Title: One and Abundantly / Ephesians 4:7-14
The content is unity and abundantly / Ephesians 4:7-14
Introduction
1. How can we realize and develop Christian maturity? A mature Christian can be seen living with a clear purpose in life. And the goals are often things that are in line with God's commands and will.
2. We should know that among the gifts the Lord has given us through the Church, there are many things that make us mature. As in verse 11 of the text, the offices and gifts of prophets, apostles, and teachers are able to bear the tasks of making others mature along with themselves.
3. It is clear that Christians must be different from those who live without faith. What must be different? What kind of identity should we live with? The Christian life begins with a spiritual birth.
4. It must be a new birth of a literal spiritual life, rather than a ceremonial one through baptism or admission. Part of God's concern for His children is our birth, growth, and maturity.
I. Diversity enriches unity (vv7-12).
A. Text
1. The oneness already given (4-6) is not enough to make a life worthy of the calling. If so, does it mean that the things that the one God has given are not enough? Of course not. The foundation for unity (1-3) appears in various forms like leaven (11).
2. In this way, God-given graces of unity take on a variety of garments: “But we have all received the gift of grace according to the measure that Christ has distributed” (7, Modern Bible).
4. In other words, the unity of the church, which must strive to keep the unity that has already been given, is enriched in the various gifts that overflow from it (1-6 → 7,11). And unity and diversity have the same root, the same goal, and are like two wings of a bird.
5. The church is built up through this balance and health: “to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ” (12). In fact, gifts come through the Holy Spirit. However, it blossoms by being confirmed through the church (1 Tim. 4:14-15).
6. Imagine that God is like the conductor of an orchestra. God unifies all things in Christ (1:10), but if you look closely, each one works together for good in different offices according to the amount of grace they have received, that is, according to the amount they have distributed. And through this work, he makes the church grow healthy.
B. Application
3. However, mature Christians should know what God's mission is in their lives and their life responsibilities as a Christian, and live a life that invites others to participate and enables others to participate in that maturity.
4. Therefore, mature Christians are those who are responsible for nurturing brothers and sisters of other faiths. (Verse 12, so that the saints may be perfected, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ), so that they may become members of the church in which Christ became the body.
II. Oneness leads to maturity (vv13-14).
A. Text
1. When this happens, what needs to be accomplished now is unity in maturity (13). Oneness requires maturity. This is the result and blessing of unity. Of course, the goal and pattern is Jesus. Diversity and unity are only possible when we become mature and united in knowing and trusting the Lord in order to avoid conflicts or tensions with each other. this is the church
2. By forming the church of unity in this way, the whole body perfectly harmonizes and helps each other, and eventually the whole body grows healthy and builds up the body of the Lord with love (16). God expects the church to grow healthy even to Christ (15).
3. Paul uses two parables here to visualize unity more clearly. At first glance, it seems that the child and the belly have nothing to do with the theme of oneness. But this parable gives us a very relevant spiritual insight when we know what is holding back our unity and our growing maturity to Christ.
4. "From now on, since we are no longer children, we must not be swayed and carried to and fro by all the winds of man's cunning tricks and deceitful teachings" (14, New Translation).
5. How can there be no obstacles, trials, and hardships in forming the glorious church of unity in maturity growing up to Christ? So, Paul instructs us that if we remain as a spiritual child like an 'adult child', that is, if we neglect growth and maturity, we will fall for the eloquent theory or be shaken.
B. Application
1. It is the duty of believers to care for the church, which is the body of Christ. This is also the meaning of the words to pray for the weak and take care of orphans and widows. It is the duty of mature Christians as members of the body of Christ, the church.
2. Sometimes you will have to deal with material needs as well. We should also strive for relief and social welfare. These things eventually help the spiritual needs of the church. Mature Christians should be peace makers.
3. And we must live and teach according to the principles of God's Word and the Bible. Through the life of one mature Christian, we must allow others to become more mature. Let's think about whether I am a person who lives with such an influence on my church and the people around me.
4. Think about whether I am living a life in which the church becomes stronger and more united because of me. Maturity as a Christian is what God wants and is the most important part. Pray and think about where I am weak and what parts of the church need my help. And let's make an effort to move toward Christian maturity in all directions of my life.
conclusion
1. God gave the church the task of diversity in unity. Therefore, it draws the dream of becoming a church that pursues unity in diversity. Think about what the secret means to form the body of Christ, the church, together with you and others.
2. Then it is impossible without becoming one. Unity is not an option, it is a necessity. Satan is struggling to incapacitate the church by somehow tearing down the community and making parts of the organism sick.