The Marks of Maturity

A. What makes Christianity different?

For one, it begins with spiritual birth not ceremony.

Second, it begins with a relationship with a Savior, not religious rite.

B. We've already looked at the indications of infancy in this series. In today's message we will look at how we recognize Christian maturity.

Ephesians 4:7–16 NKJV

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 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; 14 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, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 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.

I’ve chosen to include verses 7-10 this morning to give us a little introduction to our key passage this morning. We won’t be spending our time there except to give a little explanation of what we believe is being said.

A. After discussing the basis of unity in vv. 1-6, Paul now analyzes the means of preserving that unity of the body by means of the various gifts.

Paul previously discussed the unity of the church. Now he discusses the diversity within the church.

From God each believer receives grace or enablement as Christ apportioned. Each believer is to function in Christ’s body by God’s enablement, proportionate to the gift (spiritual ability) bestowed on him, no more and no less.

B. is a quotation from the OT which confirms God’s giving of gifts. Most think it quotes with five minor and two major changes. The two major variations are the change from the second to the third person, and the change of direction from having received gifts from men to the giving of gifts to men. However, it is better to think that Paul was not quoting one particular verse of the psalm but rather that he was summarizing all of , which has many words similar to those in . The essence of the psalm is that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those who are identified with him. Christ, having captivated sinful people by redeeming them, is Victor and gives them as gifts to the church. Whereas and speak of gifts given to believers, speaks more of gifted believers given to the church (cf. v. 11).

\which confirms God’s giving of gifts. Most think it quotes with five minor and two major changes. The two major variations are the change from the second to the third person, and the change of direction from having received gifts from men to the giving of gifts to men. However, it is better to think that Paul was not quoting one particular verse of the psalm but rather that he was summarizing all of , which has many words similar to those in . The essence of the psalm is that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those who are identified with him. Christ, having captivated sinful people by redeeming them, is Victor and gives them as gifts to the church. Whereas and speak of gifts given to believers, speaks more of gifted believers given to the church (cf. v. 11).

C. Verses 9–11 serve as a commentary on two words of the quotation in verse 8, namely, ascended (vv. 9–10) and “gave” (v. 11). In verses 9–10 Paul commented on the words He ascended. These two verses are parenthetical in thought because the issue of the passage is the giving of gifts. Before Christ could ascend He had to descend. What is meant by to the lower, earthly regions, literally, “into the lower parts of earth”? The genitive “of” can be taken in three ways: (1) “Into the lower parts, namely, the earth” (a genitive of apposition). This would refer to Christ’s incarnation, His “descent” to the earth. (2) “Into the parts lower than the earth” (a genitive of comparison). This would mean that Christ descended into hades between His death and resurrection. (3) “Into the lower parts which belong to the earth” (a genitive of possession). This would refer to Christ’s death and His burial in the grave. The third view best fits the context because in His death Christ had victory over sin and redeemed those who would be given as “gifts” to the church.

Verses 9–11 serve as a commentary on two words of the quotation in verse 8, namely, ascended (vv. 9–10) and “gave” (v. 11). In verses 9–10 Paul commented on the words He ascended. These two verses are parenthetical in thought because the issue of the passage is the giving of gifts. Before Christ could ascend He had to descend. What is meant by to the lower, earthly regions, literally, “into the lower parts of earth”? The genitive “of” can be taken in three ways: (1) “Into the lower parts, namely, the earth” (a genitive of apposition). This would refer to Christ’s incarnation, His “descent” to the earth. (2) “Into the parts lower than the earth” (a genitive of comparison). This would mean that Christ descended into hades between His death and resurrection. (3) “Into the lower parts which belong to the earth” (a genitive of possession). This would refer to Christ’s death and His burial in the grave. The third view best fits the context because in His death Christ had victory over sin and redeemed those who would be given as “gifts” to the church.

Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 634.

Christ’s ascent above the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe probably refers to His regal relationship with the whole world, from which position He bestows gifts as He wills because of His work on the Cross. This fits well with 1:23, which speaks of Christ imparting all the fullness of His blessings to the church and to the universe. Christ, who embodies the fullness of the Godhead (), fills the universe and is Head over it (cf. ).

Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 634.

C. OK, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s move on to the intention of these gifts and the marks of maturity.

The Mature Christian is a Believer with a Mission (vv. 11-12)

eph. 4.12-12

A. perfecting means maturing

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

A. Your translation may say perfecting. The meaning of the original word used by Paul means maturing. So the purpose of these gifted men for the equipping of the saints for maturity.

B. The gifts of the Lord to the church are to bring us to maturity.

The apostles and prophets through their writings

Evangelists through their special ministry

Pastors and teachers have the primary responsibility in bringing about Christian growth.

C. Now we see the common mistake in understanding the pastoral role many have

The pastor has become the one who does the work of the ministry instead of maturing others to do it.

Instead of being participants, Christians have become spectators.

Pastors perform and their people go home to talk about it.

Too many believers feel their responsibilities end in paying pastors and supporting missionaries.

D. Mature believers see their mission in life as doing the work of the ministry: reaching out to others with the love and gospel of their Savior.

So, the first mark of a mature Christian is a believer with a mission.

The Mature Christian is a Builder of Other Believers (v. 12)

Ephesians 4:12 NKJV

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

eph

A. “Edify” means to build up or help along.

Christ is the head of the church

Each believer is a member

B. What can you do to build up the body of Christ?

You can care for the parts of the body that are afflicted.

(a) Prayer for the sick

(b) Visiting the fatherless and widows ()

You can care for the physical needs of the body

(a) We’re reminded of Paul and the offerings for the saints in Jerusalem

(b) Too long we have left this to social agencies

You can help care for the spiritual needs of the body

(a) be a peacemaker

(b) Live and teach the Scriptures.

C. Are others stronger in Christ because of You?

D. Is the body more unified because of You?

The Mature Christian Has a Bible Basis for Every Belief (v. 14)

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

14 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,

A. “No more children, tossed to and fro”

B. No longer snared or attracted to cultic teachings

C. Solid in doctrine

D. Do you know why you believe what you believe?

E. Maturity in the Word of God brings maturity in life

Conclusion:

A. Examine yourself for the marks of maturity

B. In what areas are your greatest needs for growth?

C. Let’s aid one another on the road to Christian maturity.