Brookfield Church of Christ
Oct 4, 2026 Sun a.m. Ephesians 4:11-15
Speaking the Truth in Love
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      • Ephesians 4:11-13ESV

      • Ephesians 4:14-15ESV

  • Central Idea: God calls every Christian to grow up into Christ by holding firmly to His truth and sharing it with the same love He has shown us.
    Ephesians 4:11–15 ESV
    And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
    INTRODUCTION
    Some people use truth like a hammer. Others hold back truth to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. Both miss God's design.
    Truth without love wounds, and love without truth misleads.

    I. Truth Equips Us for Service and Maturity (Ephesians 4:12–13)

    John 17:17 ESV
    Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
    Truth produces unity of the faith.
    Real unity is built on a shared commitment to "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), not on opinion.
    Jesus prayed that His followers would be one (John 17:20–21).
    Paul appealed for Christians to "all speak the same thing… perfectly joined together in the same mind" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
    The goal is to look like Christ.
    Ephesians 4:13 ESV
    until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

    II. Truth Anchors Us Against Every Wind of Doctrine (Ephesians 4:14)

    Paul says we "should no longer be children, tossed to and fro."
    False teaching is real and often deceptive.
    Paul describes "the trickery of men" and "cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting."
    "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:15).
    "Test the spirits, whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1).

    Practical Action Item: Become a Berean. The next time you hear a religious claim, whether in a sermon, a book, a social media post, or a conversation, open your Bible and check it against Scripture before you accept or share it. (Acts 17:11)

    III. Truth Spoken in Love Grows the Body into Christ (Ephesians 4:15)

    John 1:14 ESV
    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
    2 Timothy 2:24–25 ESV
    And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
    1 Peter 3:15 ESV
    but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
    Loving truth restores and rescues
    "If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1).
    Jesus taught us to go privately to a brother who sins against us (Matthew 18:15).
    "He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death" (James 5:19–20).
    When each part does its share, the body grows and builds itself up in love (Ephesians 4:16).
    Practical Action Item: Pray this week for one person who needs to hear God's truth, whether that means encouragement, correction, or the gospel itself. Then reach out to them with a gentle, Scripture-based conversation. (Galatians 6:1)
    Conclusion
    a. Truth equips us for service and maturity.
    b. Truth anchors us against every wind of doctrine.
    c. Truth spoken in love grows the body into Christ.
    No one ever spoke truth more clearly or loved more deeply. He told the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:11). That is truth and love together.

      • Ephesians 4:11–15NIV2011

      • John 17:17NIV2011

      • 2 Timothy 3:16–17NIV2011

      • Ephesians 4:13NIV2011

      • John 1:14NIV2011

      • 2 Timothy 2:24–25NIV2011

      • 1 Peter 3:15NIV2011

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–24ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:25–26ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 9:7NIV2011

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Brookfield Church of Christ
brookfieldcoc@yahoo.com
708-485-7606
https://brookfieldcoc.faithlifesites.com
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