EPHESIANS 4:7-162006 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Ephesians 4:7-16

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2006.

Ephesians chapter 4. Man, what a wonderful portion of scripture we have before us this morning. The body of Christ is such a beautiful picture for us. We see and learn many lessons from it. We learn about the necessity of being a part of the body and growing together and edifying one another. We learn also from the body the

The caring and the love that we can have and should have for one another as we care for our own bodies. We learn about how the Lord wants to use us as his body to effectively work for his kingdom. So much that we could look on and dwell on here. And so I would encourage you to meditate on this thought. Meditate as you are going about your way this week.

As your body is using different functions and moving along in various ways, just take a moment, as often as you remember, to meditate on your body and let God speak to you about your role in His body and the way that He wants you to function.

We see in verse 7, Paul says, Now to get the context and remind ourselves of what Paul has been talking about in reference to unity, I want to jump back just a few verses and read to you verses 4 through 6 so that we can lead right into chapter 4, verse 7.

Chapter 4, verse 4 of Ephesians says, There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

There in verses 4 through 6, Paul's point, very clear. One. It's unity. One faith, one Lord, one God, one baptism. Unity within the body of Christ. We're one together upon that foundation. But in verse 7, Paul also wants to illustrate to us and emphasize to us that though we are apart physically,

of one body and one faith and one Lord, though we stand together on this one foundation, our individuality is not lost. In other words, God doesn't look at us and say, well, it's just one and, oh, I forgot that person's name and I don't know who that person is, but hey, they're all one together, it's one body. No, Paul says we are one and that's so important, that unity. But at the same time, in verse 7, he says to each one of us,

To each and every single one of us, God has given to us grace.

He's given to us grace, undeserved favor and kindness. So we're one corporate league. God is dealing with us, but also individually grace was given to us and God is working with us in ways that we do not deserve. God does not lose us in the crowd, but we have received grace. And Paul says it's according to Christ's gift. And of course, his gift was his own life as he was crucified on the cross and

His body pierced and his blood was shed so that we could have forgiveness of sins, so that he could work within our hearts and do wonderful things with us, that he could call us to his work and to accomplish things that have eternal value. He makes us a part of his body because of that work, that grace that was given to

In washing us and cleansing us and making us a part of his body. So Paul says, we're one. But at the same time, just like your body has many members, just like you have many parts of your body, you're one body, but every part of your body is so important. And that's what Paul is saying here. Every single one of us, we've received grace and God places great value on all who pray.

are part of the body of Christ. All who have placed their trust and hope in Jesus Christ. In verses 8 through 10, Paul goes on to say, therefore he says, when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. Now this, he ascended, what does it mean? But that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth. He who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens that he might fill all things.

So Paul says, okay, here's the deal. You're one, but God also deals with you individually and he loves you. He's given you grace so that he's given to each one of you as you need individually. And Paul says, therefore, he says, he's quoting from Psalm chapter 68, verse 18. And he says, he ascended on high. That's Jesus Christ ascended, was raised up to the father. He led captivity captive and he gave gifts.

Then he goes on a side note here in verses 9 and 10, like the Apostle Paul often does. He uses the word ascended, and he wants to point out, make something clear to us. Well, he ascended, and what does that mean other than he also descended? And so in order for you to ascend, because he's Christ who is God, he had to first ascend.

It's not what goes up must come down, but what goes up must have gone down already is what Paul is saying. He must have descended into the lower parts of the earth. And it's that one who descended who is then resurrected and glorified, and that is Jesus Christ. But Paul is using this portion of scripture to demonstrate and to remind us that God has given to us gifts,

as well as an important part in his body, the body of Christ. Now, there's some discussion about this portion of scripture because there's a couple different interpretations and views on it, but let me just share with you the most basic because it makes the most sense. Here's the question. What does it mean that he led captivity captive?

What does that mean? When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive. Well, Paul begins to explain that to us in verse 9. When he says that he descended into the lower parts of the earth. And so something essential for our understanding of this portion of scripture is this.

The background of Luke chapter 16. You don't need to turn there. I'll briefly share it with you, but I would encourage you to check it out at a later time. In Luke chapter 16, Jesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The poor man Lazarus, he was...

Well, he had illnesses and he was poor and needy. He was outside the rich man's gates continually. The dogs would lick his wounds and he would be constantly begging just for crumbs or anything from the rich man's table.

Then Jesus goes on to share that both men died and they go to a place. It's called Hades. It's the place of the dead prior to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. This place, Hades, it's not the place of eternal judgment, but it's really a temporary storage place.

for the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Now, in this place, Jesus talks about the rich man, and he's in torment because he died not believing in God, not walking with God, no relationship with God whatsoever. And so he is in torment there in Hades. But he looks across, there's this great chasm, and on the other side,

is what is called Abraham's bosom. And he sees Lazarus there. And Lazarus is there and he's being comforted and he cries out to Abraham, let Lazarus please, you know, dip his finger in water and come bring it to my tongue that I might have just an instant of refreshment because I'm in torment over here. And then they go on to have a discussion. Well, you can't go across the chasm. And he says, well, can you send him back so that Lazarus can tell my family not to come here?

Abraham says, no, hey, they have the word of God. If they don't believe the word of God, they won't believe if someone rises from the dead. But we have this understanding, though. There's this place called Hades, and there's two sides to it. The place of torment for those who do not believe in God, and then the place of Abraham's bosom, which was a place of comfort. Now, Jesus, in Matthew chapter 12, verse 40 says,

Ephesians chapter 4 verse 9, What Jesus is talking about and what Paul is talking about here is that Abraham's bosom, this was the temporary place

For those who do not believe in God and walk with God and those who did believe in God and walked with God until the time of Jesus Christ.

And at that time, Jesus, he descended at his death. He died. He's crucified on the cross. He's in the grave three days. What's happening for those three days? Well, he's there in Abraham's bosom preaching the gospel. They didn't know the gospel message. They didn't know the Messiah was going to die for their sins. He's there and he says, listen, I'm the Messiah. I'm the son of God. I died on the cross for your sins. And he's able to preach the gospel to them. And then when he resurrected, he says,

He led captivity captive. What does that mean? He set those people free and he took them into the presence of God, into heaven. They couldn't go before because under the Old Testament, the Old Covenant, the sacrificial system, it was just a covering for sin. The sin was taken away when Jesus Christ died.

And that was the only time that man could then dwell in the presence of God, when the sin was taken away completely and not covered. Hebrews tells us, the author tells us of Hebrews, the blood of bulls and goats, it's impossible for that blood to take away sin. And so we know that the shed blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that appropriately deals with and takes care of sin. So these people in Abraham's bosom heard the gospel from Jesus and

And then he took them into the presence of God, into heaven, because of his work in his death, burial, and resurrection. Something we symbolize and remember as we are baptized in water today. His death, burial, and resurrection. So Paul tells us, therefore he says, when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, set them free, and he gave gifts to men.

What kind of gifts did he give to men? Well, we read on in verse 11. He says, These four gifts are gifts spoken of that Jesus gave them to his body. Now, in John chapter 17, Jesus is praying to the Father. It's really his last time of prayer before he is crucified.

And as he's praying, it's something so important to him, he repeats it four times in his prayer. Lord, I pray that they, talking about believers, would be one as we are one. Jesus says, I am the Father, we're one.

And my prayer is that believers would be united together in the same way, with the same unity that Jesus has, that I have, with the Father, Jesus says. And so Paul says, in order for there to be unity, this is his focus, this whole portion, in order for there to be unity, because this is Jesus' great concern,

He gives gifts to the body of Christ. And those gifts are in the area of leadership, of direction in these offices that he has given. Jesus is very concerned with his body that we would be united. And so these gifts are something that are very important for us to understand and to allow him to work in our lives. Now, these gifts and offices of leadership are

are so that there can be direction and clarity within the body of Christ, so that we can be united as one. The first gift, the first area that he talks about is apostles. He said he's given some apostles.

He's given some apostles to the church, Paul says. An apostle is one who is sent forth. It's related to the word that means to act as an ambassador. Now, there were the original 12 apostles. They were the disciples of Jesus Christ. And, of course, Judas betrayed him in Acts 1. We see Matthias replaces him and so on and so forth. But it's not limited to those 12. Other men as well throughout the New Testament are referred to and called apostles.

Since the word means one who is sent forth to act as an ambassador, that's what we understand this idea of an apostle to be. One who is sent by God for a specific purpose, for a specific task. One who acts as an ambassador to do his work. Now, as we look at the past, and we can look at the New Testament, we can look at church history, and we see that around the great works of God, the revivals that take place, there is usually a man. There is someone that God has sent before.

such as D.O. Moody, Jonathan Edwards. The list goes on and on. We could spend a lot of time talking about that. People that God uses. He sends them as his ambassadors, and he uses them to establish unity, to establish strength and foundation in the body of Christ, to bring them back to the love of God, to the word of God. Revival is so important.

Today, if you want an example of an apostle, I believe that you can look at the person, Pastor Chuck Smith, who started Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, who began the work and really God has used him to do a tremendous work in the Calvary Chapels throughout the world. Like an apostle, one who is sent forth to do God's work. Father, not just of one church, but over many churches. So he's given some prophets for the unity of the body.

But he's also given, I'm sorry, some apostles. He's also given, the second thing we see, is some prophets. A prophet is one who speaks forth. One who speaks forth. Now this is not necessarily referring to the future, though that can be part of it, but literally or specifically speaking God's word or God's will.

It's the answer. It's God's word or God's will for a particular situation. And we see many of those examples and instances in the New Testament as well as in history. And today, if you want an example, I would encourage you to look at the person Billy Graham. Such a great man of God, used really as a prophet to our nation, to the entire world, announcing and pronouncing God's will and God's word. Some evangelists.

The evangelist, of course, is one who shares the good news, the gospel message, what Jesus did for us, the free gift of eternal life. And again, there's so many examples. In the New Testament, we see those evangelists. Philip was called the evangelist, and we get to see that in Acts chapter 8. Today, like we saw before, we have many examples today.

Just a couple I'm familiar with, but there's way more than that. But you look at Greg Laurie with the Harvest Crusades or Raul Ruiz with the Somebody Loves You Crusades. You look at Mike McIntosh and the work of evangelism that he's involved in. All over, there's this office, this special calling of an evangelist that God uses men to share the good news, really on a large scale, a different level than within a local church.

Then, finally, he says, some pastors and teachers. This one, pastors and teachers, it goes together. It's one who shepherds as well as teaches doctrine. And again, we see those examples in the New Testament. We see those examples throughout church history, even today. Many pastors, many shepherds who teach the doctrine of God, who teach the things about God, teach the word of God.

Now God, Paul says, has given these gifts to his body, men who are apostles, men who are prophets, evangelists and pastor teachers. Why did he give these gifts to his body? Well, I'm so glad you asked because the answer is found in verse 12. It says this, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. In verse 11, we learn that Jesus gave gifts to men.

But in verse 12, we learn why he gave these gifts. Why did he give them? Very simply, to equip the saints for the work of ministry. To equip the saints for the work of ministry. God gave apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor teachers in order to equip the saints for the ministry that lay before them. Now, back when Pastor Tom moved to Okinawa, I was asked very often by people,

So what's your vision? What's the new direction? What's God going to do? And my vision that I shared is the same that I would share today. And that is this verse here. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. This is something that is so important because it's the purpose of the church. It's why God has created the church. It's the reason for the church's existence.

The reason why he gave apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastors and teachers. My vision, as well as my passion, it's something that I want to see happen. The equipping of the saints for the ministry that God has called them to. Now he says the work of ministry. And something that's so important and many times lost today is this understanding about the work of ministry. Since I'm a pastor,

Sometimes another word that can be used for pastor is minister. Oh, you're a minister. Well, yes, I'm a minister. Minister, it literally means servant. It's not a glorified word. It's not, you know, a high place of honor. It just means servant. Yes, that is what I am. And that is what we are called to be. But since pastors are often called ministers, we talk about the work of ministry and you say, well, that's your job to do the work of ministry.

And many times it can be limited in our minds to just that. Well, the work of ministry is the work that pastors do and really people who want to be pastors or leaders within the church. The work of ministry is, you know, kind of for the elite or those who have been Christians for a long time. But that is not true. That is not the work of ministry that Paul is referring to here. You know, you could say, Jerry, you're full time now. You do the work of ministry here.

But that would be impossible for one person to do the work of ministry. The reality is, here's what the Bible teaches, every Christian is in the ministry and is called to do the work of the ministry. Every believer in Jesus Christ not only is in the ministry, but is a full-time minister of Jesus Christ. That's what the Bible teaches. That's what being a part of the body of Christ is all about.

Would you please just look around for a few moments? Look at the people who are here. Can somebody count them real quick? No, I'm just kidding. Don't do that. There's a lot of people involved, and we're a small fellowship. It would be difficult, impossible, no way for one person to do the work of ministry. You have needs. You have areas in your life where you need encouragement, where you need prayer. You have areas in your life where you need direction. There's no way.

Even if I'm joined by wonderful pastors, Pastor Sisko and Pastor Pule, there's no way that we can meet the needs of the body of Christ. There's no way that we can do the work of the ministry. No matter what. It would be impossible. But the good news is, that's not my job. My job is, as a pastor teacher, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor teachers, given to the body of Christ by Jesus Christ to equip the saints. That's you.

So I'm not a saint. No, you are. You're sanctified, set apart because of what Jesus did. And so to prepare you for the work of ministry. This is so cool to me. It's so exciting because who are we? We're nobodies. We're nothing.

Yet God desires greatly to use us. He desires to involve us in his work, in his kingdom, and to use us to do things that are of eternal value. This word ministry, as I shared, it means service. But it also involves a compassionate love towards those who are in need. And this is the whole point of the body of Christ. As a body united, we're to have love for one another, a compassionate love for

Towards those who are in need. And it's this love that motivates us then to see that need and then to fulfill that need.

As a body, we're to have compassionate love for one another that motivates us to serve one another. And I'd like to really encourage you to meditate on that thought. Meditate. You are a full-time minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ if you have put your faith and your trust in him. If you have received what he did for you on the cross. And it's so important for us to remember and to make that a priority because it's so easy. And I know you know this.

It's so easy to be consumed with ourselves. My needs, here's what I need, here's what I have to do, here's what I have to take care of, here's where I'm hurting. It's so easy to be consumed with ourselves. But what God is telling us to do, what Paul is stressing to us, is that we are all part of the body of Christ. And we are to be equipped and prepared by the gifts that Jesus gave to the body,

In order that we could have a compassionate love for one another and serve one another in that love. That we could put our focus off of ourselves and to meet other people's needs. And that is the best thing that we can do, especially when we're in need and when we're hurting. Putting our focus on others, it's the rightful place. In fact, it's the way that God heals the wounds and the terrors within our heart.

Because that's the rightful place. We like to be consumed with ourselves, and that is not right. We need to be consumed with God first, and then others. To be others-centered. So much we could go into on that. We talked about lowliness last week. Meditate on those things. Let God speak to you. But I would encourage you today, and throughout your week, throughout your life,

As you're going about your business, take time. You are a full-time minister of the gospel. So take time to look around and to see who is in need and then do the work of the ministry. You know, the person next to you could be in very great need. They could be in need of prayer or they could be in need of encouragement. They could be in need of a specific word from the Lord. They could be in need of help installing a new appliance.

or fixing their car, or getting directions to somewhere. Who knows? There's great needs within the body of Christ. Some are light and easy needs to meet. Some are practical areas. Some are very spiritual, and they need to be met. Well, who's going to meet those needs? Well, again, one person, three pastors, ten people. We can't meet the needs of the body of Christ. But our job is to equip you.

So that as you see those needs, you're able to then meet those needs and fulfill those needs. At your work, you are a minister of Jesus Christ. At your home, you are a minister of Jesus Christ. Here at church, you are a minister of Jesus Christ. In the grocery store, you're a minister of Jesus Christ. Standing in line at the DMV, you're a minister of Jesus Christ. Wherever you go, God has placed you there

Look around. There's needs. There's people who need to be prayed for and encouraged. There's people that need to hear the good news, the gospel message, how much Jesus loves them. My job as a pastor is to equip you for that ministry. Now, of course, the equipping takes place in the teaching of the Word of God. It's the pastor-teacher that God has given to the body of Christ personally.

that we would grow up into maturity. Now, that's why I place such an emphasis on the Word of God. And that's why I try to give you as many opportunities as I can, teaching on Saturday mornings through the entire Bible, teaching on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings at the Home Bible Studies and Wednesday evenings as well as all of the other ministries, the men's study that we offer and the women's study and the marriage study and the youth ministry. So many opportunities because the Word of God is what equips us and prepares us

for the wonderful things that God has in store for us. And Jesus Christ gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers. And if we do not partake of these gifts, we're missing out. You know, it's not right. We cannot have the attitude, well, I just want to be saved. You know, I don't want to do the work of the ministry or be involved in that. I mean, other people seem really excited about that, and I'll just let them do it because they'll probably do a better job than I would.

So I just want to be saved and kind of live my life and do my own thing. Well, James would describe that in the book of James, chapter 2, as faith without works. And he goes on to say that faith without works is dead. We need to be aware. Faith without works is dead. The appropriate response, a person who comes to understand Christ's love and his gift, receives it and then gives their life to him. Jesus said, hey, if you want to follow me,

Take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow me on a daily basis. Paul tells us you were bought with a price. You're not your own anymore. You gave yourself to God. Now, he's a wonderful God, so there's nothing to be concerned about in giving yourself to him. But because we're consumed with ourselves, often we don't allow God to have control of our lives. In Romans 12, verse 1, a familiar verse to many of you,

Paul says, I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. But he ends the verse by saying, which is your reasonable service. Your reasonable service. In other words, it just makes sense. God has given you his son.

He's died on the cross, paid for your sins. He's poured out his love for you, giving you an important, vital position in his body. And the list goes on and on. Every single one of us has received the grace of God according to the measure of Christ's gift. The only thing that makes sense, the only reasonable response...

As we come to understand that, is to give him our lives as a living sacrifice. And say, here I am, Lord, whatever you want to do. Use me however you want. I may think I'm here for this appointment to accomplish this, but Lord, whatever you want to do. If you want to do something else, that's your prerogative. I'm yours, God. You're my God. You're my Savior. That's the reasonable response. That's what makes sense when we come to understand what Jesus has done for us.

So Jesus Christ, because he loves us individually and gives us grace upon grace upon grace, he gave us apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastors and teachers to equip us for the work of ministry. Now as we go on in verse 13, Paul will tell us the duration of these gifts. How long is this going to continue?

Well, verse 13, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The gifts that God has given, these four gifts that Jesus gave to the body of Christ, they are in effect until we all come to the unity of the faith, to the knowledge of God, until we become complete, perfect people.

According to the stature and the fullness of Christ. Just like Jesus. In other words, when we're all like Jesus, then we won't need apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor teachers. It might be a while. In fact, it will be until Jesus Christ comes back. This is going to continue. God has given these gifts. Jesus sent these gifts, these men, so that the body of Christ may be equipped and prepared. Coming to completion.

Until the day of Jesus Christ when he returns for us. And obviously, that's not done yet. And so there's still a need for apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor teachers. There's still a need for you and I as the body of Christ to do the work of ministry. Because there's still so much work to be done. And it will continue on to the day of Jesus Christ. Verses 14 and 15. Now we see the purpose of his gifts. Verse 14 says,

that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men and the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. But speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things into him who is the head. The purpose of Jesus' gift of apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor teachers is that we would no longer be children, but that we would grow up. It's for maturity and establishing us in the faith.

God has given these gifts and they're necessary for you and I in order to come to maturity, to be adults in the faith, established in who God is. Now, unfortunately, there are many pastors, lots of movements that use this role, use the gifts that God has given to them. Instead of using it to bring maturity, they use to continue on

encouraging people in immaturity. And we see the winds of doctrine and people being tossed to and fro by every new thing that sweeps through the church. All kinds of different examples that we can see and that we could look at. The winds change often, unfortunately. And so there'll be times where you'll hear a lot about healings. Everything will be about healings and healing service and healing that and this service.

A person who has the gift of healing. And all these things will be centered around that. Or it will be upon movings of the spirit, or so-called moving of the spirit, like laughing in the spirit, rolling in the spirit, barking in the spirit, all the phenomenal and emotional highs that take place around that. Now, those things, and the winds of doctrine that come through, are things that are not found in the Word of God. This is the basis. This is the authority. This is what we hold to.

And so these winds of doctrine, rather than creating maturity, creates immaturity. Because in order for us to mature, we need the Word of God. We need the Bible as a part of our lives and a part of our hearts in order for us to mature. The author of Hebrews tells us this. In Hebrews chapter 5, verses 12 through 14, it says,

The author of Hebrews says, Hebrews tells us, You've been a Christian for a long time now. You should be teaching people and sharing the gospel, involved in the work of ministry, but you're still in need of milk. You're still immature, unable to feed yourself.

Needing the basics. In verse 13 of Hebrews 5, he says, For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, the word of God, for he is a babe. And so you get the picture. You should be an adult, but you're still holding on to the bottle.

Because you're unskilled in the word of God. You don't know, you haven't learned the word of God. And that is why God sent apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor teachers. That the word of God would be delivered to his people. That they might be established. That they might mature in a relationship with God. Verse 14 of Hebrews 5. Solid food belongs to those who are of full age. That is those who by reason of use.

have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Those who are familiar with, by reason of use, they've learned the Word of God and the difference between right and wrong. The winds of doctrine will go through the church. They will continue on. But that's why we stick to the Word of God. Because that is what is necessary for us to mature. That is why He gave apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor-teachers that we would no longer be tossed to and fro.

but that we would be established in the Word of God to understand who God is and the way that He works. We need to be rooted and grounded, mature believers. Verse 16, Paul finishes off by saying, "...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself."

He concludes, in verse 15, he was talking about Jesus Christ being the head. He says that you may no longer be tossed to and fro like children, but that you would grow up towards Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body. And it's from him that we are able, he says, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,

Going on is able to edify itself in love. It's Jesus Christ who gives us what we need. But at the same time, this is what's so phenomenal about God. He gives us everything that we need, but he also allows us to meet the needs of others. Here's the deal. God wants to do a great work. He wants to get his message out. He wants to heal hearts and share with people his love for them.

He wants to share the word and to disciple people. Now, if I was God, I probably wouldn't use the methods that he used, except for I would because then I'd be omniscient as well and then I would be following the same path. But anyways, if it was my choice, I would say, I'm not going to use people because people mess up, they fail, they fall short, they get distracted. That's how we are, right?

Why would you want to use people like that and get focused on these other things that don't stay focused on really what I want to accomplish? No, I'm just going to do it myself. I'll send my angels. They'll be faithful. They'll deliver the message. They'll take care of it. They'll do the work of ministry. And then I'll know what will get done. But God doesn't do that. That's not the way that God has chosen to work. He's chosen...

To deliver us, to save us, to forgive us, and then to give us an important role in his body to accomplish the work that he wants to do. And he relies upon us. And that is just simply amazing. He gives us everything that we need, lays it before us, and then lets us do it. Let's us do the work that he has set before us.

Check this out. From whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies. Not most joints, not a lot of joints, not the few important ones. But if you think about the joints of your body, which ones would you be willing to sacrifice? Your elbow? Your wrists? Your knees? How about your knuckles? No, we need them. They're essential. They're necessary. God has made us a part of the body of Christ.

and every single one of us. We're joined and knit together, held together in unity, this oneness that Jesus was praying for as we're equipped by the gifts that he's given to us and as we supply what we're called to supply, being the members of the body of Christ. By what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share. Again, every part, every member,

The work of the ministry is not a task handed to one person or a few people, but it's handed to the entire body of Christ, all believers. The body of Christ is united as every joint supplies and every part does its share, then we're able to effectively work. Christ is the head. The bodies knit together by us coming together, as we talked about last week, in lowliness, in love, with an eagerness to keep the unity united.

But when is the body of Christ effective? When are we really effective in accomplishing what God wants to do? Reminder, God doesn't need us, but he desires to use us. He chose to orchestrate spiritual life that we would be necessary and important in his kingdom and his plan. And how is it, when is it that the body of Christ is effective? When every joint supplies...

what is called to supply, in joining and being knit together. And as every part does its share, that's when the body of Christ is effective. Every single one of us, we're essential to the body of Christ. Again, on a universal level, that's true. Of all believers, we're essential. But as well, for those of you that are called to this body, you're essential, you're important to the work that God wants to do here.

You're important to what God wants to use this church to accomplish. And we've seen through the leadership of Pastor Tom, man, this church has done incredible things. Sending out missionaries and establishing churches. Man, God's good. He's faithful. The work is effective as every part does its share. When the body of Christ is united, when every part is doing their share, the result is this effective working. Now, it's often said that 80%...

of the work in a church is done by 20% of the people. And you say, that's good. It adds up to 100%. It all gets done. It's not quite the way you're supposed to look at it. 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. Now, who knows where they get that statistic from and if that's valid. And really, if that really applies here, I'm blessed by those who serve in this body. Those who, man, working in the ministries that God has called them to, God blesses

has brought a wonderful bunch of believers together here at Living Water. But as we look on a broader scheme of things, this is why the church as a whole is ineffective. We're ineffective in impacting our culture and impacting those around us with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You know, I did a quick online search this morning. I just was curious. How many churches are there in Corona?

You don't have to answer, but just think about that for a second. I was wondering how many churches are there. I drove down Ontario the other day and I was just kind of looking. There's a church and there's a church and there's a church. There's 71 churches. The yellow pages returned. 71 churches in the city of Corona. We're not a big city. 71 churches. Now, granted, some of those were cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons and so on and so forth. But 70 churches here in the city of Corona. That's phenomenal to me.

We are ineffective as a body of Christ here in this region. It's when we are united together as one, when every part's doing its share, that the body of Christ is able to accomplish the work of God. And this astounds me, the way that God works. He gives us this opportunity, and he's called us each to a vital and important position as a member of the body of Christ. Now, I used to share with a guy once,

He was my co-worker's husband back a few years ago. He believed in Jesus, knew about God, and said, "Why do I need to go to church? I believe in God. I know what He did. I've read the Bible before. Why do I need to go?" I shared with him often, but to no avail, and he didn't end up being involved. But that's often a question that's asked. "Why do we need to be in? I mean, I can just be saved, right? So is going to church necessary for salvation?

No, you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are saved. You have eternal life. So why go to church? Well, we see here the Apostle Paul tells us a few things. First, God has given us leadership within his body that we might be equipped, that we might grow, that we might be established. Instead of being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, that we would be established in God's word and that we would grow up to maturity as believers in God.

And so being involved in a church is important. It's essential for our Christian growth. That's the purpose of the church. But there's another side of that as well. Not only is it important to be involved in a church because of the growth that God wants to accomplish in us, but look at the last part of verse 16. We're joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effect of working, and every part does its share.

What happens? It causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. The growth of the body. If the body of Christ is not united, if every part is not doing its share, the church is ineffective, but it's also immature. And so if I say I'm a believer, but I don't choose to be involved in a church or in a fellowship, it's not necessary for salvation.

Not only is it hindering my growth, but God has a place for me in his body somewhere. And until I am involved in fulfilling that role, there will be a lack of growth in that area, in that body that I'm called to. It's necessary. It's important. God has designed it this way. I need the body in order for me to grow, and the body needs me in order for it to grow. I need you.

And you need me. And you need the person next to you. And I need the person next to you. We all need each other. We are dependent upon one another. In order for us to grow, we need brothers and sisters in the Lord around us. In order for the brothers and sisters in the Lord around us to grow, they need us. We need each other. It's the way that God has designed it. That we rely upon one another. The edifying of itself in love. That's what we're called to do. To build up.

to strengthen, to establish. And Jesus Christ, because he loved the body and desired unity for the body, he gave apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to equip the saints, that's you, for the work of ministry that he's laid before you so that you could grow and become the person, the minister that God has called you to be and that the body could grow to be effective in reaching the lost and doing the work that God has called the church to do.

We need each other in the body of Christ. Now you might be asking, well, that's very nice, but what if I don't know my part? I don't know my place in the body of Christ. I don't know what I'm called to do. I don't think I have any gifts. What do I do? My encouragement to you would be to serve. Look for the opportunities that God gives you and fulfill them. You're asked to do something, just do it. Get involved. You see a need, take care of it.

And as you serve, as you take advantage of those opportunities, God will direct you and reveal to you the place that he's given to you within his body. There's a verse that I often refer to. It's found in Colossians chapter 4 verse 17. And it encourages me. Paul is giving his closing exhortations to the church at Colossae. And he says here in chapter 4 verse 17, he says, Say to Archippus,

which is the guy over there in Colossae. He says, tell him, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it. Take heed to the ministry that you've received. And every single one of us have received a ministry, a vital, important place within the body of Christ. Take heed that you fulfill it. Take heed to that ministry. Find out, Lord, where do you have me? What do you want me to do?

so that we no longer live our lives consumed with ourselves, but to serve others, to do the work of ministry that God has laid before us. God has given you. You can count on that and be guaranteed of that. You believe in Jesus Christ, you have a place in his body. Now on Wednesday, as I shared, we'll continue this message, continue this line of thought, looking at Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, as well as here in Ephesians 4.

An overview of the body of Christ and the spiritual gifts. And I would encourage you, meditate on these things. Find out your place. Take heed to it. And come back on Wednesday. Find out what the Lord wants to do in your life and in your heart. This morning, though, one last encouragement before we pray. You're here today. It's not by chance. It's not by coincidence. Now, if you are a part of the body of Christ, if you've received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you're here to be equipped.

for the work of ministry. And so be equipped. Take heed to these things. Spend time in the Word of God. And before you leave today, give God the opportunity to use you. Just take a moment. Before you go out to your car and get in and drive away, take a moment and ask the Lord to give you an opportunity. Maybe there is someone next to you that needs prayer or something practical in their lives, some word of encouragement. Maybe God wants to use you in that way. I won't be able to do it

You'll notice often I stand out in the back as you leave. And that's so I can get to know your faces and say hi and God bless you because I love you. You're the body of Christ. I need you and you need me. We're family together. But there's no way I could spend five minutes and pray with everybody. Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty. There's no way. But that's why God has called us all to the work of the ministry. And so take a moment. You're not here today for you. You're here to be equipped so you can serve others.

So you're here. God's brought you here. What does he want to do? I would encourage you. Give God opportunity. See who he would have you to minister to this day. Maybe you're here this day and you're not walking with the Lord. Maybe you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. And it's not by accident that you're here either. But it's because God loves you. And he wants to give you eternal life. And he wants to heal the wounds and the hurts.

He wants to make you a part of His body where you have a family, brothers and sisters in the Lord that love you, that care for you, that will carry you through. He wants to reveal Himself to you and really He is all that you need. And you receive all that God has for you by simply inviting Jesus Christ into your heart and receiving what He did for you on the cross and dying for your sins. And I want to encourage you. You need to do that. There's no salvation any other way.

It's only through the person Jesus Christ. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, we thank you, Lord, that you opened the way for us to approach the Father. Lord, by dying on the cross for us, you took care of our sin. Not that it just would be covered, but that it would be taken away, that we could experience eternal life with you. And so, God, we ask that you would work in our hearts.

Make us a part, Lord. You've already given us this vital role as being a part of your body. We ask, Lord, that you would equip us and strengthen us. Open our eyes, God, to the opportunities and the ways that you want to use us to do the work of ministry. Lord, that we might build up the body of Christ. Lord, that we might be faithful to do all that you lay before us, the works that have eternal value. Thank you, God, that you chose to use us, even though you didn't have to.

But Lord, you equip us, you prepare us, you land before us, and then you reward us as we're obedient to do what you've called us to do. You're such an awesome God, an amazing God. We love you. Lord, our reasonable service right now, we offer our lives to you as a living sacrifice. Take us, Lord, however you want to use us this day, tomorrow, this week, and the rest of our lives. You use us, God. You be our Lord. You be our Master. Lord, for those who maybe have

walked away from you or maybe they've never received you as their Savior and Lord. God, I pray that you would remind them and share with them your great love for them, God. Because as we understand your love for us, the only thing reasonable, the only response that makes sense is to receive that love that you've poured out for us, to receive your work on the cross. So God, I pray that you would bring people to you this morning. Teach us to minister to one another. In Jesus' name we pray.

We pray you have been blessed by this Bible teaching. The power of God to change a life is found in the daily reading of His Word. Visit ferventword.com to find more teachings and Bible study resources.