A Rooted Church

Ephesians 4:11-15

· Today we wrap up our series on being Rooted in Christ.

· We have talked about being Rooted in God’s Word

· And the importance of Good ground

· We talked last week about having a Rooted Family.

· And Today I want to wrap it up talking about us as a church.

· If we want to grow, we have to be a Rooted Church.

· Not some of us, but all of us!

· We all need to seek to do God’s Will.

· What is God’s Will?

· That seems to be a question every Christian wonders many times in their life.

· Can I tell you that God is not just interested in the big decisions of life?

· Who will you marry?

· Where you will work

· How you will serve him

· But he is interested in every aspect of our lives.

· The truth is God’s will for every Christian is given in.

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

· God wants us to grow in grace and the knowledge of Him!

· God specifically designed the church to help us develop strong roots and grow in Him.

· The church is a vital part of our growth.

· Ephesians 4 shows us some incredible resources for growth given to us the local New Testament Church.

I. The Path of Growth

· AS the early church began to grow, a very key figure in the expansion of the church was the Apostle Paul.

· Through his missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor and even into Europe, God used him to plant churches throughout the Roman Empire.

· On Paul’s third missionary journey, he found his way to a city called Ephesus, located in modern-day Turkey.

· Ephesus was incredibly advanced for its day with the great Celsius library, a tremendous Roman coliseum, a sewer system, and ornate housing with mosaic tiles and on the ceilings and floors.

· IT was in this city, that Paul began to preach the gospel of Christ.

· Men and women turned from their pagan idolatry and their worship of the renowned goddess Diana.

· Here Paul planted a church where these Christians would continue to grow in their faith as well as share their faith with others.

· Some years later, from the city of Rome, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus.

· He loved this church, and in his letter (the book of Ephesians), Paul encouraged the believers there to continue growing.

· He explained that their growth in their lives would come directly through hearing and applying the Word of God.

· We have seen already that our rootedness is directly connected to God’s Word.

· So, then the church family is connected through the Word of God.

A. We Must Impart God’s Word 11

· Growing in Christ is not mystical.

· God directly tells us how to grow in Him, but many Christians go through their whole lives never growing.

· As we are taught the Word, we receive the teaching we need to grow in the Lord.

· Here in verse 11 are several ways the church at Ephesus could have God’s Word imparted to them.

· The first two, Apostles and Prophets, at least in their function in those days, were specific to the early church.

· They were especially needed in the building of the early church.

· To be an apostle we are told,

Acts 1:21-22

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

· So, first and apostle had to have a call from Christ Himself.

· Second, an apostle had to see the resurrected Christ personally.

· Paul saw Christ on the Road to Damascus

· He gives testimony to this in

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

· Because of these two requirements, there are no Apostles office is not held today.

· However, I do believe their giftings of going across the world to spread the gospel is still seen today in the lives of Missionaries.

· The second group, also for the early church, is prophets.

· They were vital to the early church.

· By definition, a prophet is one who is a spokesman, in this case, God’s spokesman.

· The prophet would declare what they had received by revelation from God.

· This is how we received the Bible.

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

· But the canon of Scripture is now complete and today we receive revelation from God through His Word.

2 Peter 1:19

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

· Again, even though the office of Prophet is no longer used, since there is no new revelation from God, God does use people in a similar way, to see sin and are able to apply Scripture skillfully to bring about repentance.

· The next group we see still used today.

· Evangelists are preachers who “bring good tidings.”

· These are men who have more of a travelling ministry.

· They may be a church-planter, a missionary, or a travelling preacher.

· Then there are pastors/teachers.

· Because the word some is before each of the other offices but not before the word teachers, this implies that pastors and teachers refer to one office.

· A pastor is an under shepherd who is also responsible to teach God’s Word to the congregation.

· So, he leads and teaches.

· Acts 20 clearly shows how these two roles of the pastor’s office intertwine:

Acts 20:28-29

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

· But all of this is part of God’s plan for the growth of the church.

· Once you are a Christian, you will not grow unless you are receiving the Word of God in your heart.

· This happens in your own study of the Bible as well as the teaching and preaching of His Word in the church.

· But the pathway to growth doesn’t end with the truth being imparted.

B. We Must Continue in God’s Truth 12

· The first word in verse 12 “For” is a connecting word.

· It is pointing to the purpose of those in verse 11.

· Without the teaching and preaching of the Bible the tree-fold objective of verse 12 will not be accomplished.

o The equipping (perfecting) of the saints

o The work of the ministry

o The edifying of the body of Christ.

· The word translated perfecting, means “complete furnishing, equipping.”

· Ephesians 4 begins with a challenge.

Ephesians 4:1

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

· Do you take your vocation seriously?

· Not just your job, but what you have been called to do by God.

· Starting with your Christian growth.

· As we hear, understand, and apply God’s Word, we are equipped as God’s Servants to do His will.

· Not only does God’s Word perfect or equip the saints for His work, but we also see it is needed for the Work itself.

· We cannot do this work on our own.

· We cannot help one another by our own wisdom!

· The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword.

· Only God’s Word can do the work.

· We use the Word of God to do the work of the ministry.

· To reach the lost, to serve our community.

· And then the final purpose of the local church is for the edifying of the body of Christ.

· Edification – Building, building up, the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom and holiness.

· Satan continually is working to tear down the body of Christ.

· He uses discouragement, gossip, family turmoil, misplaced affections, and many other tools to wage war on the local church.

· He wants to pit the members against one another.

· Btu God’s plan is for us to build one another up, not tear each other down!

· Nothing in this church is more important than the growth of our fellow Christians and the saving of the lost.

· Far too many churches have been split over stupid things like the color of a carpet, or the color of paint on the wall.

· It doesn’t matter!

· By the way that is why we have a board, because the more decisions that are brought to the entire church the more opportunity, we have for fighting!

· It’s not worth it!!!

· Now the board doesn’t make decisions without seeking advice, but nevertheless, if we can limit opportunities for the Devil to get in there, the better.

· Let’s edify – build up not tear down!

II. The Priority of Growth

· We know that the path to growth will include the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, but what aspects of truth are the priority on this path?

· The next verse gives us the answer.

A. We Must Have Unity in the Faith 13a

· Faith – Body of Christian Truth

· The truth that has been delivered by those in verse 12.

· Its our responsibility to stand together and guard it.

Jude 1:3

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

· The strongest unity is truth-based unity.

· Many want to ignore truth and base their decisions on what they feel is right.

· Remember

Jeremiah 17:9

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

· Philippians 1:27 emphasizes the unity that comes as we focus on our shared faith.

Philippians 1:27

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

· The Word of God brings unity.

· We see this in the purpose that Scripture was given to us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

· Doctrine -what is right.

· Reproof-what is wrong.

· Correction – how to make the wrong right.

· Instruction-how to keep the right right.

· Once all of these are implemented, we are by the very nature of things unified.

· But unity is not the end – if we only focus on unity, we will step away from the truth.

· That is why verse 13 also tells us…

B. We must Have the Knowledge of Christ

· Growth is not just adding “Christian Actions” to our lives.

· It begins with knowing more about Christ!

· If we grow in our understanding of who Jesus is, we will mature and be more like Christ.

· From the inside out!

Colossians 2:2

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

· We need to grow in knowledge of God, so we can grow ourselves, but also so we can share Him with others!

1 Peter 3:15

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

· We need to see the importance of the Path of Growth.

· Be in our place under the teaching of the Word of God.

· But we also need to see the importance of the Priority of Growth and as God has said, strive for unity and the knowledge of Christ.

· And then we see thirdly,

III. The Permanence of Growth

· It is important to understand, as with plants, there is no middle ground.

· You are either growing or shriveling.

· How can we maintain the growth we have seen?

· Verse 14-15 tells us three ways:

A. We Grow through Preparation

· There will be challenges.

· So, we will have to be mature.

· Christians who remain spiritually immature are far more susceptible to pull of false teachers.

· They lack the spiritual roots to hold their footing in the truth.

· Paul cautioned the Corinthian church to grow up spiritually!

1 Corinthians 14:20

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

· Some leave the church because they were never truly saved.

1 John 2:19

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

· If we are going to have permanence in our growth, we have to mature in our walk with the Lord and in the understanding of His truth.

· One of the best ways to stay in church is to develop friendships in the church that will help you grow.

· But we must be careful what friends we take!

B. We Grow through Precaution

· We should not be naïve to believe that all men hold the truth or that all are wanting to hold the truth.

· Realistically there are many who hate God, hate truth, and hate the fact that anyone would embrace the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-2

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

The World has shifted, and the enemy makes it appear that the wicked are the compassionate. But often, if we just watch, their true colors show through. A classic example of this was a keynote speech at a high school journalism conference. The conference was about “anti-bullying,” and the speak told the students they could “learn to ignore the ____ int eh Bible about gay people.” When offended students began walking out on what turned into a three-minute-long anti-Christian rant, the speaker cursed them. How strange that a class against bullying turned into a speaker bullying and ridiculing Christian teenagers for their faith.

· We need to be cautious what influences us.

· Here in verse 14, we see the intentions of those who would sway us away from the truth of God’s Word.

· Sleight of men

· Cunning craftiness

· Lie in wait to deceive.

1 John 4:1-3

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

· All roads lead to God – when put to this test – FALSE.

· Humanism – when put to this test – FALSE.

· Satan is after the hearts and minds of God’s people.

· Be careful who influences you so we may keep our growth permanent.

C. We Grow through Perseverance 15

· IT is truth that allows us to grow up in him in all things.

· So, we must speak the truth in love.

· Just patiently speaking truth tempered by love, is the only thing that will keep us and those around us growing and rooted as a church.

· The path of growth for God’s people is found in His Word.

· The priority of growth is that we would grow in the knowledge of Christ and that his growth would take place in unity with others.

· The permanence in growth takes place as we persevere on the firm foundation of truth in love.

· God has made the local church perfectly suited to meet these aspects of growth!

· The path of growth – preaching and teaching God’s Word.

· The Priority of Growth – unity with other Christians who are growing in Christ and believe the truth.

· The permanence of Growth – stability of being part of a church that holds the truths of God’s Word.