Ephesians 4:1-16, The Church as a Community of Counselors

The Church as a Community of Counselors Sep 2, 2018

Half of Americans report that they “feel alone or left out” according to a recent survey of the health insurance company Cigna. Yet fewer and fewer people go to church to have open and honest conversations that are the foundation to building lasting friendships. Is this because the church is known more for one-way speech rather than back and forth two-way conversations? Jesus did not desire for His church to be a preaching point or one-way.

I. Jesus is Lord of His Church –

A. Jesus is more known for His conversations than for His sermons

1. Jesus engages people with questions – At the Pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be made well?” –

2. He speaks to those very different from Himself; for example, the woman at the well –

3. He engages the despairing, confused, and troubled –

4. Counseling is any conversation intended to help someone. Counseling is also done by example – ;

B. Jesus is the wise Counselor –

1. Wisdom is a verbal virtue –

2. A word wisely spoken is like apples of gold –

3. Wise words bring joy – ;

4. Counseling is essentially a moral and theological activity

5. The goal is to know God and His abundant mercy resulting in worship

II. The Pastor’s Call –

A. The “saints” do the work of the ministry –

1. The Christian life is to be lived in community –

2. We don’t grow just by information, but by obedience in relation to others –

3. The communal resources of the church can actually provide for long term counseling needs because one-on-one counseling is only one part of the counseling/discipleship process.

B. Stand fast in one spirit

1. Wisdom is engaging people not for our sakes but for theirs –

2. The church is to help others to grow in integrity in Christ –

3. Exhortation is needed –

III. Speaking the Truth in Love –

A. The whole body

1. Is knit together –

2. But each member gives flexibility to reach out to different kinds of people –

3. To move one another to serve Christ –

4. Exhort one another daily – ;

B. Prayer is the basis for counseling each other. Counseling without prayer is presumption –

1. The whole armor of God is needed –

2. Praying with all prayer . . . for all the saints –

3. Prayer enables us to know God’s heart and will – ,

We are gathering this evening for prayer because we collectively, as Christ’s church, need His presence. We are in a spiritual war and we must seek the Lord for His wisdom.