Eph 4:11-13 One Body

# One Body
## Ephesians 4:11-13

---

# How should a **healthy** church **grow**?

---

1. One *Calling* [(v1-3)](# "ref")
2. **One Body** [(v11-13)](# "ref")
3. One *Faith* [(v14-16)](# "ref")

---

## One Body [(Eph4)](# "ref")
1. **Commission**: *roles* given by God [(v11)](# "ref")
2. **Preparation**: *works* empowered by God [(v12)](# "ref")
3. **Completion**: *hope* fulfilled in God [(v13)](# "ref")

---

So Christ himself gave 
the **apostles**, 
the **prophets**, 
the **evangelists**, 
the pastors and teachers

[Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not the **person** but the **sender**
  + no **authority** except from God
+ not "bc I'm your **father**"
  + not bc **pastor**
+ what are **prophets**?

---

... the **prophets**, the **evangelists** ...

[Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ prophet: **forth**-telling
+ evangelist: **good news**
+ apostle: *στέλλω*: **sent**, commissioned
  + focus on **sender**
  + vs *πέμπω* (send): action
  + **ambassador**

---

We are therefore **Christ’s ambassadors**, 
as though God were making his **appeal** 
through us.

We **implore** you on Christ’s behalf: 
Be **reconciled** to God.

[2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Our mission: carry God's **appeal**
  + **reconciliation** to God

---

So Christ himself gave 
the *apostles*, 
the *prophets*, 
the *evangelists*, 
the **pastors** and **teachers**

[Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 3x relate to God's **word**/message
+ 2x relate to God's **people**

---

... the **pastors** and **teachers**

[Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **shepherd** (only NT ref)
+ **teacher**: total person
+ And more! 1Cor12
  + ear: "not eye, don't belong"
  + head: "don't need feet"
  + suffer → suffer
  + honoured → rejoice

---

Now you are the **body of Christ**, 
and each one of you is a **part** of it.

And God has placed in the church 
first of all **apostles**, second **prophets**, 
third **teachers**, then **miracles**, 
then gifts of **healing**, of **helping**, 
of **guidance**, and of different kinds of **tongues**.

[1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God-given roles

---

Are all **apostles**? Are all **prophets**? 
Are all **teachers**? Do all work **miracles**? 
Do all have gifts of **healing**? 
Do all speak in **tongues** ? Do all **interpret**?

Now eagerly desire the **greater gifts**.

[1 Corinthians 12:29-31 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 1Cor13: love

---

## **Who** are those who send, proclaim, evangelise, shepherd, or teach?
## How can I **participate**?

>>>
+ Not necessarily **paid** or **titled**
+ How can I **appreciate** or **support**?
+ 2Cor13:10 authority for building up, not tearing down

---

## One Body [(Eph4)](# "ref")
1. *Commission*: roles given by God [(v11)](# "ref")
2. **Preparation: works empowered by God** [(v12)](# "ref")
3. *Completion*: hope fulfilled in God [(v13)](# "ref")

---

to **equip** his people for **works of service**, 
so that the body of Christ may be **built up**

[Ephesians 4:12 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ equip → serve → build
+ service:
  + personal servant (wait table)
  + Gk: **rule**, don't serve
  + NT: **aspire** to be a servant
+ example?

---

Be dressed **ready for service** 
and keep your **lamps** burning,

like **servants** waiting for their **master** 
to return from a wedding banquet,

so that when he comes and **knocks** 
they can **immediately** open the door for him.

[Luke 12:35-36 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not **impress** God with works
+ just **stand firm** waiting

---

It will be **good** for those servants whose 
master finds them **watching** when he comes.

Truly I tell you, 
he will **dress** himself to serve, 
will have them **recline** at the table 
and will come and **wait on them**.

[Luke 12:37 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Master** serves slaves!
+ Jn13, Jesus washing feet

---

Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to **serve**

[Luke 12:37 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ set an **example** for us
+ **servant** not above Master
  + If I don't serve, I'm putting myself **above** Jesus!
+ not **own** capabilities but
  + **God**-empowered works of service
+ no act of service too **small**

---

If anyone gives even a **cup of cold water** 
to one of these little ones who is **my disciple**, 
truly I tell you, 
that person will certainly not lose their **reward**

[Matthew 10:42 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ aunties prep **food** for us
  + not bc we are **nice** to them
  + bc we meet in **Jesus' name**
+ having right **attitude** and
  + encouraging **others** same

---

# How can I **equip**, **serve**, or **build up** the body of Christ?

---

## One Body [(Eph4)](# "ref")
1. *Commission*: roles given by God [(v11)](# "ref")
2. *Preparation*: works empowered by God [(v12)](# "ref")
3. **Completion: hope fulfilled in God** [(v13)](# "ref")

---

until we all reach **unity** 
in **the faith** 
and in **the knowledge** of the Son of God

and become **mature**, 
attaining to the whole measure 
of the **fullness** of Christ.

[Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Completion: God-Fulfilled Hope
+ **source** of unity:
  + the **faith** (trust in promises)
  + the (epi-) **knowledge**

---
Let us **draw near** with a true heart 
in full **assurance** of faith,

with our hearts sprinkled **clean**  
from an evil conscience 
and our bodies **washed** with pure water.

Let us **hold fast** the confession of our hope 
without wavering, 
for he who **promised** is faithful

[Hebrews 11:22-23 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God's **choice**, Christ's **obedience**
  + washes is **clean**
+ gives us **assurance**
  + confidence to **hold fast**
+ not **force** of our conviction
  + but power of God's **faithfulness**

---

unity in **the faith** 
and in **the knowledge** of the Son of God

[Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ JJ **worry** about house fire
+ we have **lived** through it
+ **experiential trust** in God's promises
  + ↠ **maturity**
+ He who promised is faithful:

---

For no matter how many **promises** God has made, 
they are “**Yes**” in Christ.

And so through him the “**Amen**” 
is spoken by us to the **glory of God**.

[2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God has **not promised** no fire/loss/pain
+ Promised to be God of **comfort**

---

# What does an **ideal** church look like?

---

So Christ himself gave 
the **apostles**, the **prophets**, 
the **evangelists**, the **pastors and teachers**,

to equip his people for **works of service**, 
so that the body of Christ may be **built up**

[Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

---

until we all reach **unity in the faith** 
and in the **knowledge** of the Son of God 
and become **mature**, attaining to 
the whole measure of the **fullness** of Christ.

[Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
1. **Commission**: roles given by God
2. **Preparation**: works empowered by God
3. **Completion**: hope fulfilled in God

---