God's way of reaching the world is through proclaiming the Truth!

 

My church supported me in being able to participate in a women's cohort put on by The Gospel Coalition. Thanks Local Church and elders! It was a 8 week class where we had readings to do, lectures to sit and small group break out time. I really enjoyed the teaching time and reading but my favorite was connecting with other like-minded women all over the US and world (a lady in my group was from London but lives in Romania)  The title of the cohort was "How to Teach the Bible" but what I really enjoyed was learning how to do inductive bible study and really felt energized to teach that to others. The last week of class we had to have written a 15 minute manuscript from an assigned passaged and deliver it to our small group for feedback. Below is mine over Ephesians 4:11-16. I don't know that I enjoyed writing it but I did enjoy studying for it. There is so much you learn and its hard to convey it all but through using inductive study first and then comparing to theologians (I used Richard Coekin's Ephesian's book which I highly recommend as well John Piper and RC Sproul online resources) it was fruitful to prepare. 

A co-worker asked when we were going to do another bible study too right before I began cohort which was exciting. One cant ignore that ask, right?! So my coworkers and I walked through Ephesians (since I was already studying a portion) for 2 months too. At the same time the Lord put two Jehovah Witness ladies in my path (one, Karen, had called me randomly and wanted to get together; she brought a friend, Peggy, to our two meetings). I didn't know much about JW but it is evident it is a cult despite how they try to bring you in saying they just want to study the bible. The JW "bible" has been changed and they do not support that Jesus is God which is fundamentally different than Christianity. Our last meeting ended poorly as we came to head on differences and for one of the first time really experienced Luke 6:22. I don't change hearts and hopefully planted a seed of truth. I kept thinking "what if I am the only one who shares that what they are believing is a false gospel?" I was impressed by JW persistent to share what they believe is "good news" to others and challenged to have more meaningful conversations. This life is short and what are we even doing if we are withholding (not having conversations) about eternal implications! Not to mention, studying the bible and how it differed to their JW.org resources was a good refresher and faith strengthening exercise for me (even though they would not take my notes).  Pray for Peggy and Karen's hearts to be opened to the Truth. (Pictures of Peggy and Karen below: Wes came with me to first meeting at Lakewood Library because I didn't know them and we had some awkward texting about where to meet; after we saw them, we both felt confident I could take them if needed so he didn't attend second meeting; although, that was the one I needed reinforcement for verbally!) 

Anyway, my written manuscript is below if interested I shared with cohort over Ephesians 4:11-16! 

Makoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary painter, Fujimura is also an arts advocate, author of “Art+Faith: A Theology of Making" and a speaker who is recognized worldwide for his cultural influence.

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 He said in an article with Christianity Today “One of the most formative moments early in my artistic journey was hearing Andrew Peterson’s song “Let There Be Light.” I was in my late teens at the time, just beginning to grapple with the musical gifts that would eventually lead me to a career in composition. But as Peterson crooned the lyrics, “When your spirit is hovering over the deep / In the image of God just look into that darkness and speak,” I remember the lightbulb illuminating in my mind: My creativity is an act of faith.”

 Andrew Peterson’s musical gifts ministered to Fujimura.  Fujimura is using his gift of art to glorify God today. Here is one example of his paintings, “Waves” from 2016. Ill leave it up as I read our passage.

 

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I’ll be reading from the CSB translation. If you have a bible turn to Ephesians 4:11-16

 ¹¹ And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

 

Let us pray.  Lord, open our hearts to learn more about the riches of Christ; let us receive your Word. May we be aware of the gifts you have given us to build your Church. Let my words be edifying and glorifying to you.  Amen.

 Our passage today is in the middle of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He is writing from prison to encourage the Church at Ephesus. In the beginning of the letter, chapters 1-3, Paul celebrates God’s eternal plan and the riches we have in Christ. In the the second half of the letter, chapters 4-6, he will show the Church what it means to live lives committed to Christ. Chapter 4 specifically describes how God grows churches, in all times and all places. And as we narrow on versus 11-16 we will see God’s people (the Church) attain unity and maturity by ministering to each other with the gifts given by Christ, mainly speaking truth and being equipped by the shepherds (pastors) and teachers. Again versus 11-16 tell us God’s people (the Church) attain unity and maturity by ministering or serving each other with the gifts given by Christ, speaking truth as we have been equipped by the shepherds (pastors) and teachers.

 ¹¹ And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers First we see he gave some to be apostles and prophets. Christ is the “he” in this verse.  We know this because just prior in 4: 7-8 It says Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says: When he ascended on high,

he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.” Each person in Christ has been given gifts.

Paul says in Eph 2 and 3 specifically the apostle and prophets were given the revelations (Eph 3:4-5 ⁴ By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. ⁵ This was not made known to people^[a] in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit ) and laid the foundation with Christ as the cornerstone. (Eph 2: 19-20 ¹⁹ So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.)  Then God highlights the gift of evangelism. Evangelist tell unbelievers the good news and lastly others are teachers and shepherds (or pastor who lead and teach)….Why did Christ give these gifts? The beginning of verse 12 ¹² to equip the saints or His people (Paul uses “saints” in the opening of letter to address the Church at Ephesus/followers of Christ)

 God’s redemptive plan is being shared!  The apostles and prophets received revelation and laid the foundation for faith in Christ, as a result we have the bible or God’s infallible Word. And God desires the church to grow and to mature. Evangelist share the gospel to unbelievers, and the teachers and shepherds prep the saints.

 So the Saints who are equipped by are given 2 charges in this passage from verses 12-16.

 

First, v12 says “equip the saints for the work of ministry” The saints gifts are to be used for the work of ministry (also the same word used in scripture for service). Gifts given to all as we saw in chapter 4 versus 8 are to be use to serve. Everyone has ministry work. Everyone is a minister. Paul share to the Romans in 12:5-8 ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s^[a] faith; ⁷ if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. and to the Corinthians in 1^st letter chapter 12: 4-6 ⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.

 All contribute and the church is weakened when each doesn’t contribute. No one has all the gifts and everyone has a gift(s). I don’t have the gift of creativity in painting. Fujimura does. He is contributing and reflecting The Creator.

 Secondly, the saints are called to speak truth in love in verse 15 ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, Why does he call us to speak truth? Verse 15 says so that we grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 

 As we speak truth in love we are maturing.  Hebrews 5: 12 ¹² Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. The writer of Hebrews is reiterating the goal is maturity and when mature, we teach. Who is thinking “I am not a teacher”? Do you have biblically based conversations? These are forms of bible teaching, you are speaking truth. They help people and encourage people into maturity. For example, I taught by kids simple truths or sayings when they were young such as “God is always with you.” I did it for their good but what ministered to me was when I was driving or alone with them and I would become anxious or experience a panic attach, I would say “tell Mommy something true” and they would repeat it back to me. I need to hear gospel based truth in those moments aloud.  

 I also love how Paul qualifies how we are to speak truth. He says “in love.” Just as Paul told the Corinthians about God given gifts. He explains what it is to do things in love in Chapter 13:4-7 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, ⁵ is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. ⁶ Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. This is the framework  in which we speak truth.

Now we have seen God’s foresight for the role of the saints. God then gives two promises in verse 12-16. By equipping the saints and the saints ministering to each other in truth and love with the gifts given by Christ, the church is promised unity and maturity.  It is not just the church planters, the pastors, the bible teachers who do ministry. It is the works of service of God’s people in the church that builds it into unity and maturity. Verse ¹³ until (this utilization of gifts and equipping and speaking truth and working together will continue) we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 

 

The end of verse 12 through 13 says the body of Christ will build up in unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son. Both unity of faith AND unity of the knowledge of the Son of God.

The end of verse 15 and verse 16 describe what this unity looks like. Christ is the head of the unified body. Verse 16 ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. As we said the saints are called to work together and this result is unity.  All contribute and the church is weakened when each doesn’t contribute.

 

The second result or promise is maturity. This is highlighted in verses 12-14. ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, The saints are equipped to serve for the building of the body. The body is maturing. ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. The opposite of the Christlikeness is stated next. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

 

Though child-like faith is good, as in coming to God in utter dependence, here Paul is pointing out that children cannot discern well. Reflect back on Fujimura’s painting, Waves. The waves occur not because of the water or the boat but because of the wind. We are tossed from unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God (or sound doctrine) by being blown by false doctrine. We, the Church, can be pulled by the latest craze. We can be tossed by every teaching blown at us if we are not grounded in faith and knowledge. I had the opportunity to meet with a few Jehovah Witness who have been tossed by the wind. After studying with them it is obvious they are believing an altered doctrine under the false pretense it is in the Bible. Though sadden by their beliefs, I am thankful for the Church. Because others have equipped me with sound doctrine I am able to speak truth. I also asked friends that to pray I speak the truth in love.

 

We will wrap up this passage by remembering … We (the Church) attain unity and maturity in love by ministering to each other with the gifts given by Christ, mainly speaking truth as we as we have been and are being equipped by the shepherds (pastors) and teachers. All of us have ministries and are ministers. We are being equipped by our bible teachers to exercise our Christ-given gifts to build up the church in love and glorify God. Until Christ returns we have a need to progress toward maturity in Christ. God doesn’t need our gifts but others do. We need others gifts. We need truth spoken to me in love.  We need sound biblical teaching.

So who supplies you for the work? Who provides your gifts? Christ. He gave each person gifts. Who leads you unity and maturity? Christ. He is the head of the whole body. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. The beautiful image of the Church building itself is seen in the last verse. The whole body, with Christ as the head, makes the body grow. This is the result.  Christ is the source. He gave the gifts. He grows his church. We get the privilege to be a part of it. The saints, Gods people, The Church, Christians are not the spectators. We are not the spectators watching the pastors, elders, deacons, teachers, etc. The spectators are the watching world, the unbelievers, our families, our friends, our coworkers.

When our son was hospitalized. We didn’t just receive coffee, hospital visits, and prayers. Our parents, who were caring for our daughters at our home, had a stocked fridge. The NICU nurses asked us who the brownies were from in their breakroom. They were from the church. They served us but also those caring for us. The hospital staff, our family and friends, my coworkers (as I worked at the hospital) saw the beauty of the Christ’s Church working together in love.

May we (the Church) attain unity and maturity by ministering to each other with the gifts given by Christ, may we speak truth in love, may we continue to be equipped by sitting under solid bible teaching. May we glorify God in these ways for our good, the unbelievers good, and God’s glory!