Pastor Scott Applegate
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:10-12 NIV
- The Church is the eternal purpose of God
- That purpose is expressed in 4 metaphors
- The Church is His beloved bride, His dwelling place, His family, and His body.
“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;” Hebrews 10:5 NIV
- A body expresses the life of a person
- The Church as His body expresses the life of Jesus on the earth
“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. 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. 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 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.” Ephesians 4:1-16 NIV
How to Function in His Body
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function…” Romans 12:4 NIV
- Remember your calling (Vs.1)
- Jesus’ followers have been called to be set apart for His purpose
- Jesus’ followers have been called to grow in His likeness
- Focus on what is unifying (Vs. 3-5)
- The Body of Christ is a diverse unity (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
- Unity within His followers is a big deal to Jesus
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:21 NLT
- One body, One Spirit, One hope, One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God and Father.
- Find your gifting (Vs. 7-8)
“ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8 NIV
- Keep maturing (Vs. 11-16)