ephesians 4:11-16

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Maturity in Christ

were going to be talking about maturity today.
its funny because part of being a teenager is a lack of maturity..
Think back to when you were 11, 12, 13 … you might laugh when we talk about circumcision…
how many adults do you think laugh at circumcision in the main sanctuary.
something happens as you get older
each year that goes by
you get more mature
Q. WHy is that ?
experience, learning, growing up....
Today we are going to learn about how we are to
mature and grow in Christ
so the church can be built up
Last week we read about How God gives us all spiritual gifts
so that the church would be built up
He also gives the church special leadership as gifts
5 fold ministry..
apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastor teachers
these leaders were annointed by God as
Generals
to help bring the people of God to a place of maturity and health
as it says in
ephesians 4:11-12
Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Remember you are the ones doing ministry…
what is ministry?
service to the Lord
the word was meant for serving someone who would visit your house
We are training for service to Christ. -
q. CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF YOUR SERVICE TO CHRIST ?
WE have been given leaders in the church to equip us for ministry and the building up of the church
continue
Ephesians 4:13–16 NKJV
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Here we see the purpouse of the church
it is not winning people to Christ
that is the by product of church…
Church is for the training and building up of the christians
so we would be effective in winning people to Christ
bring them in and here they will have the opportunity to hear the gospel and be saved
but the primary purpouse of the leaders is to train
and the goal is maturity at large
the 1st goal listed is the unity of the faih.
( what is the unity of faith )
read apostles creed
the 2nd goal is further knowledge of the son of God
( what is the knowledge of the son of God )
knowing Him factually and personally
leads to
3rd goal
which is maturity
perfect man means mature man
that we would be built into the fullness of Christ
so How do we grow in maturity

take church very seriously

Gods spirit is working
He has annointed men for your growth
example of physical trainer -----your fat and out of shape when you come in
the more time you spend with your trainer and in the gym the more you transform
When we take church seriously, we transform
by way of mind and spirit.
Romans 12:2 NKJV
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
at church we ..
A. learn the essentials of the faith ---unity
one God
one gospel
we are all single minded —after christ
B. learn about the character and nature of Christ - knowledge of the Son
who He is
what He has done
and this knowledge is to grow in you and change your life
c. training into maturity - perfect man
as you learn and gain experience you mature
maturity- being fully developed
Gods goal is a fully developed church
He is growing us up into His bride
that He would inherit a church that is holy
-those who take church seriously grow into maturity
those who do not stay immature
one of the most important parts of growing in maturity
is for protection
as we see from
Ephesians 4:14 NKJV
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Maturing in Christ is for protection

enemy goal to destroy
does this by bringing bad theology
know your faith…
q. do you know your faith?
children are immature
they are easily tricked
paul uses the terminology for a ship in the water being tossed to and fro
illistration --- picture a yacht
if I drive that boat first time what are the odds I will wreck.
if you read a manual and watch a youtube video — better chances
if you train every day for a year you will be safe...
in the same way we need to become mature in order to avoid shipwreck
a mature believer knows doctrine and theology
this will protect you from false teaching
some crazy doctrines out there
safeguard is knowing your bible…
Ephesians 4:15 NKJV
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
when facing your opponents who try to trick you with bad theology
speak the truth in love ....
If someone trys to convert you , what will you say.
do it in love
tell story of neighbor Jw
He said Jesus was created.... you need to call Him Jehova
I rebuked him in love
so paul is continuing
instead of being easily tricked and inmature
you must grow up in all things
into Christ
Imagery of a Body with Christ as the head
Ephesians 4:16 NKJV
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
the church is a many membered body
each member has different
roles, functions, and gifts
we are all meant to have a role
do our jobs
and work together as one
when we ALL work together the ministry and work of God is abundant
but we all need to do our job

your an important part , so do your part

I want us to be a healthy youth group
who loves the Lord
and does their part in ministering Christ
we all have something to give to Him and eachother
every Sunday.
-serve in childrens ministry
-welcome team
-kitchen
pray with eachother
encourage
give to eachother
share what your learning
use your gifts
this will lead to spiritual growth in the believer
-effectivness in ministry
-and a building up of eachother in love
Q. Are we building eachother up....
I want you to focus on bringing something of Christ with you to church next week.
Share something with someone in here
pray with someone
give an encouragment
check in
we are a team
everyone needs to do their share
everyone needs to participate in ministering Christ to eachother
we need to take church seriously
we need to mature for protection
and we need be a part
if your sitting here thinking… im not really a part of church
I just come …
that can change today …
learn with the intent to share the love of Christ
and the knowledge of Him with everyone.
if you are feeling like you are not maturing as a christian....
draw close to Him
and He will lead you
but you need to make that choice
to follow Him
pray
is church boring to you? take it more seriously. take faith more seriously
your on a mission to love God, Love neighbor, and win the Lost .
brainstorm a mission.
2. how have you noticed a maturing process in your walk with Christ .. obedience
3. have you ever been attacked with bad doctrine or theology.
4. How can you be a part of church?
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