Equip (2022)

Equip – Walking in a Manner Worth of My Calling

Ephesians 4:11-16

The opening to this section of scripture stands on the previous three chapters.

Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ!

We were once were dead in our sin, but have been made alive together with Christ.

It is by God’s grace, literally a gift, that we have been made alive, that we have been blessed. (2:8)

Now, in light of all that God has done, we must remember that we are now one in Christ.

The Gentiles were once separated from Christ and Israel was God’s chosen people. However, now, through Christ, there is no distinction.

2:13 – “Now in Christ you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

It is among these individuals who have been made new in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, that he is building his church.

Last week we talked about ENGAGING the world with the gospel.

Today, we going to talk about EQUIPPING believers for the work of ministry.

Paul, in 3:20-21, shares with us the confidence he has in God and the work he has called the church to accomplish.

This work is immeasurably more in the church unto the glory of God.

That brings us to Chp. 4, and Paul’s challenge for us is to “walk in a manner worthy of our calling.” (v.1)

Not in our own strength but based on all that he has said up to this point.

Humility, gentleness, patiently, bearing one another’s burdens, unified in the faith.

This is accomplished by Christ giving gifts to the church as we see in v.11.

1. The church has been given gifts so that the members are equipped for the work of ministry. (v.11)

Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Teacher, Shepherd.

These roles are extremely important to the gospel being revealed, declared, and taught.

So that the church matures. (v.12)

Is protected from false teaching. (v.14)

And, is built up in love. (v.16)

Equipping its members for the work of ministry is the responsibility of the church as a whole so that the church remains healthy generation after generation.

The elders have a specific and weighty responsibility, but each Christian is tasked with functioning as a dependable member to equip others (v.16)

V.16 – Paul uses the language of anatomy to communicate this.

He says, “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Think of the human body.

Endurance Athletes

So, “what is the work of ministry?”

Its the Great Commission: Matt.28

We should live in word and deed so that it is clear that any authority, power, comfort, peace that we have comes from Christ.

Make disciples of all nations (Share the gospel).

Baptize new believers into the church (Welcome those who come to Christ into the universal and local church body).

Teaching these new Christians to obey the Scriptures (Equip them to be obedient to the teachings of God in all areas of life).

So, I believe Paul’s teaching to the church at Ephesus builds upon the Great Commission to help us better understand how we are to strategically to engage the world and practically equip the church to glorify him as it is intended.

2. The work of ministry includes every Christian growing in maturity. (v.12)

As a Christian our relationship with Christ begins at salvation but that is not where it ends. We are to mature!

EX – a child who never matures.

The movie Failure to Launch – the parents hire an expert to date their 35-year-old son in hopes that he will leave the house.

If we are not careful our churches will be full of Christians who “fail to launch.”

So, what does maturity look like?

It is many things like the fruit of the Spirit, engaging in spiritual disciplines, but it is no less than...

a. Sharing the gospel. (Mat.28) – Evangelism training, Community groups, Discipleship groups.

b. Pursuing unity. (v.13) – Life Groups, Fifth Sundays, Discipleship groups.

Like a lion pursuing it’s prey.

c. Growing in knowledge of the Son and doctrine. (vv.13,14) – Midweek Core Seminars, Life Groups, Discipleship Groups.

d. Speaking the truth in love. (v.15) – The world teaches us to isolate ourselves from those who disagree with us, but God chose to build his church among people who are very different.

In Ephesus specifically among Jews and Gentiles. They were to grow in maturity to understand that their bond was in Christ not in their nationality.

At First Baptist, among older members and younger members, among men and women, with varying socioeconomic groups - our bond is in Christ.

I believe the church is going to have to learn to exist in the same fellowship among people who are not exactly like you in order to experience the immeasurably more Paul spoke of in chapter 3.

This will require that we lovingly speak the truth to one another.

This will require that we know the truth!

That is why gifts were given – the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Teachers, and Shepherds, so that the church knows the truth and grows-up in in the truth - in love.

Then in unity and in truth we can teach, disciple, and mature alongside one another. But, if we are unable to grow up in every way into him who is the head(v.15), the body will suffer.

It is extremely important that we understand this. As a church it will benefit us greatly when every person sees themselves in need of maturing and capable of helping others mature.

None of us have reached a place of spiritual enlightenment - some religions teach that this can happen, but we know that enlightenment is not what we seek, but glorification.

To live is Christ (not self), to die is gain!

Therefore, if to live is Christ, we should be giving ourselves to being conformed to the image of Christ.

That’s our vision. We exist to see “Lives transformed by the gospel as God makes people knew (and is continually making you knew through the renewing of your mind), conforming them to the image of His Son.”

Thankfully, God in his graciousness did not leave our growth, maturity, and equipping completely up to us.

3. In fact, our spiritual maturity is ultimately accomplished in Christ. (vv.15-16)

Eph. 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...”

Col. 1:9-14 - And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

First Baptist exist to see lives transformed by the gospel as God makes people new, conforming them into the image of his son.

This is accomplished as we engage the world with the gospel.

And, as we equip you, the saints, for the work of ministry so that you are maturing in the faith, being strengthened in the word, and live to bear fruit for his glory and the good of his people.

Will you commit to walk in a manner worthy of your calling as a part of this church?

If the answer is yes, let me invite you to attend our next membership class, to join a life group, or to come talk with me about meeting with others for discipleship (e3focus.org).