I Am Growing In Christ

Text: Ephesians 4:1-16 

Chris Correa

Introduction

Good morning, South Valley.

My name is Chris Correa, and I am so glad you’re with us today, both online and in-person.

As many of you may know, I am the Worship Pastor here at our church. 

In fact tomorrow will mark my family’s 3rd year here in Lemoore with you all.

We absolutely love it here. Our family has made many great friends and Lemoore has been such a special place for us.

On the screens there should be a picture of us right before we moved here. (Insert family photo)

My wife Jenny, and our four kids Zane, Nova-Lenore, Madeline and Jeremiah. 

Not too long after moving here we welcomed our 5th child, Caleb. (Insert tree house family photo) 

This was taken a month or so ago at one of the Bravo Farms.

Aaaaand not too long before that photo we found out we will soon be welcoming our newest addition to our family…

(Insert Ultrasound family photo)

We just found out we’re having a baby girl.

Now as my family is growing in size, Jenny and I are aware that the work load and responsibilities are also growing.

We need everyone to pitch in.

Everyone is important and has an important role.

Much like my personal family, our church family has been growing.

We’ve seen a lot of new believers call South Valley home.

We’ve welcomed new and seasoned believers through the Navy.

We’ve seen many baptisms in the last few years.

We’ve had many child dedications and much more!

God is growing our community similarly to how he was growing the churches in Ephesus.

With all this growth, much like my family the work load and responsibilities are also growing.

Each of you are unique and important.

Each of you have a role in this community.

We need everyone to pitch in .

I think it’s no surprise that God led Pastor Ricky to start a study on the book of Ephesians.

In this study, we’re exploring a super important question: “Who am I?” And by finding out who we are in Christ, we’ll discover our true purpose both as individuals and as a community. 

So with that…

My assignment today is to draw your attention to the topic of “Growth,” and more specifically “Growing In Christ.” 

To do that we will be reading through Ephesians 4:1-16.

So if you brought your Bible, would you please turn to Ephesians 4.

As you’re turning there, I’d like to take a moment and recap our series because there is a significant change in the theme of our series starting with today’s passage.  

We learned in week 1 that we are “Blessed In Christ” because we were chosen, adopted, and greatly gifted.

Week 2 we learned we are called to know the God who has chosen and adopted us.

Week 3 we learned that we were dead in our trespasses but made alive in Christ.

In week 4 we saw that we are united in Christ and are a part of a new humanity.

Week 5 we learned that each of us are a part of God’s plans.

This week we will transition our series from:

What God has done

To what we must be and do.

Let’s pray and then we will begin.

Today Paul gives us three clear signs that we’re growing in Christ:

Sign 1: I Am Growing in unity.

Ephesians 4:1–6 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.

In the previous chapter, Paul starts by pointing to his imprisonment. “I, Paul, a Prisoner “of” Christ.”

Paul is bound to Christ in love.

Paul is in prison to the glory of God for the sake of the gentiles.

Paul sees his imprisonment as an opportunity to glorify God and minister to those around him.

Have you ever known someone who was bound to Christ in Love?

Have you ever known a person like Paul who used their difficult circumstances to glorify God and minister to those around them?

I knew a man like this. His name was Jim Vian, and he boldly modeled this type of humility in my life.

Illustration: Briefly share Jims story.

Mentorship even in the midst of dark/challenging circumstances

If not for God using Jim in my life I don’t Know if I’d be up here today.

Do you have a Jim or Paul in your life?

Are you willing to be that person to someone in your Oikos?

Paul goes on in Chapter 4 to state that he is a prisoner “for” the Lord.

Paul’s captive heart to Christ fuels his loyalty to the gospel.

His Love for God keeps him preaching regardless of circumstance.

Paul’s sacrifice comes with an urgent plea to live a life that is worthy.

Paul then gives us 5 Christlike characteristics of a worthy life:

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Bearing With One Another

Love

In order to grow in unity we must grow in Humility.

The Greeks of Ephesus did not view humility as a virtue and in fact found it distasteful.

Humility was likened to the lowness of a slave.

Their priority was to be honored more than to be humble.

However Paul isn’t speaking of humility as a lowliness in life but more of a lowliness of mind.

You could have great wealth or poverty and still be prideful.

C.S. Lewis described humility in this way: “True humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less.”

Paul is urging his readers to combat the selfish and narcissistic tendencies within themselves to envision others as he does and as Christ envisions us all.

So what does this look like for us?

Living quietly

Celebrating other people’s wins

Helping others quietly without broadcasting it for praise

Fighting the urge to post about yourself and your journey every day

Being hospitable to those in your neighborhood

Accepting help and generosity from others

Humility promotes the next Christlike characteristic, “gentleness”:

Gentleness is a powerful virtue that is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and embodies the character of Christ

Gentleness is listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as a Fruit of the Holy Spirit

This indicates that gentleness is evidence of a Spirit-led life and essential to Christian maturity.

Gentleness was modeled by Jesus

Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

Gentleness is not weakness; rather, it is strength under control—demonstrating power with compassion, patience, and care.

Gentleness is a command to believers

The christian is called to treat others with gentleness, especially in conflict or correction

Philippians 4:5 says it like this “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near”

Galatians 6:1 Says: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently."

5 Benefits of Gentleness

Promotes Peace

Being harsh escalates tensions while gentleness de-escalates it.

2. Builds Trust

People feel respected and safe when we treat them with gentleness

3. Encourages Forgiveness

Gentleness makes it easier to admit wrongs and forgive others

4. Promotes Mutual Respect

In a gentle community, pride and dominance give way to mutual submission and service.

5. Strengthens And Grows The Community’s Witness

A gentle, unified community reflects the heart of Christ and attracts others to the Gospel. It becomes a living testimony of God's love and grace.

Humility and Gentleness open the door to the next two Christlike characteristics, patience, and bearing with one another.

You ever have that person that just pushes your buttons?

If you closed your eyes could you visualize someone who is frustrating and annoying?

Maybe you’re visualizing your spouse? Who wont stop nagging… Seems to never listen? or help in the ways that you need?

How about Your kids? Great listeners? making messes and complaining?

That one coworker or employee? So lazy? never on time? calls out and leaves you with more work?

That one kinda friend who just seems to be stuck to you like glue? They share all your business, have an annoying laugh? talk too much?

Then we can all agree we need help with patience.

Patience is part of God’s character

2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

This shows patience as a reflection of divine mercy and love.

I hate to tell you this but… most of that list I just mentioned describes you and I.

Let me be clear. Just like you I have not mastered these things and each week I have my ups and downs too.

I want you to listen carefully to this next part.

God is patient with you when you don’t listen

God is patient with you when you make a mess

God is patient and bears with you when you complain about your situation

God is patient with you when you’re lazy

God is patient with us. So let us be patient with others.

Finally, we have “love”.

This is the most critical attribute .

1st Corinthians says, if you don’t have love, you have nothing.

We need Christ to be our source for this kind of love

This gives life to the other characteristics.

If we attempt to live out the previous 4 characteristics without love, we are simply faking virtues for selfish gain.

We cannot display peace in unity without living out these characteristics at a ground level, as individuals.

So the question is….

Are you humble and gentle?

Do you think of your self less? or do you find yourself making things about you?

Are you gentle when there’s an offense? Or do you raise your voice and get aggressive?

Are you patient and able to bear with one another in love?

Do you blow up in frustrating situations? or are you calm and collected with difficult people?

Do you bear with that annoying person? or do you avoid them and talk behind their backs?

Do you love your brother and sister in Christ? Or do you wear a moralistic mask and care little about them?

If you are walking in these christlike characteristics, then you are walking in a manner that is worthy.

If You are not, then you are not growing in unity. You are growing in division.

If that’s you, God is using Paul’s letter right now to call you to repentance and unity in Christ.

Sign 2: I Am Gifted For Growth

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,

Let me summarize Paul.

We’re called to serve!

In my house we are actively working with the kids on areas they can serve in the house.

The trick we faced early on is what can they do? They’re little and don’t know how to help, nor do they really want to.

After some planning and observations we figured out each of them have little things that they can do well and things they need experience and training for.

I’m happy to report that while it is a work in progress, they are doing well!

They understand that their Mom and I need help and they are pitching in.

Paul’s hope in this section of the letter is to encourage believers to serve with their gifts.

Some of you are afraid that you’re not good enough to serve.

Some of you feel that you don’t have the right gifts to serve.

Some think you are too old or too young to serve.

And truthfully some of you just don’t want to serve at all.

Let me help you visualize this picture Paul is painting.

In the Old Testament, when kings went to war and defeated their enemies, they would bring back the spoils and distribute them as gifts to their kingdom’s people. These gifts were intended to boost the economy, morale, and influence of the kingdom. 

Christ came down alone, defeated his enemy, and returned to his kingdom, distributing gifts to his people! 

What does this mean for us?

You’re not just “Called” to serve you are “Gifted” to serve!

Your gifts were won at a great cost.

Your gifts help the economy, morale, and witness of the church.

Each of you is given a measure of grace for your gift.

Christ personally distributed spiritual gifts to his church.

You didn’t earn this

These gifts are free and unmerited. No one deserves them, nor has anyone earned them.

I want To encourage you with a personal serving testimony.

Heres The Big Idea: WE ARE ALL “CALLED” and “GIFTED” TO SERVE!

It won’t always be easy or comfortable but it will be meaningful.

Just look for any opportunity to serve. If it doesn't work try something different.

Finally the third sign that you are growing in Christ is….

(Rigo plays piano here)

Sign 3: I Am Growing in Maturity

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.

Until we all come to unity in the faith

God’s desire is to bring unity of faith through the offices he has established to grow believers in maturity.

Paul is not pushing for uniformity in how we function but unity in the core doctrines Paul has laid out in chapters 1-3.

So what happens to the church when the body Isn’t functioning properly?

We are Divided

Our gifts are used for selfish gain

Our gifts can become weapons against the community

The church struggles to expand and have healthy communities

We don’t mature

If you do not mature and you are not active

then you are a prime target for deception, false doctrines, confusion, and stagnation.

However if we are functioning as Paul has instructed us, then we should see:

Healthy churches producing mature believers where we are constantly growing in Christ.

We should see saints equipped to have a greater knowledge and experience of God.

We should see an active faith and spiritual maturity that tears down false doctrines.

When the saints are properly equipped, the results are stability in their faith and stability and harmony in the church.

Conclusion

In the beginning I mentioned the ways we are growing as a church.

For us to be all that God has called us to be, it’s going to require that everyone of us does our part.

Last week Pastor Ricky taught us that we are all a part of God’s plan.

This week I’m asking you, are you growing in Christ?

Before I close and send you off, here are three challenges for you this week:

Commit to live a life worthy of the call of Christ

Commit to doing your part in building up of the church.

Choose growth over stagnation.

Pray and conclude