Ephesians 4: CALLED TO BE PART OF GOD’S DIVINE BUILDING

 

CALLED TO BE PART OF GOD’S DIVINE BUILDING

Ephesians 4:10–16 (ESV)  “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Paul has been revealing throughout the previous chapters of this epistle the Mystery that was hidden in ancient times, but which God has now revealed to His apostles through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:5 (ESV) “which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”

The mystery is that God accomplished everything in Christ Jesus. He is the life, the way, the resurrection. When we are in Him, through the Spirit of God, we become one with Him. This is the entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven: being in Him. We pass: from death to life, from darkness to light, from a carnal nature to a spiritual nature.

This has eternal implications: we are no longer independent beings. We become members of His body, where He is the head and we are the body.

Ephesians 1:20–23 (ESV) “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

When we receive Christ as our Savior, we become part of Him, active members of the work of salvation that God planned from eternity. Salvation is not the end—it is the beginning of a new life with one purpose: to participate in the building of the body of Christ, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

1. JESUS APPOINTS SERVANTS  TO BUILD HIS BODY, following what He did when he was in the flesh, Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV) “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Christ begins a work of perfecting each one of us through the members of His own body. This work is necessary in every believer. If we are not perfected, we cannot participate in the building.

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV), “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. THE BUILDING OF EACH MEMBER BEGINS WITH KNOWING JESUS CHRIST AND MATURING IN OUR NEW IDENTITY, we must respond as his disciples.  Ephesians 4:13–14 (ESV). “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood… so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro…”

Ephesians 4:23–24 (ESV) “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Each of us is called to go through this process of perfection through the knowledge of Jesus. If we know Him, we will know who we are—our identity, calling, and purpose.

3. THE BUILDING OF EACH MEMBER CONTRIBUTES TO THE BUILDING OF GOD’S COMPLETE WORK, when the disciples obeyed the body start to be build, Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV), “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”

Mar 16:20  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

REFLECTION

Being in Christ means living in His body—the Church. We cannot separate what God has united. This unity does not come from human control. It is God who united us by His will and His Spirit. Christ, the head, governs, and we must depend on Him.

Each member is called to be built, to grow, to mature, receiving the growth that comes from God. 1 Corinthians 3:7 (ESV) “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

Each member must decide whether to listen to the voice of the Spirit and allow the perfection that God brings through the Church—the body of Christ.

In JCRC, this growth happens through:

• daily devotionals,
• Equipping
• Experience in CM
• Go to the mission

We must make a personal decision.

1. If we say YES to the Spirit: we will be built,  perfected in God’s love, matured, and become active participants in the building. This is the fulfilment of the Great Commission: becoming disciples who grow and then multiply in others what we have received.

2. If we do NOT respond to the call: we remain spiritual children, easily deceived, affecting the building of the body, instead to give we will demand always from others

Beloved remnant, God has accomplished a perfect work in Christ, and His eternal purpose will be fulfilled. He is the fullness who fills all in all. We must decide whether we will be active participants in His purpose. Ignoring His call is not neutral—it against of his eternal purpose.

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PASTORA ANDREA - JCRC DUBAI