Equipped for Ministry, Growing Toward Maturity
Equipped for Ministry, Growing Toward Maturity
Thursday
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.
— Ephesians 4:12-16 (ESV)
— Ephesians 4:12-16 (ESV)
One of the most common misunderstandings in the church is thinking that ministry is the responsibility of professional clergy while everyone else spectates. Paul demolishes that notion with three clear statements about the purpose of gifted leaders. First, they equip the saints. The word means to restore, mend, or fully prepare—like setting a broken bone or mending fishing nets. Pastors don't do all the ministry; they prepare others to minister.
Second, this equipping is "for the work of ministry." Every believer has ministry responsibilities. The body functions properly only when each member contributes. Third, all this aims at "building up the body of Christ"—the Greek word means edification or construction. Ministry that merely entertains but doesn't build up believers misses God's purpose.
Paul then describes four goals: unity of faith and knowledge, mature manhood, the measure of Christ's stature, and stability against false teaching. The standard isn't mediocrity or mere improvement but Christ-likeness. We measure spiritual progress not by comparing ourselves to other Christians but by comparing ourselves to Christ. This won't be fully realized until glorification, but it's the direction we're heading.
Verse 15 provides the key: "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Truth without love is harsh and divisive. Love without truth is sentimental and compromising. But truth spoken in love, combined with love grounded in truth, creates perfect conditions for growth. The goal is conformity to Christ, who directs and supplies everything we need.
The passage ends with a beautiful picture: every joint, every small connection point matters. When each part works properly, the body naturally grows and builds itself up in love. It's organic, supernatural growth—the Spirit working through yielded vessels.
Second, this equipping is "for the work of ministry." Every believer has ministry responsibilities. The body functions properly only when each member contributes. Third, all this aims at "building up the body of Christ"—the Greek word means edification or construction. Ministry that merely entertains but doesn't build up believers misses God's purpose.
Paul then describes four goals: unity of faith and knowledge, mature manhood, the measure of Christ's stature, and stability against false teaching. The standard isn't mediocrity or mere improvement but Christ-likeness. We measure spiritual progress not by comparing ourselves to other Christians but by comparing ourselves to Christ. This won't be fully realized until glorification, but it's the direction we're heading.
Verse 15 provides the key: "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Truth without love is harsh and divisive. Love without truth is sentimental and compromising. But truth spoken in love, combined with love grounded in truth, creates perfect conditions for growth. The goal is conformity to Christ, who directs and supplies everything we need.
The passage ends with a beautiful picture: every joint, every small connection point matters. When each part works properly, the body naturally grows and builds itself up in love. It's organic, supernatural growth—the Spirit working through yielded vessels.
1. Are you actively contributing to the body's growth through ministry, or are you spectating?
2. What truth might you need to speak in love this week to help someone grow?
2. What truth might you need to speak in love this week to help someone grow?
Father, forgive me for times I've viewed ministry as someone else's responsibility. Show me how to use my gifts to equip others and build up the body. Give me courage to speak truth in love and humility to receive it when others speak it to me. Amen.
Posted in Walking Worthy - Ephesians 4:1-16
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