Grow to Oneness – Part 2

Ephesians 4:7-16

1. Jesus has the right to establish growth in the church 4:7-10

• • Jesus gave us grace – according to His measure 4:7
  • He ascended on high with the spoils of victory 4:8
  • He first descended to Tartarus 4:9
  • He ascended above the heavens 4:10

2. Jesus sovereignly gives communication gifts to equip His church for ministry 4:11-13

 Those gifts are for teaching and for equipping saints for ministry 11-12

• Some received communication gifts 4:11
• Those gifts are for equipping and for edifying the body of Christ 4:12
• Those gifts function until we come to the unity of faith 4:13
• Unity of faith and knowledge of God
• To a perfect man – 2 Tim. 3:17
• To the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ Col. 2:9-10
  
  3. Jesus wants His church to grow up for the growth of the church 4:14-16

 Ephesians were spiritual children Eph. 4:14a  Four stages of spiritual growth

• • Spiritual infant – 1 Thes 2:6-8
  • Spiritual child – 1 Thes 2:9-12
  • Spiritual Youth -1 Jn 2:13-14
  • Spiritual Parent – 1 Jn 2:12-14
• They were acting like children 4:14b
• They were speaking like children 415-16
• Speaking 1) the truth 2) in love 4:15; 4:29; 1 Cor. 13:4-7
• They needed to be concerned about the body.
• Each part does it share to causes growth 1 Pet 2:1-2; 2 Pet 3:18

SO WHAT?

• Jesus wants us to grow up to His fullness for unity of faith and unity of service
• Jesus wants us to grow up in His giving love Jn 13:34-35; 15:10; 1 Jn 2:6; 1 Jn 4:19

NOW WHAT?

• Examine every room of your soul – the kitchen – where you eat manna; living room – where you fellowship with believers and reach out in discipleship to others; bedroom – as you rest in the Lord; bathroom – where you confess your sins and cleanse your life.
• Learn what to tolerate and not to tolerate in holiness and truth for unity of faith and work of ministry.
• Become a “joint” (discipler) that encourages, inspires and holds together the body of Christ.