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The Growth of the Church - Ephesians 4
The Growth of the Church - Ephesians 4
Reread Ephesians 4:10-16.
When Jesus ascended, he gave various gifts unto men. The purpose of gifts is about the benefit to the group and not the praise of the one having the gift. Hence, these are said to be “apostles, prophets, evangelists, and ‘pastor teachers’. Paul then expounds on the purpose of such gifts. We read three statements in vs. 12. Some see this as three parallel phrases that describe the work of the church. I understand that they are progressive in nature.
1. ‘unto the equipping of the saints’. This is the work of these leaders, their job is not to run the church but to equip the saints.
2. Such equipping of the saints is FOR (unto) the work of service. When they are equipped they begin working for the Lord by serving.
3. This work of serving is ‘to’ (it results in) the building up of the body of Christ.
Now, when the church is so equipped, working and building up the body, it grows (cp. Vs. 15). This growth happens when “the whole body, being fitted and held together by what EVERY JOINT (that is YOU! You as a member of this body) supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part (AGAIN, THAT IS YOU). When each part is equipped and working it ‘causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love’ (vs. 16).
Failure often comes when the leaders try to do the work rather than equipping the saints! I know it is often easier to just do it than to train, teach, and equip someone else to be able to do the job needed, BUT it is far les effective in the long run. If a leader can equip 2, 3, or more to do the work then you have 2, 3, or more times the work being done.
Jesus trained the 12. Paul worked with many young men in equipping them to follow in his steps. Paul instructed Timothy that “the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
This works when YOU do your part! Are you supplying your part in the growth?
Hugh DeLong
