Ephesians 4:11-16
Introduction:
1. Over the past few weeks, we have seen the role, function, and requirements of elders, deacons, and evangelists in the church.
2. This morning, we look at the end goal of each in Christ’s overarching purpose.
3. All Christ’s gifts to the church were given to equip/perfect the saints for ministry.
Discussion:
I. Equipped/Perfected for Ministry
A. The term for equipping is very informative in its varied uses:
1. Mending/restoring what is torn/fallen (Matthew 4:21; Galatians 6:1).
2. Supplying what is needed (1 Thessalonians 3:10; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:10)
B. What follows in Ephesians 4 shows the source of such equipping/perfecting/restoring, etc.
C. Every Christian is to minister in, to, and for the Lord’s church.
II. United in The Faith and Knowledge of Christ
A. “The faith” often indicates, not one’s personal faith, but the sum of Christ’s will (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:23; 1 Timothy 3:9; 5:8; Jude 3, etc.).
B. Verses 14-15 indicate this is the meaning here in verse 13:
1. The knowledge of the Son of God is a matter of teaching/doctrine.
2. The threat was crafty, deceitful doctrines of men causing one to waiver.
3. Truth spoken in love prompts growing up into Him who is the Head, Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:24; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
C. Only the truth can set us free from sin (John 8:31-32) and sanctify us for service to Him (John 17:17).
D. We must be united in the truth of God’s word (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1).
III. Building Up the Body in Love
A. The elders, deacons, evangelists all serve to equip the saints to minister.
B. The ministry of the saints is to build up the body, to the ends that we all attain the unity of the faith mentioned above.
C. That unity is in our connection to Christ as the Head (vs. 16; Colossians 2:19).
D. “Joint” is a term meaning a fastening in a building (cf. Ephesians 2:21) or a ligament in the body as here in verse 16.
E. When every joint (Christian) does its share, the body builds itself up in love.
Conclusion:
1. As our bodies have many members that work in unison, so does Christ’s body.
2. As with our physical bodies, we must not let any joint in Christ’s body fail.
3. Let us all hold fast to the Head, thereby fulfilling our role in His body.
Further Food for Thought
1. How does this discussion affect your view of elders, deacons, and evangelists?
2. How does it affect your view of yourself and each other member of the body?
3. How can we better secure each “joint” in this body to protect the health of the whole?
4. What can you do individually towards these ends?