FEB 12th
Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 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, 14 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. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in
every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole
body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when
each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up
in love.
- Bro. Benji's HEAR Journal HIGHLIGHT: 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow upin every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined andheld together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part isworking properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. EXPLAIN: Paul isexplaining that the servants and gifts are given to the church to help the growas disciples of Christ. Paul notes that the full work must be done by everyoneand no person is to be ignored or overlooked. Furthermore this work must bedone IN LOVE. Paul repeats this admonition. It is by our love for one anotherthat we prove to be Christ disciples. We speak the truth in love and buildother up in love. APPLY: Paul said in 1 Cor.13 that the greatest is love. We must let love saturate every work within the church. Knowledge puff us but love builds up. We must examine our motives, works, and intentions and make sure that they are coming from a heart of love. RESPOND: Lord help us to demonstrate our Love for one another within our church. Let us be known as a church where our members truly love each other. Help us to love You, Your word, each other, the lost around us, and the unreached in the world. Lord let our love motivate us to be intentional in our faith and work hard for the Gospel. Amen.
- And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 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, 14 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. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. E: I selected the entire passage because it flows together for me. God has appointed every role within the body. He has equipped everyone for where they are to serve and provided the abilities they need in order to serve in those positions. These positions are responsible for the teaching, unification, and growth as the body and as disciples. A: We should intentionally live a lifestyle of unity. Working with one another, depending upon each other's gifts to lead, teach, learn, and grow biblically. I think this is another reason it is important for us to go to individual believers in the body when there is disagreement so that we can work it out in a way that God would want us to so that the body, each and every joint, can work together effectively for God's ultimate purpose. Additionally, sometimes, there is more than one member who has certain gifts. Reformation, for example, has a large group of teachers. Other churches may be in places where there is more than one person who can lead music, or become leadership. We should not only be aware of our own gifts, but the gifts of others and find ways that they can be included in this growth. This could promote true unification because we are showing how much we not only care about our own gifts and what we can bring forth in His kingdom, but what our brother or sister can bring. This can further strengthen a unified bond within the body. R: Help me recognize the abilities you have given me and my role within the body so that I might be unified with fellow believers and carry out discipleship which will produce desirable fruit within your Kingdom. Also, let me not be ignorant of others gifts and their desires to use them for your glory.