Marks of a Healthy Church

Intro: Marks of a zombie ( To survive you have to look and smell like one, and act like one)

Verse one of Ephesians chapter 4 is really a transition verse in this letter. In chapters 1-3, Paul is really unpacking this mystery that God has taught him about the gospel.

He’s unpacking this mystery that the Gentiles (those who were not of Jewish heritage) have been included into the family of faith.

And to Paul, this is just a marvelous, wonderful, beautiful thing. So, he takes chapters 1-3 and he unpacks this and communicates to this body of believers that they have been saved by faith through faith, not of themselves.

It’s not work, it’s just God saving them. He says this in a number of ways.

He talks about them being adopted. He talks about God lavishing His mercy on them before the foundation of the world to the praise of His glorious grace. It’s just Paul unpacking the gospel.

So he does that in chapters 1-3, and we get here in chapter 4 and he begins to transition. He begins to teach the church, “Okay, in light of you having been saved like this, here’s how you’re to live.”

Now we should note that he is speaking in large part as to how we live as individuals and as a church.

His thought process seems to be centered around that of how healthy the church is and the individuals in it. Let's take a look at our passage this morning. Read: Ephesians4:1-16

Ephesians 4:1–16 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Today we want to listen closely as we are a part of this body as believers. When a part of the body is not healthy it can affect the whole body.

Therefore, Paul's plan of instruction for the church body is to benefit the whole. The nature of the health of the church is very very important.

Kyle Snodgrass says in my commentary that "No passage is more descriptive of the church in action... than this passage.

Let's dive in and see what Paul notes as the three marks of a healthy church. The first mark of a healthy church is to see the church ...

1. Healthy in humility and unity (1-6)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you....” That use of the word “you” there is corporate.

“I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called...” This calling is not vocational.

He’s not talking about someone’s calling to be a plumber, or a banker, or a teacher, or whatever you fill in the blank with.

He’s not talking about a calling into local mission, international mission, to be single or to choose this major or that major. That’s not the type of calling that Paul is talking about here.

The type of calling that he’s talking about here is more fundamental. It’s the calling that he has been talking about in Ephesians 1-3.

Namely, he is talking about the calling of these men and women into the family of God. That’s what Paul is talking about.

He spent chapters 1-3 explaining to these Christians how they’ve been brought into the family of God, and with wonder and praise, and explained to them they have been chosen and adopted.

In chapter 4, Paul makes the transition to exhorting them to live in light of this calling. He’s saying, “In light of you being called into God’s family by faith, live like it. Live in light of that calling.”

This is an inside-out living. No other religion operates this way. Inside-out living is taking the gospel that you have said you believe, embraced it, and now it is internal and has pieced your heart, then you live that way, from the inside out.

All other religions of the world are outside-in. They operate on the principle, “I am accepted by God because I obey Him. I obey God, I do this outwardly so that He’ll accept me.” Christianity is the opposite.

Christianity is, “I’ve been accepted by God through Jesus Christ, therefore I obey.” One is outside-in and the other is inside-out. This is the anchor that Paul has set for us. Live like this, inside-out.

Then we move along and see that our health is seen in the way that we conduct with one another. Read: Ephesians 4:2-3

Ephesians 4:2–3 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Humility seems to be a characteristic that Paul speaks a lot on in his letters.

Interestingly, the term humility was uncommon in first-century Greek literature; when it did appear, it was used with a negative connotation (Thielman, Ephesians, 253).

Pride was more of a highly valued quality of that day. Christians were actually ridiculed for their humility. We live in a similar day. The opposite of humility is “self-exaltation.”

Our culture says, “Exalt yourself,” “Pamper yourself,” “Think about yourself first.” That is the problem! You only think of yourself! Pride means being filled with self. Contrary, humility is being filled with God (Eph 3:19).

Timothy Keller put it this way: “The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less” (Freedom, Kindle, 32).

Paul then finishes out this little section by telling us to be gentle, patient, bearing with one another, and eager to maintain unity.

Let me tell you something. You can't do any of these without renouncing the opposites of these things. That is when the church will be glorify God, when it finds unity.

And then to round out, Paul says that we are to be ... One body, one Spirit, one hope, believing in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, to only one God and Father.

One body. We share a common existence in Christ’s church. We are diverse in background and gifting, but we are united as one.

One Spirit. We share a common origin in the Holy Spirit’s work. The Spirit is the One who creates unity and empowers us to maintain it.

One hope. We share a common hope in Christ. Formerly, we were “without hope” (2:12) until Christ. Now we have hope, and we must live in a manner worthy of our calling.

One Lord. Believers confess and proclaim, “Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor 4:5).

When the early Christians said, “Jesus is Lord,” they were saying, “Caesar is not lord.” When Jewish Christians said this, they were boldly identifying Jesus with the God of the Hebrew Scriptures (cf. Deut 6:4).

So, this was not merely an empty affirmation for early believers. This confession could cause you to lose your head.

One faith. We embrace the essential truths together, for “faith” here seems to refer to the body of truth we believe.

One baptism. We share a common experience of being spiritually baptized into Christ. The act of baptism into water pictures this reality.

One God and Father. As His adopted children, we share the same Father. He finishes off by saying to be eager to maintain unity.

One of the primary issues in the church that he’s writing to was how to be Jew and Gentile and yet become one as a church.

They had all these Jews and all these Gentiles, and one of the primary reasons that he’s writing is to communicate, teach them and encourage them how they are one in Jesus Christ.

He is reminding them there is neither Jew nor Greek anymore. If they could figure that out it would speak volumes. This is what we must figure out as a church. Unity.

When this marks the church, it really speaks loudly to people who are watching, it really speaks loudly to the culture that surrounds. Because nobody else does this. Differences typically divide.

We must eagerly pursue unity. All of this leads us to second mark of a healthy church and that is to see the church ...

2. Healthy in range (gifts and responsibilities) (7-12)

While the church is called to be unified, it does not mean that we will be of all the same gifts. Our range has brought us together to bless the church, and in turn to glorify God.

With diversity of gifts, we should be able to function quite healthily. Now this grace that Paul mentions here is not that grace that we know as a saving grace, but a ministry grace.

It is a grace for all believers to do ministry and to build up the church. Perhaps what is most distinctive about this text, compared to the other texts on gifts, is its exalted, Christ-centered focus. Read: Ephesians 4:7-12

Ephesians 4:7–12 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Paul highlights Christ’s generosity and authority. Christ Jesus died, rose, and ascended into heaven as the victorious King with all authority and gave gifts to His people, displaying extravagant generosity.

Jesus displayed himself as a giver and that is what is being called of us as well. We are to take the gifts and resources that we have been blessed with to bless God and others.

That is all Jesus ever did and if we are trying to live more like him then this should be the way we display ourselves.

He came, He gave, He ascended and now above over all. He was beyond generous and has authority. As we see what He has poured into us, let us marvel at Him and respond rightly.

Christ gave us gifts so that we would use them (cf. 1 Pet 4:10-11). These responsibilities are different for different believers.

Here Paul notes the leaders and the members. Each of them has the same value to God, but they share different roles.

Paul mentions those in unique positions of leadership in the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers.

He focuses on those gifted in articulating the gospel, teaching the Word, and shepherding God’s people. Such leaders are instruments to teach and strengthen and as Paul says next, equip for ministry.

Church leaders are to prepare, train, and equip God’s people for ministry. We all have a work of ministry because we all have spiritual gifts given by Christ.

What are you doing with what God has given you? The church will be enriched in worship and mission when everyone is serving.

When members give, work in childcare, visit those in need, make meals for new parents, and minister to one another in groups, the body is edified, blessed, and built up (4:12).

Finally, this leads us to the final mark of a healthy church and that is to see the church ...

3. Healthy in maturity (13-16)

We could dissect these verses and go deep into them, but what’s the main point that he’s getting at in these verses?

The main point that he’s getting at is that he wants to encourage the church to grow up. He’s saying, “Continue to grow up in Christ. Continue to build one another up in Christ.” Read: Ephesians 4:13-16

Ephesians 4:13–16 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Paul is not being condescending here, but I think he’s just encouraging them, in the same way that we have a desire for our kids to grow up.

We are eager for them to experience certain things, to understand certain things and to walk in a certain amount of maturity.

Paul makes it clear that this matters, maturity matters. It matters that we grow up because, if we don’t grow up, we may end up somewhere very far away from God, far away from the church, and that’s not good.

This is what happens when people do not grow up and they’re led away. They’re tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

What you have is in the end is people who have been led astray, and it’s really sad to watch. Many return but many of them continue to be led astray. Too many. Honestly, any is too many.

This is the sort of thing that Paul is talking about. There are these deceivers, these people who are crafty and cunning, who can teach well and explain things well.

And because this group is not growing up, they’re susceptible to being led away from the faith. We must protect against that.

If you’re a member, are you working properly as Paul outlines here? He says, “When all the members are working properly, the body is built up.”

Are you working properly? Are you working at all? Or are you just kind of here? Or if you’re not working properly, why not? Is it just because you don’t know any of this stuff?

Maybe it’s for lack of information. Maybe it’s just because you’re busy. Maybe you don't think you have anything to offer.

This is not a guilt trip friends, this is me standing up for the church, one of which many of you are members.

In what ways do you need to be equipped so that you can do some of these things and who are you going to let know that? Share that with somebody.

Let’s do this. Let’s be equipped so that we can do the work of the ministry and build one another up.

We want to help you in whatever way we can. That’s why we exist. That’s why God has given you leaders, pastors and lay leaders, to do that.

Illus: Abbie:

1) You grew up in the church and in a very large family who love the Lord. How did you make your faith your own and grow strong in it?

2) How did you know that God was setting you apart for the ministry of mission work, and did you wrestle through that? What steps did you take to step into it? What obstacles did He have to overcome for you?

Father, I pray that ever more You would compel us to do this, that You would make us into a body who lives and walks in light of the calling that we have received with humility, with gentleness, with patience and with love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.

I pray that You would teach us to love and build each other up through Your Spirit. So as we come now and respond to what we’ve heard, all of this is possible because of Jesus and His example in this.

I pray that You would bless us and nurture and nourish our hearts as we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”