The Operation of Our Local Church

Ephesians 4:1-16

INTRODUCTION: The last days are highlighted by spiritual problems. Generally speaking, the world will accept things it never accepted, believe things it never believed, and practice things it would have never practiced. Unfortunately, the church all too often is on the heels of the world. As such, we accept things we would have never accepted, believe things we would have never believed, and practice things we would have never practiced. I want to be a part of something different – something better. I want to be a part of a church that loves the Bible, each other, and godly living. The expectations of the Lord as well as the means to meeting those expectations is found in our passage.

I. THE EXPECTATIONS OF OUR CHURCH (Ephesians 4:1-6)

A. A Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4:1)

1. Worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
2. Worthy of our Lord (Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12)

B. A Loving Walk (Ephesians 4:2)

1. With all lowliness
2. With all meekness
3. With longsuffering
4. Forbearing one another in love

C. A Unified Walk (Ephesians 4:3-6)

1. The unity of the Spirit
2. In the bond of peace
3. After all, we have One God who is in us all (Ephesians 4:6)

II. THE ENABLINGS OF OUR CHURCH (Ephesians 4:7-15)

A. The Personnel for Enabling (Ephesians 4:7-11)

1. The identity of the personnel – “gifts” (Ephesians 4:8)
2. The distinction of the personnel (Ephesians 4:11)
a. Apostles
b. Prophets
c. Evangelists
d. Pastors
e. Teachers

B. The Purpose of the Personnel (Ephesians 4:12-13)

1. The threefold purpose (Ephesians 4:12)
a. The perfecting of the saints (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 4:1-4)
b. The work of the ministry
c. The edifying of the body of Christ
2. The end goal (Ephesians 4:13)
a. Our perfection
1.) In the unity of the faith
2.) Of the knowledge of the Son of God
b. Our fulness – “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”

C. The Protection of the Personnel (Ephesians 4:14)

1. Against instability
a. That we be no more children
b. Tossed to and fro
c. Carried about with every wind of doctrine
2. Against deception
a. The sleight of men
b. Cunning craftiness

D. The Practice of the Personnel (Ephesians 4:15)

1. Speaking the truth
2. In love

III. THE EXISTENCE OF OUR CHURCH (Ephesians 4:15-16)

A. Growing Up into Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16)

1. As the head (Ephesians 4:15)
2. The supplier of the body (Ephesians 4:16)

B. The Effectual Working of Every Part (Ephesians 4:16)

1. The working of every part
2. The edifying of itself in love

CONCLUSION: We need to determine what kind of church we want to be. Do we want to be a scriptural New Testament church with sound doctrine and sound practice? Do we want to emphasize the truth in and with love? If we desire to be the right kind of church, we are going to have to yield ourselves to the nourishment of Christ.