Ephesians 4:1-16
HOW CAN I KNOW IF I AM MATURING IN CHRIST?
1. Maturing Christ followers are confident in their spiritual identity
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Vs. 1-2
- Our position in Christ demands a life that practices love and humility
2. Maturing Christ followers strive for unity
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Vs. 3-6
- What creates unity? Our Triune God, Truth, Faith, Hope, Love
3. Maturing Christ followers recognize and exercise their ministry
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 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…” Vs. 7-12
- Christ gave you gifts to serve the church
- Christ gave leaders to equip the church
Christ expects us to use our gifts
4. Maturing Christ followers continually pursue maturity
“…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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Vs. 13-16
“__________ is patient and kind. __________is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. __________does not demand its own way. __________is not irritable, and __________keeps no record of being wronged. __________does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. __________never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT