One Body

Eph 4:11-13 (Thu pm)

CECBC Retreat: United

one-body

United (Ephesians 4)

How should a healthy church grow?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

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.

Eph4:11-13 One Body

Commission: God-Given Roles (v11)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers

• not the person but the sender
  • no authority except from God
• not "bc I'm your father"
  • not bc pastor
• what are prophets?

... the prophets, the evangelists ...

• prophet: forth-telling
• evangelist: good news
• apostle: στέλλω: sent, commissioned
  • focus on sender
  • vs πέμπω (send): action
  • ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

• Our mission: carry God's appeal
  • reconciliation to God

Commission: God-Given Roles (v11)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers

• 3x relate to God's word/message
• 2x relate to God's people

... the pastors and teachers

• shepherd (only NT ref)
• teacher: total person
• And more! 1Cor12
  • ear: "not eye, don't belong"
  • head: "don't need feet"
  • suffer → suffer
  • honoured → rejoice

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NIV) (p.1/2)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 (NIV) (p.2/2)

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret?

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

• 1Cor13: love

Who are those who send, proclaim, evangelise, shepherd, or teach?

How can I participate?

• Not necessarily paid or titled
• How can I appreciate or support?
• 2Cor13:10 authority for building up, not tearing down

Eph4:11-13 One Body

Preparation: God-Empowered Works

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

• equip → serve → build
• service:
  • personal servant (wait table)
  • Gk: rule, don't serve
  • NT: aspire to be a servant

Luke 12:35-36 (NIV) (p.1/2)

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet,

so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

• not impress God with works
• just stand firm waiting

Luke 12:37 (NIV) (p.2/2)

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.

Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

• Master serves slaves!
• Jn13, Jesus washing feet

Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve

• set an example for us
• servant not above Master
  • If I don't serve, I'm putting myself above Jesus!
• no act of service too small

Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

• aunties prep food for us
  • not bc we are nice to them
  • bc we meet in Jesus' name
• having right attitude and
  • encouraging others same

How can I equip, serve, or build up the body of Christ?

Eph4:11-13 One Body

Completion: God-Fulfilled Hope

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.

• source of unity:
  • the faith (trust in promises)
  • the (epi-) knowledge

unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God

• JJ worry about house fire
• we have lived through it
• experiential trust in God's promises
  • ↠ maturity

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

• God has not promised no fire/loss/pain
• Promised to be God of comfort

What does an ideal church look like?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

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.

United (Ephesians 4)