The Maturation of the Church

I. LAYING THE FOUNDATION

A. The Book Ends (Ephesians 4:1-3, 31-32)

B. The Theme (Ephesians 4:12)

C. Common Words

1. All (12 times)/Every (5 times)
2. One (12 times)/Unity (2 times)
3. Body (4 times)

II. THE DESIRE FOR UNITY (Ephesians 4:1-6)

A. The Nature of the Appeal (Ephesians 4:1)

1. From a prisoner of the Lord
2. Beseeching
3. A worthy walk

B. The Means of the Desire (Ephesians 4:2-3)

1. In humility—lowliness and meekness (Ephesians 4:2)
2. In diligence (Ephesians 4:2-3)

C. The Expression of Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6)

1. One body (Ephesians 4:4)
2. One Spirit (Ephesians 4:4)
3. One hope of your calling (Ephesians 4:4)
4. One Lord (Ephesians 4:5)
5. One faith (Ephesians 4:5)
6. One baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
7. One God and Father (Ephesians 4:6)

III. THE PROVISIONS FOR UNITY (Ephesians 4:7-16)

A. The Indication of Gifts (Ephesians 4:7)

1. The recipients of the gift—“unto every one of us”
2. The general sense of the gift—“is given grace”
3. The proportion of the gift—“according to the measure”
4. The giver of the gift—“the gift of Christ”

B. The Dispensing of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8-10)

1. The question of wherefore (Ephesians 4:8)
2. The answer of timing (Ephesians 4:8)
3. The doctrinal parenthetical thought (Ephesians 4:9-10)

C. The Nature of the Gifts (Ephesians 4:11)

1. In the early church (apostles and prophets)
2. In the destitute areas—evangelists
3. In the established churches (pastors and teachers) (see Jeremiah 3:15)

D. The Purpose of the Gifts (Ephesians 4:12-13)

1. The present ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
2. The prospective view of the ministry (Ephesians 4:13)—“Till”

E. The Protection of the Gifts (Ephesians 4:14-16)

1. The danger of children (Ephesians 4:14)
2. The need for growth (Ephesians 4:15; see John 17:17; 2 Timothy 4:2; Isaiah 55:11; Titus 1:9)
3. The expectation of growth (Ephesians 4:16)

IV. THE CONTRAST OF UNITY (Ephesians 4:17-32)

A. The Walk of the Gentiles (Ephesians 4:17-19)

1. They walk in the vanity of their mind (Ephesians 4:17).
2. Their understanding is darkened (Ephesians 4:18).
3. They are past feeling (Ephesians 4:19).

B. The Putting Off and Putting On (Ephesians 4:20-24)

1. The learning of Christ (Ephesians 4:20-21)
2. The putting off (Ephesians 4:22-23)
3. The putting on (Ephesians 4:24)

C. The Effects of Unity (Ephesians 4:25-32); from how does this affect me to how does this affect you

1. The speaking of truth (Ephesians 4:25)
2. The presence of anger without sin (Ephesians 4:26)
3. The refusal to give place to the Devil (Ephesians 4:27)
4. The giving of labour (Ephesians 4:28)
5. The ministering of grace (Ephesians 4:29)
6. The refusal to grieve the holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)
7. The putting away of evil treatment (Ephesians 4:31)
8. The tenderheartedness toward one another (Ephesians 4:32)