Ministry for Maturity

love God, love neighbor

never perfect in your love so you are always reforming, changing, being sanctified, becoming more like Christ

the method of ministry for Christlikenss...

Stewardship of Service

vv.24-25

stewardship - His method of tending to or managing the affairs of a group of people

Eph. 4:11 “11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,”

context: Paul writing from prison (4:3) in Rome, about the same time as he wrote Philemon

lacking in Christ’s afflictions - fulfilling future suffering of those who are to suffer for the gospel

Php. 2:30 “30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

Purpose of this suffering...

2 Cor. 1:8-10 “8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

v.25 - the church of which i became a minister

serving the hope of the gospel - v.23

Serving the building up of the body - Eph. 4:12 “12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

He uses ministers of His to communicate His hope

I.e. shepherds at the incarnation Luke 2:17-18 “17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”

“fully known” - filling a container completely

Mystery - secret revealed to His saints (God must reveal)

Ephesians 3:8–13 ESV

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Col. 2:2 “2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,”

To the saints God chose to reveal how they are in Christ, our righteousness. Therefore we hope for glory like He did. John 17.

Him We Proclaim

by proclaiming Jesus, the Word of God, we make disciples through the Word - Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 - Admonish, warn, counsel on behavior

2 - teach - impart skills and knowledge

3 - with wisdom - utilizing knowledge and experience w/common sense and insight

Why? v.22b - above reproach, v. 28b - mature in Christ

Mature - perfect, done by experience, teaching, time

Revelation 19:6–9 ESV

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

I exist for the Body

stewardship to make the word of God fully known

how? - proclaiming Him, warning and teaching in wisdom

So that...

you may presented mature in Christ

done by toil, struggle, with His energy working within me, not about me, its about Him for your sake

By making known to the saints the word of God through proclaiming, teaching, and modeling The Truth, we hope to be presented to Christ holy, spotless, blameless and mature in Him, to dwell in the glory of His presence, free from sin and death or any such thing, forever and ever, Amen.

Seeing You See Him