s20080824m_How God Grows Vaughn Hill Spiritually and Numerically

How God Grows Vaughn Hill Spiritually and Numerically

Ephesians 4.11-16

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Ephesians 2.14-16—God Is Able To Grow Us When:

·         We Stop [BEING BABIES]

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14

·         We Start [Speaking The Truth In Love]

Instead, speaking the truth in love… Ephesians 4:15A

4We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. Colossians 1:4-6

·         We Seek [To Grow Up Into Christ]

…we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15B

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 18And grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Colossians 2:6-7 and 2 Peter 3:18

We Need to Seek to Grow 1. Individually, 2. With Another, 3. As a Body

·         We Stick [With The Leadership]

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows (numerically) and builds itself up (spiritually) in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Colossians 2:19

key: Being Babies, Speaking the truth in love, To Grow Up into Christ, With the leadership