"The Mature Church"

Introduction: There is an illustration that I once heard about a young boy who was practicing guitar in his room, but was struggling with the desire to want to go and play outside with his friends instead of practice like his teacher wanted him to. He thought it was hard, boring, and that he wasn’t getting anywhere with that practice. As he was longingly looking outside, a ghost-like figure appears to him and tells him that he wants to show him something about his future, kind of like a Christmas Carol type vision. He takes the boy to a concert hall and they stand in the back and are watching this man on the stage with a beautiful guitar, yet even more impressive, is the way that the man was playing the guitar. Beautiful sounds that he had never heard before come out of an instrument was flowing from the guitar and everyone in there was in complete awe of the ability of that player. The figure tells the boy as they watch, “that is you 20 years from now., but only if you commit to playing and practicing” The boy snaps back to reality and realizes that though he may not play like that now, he knows of what he can be.

I use that illustration to emphasize something. What is Jesus was here today in the flesh and offered to us, “this is what I want the church to be. Here is a vision of your future.” I’d think we’d perk up and listen. But let me tell you something…that is exactly what Jesus has done this morning right here in the Word of God. Here is a vision of a church that is healthy and mature, a vision of what God wants from his church, and Jesus has provided all the church needs to become that incredible vision.

CTS: Because Jesus graces us with His gifts, grow up together in love as His church.

I. The Grace of the Gifts (7-10)

(7) The Generous Christ

Grace was given to each person. This is not the salvation grace we recieved, but part of the continued grace we receive as we are being made more like Jesus.

Who you are as a Christian, whom you belong to, and what you belong to is important. It is also important that you are gifted from the one whom you belong to so that you can serve with the church you belong to Him who gave you the gift.

This is according to Christ’s giving, not our own. Your gifting spiritually is important and every person has a gift. But it is Jesus that bestows the gift to us so that we can minister as He sees fit in the body of Christ. Your gifting from Jesus is exactly how He wants you to serve His church, serve others, and glorify Him.

(8) The OT Fulfillment: Psalm 68:18

Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 here, but you will notice a pretty significant difference between the quotation here in the Ephesians and the actual verse itself in Psalms.

Psalm 68:18 ESV

18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

What’s going on here? Paul is double applying the text and pointing it to Christ.

Crucial to this understanding is how Numbers 18:6 speaks of the Levites. Some scholars attach the “captives” to be His own people who were once captive, the Israelite Levites.

Numbers 18:6 ESV

6 And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the Lord, to do the service of the tent of meeting.

The Levites are the gifts of God’s redeeming power, and then he in turn gifts them back to His people. This connects well with the rest of the passage. God specifically gifts certain individuals to carry out the purposes of ministering and equipping God’s people to worship and serve Him.

God’s action in taking and receiving the Levites as a gift, then giving them back to his people in order to minister to the congregation parallels the ascended Christ’s leading captives and giving gifts to the Ephesians. - Peter O’ Brien (PNTC, 293)

(9-10) The NT Fulfillment

This gifting is rooted in the Gospel message. That Jesus, the Son of God, from his exalted position became man. He humbled himself by putting on flesh and coming to earth. He put on flesh like us that he could redeem us and forgive us. Its through this incarnation and subsequent humiliation, his death, burial, and resurrection, that he redeemed the rebels, the captives of sin, and led us from death to life. He ascended to heaven, and gifted us the Holy Spirit, who gifts us as His people that we might serve the One who made us alive with Him.

The ultimate gift of salvation is not just a one-time event, but a lifetime and eternity. The gifting of God continues through Jesus’ ministry and current ministry to us today. He is reason we are gifted, and its for His glory we are gifted. All because of Him.

Application: We must ask these questions:

The unbeliever: Do I know this descended and ascended Christ? Have I been led out of captivity from sin and given life?

The believer: Do I know that I am gifted by Jesus a spiritual gift to be used to minister, serve, and glorify Him? And if I do, do I use the gift for my glory and building myself up or am I using it to serve Jesus and His church? Do I realize that this gift is nothing of my own talent, but only through the power of the Spirit, a gift of grace?

Which leads us to our next point. How does God gift the church so that we can grow in together into a mature body of believers? Through specific gifts that equip the body for that ministry...

II. The Purpose of the Gifts (11-13)

This is where the hardest part for me as a pastor comes, because I am going to now deal with a part of the text that speaks directly about what I do in the church. It needs to be preached, but I always feel awkward in preaching it because it may sound self-serving. I pray that I can present this in such a way that you will see that it is from the Word that I proclaim these truths, and that this is a very tall task for me and for other pastors. With that being said...

(11) Specific gifts God gives to the church

Verse 11 is a listing here of specific gifts that Jesus gives to His church. He gave points us back to the central idea that Jesus gifts His church. These specific gifts are highlighted here so that they will be recognized and given attention to.

First, let’s look at the gifts that are no longer in existence today, but vitally important still: The office of apostle were those that were the original 12 that were tasked with the establishment of the early church. These twelve had direct teaching from Jesus himself and revealed his clear teaching to the church that was foundational. There were also other apostles that were found in the church to be those that would direct messengers and foundational in the early church outside of the twelve. The office of prophet were also foundational in the early church.

1 Corinthians 14:2–3 ESV

2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

These were word proclaiming people that were saying “thus saith the Lord.” Not primarily future-telling, but forth-telling. These foundational prophets received a direct revelation from the Lord and proclaimed it to the church.

What’s key to understand is that these two offices are no longer in existence today because what we hold in our hands today is that foundation. The NT is the written completion of what these apostles and prophets proclaimed to the early church. That was needed in the infancy of the early church. We now have a completed Bible and canon that reveals in fullness the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fullness of the redemptive plan of God. The gift continues, but not in a particular person, but in the Bibles we hold in our hands.

The gifts still in existence today: First, we have the gift of evangelist: Phillip was called an evangelist in Acts, and we still have that gift today among people. It are those that are able to present the Gospel in clear ways, and are often well-suited to that task. That doesn’t mean that no one else does evangelism, for that is the basic calling of every Christian. But these that gifted specifically are able to engage people in crowds or in individual settings effectively. They have the gift of making the Gospel plain, and they can teach the church how to do the same as they minister. A good modern example of this was Billy Graham.

Second, we have the pastor/teacher gift: These are those that given to the church to shepherd and lead God’s people through the primary means of teaching. The word “shepherd” is also translated pastor, and this is a gift to certain individuals as they shepherd God’s people to maturity. These pastors primarily teach and equip God’s people. They are other people in the church that are gifted to teach, but don’t pastor. Regardless, this gifting is primarily expressed through the office of pastor/elder. Some related Scriptures to that task are these:

Acts 20:28 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

1 Peter 5:2 ESV

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

The biblical model is that there are a plurality of elders that shoulder the burden of the guarding, teaching, and equipping of God’s people. It’s a blessing to hold to this model, and there is indication that yes, there are those that give their full attention to that task and are paid wages for it, but that there are also lay elders who are not paid but still help shepherd God’s people by teaching and leading. This is distinctive from the office of deacon, for deacons are not called to teach or even lead in the same way a pastor/elder does, as they are called to lead by serving. In other words, myself and Chris Lindsey are the elders of the church, but that we shouldn’t be the only ones. There are men here in this church that should be equipped, trained, and put into position of elder to be a gift to the church. One or two pastors can do a great good to the church, but not as effectively as the biblical model of a plurality of elders that help shepherd and teach the church.

The purpose of the gifts (12-13)

The calling of these offices for the early church and today those of evangelist and pastor/teacher is to equip the church. That is the defining call for the leaders of the church.

The purpose of the pastor, a large and truly daunting task, is to preach and teach to equip God’s people to do the work of ministry. Some have wrongly translated this text to say that the pastor does these things: to do the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ. No, the pastor/elder is called to equip the whole church to minister by shepherding and teaching them.

The whole church is called to ministry: The church needs the Word, to grow in their understanding of the knowledge of Jesus. This building up of the body is that all are serving. This is why the call to church membership means that you CANNOT sit idly by and be a faithful church member. My job, Pastor Chris Lindsey’s job, and any other elders in the church is to help you grow in your faith and equip you to do ministry. We do this by our speaking and teaching of God’s Word and by example of our own lives, showing you how to do this.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Yet you must hear this: In order to build up the body, the whole body must be doing ministry and fulfilling their calling.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

The goal is to maturity: The mature church is the equipped and serving church. And this isn’t just knowing Bible facts. This is knowledge of Jesus and living in maturity. And the idea here is that the individual grows in maturity alongside of other Christians who are doing the same, and then the whole body becomes mature. But that requires everyone gets on board. That’s made possible by the Spirit and our submission to him. And here’s the reality. Those that are truly followers of Jesus and submitting to His Lordship will find themselves desiring this, being willing to be equipped, and to serve towards making the church healthy and mature. To be full of God himself, Jesus.

Hebrews 13:7–8 ESV

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Application: So here’s what we need to know as the church. My calling is to help grow and equip you toward greater maturity. And the goal is that there are a plurality of elders who come alongside me to do the same. But the end goal is this: To be faithful disciples of Jesus who serve Him by using the gifts he has given each of us to minister. You the church are called to minister to the community, not to pay the pastor to do it for you. No, pastors are called to teach you, equip you, and model for you so that you go and be the church. Until we all attain the unity of the faith. You must ask yourself this: Am I serving the body of Christ or am I just a spectator? And if you answer honestly that you are a spectator, here’s what you can do.

1. Make sure you are connected to a Sunday School class. Step on in growing in your knowledge of Jesus. Wake up a little earlier. Commit to one another, and encourage one another in that setting.

2. Join a discipleship class when we begin new classes in the Fall. When we finish these classes later this Spring, we’ll come together for Bible Study on Sunday nights. In other words, keep seeking your growth in Christ.

3. Start serving the church and find out where you are gifted. Pray for clarity and that God would reveal that gifting to you. A church member that is not serving and doing ministry is directly contradicting what it means to be a church member, and there is no age where you quit ministry. And let me tell you something right now: We have incredible opportunity and plenty of need for STUDENT MINISTRY AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRY. Our next generation needs you, and you are not too old to relate to them. They don’t need you to relate to them: THEY NEED YOU TO LOVE THEM AND SHARE JESUS WITH THEM AND HOW TO LIVE LIFE FOR HIM.

4. Lastly, listen to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word with a heart toward application and growth. Instead of saying, “I wish so and so were here to hear this message,” ask yourself, “What did I learn and how to I apply it to my life?” and pray that God would work it in your own life.

III. The Results of the Gifts (14-16)

(14) Maturity vs childhood

The idea continues here, but the results of this maturity is that we would not longer be like children but rather a grown-up sturdy body of believers, mature in the faith.

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

That results in mature believers who are not given to the winds of false doctrines and teachers.

Know true doctrine and recognize false doctrine

Recognize swindlers and those trying to profit and gain power rather than glorify Jesus

The gifting of the leaders of the church is to show you biblical faith and doctrine so that you can recognize falsehood. The calling also of the pastor/elder is to protect the flock from that false teaching. If the Word is preached faithfully and with a shepherds heart, the body itself will be able to remove that teaching from its midst.

Why? Because you need a strong and mature faith to withstand the varying winds of culture and wordly values that infiltrate the church and even so called “preachers” who preach those ideologies.

(15-16) To grow in love

The idea of speaking the truth in love in the Greek is more than just vocal, but also in living. Truthful proclamation and living in love.

Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth - John Stott

Love of Christ is the goal. The loving Lord who lovingly gave Himself to us, graced us with salvation and grace us with his gifts. The love we have for Jesus is the love we share and love one another with. Unity in that love as we express our gifts in diversity, and sharing that love with the world around us, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

To grow in that love means we grow as a body, and that Jesus is the head of that body. We grow in our submission to His lordship, that what He says goes. And remember, what He said is right here, the Bible!

Colossians 2:19 ESV

19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Conclusion:

And the endgame vision is this: The whole body, joined and held together by each other, equipped in knowledge of the Lord Jesus and serving Him. A healthy and mature church is ALL of the members serving and loving Jesus and one another, loving the lost by proclaiming the Gospel to them in word and deed, and making disciples. When we truly love God as we should, and truly love one another as we should, we will be equipped to do ministry as we should. GROW UP!.....IN LOVE.

Here, then, is Paul’s vision for the church. God’s new society is to display charity, unity, diversity and growing maturity. These are the characteristics of ‘a life worthy of the calling’ to which God has called us, and which the apostle begs us to lead (verse 1) - John Stott

Here is the vision we need to catch: A mature church, equipped by its leaders, every member ministering, every part of the body working toward one goal. And that vision is what Jesus wants for us, and gives us the gifts to do so. Let’s be unified in our call to maturity, using the diversity of the body to carry it out, to the praise of His glory!