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Introduction:
Where would you like this congregation to be in five years?
Would you like to see unity, work and growth? Would you like to
see spiritual maturity? Would you like to see more saved people? I
know you want to see all of these things. Are you aware that God
has a similar vision? Note what God wants for His church, what He
has done for His church and what He expects from His church
according to Ephesians
4:7-16. Discussion: I.
What
God wants for His church. A.
God
wants His church and, by extension, He wants this church to come
to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians
4:13). Paul discussed the oneness of God and His church in Ephesians
4:4-6. He wants us to be that one body, obeying the revelation
of the one Spirit, responding to the one call, submitting to the
one Lord, holding fast the one faith, entering through the one
baptism and obedient to the one God and Father of all. Jesus
prayed for this in John
17:20-21. This unity is based on the one faith revealed by God
and on the knowledge of the one Lord. God wants this unity at the
Franklin Church of Christ. B.
God
wants His church and, by extension, He wants this church to come
to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ
(Ephesians 4:13). God
wants His church to be mature. Paul’s illustration in I Corinthians 13:11 gives help. God’s hope and goal for this
congregation is that we put away childish things, becoming mature,
measuring up to Christ. That is each of us, individually, walking
worthy of His calling (Ephesians
4:1-2). God wants us to grow up in all things (Ephesians
4:15). As Paul said in I
Corinthians 14:20, God wants the Franklin Church of Christ to
be mature. C.
God
wants His church and, by extension, He wants this church to be no
longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but rather to
speak the truth in love
(Ephesians 4:14-15).
This is an extension of God’s desire for maturity. The young are
easily swayed by appearances and smooth talking. The young in the
faith can be easily swayed by wolves in sheep’s clothing. God
does not want His church enamored by every new fangled idea. He
does not want us vacillating between truth and error just because
someone can preach the error well. He wants His church to be
strong, not influenced by falsehood. Rather, He wants His church
to be the influencer. He wants us bringing others to safety with
the truth. He wants the world and the false religions to hear from
us. God wants the Franklin Church of Christ to be a light set on a
hill, which all men can see. He wants us to stand out and have an
impact, not blend in quietly. II.
What God has done for His church. A.
God
has given gifts to all of us (Ephesians
4:7-8). Romans 12:3-8 highlights this. God has given gifts to each of us. We
all have ability to work within this church. Perhaps some of us
are good at teaching. Some at leading. Some at serving. Some have
a greater ability to give. Think beyond this list. It is not
exhaustive, it is representative. God has not given us all the
same gifts. But He has given all of us gifts. What has God given
you and how are you using it? B.
God
has established roles within His church (Ephesians
4:11). In addition to giving gifts to each of us, God has provided an
organization with roles and responsibilities within His church.
Some were apostles and some prophets. Through them the mystery was
revealed (Ephesians 3:4-5).
He gave some as evangelists, to proclaim the gospel. He gave some
as pastors and teachers, to lead congregations and oversee the
work. He has not left us to be wandering sheep. Rather, He
established patterns of organization and has given
responsibilities to certain individuals in order to accomplish the
goals He has set for us. C.
God
has declared the truth (Ephesians 4:15). Part of God’s goal is that we speak the truth.
But He has not left us without help in knowing the truth. He has
given His revelation that we may understand the mystery (Ephesians 3:3-4). We do not have to work through our own opinions by
trial and error to see if doing it our way will get us to heaven.
He has shown us the way. All we have to do is learn it, follow it
and teach it. III.
What God expects from us in His church. A.
God
expects us to be joined and knit together (Ephesians
4:16). That is, God expects us to be committed. He expects us
to be committed to the members of this church. He expects us to be
committed to the work of this church. How committed are you?
Commitment means I do not just “go to church” here. Commitment
means I am not just a member here. Commitment means I am a worker
here. I have a vested interest in this church’s success.
Therefore, I recognize, no matter my gifts, no matter my role, I
am responsible to you, to this church and to our work. Commitment
means I work even when I do not feel like it. Commitment means I
work even when times are tough. Commitment means I work even if no
one else does. God expects us to be knit together with that kind
of commitment. How committed are you to the people here, the
church here and the work here? Allow me to ask you a harder
question. Would you hire a preacher who was only as committed to
this church as you are? B.
God
expects us to do our share (Ephesians 4:16). Remember, we are a team. God has given you gifts
and He expects you to use them in the context of this team. In
fact, according to I
Corinthians 12:18, God has put every member of this body here
as He pleased. That is, He has given you abilities, opportunities
and resources that are specifically suited to make this church
grow. Do not wallow in self pity because you cannot do what
someone else does. Do your part. Use your abilities. I Corinthians 12:7 makes an interesting statement. I understand that
Paul is speaking specifically of miraculous gifts. However, the
principle applies to any God-given gift. Paul says that our gifts
should be used to profit everyone. Too many times we sacrifice the
team for our own pursuits. But we are to think first of God’s
people. This hearkens back to our commitment. God has not given us
these abilities so we can be successful business people, athletes
or financial wizards. He has given us our abilities so we can make
this church successful. He expects us to do our share to make this
body work. What share are you doing? What strength and forward
momentum are you providing that is building this body up in
Christ? C.
God
expects us to do the work of ministry (Ephesians
4:12). Too many churches view “ministry” as the work of
the “minister.” The church hires a man for this. However, in
scripture, the work of ministry belongs to saints. The role of
officers and full-time workers is to equip the saints to work.
Their job is to teach, to train, to provide necessary resources
and materials. But the work of ministry is to be done by every
Christian. The term “diakonia”, the Greek word translated
“ministry” here, is used numerous ways in the New Testament
and God has given you the responsibility to do them all, using
your gifts and abilities. In Acts
6:1, the term is used to describe serving tables. In Acts
6:4, it is used to describe teaching the word. In Acts 11:29, it is used to describe financial assistance to those in
need. In Acts 12:25, it
is used to describe fulfilling a mission given by the church. All
of these things are your responsibility. We must view ourselves as
personally responsible for the work of ministry, whether that work
be in teaching, serving or rendering assistance. Too often we want
church programs established to get the work done. But you must
view yourself responsible. If visitors come in to our midst, you
must not leave it up to church appointed greeters to get guest
cards to them. You talk to them. If someone needs a study, do not
leave it up to the preacher. You study with them. If a brother is
in need, do not wait for the deacons. You help. If someone is
sinning, do not wait for the elders. You talk to them. God expects
this of you. When we see ourselves as responsible for the work,
then the work will get done. We must quit blaming others for what
is not getting done. We must step up to the plate and do the work
of ministry. What work are you doing here? Conclusion: Where would you like to see this church in five years? I would like to see us bearing fruit to glorify God (John 15:8). I would like to see us converting people every week. I would like to see us strengthening one another. I would like to see this building full of converted, growing people. I would like to see us supporting the preaching of the gospel all over the world. God has designed this body just as He pleased so we can meet these goals. We must simply use the abilities He has given us, committing ourselves to this work, doing our share and performing the work of ministry. Even then this may seem overwhelming. But remember Ephesians 3:20-21. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, by the power working in us. We can accomplish God’s goals for us. Will you help?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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