Gifts for Maturity and Unity

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Gifts for Maturity and Unity

Ephesians 4:11-16

October 29, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:11–16

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Introduction:

Tonight, we complete our look at Ephesians chapter 4 and our concentration on what makes for unity at the local church level.

We have considered:

1. The ambition for local church unity (vs.1)

2. The attitudes for local church unity (vs.2a)

3. The actions for local church unity (vs.2b-3)

4. The awareness for local church unity (vs.4-6)

AND BEGINNING AT VERSE 7, WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING

5. The assets for local church unity (vs.7-16)

We looked at:

a. The distribution of spiritual gifts to individual believers (vs.7)

b. The explanation for spiritual gifts (vs.8-10)

And now tonight we finish by thinking about the distribution of spiritual gifts to the church (vs.11-16)

RUNNING THROUGH ALL OF THIS IS AN EMPHASIS ON THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH.

And so, tonight, it is not a detailed exposition that I’m after (which would take a few weeks). Rather, looking at the passage from an aerial point of view, I simply want us to see how Christ’s gifts to His church are meant to result in the maturity of His church, and therefore the unity of His church.

Tonight, we think about Christ’s gifts for the maturity and unity of His church.

I.THE MEN FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.11)

Christ’s victory supplies for all that belongs to the church. This is true when we view salvation in its entirety, and this is true when we think about how salvation is worked out in time and history. Our salvation has been secured by Jesus — WE ARE SECURE IN JESUS — and yet we work out our salvation with fear and trembling in the sense of progressive sanctification.

For that work of progressive sanctification, Jesus has supplied gifts in the form of MEN.

Gifted men given to the church for the maturity and unity of the church.

Of those types of gifted men mentioned in verse 11, only some are permanent (or for those who see these as divided, it would be two). The men who go on teaching the church as pastors.

Shepherds who teach are given by Christ to His church for the maturity of His church and for the unity of His church.

Harold Hoehner — “After a study of the grammatical structure of one article followed by two plural nouns separated by a καί (as here), Wallace suggests that the first is the subset of the second and thus “all pastors are to be teachers, though not all teachers are to be pastors.” Hence, while there is a distinction between the two, the distinction is not total.”31

DIVISION — FOR SAVED PEOPLE — IS EXPLAINED BY IMMATURITY AND ERROR.

These teachers are used by Christ to overcome the problems that exist in immaturity and error.

II.THE METHOD FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.12)

How is this accomplished?

This is accomplished through teaching.

The men are given for the equipping of God’s people.

The people are equipped for service.

That work of equipping, and that every member kind of ministry, results in the edification (the building up) of the body of Christ — the church.

WHY HAVE I BEEN SAYING THAT THIS IS CHRIST’S METHOD FOR THE UNITY OF HIS CHURCH?

It is because in the very next statement we see why these men have been given, and what the goal of their equipping ministry is.

“UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH.”

Why kind of unity is this?

IT IS A UNITY IN KNOWLEDGE

IT IS A UNITY IN MATURITY (full grown manhood, which is to say, full grown Christlikeness.)

III.THE MARK FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.13)

This is the goal of all church ministry.

This is the goal of all shepherding.

This is the goal of all preaching and teaching.

The mark at which we aim, the goal toward which we labor, the measure by which we measure our work — is Christlikeness.

“to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

THE WHOLE CHRIST IS THE DESTINY OF THE WHOLE MAN.

Obviously, that does not mean that we attain to deity. But what it does mean is that in every way God has destined that the last Adam is the goal of our redeemed humanity, we will one day arrive there. And THAT is what maturity aims at and is measured by.

Holiness in mind.

Holiness in motives.

Holiness in behavior.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (LSB)

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.

IV.THE MATURITY FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.14-16)

What does that maturity look like in development? As a church matures, and as a result can maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, what does that look like?

A. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY DISCERNMENT (vs.14)

Understand that this divides churches. Bad doctrine. Immature thinking in the realm of doctrine. Spiritual gullibility. Doctrinal instability. Shepherd-teachers are given to the church so that churches KNOW what they believe and develop DOCTRINAL DISCERNMENT. That produces stable and unified churches.

B. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY AMBITION (vs.15)

Now, we have already talked about this, but verse 15 underscores this. What is the spiritual aim of spiritually mature people?

It is that we would know THE TRUTH.

It’s not winning arguments. It is arriving at the truth. THIS REIGNS OVER THE WAY WE SPEAK TO OTHER PEOPLE, DOESN’T IT?

If my goal is to win an argument, then love is not at the forefront.

But if my goal is that you and I arrive at the truth out of love for Christ, then even the way I address you will be transformed.

In addition, if my goal IS CHRISTLIKENESS, then my aim is not SELF-EXALTATION, it is GRACIOUS LIFE TRANSFORMATION.

My desire is for everything in me contrary to Christ to be conquered.

AND THIS IS IN “ALL ASPECTS.”

There is nothing in my life that is off-limits.

There is nothing excluded from that work of transformation.

C. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY ACTIVITY (vs.16a)

Here is the wonder of that LIFE-TRANSFORMING work of God. It is accomplished through people who are undergoing that work of God.

God is working THROUGH the very people IN WHOM He is working.

God is working THROUGH the very gifts that He has GRACIOUSLY imparted to His people.

We have been SAVED FOR ACTIVITY.

We have been SAVED FOR MUTUAL INVESTMENT.

We have been SAVED TO PROGRESS IN COMMUNITY WITH THE SAINTS OF GOD.

So that God is at work through what is produced in the individual members to bring growth and transformation IN THE WHOLE BODY.

A MATURE CHURCH IS A MUTUAL MINISTRY CHURCH.

A UNIFIED CHURCH IS A MUTUAL MINISTRY CHURCH.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (LSB)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

D. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY AFFECTION (vs.16b)

A mature church is not just a discerning church. It is not just a Christ-exalting and pursuing church. It is not just a church active in ministry. It is a church MARKED BY LOVE.

LOVE FOR GOD.

LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.

This is what will characterize a unified church.

It will be a loving church.

Love’s Rejoicing

November 17, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 1 Corinthians 13:5

Introduction: Lost man is incurably moralistic. Even when men are immoral, they promote their immorality in the name of morality. Using just one example. When we think about the sexual revolution that our nation has seen over the past few decades —recognize that it has been done in the NAME OF MORALITY. “It is RIGHT,” they would say, “to celebrate sexual diversity, and if anyone disagrees, IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE A BIGOT.” In fact, they are driven by irrational fear. Homophobia. Transphobia. This places the acceptance of all the various sexual sins in the category of virtue. Those who accept such things are more enlightened, more advanced, more educated, more reasonable, or just better people. It places the rightful hatred of these behaviors in the category of bigotry. THOSE WHO ACTUALLY OPPOSE GOD ARE NOW CLAIMED TO BE ON GOD’S SIDE. THOSE WHO ACTUALLY SIDE WITH GOD’S WORD ARE NOW CLAIMED TO BE AGAINST GOD. BUT IT ISN’T JUST A GENERAL MORALITY THAT IS CLAIMED FOR THESE CHOICES — IT IS THE SPECIFIC CLAIM OF LOVE. According to the moral climate of the age: To say that a person’s sexual orientation is sinful or abnormal is UNLOVING. To say that people of the same sex shouldn’t be able to marry is UNLOVING. To refuse to treat such behaviors as normal and acceptable — in the realm of a family, for example — is said to be UNLOVING. This is a tremendous crisis in our time. IT DEMONSTRATES HOW THE MEANING OF LOVE, THE MEASURE OF LOVE, AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF WHAT IS LOVELY — HAS BEEN DISTORTED. The quality of love that we consider tonight IS A GREAT REMEDY if we are willing to listen. What we see here challenges common lies and deceptions that exist in the MORAL REALM, the RELATIONAL REALM, the DOCTRINAL REALM, and the REALM OF MINISTRY. What do we see here? We will consider these two statements under THREE headings. I. LOVE’S DISCERNMENT These two statements are to be taken together. Each statement is true on its own, but when taken together we see the fulness of what is being described. What is being described is that fact that LOVE MAKES A CHOICE. Love does not exist in the gray zone of neutrality. LOVE IS NOT ACCEPTING OF EVERYTHING. On one side of the ledger, we are told what is incompatible with love. What love DOES NOT ACCORD WITH what it CANNOT COOPERATE WITH, and what it will not REJOICE IN. On the other side of the ledger, we are told what LOVE AGREES WITH — what it TAKES JOY IN. This means that LOVE MAKES DISTINCTIONS. And it makes distinctions that require discernment. A. LOVE RECOGNIZES UNRIGHTEOUSNESS For true love, godly love, there is such a thing as sin. THE WORD HERE SPEAKS OF INJUSTICE, INIQUITY, WRONGDOING, EVIL, AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. That is, anything that is contrary to the will of God in belief or practice. Anything contrary to God’s will, anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit, anything contrary to the Scriptures, is unrighteousness. 1. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE REALM OF PHILOSOPHY The general way that men process the world. The realm of ideas, opinions, ambitions, standards, values, pleasures, theories, morals, etc. WHAT CHARACTERIZES SIN IN THIS REALM IS THAT IT IS A TRUTH SUPRESSOR. What is true, according to Scripture, is exchanged for lies. What would make God truly known is substituted for with lies about God.

Love Is Not Resentful

November 10, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 1 Corinthians 13:5

Introduction: We never leave the gospel behind. Our life in Christ began with faith in the gospel, but our spiritual growth continues to be reliant on faith in the gospel. Sanctification is not moving BEYOND the gospel. Sanctification is living OUT OF THE DEPTHS of the gospel. Progressive sanctification is about know the heights and the depths and the lengths and the breadths of the love of God in Christ Jesus. ESV Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. What is love? 1. It is patient. 2. It is kind. 3. It does not envy 4. It does not boast 5. It is not arrogant 6. It is not rude 7. It does not insist on its own way (it is not selfish) 8. It is not irritable Tonight, we see that LOVE IS NOT RESENTFUL. I. THE MEANING OF RESENTMENT It is literally, “does not take account of evil.” He uses logizomai (which means to account something, to reckon something) and kakos (which means evil). The NASB has “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” The NIV rendered it, “it keeps no record of wrongs.” Gordon Fee, commenting on this, said: “Since in Paul this verb often means ‘to put to one’s account’, it seems probable that the nuance suggested by the NIV moves in the right direction.” The idea, then, is that when we are walking in the love of God, in the love taught by the Spirit of God, in the love of Jesus Christ, we will not be a people who take account of the wrongs done to us. Several things we need to consider here. A. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WRONGS We are talking about REAL EVIL. We are talking about things done to us that REALLY ARE WRONG. It would be one thing if what we were being taught is that we should let go of, forgive, IMAGINED WRONGS — if he was teaching that the love of God doesn’t carry a chip around on its shoulder over insignificant things. AND WE KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THAT. People carry around hurt feelings, grudges, that don’t even represent REALITY. There are people who are DECEIVED about their mistreatment. IN FACT, PEOPLE CAN BE SO DECEIVED ABOUT INJURIES THAT THE VICTIMIZER FEELS LIKE THE VICTIM. The one who feels like they have been wronged is IN THE WRONG. Example: There have been people fired from their job, who will tell everyone what a bad employer they had, when in truth they were a bad employee who deserved to be fired. I have personally known people who left their families, left their wife or husband, walked away from their children, and had built up in their mind that they WERE JUSTIFIED because somehow, they had been mistreated. But this verse isn’t calling us to simply clear the record of IMAGINARY HURTS. This verse tells us that the love of God doesn’t keep a record even when we have suffered REAL WRONGS. You really ARE mistreated. You really DO suffer wrong. You really ARE the victim of mistreatment. B. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NO RECORDS He is telling us that where love is operating there is no record keeping of these real wrongs. Question: Are you a record keeper? Do you hold onto hurts? Do you hold grudges? Are you someone who says, “I can forgive, but I can’t forget” … which is just another way of saying, “I refuse to clear my record against you.”?

Love Is Not Provoked

November 3, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 1 Corinthians 13:5

Introduction: One of the things that the late Martin Lloyd-Jones would warn about in his preaching was our tendency to read the Scriptures and miss their challenge. He talked about our tendency to assume that we have already experienced what they call for, or what they describe. So that, instead of being called to higher ground. Instead of being challenged to a real surrender of ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. Instead of recognizing our need to live and experience something only made possible by the new birth — only made possible by the indwelling Spirit — we SETTLE for what is natural. We settle for what we can produce. WE SUBSTITUTE what is OUR OWN BEST effort, instead of that which God produces. The quality of love that we consider tonight represents more than just self-control. It is more than self-mastery, self-discipline. It is an internal mildness that belongs to Christlikeness. IT IS A MILDNESS (patience and graciousness) THAT BELONGS TO A RECIPIENT OF THE LOVE AND GRACE OF GOD — A MILDNESS THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN HUMBLE AND PATIENT RESPONSES. It is the graciousness of love. It is the pliability that belongs to love. It is an aspect of the inner PEACE that knows the love of God. IT IS A RESPONSE THAT CAN ONLY BE FOUND WHERE PEOPLE DON’T MAKE TOO MUCH OF THEMSELVES. God’s love — true love — is not easily provoked. I. LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE That statement is simple and straightforward, but we do well to meditate on it for a while, and honestly examine ourselves in light of it. I WOULD REMIND US THAT WHAT WE ARE REALLY EXAMINING IS WHETHER WE ARE WALKING IN LOVE. WHEN WE REMEMBER THAT LOVE IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, THEN WE ARE EXAMINING WHETHER WE ARE WALKING BY THE SPIRIT. WHEN WE REMEMBER THAT WALKING BY THE SPIRIT IS A LIFE OF SUBMISSION TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST, AND SUBMISSION TO THE WORD OF GOD, THEN WE ARE EXAMINING WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE MORTIFYING SIN AND HONORING JESUS AS LORD AT THE LEVEL OF OUR ATTITUDES AND RESPONSES TO PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES. The word itself means: BDAG — παροξύνω “to cause a state of inward arousal, urge on, stimulate, esp. provoke to wrath, irritate”#_ftn1 In the word is the idea of “sharpness — to sharpen.” Here it is in the passive voice, so it means to be irritated, to become provoked or indignant. It is used one other place in the NT, in Acts 17:16. ESV Acts 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. As always, context is king. That verse (Acts 17:16) demonstrates that this word could be used in a positive way. It was Paul’s zeal for God’s glory, and his compassion for deceived souls, that moved him when he saw Athens full of idols. INDEED, SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN WE ARE NOT PROVOKED BY THINGS THAT SHOULD MAKE US ANGRY. So, the teaching in our verses is NOT that true love is never bothered BY ANYTHING. But in 1 Corinthians 13 it is obviously being used in a different sense. I THINK IT IS INSTRUCTIVE THAT IT FOLLOWS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TEACHING THAT LOVE IS NOT SELFISH. HERE, PAUL IS DESCRIBING A KIND OF PROVOCATION, ANGER, SHARPNESS, IRRITABILITY, THAT IS SELF-SEEKING, OR SELF-INTERESTED — SELF-FOCUSED. This kind of agitation, irritability, anger, sharpness, comes because I feel you are infringing upon me. Or you are not being to me (in one or another) what I expect and deserve. Whatever the cause, in this kind of sharpness I am more concerned about myself than I am you. ONE TRANSLATION HAS “IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED.” NET 1 Corinthians 13:5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. #_ftnref1 William Arndt et al., https://ref.ly/logosres/bdag?ref=page.p+780&off=1811&ctx=%3b+mel.%2c+p.+93%2c+699)+~to+cause+a+state+of+ (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 780.