BUILDING UP THE BODY (6 OF 10)
by Joe Alain
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16
This content is part of a series.
Building Up the Body (6 of 10)
Series: Ephesians
Joe Alain
Ephesians 4:1-16
Have you ever thought about how amazing the human body really is? I was reminded of this the other day as my daughter Rachel was describing to me her Anatomy and Physiology class. What's so incredible is how all the systems of the body work together in coordination. And we only know too well what happens when just a small part of our body is not functioning properly, we become sick and we cannot carry out our normal day to day activities. Every part of the body functioning properly is critical to our health.
Paul says the church is like a body (v.4). Jesus is the head (v.15) and all the parts of His body (you and I) are joined together and we function as He directs us. Just as your human body is healthy when every part is working properly, so when all the parts of the church body are doing their part in coordination with Jesus Christ, the body is healthy, unified and growing (v.16).
The body of Christ is built up when each member of the body is connected to Christ and living out their calling. Because that's true Paul says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (v.1). Building up the body of Christ is what Paul is talking about in Ephesians 4:1-16.
First, what does it mean to be "connected" to Christ?
Establishing The Basis of Christian (Church) Unity (4:4-6)
Paul says a few things about the body of Christ that help us understand what it means to be vitally connected to Christ.
1. There is "one body." Christ is the head and his church is the body. No brain can work through a body which is split into fragments. Unless there is a coordinated oneness in the body, the plans of the head are frustrated. The oneness of the church is essential for the work of Christ. Even though we do not make unity (for unity is found in Christ), we are to "make every effort to keep [preserve, maintain] the unity of the Spirit" (v.3).
2. There is "one Spirit ...
Series: Ephesians
Joe Alain
Ephesians 4:1-16
Have you ever thought about how amazing the human body really is? I was reminded of this the other day as my daughter Rachel was describing to me her Anatomy and Physiology class. What's so incredible is how all the systems of the body work together in coordination. And we only know too well what happens when just a small part of our body is not functioning properly, we become sick and we cannot carry out our normal day to day activities. Every part of the body functioning properly is critical to our health.
Paul says the church is like a body (v.4). Jesus is the head (v.15) and all the parts of His body (you and I) are joined together and we function as He directs us. Just as your human body is healthy when every part is working properly, so when all the parts of the church body are doing their part in coordination with Jesus Christ, the body is healthy, unified and growing (v.16).
The body of Christ is built up when each member of the body is connected to Christ and living out their calling. Because that's true Paul says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (v.1). Building up the body of Christ is what Paul is talking about in Ephesians 4:1-16.
First, what does it mean to be "connected" to Christ?
Establishing The Basis of Christian (Church) Unity (4:4-6)
Paul says a few things about the body of Christ that help us understand what it means to be vitally connected to Christ.
1. There is "one body." Christ is the head and his church is the body. No brain can work through a body which is split into fragments. Unless there is a coordinated oneness in the body, the plans of the head are frustrated. The oneness of the church is essential for the work of Christ. Even though we do not make unity (for unity is found in Christ), we are to "make every effort to keep [preserve, maintain] the unity of the Spirit" (v.3).
2. There is "one Spirit ...
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