Reaching in Love: The Call to Serve and Mature Together

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:7–16

Opening Theme. Need, & Main Idea

When a body stops growing together, it gets sick. Muscles weaken, joints ache, and the whole system suffers.

The same is true for the church. When believers stop growing together — when we live disconnected, divided, or unaware of the grace Christ has given us — the body of Christ becomes unhealthy.

In this passage, Paul shows us that Christ Himself is building His church — and He does it by giving grace, by gifting leaders, and by growing His people together in love.

Question.

So here’s the question we need to answer today: 

How does Christ build His church to maturity and unity in love?

By giving grace to every believer (vv. 7–10)

By gifting leaders to equip His people (vv. 11–13)

By growing His body together in truth and love (vv. 14–16)

How does Christ build His church to maturity and unity in love?

By giving grace and victory to every believer (vv. 7–10)

Ephesians 4:7–10 ESV

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Explanation.

Proposition: 

Every believer receives grace from Christ that enables them to serve His purpose.

Paul shifts here from what all believers share in common to what each believer uniquely receives. He says, “Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” 

This isn’t saving grace — this is serving grace.

Paul quotes Psalm 68: a picture of a victorious king returning from battle, ascending in triumph, and distributing the spoils of victory to his people.

What does decsended mean? Paul is saying that Christ went to the abyss. 1 Peter 3:18-19

1 Peter 3:18–19 HCSB

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison

Our King’s conquest was over sin and death. Our lord marched in to the Lower depths for you to ransom your soul.

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 2:5–6 ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Psalm 103:4 ESV

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Illustration

We know Jesus literally descended into what we would call hell. While we know he went there we don’t know how long we went there.

Jesus tells the man on the cross “today, I’ll see you in paradise.”

This “ransom” doctrine is known as substitutionary atonement.

A debt is owed and a debt is paid.

More specifically, The debt is owed to God and Christ paid it.

When Peter said that Jesus proclaimed to the demons. we learn from that

Jesus did not descend to suffer; He descended to declare that Hell wasn’t his torment, it was theirs.

He didn’t Go to hell to pay a price, He went to proclaim the price was already paid.

Jesus descending into hell was not hell for him, it was hell for them.

Compare the differences

Ps. 68:18-19

Psalm 68:18–19 ESV

You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah

Jesus not only brings us out of captivity but he also gives us gifts as opposed

The Ephesians would have recognized this imagery from the victory parades of their day, when a conquering general ascended the temple steps and showered gifts on the crowd. Paul’s saying, That’s what Christ has done for us! 

Timeless principle: 

Jesus is the victorious and generous King who descended to redeem us and ascended to empower us.

Argumentation.

Paul reminds us that the grace we need for life and ministry doesn’t come from talent, effort, or personality — it comes from the risen Christ Himself.

God promised a victorious King who would conquer His enemies and then share His victory with His people.

That’s exactly what Christ did when He rose and ascended on high — He didn’t leave us empty-handed, He poured out grace into every believer’s life.

Now, think about this logically: if Jesus truly conquered death and rules as Lord, wouldn’t it make sense that He would empower His followers to continue His work? A living Savior would never leave His people powerless.

Application.

So how do we live this out? It starts by remembering that grace isn’t just what saved you — it’s what sustains you.

Christ has already placed you exactly where He wants to use you. This week, begin each morning by saying, “Lord, let Your grace be seen in me today.” Step into one moment where you normally hold back — a conversation, a service opportunity, a hard task — and lean on His grace instead of your own strength.

Transition: When Christ gives grace, He also gives gifted leaders to help us learn how to use it well.

How does Christ build His church to maturity and unity in love?

By giving grace to every believer (vv. 7–10)

By gifting leaders to equip His people (vv. 11–13)

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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

Explanation.

Proposition: 

Christ gave gifted leaders to equip believers for maturity and unity in faith.

Now Paul shows how that grace gets organized within the body of Christ.

The ascended King gives leaders gifts to develop individuals in the church.

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are Christ’s instruments for the church’s growth.

Their calling isn’t to do all the ministry, but to equip the saints to do it. The word Paul uses — “equip” — literally means to mend, to prepare, to make fit for service.

It’s the same word used for mending fishing nets in the Gospels.

Christ’s leaders repair, train, and prepare His people so they can serve effectively.

In Paul’s day, this was revolutionary. In the ancient world, religion was run by a priestly class.

But in the church, every believer becomes a minister.

The leaders exist to multiply ministry, not to monopolize it.

And the goal of all this equipping is maturity — so that the body would grow into the fullness of Christ.

Timeless principle: 

Jesus is the Head of His church who equips and matures His people through gifted leaders.

Illustration.

Illustration: The Orchestra Conductor

Have you ever listened to an orchestra warm up?

It'll make you question your choice to buy tickets pretty quickly

Each section does their own thing and it sound like absolute chaos.

Notes clash, tempos are off,

Then something incredible happens, the conductor lifted the baton and and suddenly a wonderful peace is played.

The Conductor didn’t play a single note, yet his guidance unifies them.

His role wasn’t to perform every part, but to help every musician play theirs in harmony.

In the same way, Christ gifts leaders—not to perform ministry for the people, but to prepare the people for ministry.  Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are not soloists; they are conductors, equipping the saints so the whole church can make a symphony of service that glorifies God.

Apostles are big picture forward thinking visionaries

Prophets in this usage are those who point people to the Thus sayeth…

Evangelists are skilled at sharing the gospel

Pastors shepherd the flock and teach doctrine

Teachers are disciple-makers

Consider the Great commission.

Apostles organize the go, Evangelists and teachers equip the saints to make converts and to disciple. Pastors help deepen people’s relationships with God and each other, and Prophets help us remain encouraged that God is always with us until the end.

Paul mentions other gifts like administrative, mercy, benevolence but the ones he lists here are mobilizers who teach others how to fulfill the Great Commission.

When each believer plays their part, something beautiful happens—the body grows stronger and more united in love.

Ephesians 4:12–13 ESV

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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,

I wont ever be the fullness of Christ, neither will you before heaven. but the Rock Bible Church

can be.

As a whole we can measure to the fullness of Christ if we continue to serve one purpose (salvations) and seek to be equipped.

If we allow him, God will mature us in a way that the unsaved will see the fullness of Christ in the life of this church body. Not one individual but collectively.

Application.

The way we practice this truth is by refusing to be spectators in the body of Christ. God gave leaders not to do ministry for us but to equip us for ministry. So engage!

When you set out, you miss out.

Serving grows you, and your serving grows us.

Kids ministry need people to help them understand His truths

You can serve in Guest Services welcoming visitors and helping people know they belong

You can serve on our prayer team (See me if youd like more information on that.

lead or host a small group or discipleship team

sign up to serve in the mens and womens ministries

Transition.

When we mature in Christ, we not only learn to walk in step with each other. We learn to stay in firm against the storms of this world together.

How does Christ build His church to maturity and unity in love?

By giving grace to every believer (vv. 7–10)

By gifting leaders to equip His people (vv. 11–13)

By growing His body together in truth and love (vv. 14–16)

Ephesians 4:14–16 ESV

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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.

Explanation.

Proposition: 

Spiritual maturity produces unity and love that reflect Christ’s life in the church.

When Christ’s people use their gifts and grow in grace, something beautiful happens — the church begins to mature together.

Paul says we are no longer spiritual children, tossed around by every new idea or false teaching. Instead, we “speak the truth in love” and grow up in every way into Christ, who is the Head.

The more each part works properly, the more the entire body builds itself up in love.

For the Ephesians, this meant standing firm amid a culture full of competing religions and philosophies.

Paul knew that unity wasn’t achieved by uniformity but by maturity.

When Christ rules in our hearts, love and truth keep us stable and strong.

Timeless principle: Jesus is the living Head who unites His people in truth and love so the world can see Him through them.

Illustration.

If you walk through a forest of redwood trees, you’ll notice something surprising. These towering giants—some over 300 feet tall—have very shallow roots. You’d think they’d topple easily in a storm. But they don’t. Their secret is that their roots interlock with the roots of the trees around them. They literally hold each other up.

That’s what Paul describes in Ephesians 4: “the whole body, joined and held together… grows and builds itself up in love.”

Argumentation.

Paul paints the picture of a church that’s no longer tossed around by false teaching or selfishness, but one that grows up into Christ — speaking the truth in love, building each other up.

That’s not just a dream; that’s the design of God.

Jesus Himself prayed in John 17 that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one.

That prayer becomes reality when we grow in maturity.

Real growth always leads to love. Knowledge without love divides, but love rooted in truth unites.

A divided church contradicts the nature of its Head, but a loving, unified church proves Christ is alive in it.

You can see it in history and even here today — believers from different backgrounds, temperaments, and stories learning to forgive, serve, and walk together. That’s not natural. That’s supernatural.

Application.

Here’s where it gets real: maturity always shows up in relationships.

If Christ is growing you, love and unity will follow.

This week, ask the Spirit to show you one person you need to forgive, one conversation that needs grace, or one relationship where you can build peace.

Speak truth, but do it in love.

Remember, Every time you choose love over pride, you make the gospel visible.

And when we all choose to handle one another in truth and love, the church doesn’t just talk about Christ’s love — we become its living proof.

Closing Thought: WORSHIP TEAM UP

Appeal.

Church — 

Christ has given each one of us grace. He’s handed out gifts, not so we can sit on them, but so we can stand together and sound like heaven.

When every believer plays their part — when truth is spoken in love, when service is done in humility, when grace flows through our hands — the world hears the unmistakable melody of Jesus.

You are not an audience in this room — you are the orchestra of God. And our Savior, the risen Conductor, is calling each of us to tune our hearts and play the part He gave us.

Don’t let your gift stay silent. Don’t let pride, fear, or comfort, rob this church of the sound it was meant to make.

We grow, we mature, we become one, when we each gives from what Christ has given to us.

Response.

So as we end today, I want you to see what Paul was talking about — as each instrument joins in, the sound grows fuller, richer, more alive.

That’s what happens when every believer steps into their gift.

Alone, our sound is incomplete. But together — under the direction of Christ — the melody becomes unmistakable. 

So as the music builds, offer God your gift. Join in His song. Let’s rise together — one body, many parts, one melody of grace.

Prayer

What does Paul mean when he states that each believer receives grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift?

In what ways can you identify and use your unique spiritual gifts to serve within the church community?

What practical steps can you take to foster unity and maturity in your local church?

According to Ephesians 4:11-13, what is the primary role of church leaders in relation to the body of Christ?

How can 'speaking the truth in love' lead to stronger relationships within the church?

What are the characteristics of a mature church as described in Ephesians 4?