This Equips to Build and Serve
Sermon Delivered on August 23, 2009It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelicals, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's 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 men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into 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 4:11-16
It's Jesus' Church
ekklesia: a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you ... You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. John 14:26, Acts 1:8
When the day of the Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tounges of fire that separated and came to rest on each them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tounges as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
He is the head of the body, the church. Colossians 1:18
Jesus Is Building His Church
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit ... Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7
The Church Has a Purpose
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35
