The Christian Sexual Ethic - Panel with Rosaria Butterfield and Christop...

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Ephesians 4:16

 

Ephesians 4:16

The Body of Christ

 

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

         1.     From the Whole Body Fitly Joined Together – Nervous System

a.     Jesus is the brain of the Church from which flows all of life – the body cannot live long without the head

                                               i.     Colossians 2:16-19 

         2.     Compacted – Skeleton

a.     Without all the parts of the skeleton working in perfect harmony the body is unable to move forward. Unity around the core essential doctrines is vitally important for the health of the Church

                                               i.     Ephesians 4:3-6 

         3.     By That Which Every Joint Supplies – Circulatory System

a.     This could be better translated as the connection through which supply is carried

                                               i.     Every part of the body is essential and therefore in need of equal care, be careful not to neglect the less attractive members of the body.

1.     1 Corinthians 12:23-27 

                                             ii.     Jesus gives equal supply to all the members

1.     John 15:5 

        4.     According to the Effectual Working in the Measure of Every Part – Respiratory System

a.     The respiratory system is what gives oxygen to every part of the body. The spread of the Word of God into the body is what gives life to the church, conversely if you take away the Word of God from the Church she dies.

                                               i.     1 Thessalonians 2:13 

        5.     Making Increase of the Body unto the Edifying of itself in Love – Digestive System

a.     Love is the food which grows the Church. She may be able to survive for a time without it, but she cannot last long…

                                               i.     John 13:34-35 

                                             ii.     Revelation 2:4-5 

 

Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted (Hymn 303)

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Michael Reeves: Standing Firm in the Truth

What a great message for our day and age...

Ephesians 4:15

 

Ephesians 4:15

Speak the Truth in Love

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

          1.     Speak the Truth in Love

a.     The most desperate need of the Church in tumultuous times is the Truth

                                               i.     What is truth?

1.     John 18:38 

                                             ii.     Truth is a Book

1.     John 17:17 

                                           iii.     A Book that reveals a Person

1.     John 14:6 

b.     The most important way to proclaim that Truth is in Love

                                               i.     The next question is how do I engage with a world that rejects that Truth?

1.     First have the compassion of Jesus

a.     Matthew 9:35-36 

2.     Be ready to teach not fight

a.     2 Timothy 2:24-26 

3.     Be sensitive to the conscience of the weaker brother

a.     1 Corinthians 8:10-13 

4.     Loving tend to those that are growing in their faith

a.     1 Thessalonians 2:7-11 

5.     Yet, always remember, that we cannot compromise

a.     Galatians 2:11-14 

         2.     Truth in Love Produces Growth

a.     Truth saves the believer

                                               i.     Romans 10:17 

b.     Truth grows the believer

                                               i.     1 Peter 2:2 

c.     Truth completes the believer

                                               i.     1 Thessalonians 2:13    

          3.     All of this is Accomplished Through the Headship of Christ

a.     Christ is the King of all and head of His Church

                                               i.     Romans 8:28-30 

Ephesians 4:14

 

Ephesians 4:14

It is Time to Grow Up

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

        1.     It is Time to Grow Up

a.      When you are born again you start at the beginning just like everyone else

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 3:1-3 

b.     There are no head starts in God’s Kingdom

                                               i.     Galatians 3:28 

         2.     Stop Acting Like Children

a.      Children are very unstable

                                               i.     Learn to be more stable

1.     James 1:5-8 

                                             ii.     Learn the art of self-control

1.     Proverbs 16:32 

b.     Children are easily led astray

                                               i.     Learn to have a disciplined mind

1.     2 Timothy 1:7 

                                             ii.     Learn to test the spirits

1.     1 John 4:1-6 

        3.     The Reason is: You Have a Dangerous Enemy

a.      There are two great enemies of the immature believer

                                               i.     False teachers

1.     False teachers use deceptive tactics

a.      Matthew 7:15 

2.     False teachers teach seemly wise things

a.      2 Timothy 3:5-7 

3.     False teachers use fraudulent methods

a.      2 Peter 2:17-19 

                                             ii.     The Devil

1.     The Devil uses deceptive tactics

a.      2 Corinthians 4:4 

2.     The Devil has teaching that seem good

a.      2 Corinthians 2:11 

3.     The Devil uses fraudulent methods

a.      2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

b.     Learn to take a stand

                                               i.     Ephesians 6:10-12