That Which Each Joint Supplies

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.