this? This message examines this command of Jesus and guides us in the beginnings of accomplishing this command.

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 2 Timothy 2:2 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Ephesians 4:11-16, Mark 16:15-16, Titus 2:1-8, Hebrews 10:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Together We Grow Stronger Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Sep 17, 2019

In Christ our growth is specialized, supported and specific.

TOGETHER WE GROW STRONGER I heard the story of a guy who went to a Raptors game. The tickets he got were terrible, upper level way in the back, so he could hardly see a thing. He noticed that there was an empty seat court side right in the center so he made his way down to the empty seat. When ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance