Together We Grow Stronger Series

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 he arrived there, he asked the man sitting next to it, "Is this seat taken?" The man replied, "This was my wife's seat. She passed away. She was a big Raptors fan." The other man replied, "I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. May I ask why you didn't give the ticket to a friend or a relative?" The man replied, "I would have, but they are all at her funeral right now." Now that is a guy with really messed up priorities.

How about your priorities? What is important to you? Today we are continuing in our series Together. I want to speak today about maturity and growth.

Let me ask you a question this morning. What is the largest single organism in the world? Maybe some of you are thinking about a Blue whale. Others may be thinking about the giant Redwood trees in British Columbia. For those of you scientists out there, or even those who just like to read science news, you’ll know there is some disagreement about how exactly to measure and decide on the largest. However, many consider this to be the largest organism on earth. Located on the southwest bank of Fish Lake in Utah, this is Pando - the biggest grouping of Aspen trees ever identified. Although it covers over 100 acres, there is a single root system uniting this entire forest. Every tree is genetically identical, a clone of the trees around it. The entire grove grew from a single seed.

As you look at it, you can see what appear to be individual trees. But below the surface they are all linked by their roots. The roots grow unseen, under the surface of the earth, but they keep the whole grove alive, together as one.

Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

What does it mean to prepare God’s people for works of service? The word used for prepare in Greek is the word KATARTIZO (KATA - according to and ARTIOS - complete or perfect) It means to mend or make perfect. It is the same word used in this story from Matt chapter 4;

Matt 4:21 - Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets

This was something that fishermen had to do on a daily basis. After using the nets they would become torn. A torn net does not catch fish, so they would have to take the time to restore their nets in order for them to be functional. God has gifted individuals in the church with abilities which, when used correctly, help people grow. The end result is clear, that everyone in the church understand and reach their full potential. That everyone, like the threads of a net, would do their part so that many fish could be caught.

1. Our Growth is SPECIALIZED – into Him who is the Head

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Notice that these verses start by saying that God gave SOME to be different things so that ALL would be built up and mature. There is one head, but connected to that there are many parts of the body, each having a specialized function. This is true within our physical bodies as well. We have within us many different organs that each has a very specialized function. The lungs are different than the heart which is different than the stomach which is different than the liver. Each part of our body is specialized to perform a different function.