MCS Teacher's Devotion - Ephesians 4:15-16

Title: Growing Together in Christ

Text:

Introduction:

How do Christian school admin/teachers work together in such a way that they grow together in Christ with each other and with the students?

Maturation is the LORD’S desire & work -

Verse 14 confirms that the Lord wants his church to be continually maturing. He uses explicit language in this way and uses the analogy of a child tossed to and fro.

The standard for this maturation is Jesus Christ.

In addition, the standard for this maturation assures us that it will never end on this side of eternity.

The significance of this maturation is its’ immunizing work.

It is this continual maturation that is the antidote for different winds of “teaching” / doctrine.

Application:

Begin with humility of heart

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Humble Growth

Benjamin Franklin developed a set of disciplines which he hoped would enable him to attain moral perfection. He drew up a list of twelve virtues which he considered essential to achieving the good life. He ruled each page with seven lines. Daily he appraised and recorded his behavior. During a conversation Franklin shared his profile of excellence with an old Quaker, who quietly informed him he had omitted the virtue of humility.

I get this from the intentional analogy that Paul is using here regarding children & maturation.

I get this from the intentional analogy that Paul is using here regarding children & maturation.

There is something wonderfully liberating about experiencing independence. The child continues to become more and more independent, but then the heart of the child begins to manifest itself in desires for independence beyond his or her actual maturation.

Humbly acknowledge your ongoing need to mature in Christ...

Humility is a difficult trait to maintain because we tend to be proud in our hearts even though we may show humility in our appearances.

What are things in our lives that may manifest pride and thus hinder growth?

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Humility

The story is told of two brothers who grew up on a farm. One went away to college, earned a law degree, and became a partner in a prominent law firm in the state capital. The other brother stayed on the family farm. One day the lawyer came and visited his brother, the farmer. He asked, “Why don’t you go out and make a name for yourself and hold your head up high in the world like me?” The brother pointed and said, “See that field of wheat over there? Look closely. Only the empty heads stand up. Those that are well filled always bow low.”

Said differently, “The branch that bears the most fruit is bent the lowest to the ground.”688

The good news is that the Spirit of God works in the inner man of the believers so that it impacts their comprehension. ()

It is the Spirit of God Who provides the necessary truth for heart humility

The good news is that the Spirit of God works in the inner man of the believers so that it impacts their comprehension. ()

This helps us to NOT go below what we should or above where we should in consideration of ourselves.

Continue with humility of practice

Recognize God’s gifting in your life through people in official capacity for your maturation (Leaders are not a terror)

Sometimes in an effort to meet the expectations of leaders, we overlook the fact that they are their to serve for your maturation.

This does not mean you become lazy and excessively dependent on them, but you are dependent on God’s grace flowing through them.

One of the things that makes us skeptical of leaders is when we see others in the body go through difficult circumstances, and we begin to question the goodness of our leaders.

1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1900

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

(1) It is important to remember that the LORD is the One who has gifted the believing leader

(2) Practically-speaking, there is always more than one side to the story.

So, you may not be able to stop from hearing a one-sided story from a disgruntled coworker, but you can make a choice as to whether your faith is going to be in the goodness of your leader or the goodness of God through your leader.

Illustration:

If God is even over the kings of this world, then certainly he is the One who can be trusted in this ministry.

Sometimes we say that “God’s still working on me” but do we really realize the means that God uses for our maturation?

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Spiritual Growth, Evidence Of

Spiritual Growth, Evidence of

We have all been driving down a highway and noticed bright orange signs that state, “BEGIN CONSTRUCTION” and “END CONSTRUCTION.” One thing about these signs is that they tend to remain around long after the construction work is over.

If one of us were to announce that—for the time being—God’s construction in our lives was going to be halted, would our friends say, “I didn’t know any construction was going on”?1314

In a very literal sense, he has given you local churches for this to be preeminently seen. Without question.

In a very literal sense, he has given you local churches for this to be preeminently seen. Without question.

In a practical sense, you are at a Christian School that is a ministry of a local assembly. Know that the Lord will use this for your sanctification - your maturation. Approach this year with a heart of humility. Ask God that through His Spirit He would help you to know all that you have in Jesus Christ.