This sermon explores spiritual maturity, understanding God's Word, and fostering unity among believers, as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-16. Key
Good morning, dear friends. Isn't it a joy to gather in the house of the Lord? To be in His presence, to worship Him, and to sit under the teaching of His Word? Indeed, there is no place we would rather be. As we come together today, let us remember the words of the great Charles Spurgeon who once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." What a profound reminder that, while there is much wisdom to be gleaned from the writings of men, it is in the Word of God that we find life, truth, and the path to spiritual maturity.
A. Let's take a moment to consider the Apostle Paul's words in Ephesians 4:11-16. Here, Paul speaks of the gifts that Christ has given to His church - the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers. These gifts, Paul tells us, are given for a purpose. They are given to equip God's people for works of service. They are given to build up the body of Christ. They are given to help us reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. They are given to help us become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
B. Now, let's pause for a moment and consider what it means to be mature. In the original Greek, the word used here for mature is "teleios," which means complete, perfect, or fully grown. It's the same word used in James 1:4, where we are told to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. It's the same word used in Matthew 5:48, where Jesus tells us to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. So, when Paul speaks of maturity, he is speaking of a completeness, a fullness, a perfection that comes from being fully grown in Christ.
But how do we grow to this maturity? How do we attain to this fullness? How do we become complete in Christ?
C. The answer, dear friends, is found in our faith. It's found in our trust in God. It's found in our reliance on His Word. It's found in our surrender to His will. It's found in our obedience to His commands. It's found in our love for Him and for others. It's found in our daily walk with Him. It's found in our constant communion with Him. It's found in our unceasing prayer to Him. It's found in our unwavering commitment to Him. It's found in our undying devotion to Him.
This is not a process that happens overnight. It's not a process that happens without effort. It's not a process that happens without struggle. It's not a process that happens without sacrifice. It's a process that requires us to take up our cross daily and follow Christ. It's a process that requires us to deny ourselves and live for Christ. It's a process that requires us to die to ourselves and be born again in Christ. It's a process that requires us to put off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
And as we grow in this maturity, as we attain to this fullness, as we become complete in Christ, we will find ourselves being transformed. We will find ourselves being changed. We will find ourselves being renewed. We will find ourselves being sanctified. We will find ourselves being made holy. We will find ourselves being made righteous. We will find ourselves being made like Christ. And as we are made like Christ, we will find ourselves manifesting the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
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