A.Ask yourself a few hard questions regarding the growth of the church.
1.Do you really want to see this church grow?
2.If so, then what are you willing to do to make it happen?
3.Is the growth of the church a priority for you?
4.Do you serve the church or does the church serve you?
5.Is the church growing because of you, without you, or in spite of you?
6.Are you hindering the growth of the church?
B.As you ponder the answers to those questions, let’s notice a lesson on church growth in Ephesians 4:11-16.
II.CHRIST GIVES US ALL WE NEED TO GROW AS A CHURCH – EPHESIANS 4:11-13
A.Consider what Christ gave to the church (v. 11).
1.He sent apostles to bear witness of Himself.They told and proved what they had seen (Acts 1:7-8).These men are dead now, but we have their writings and their testimony in the Bible.
2.He gave prophets to speak the word of God by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2Pet. 1:19-21).We no longer have these (1Cor. 13:8-12), but their words are recorded in the Scriptures.
3.He gave evangelists to spread the gospel and edify the church in truth (2Tim. 4:5).
4.He gave pastors to oversee the church, "holding fast the faithful word” (Tit. 1:9).
5.He gave teachers to instruct others in the word of God.
6.Notice that all of these impart the word of God, for it is God’s word that is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
B.Consider why Christ gave these to the church (v. 12).
1.They were given for the equipping or perfecting of the individual and collective saints.This literally means the complete furnishing of the church.
2.They were given so the saints could perform the work of service.
3.They were given for "the building up of the body of Christ.”
4.Notice that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers work to enable others so that they can work to enable others.Compare this to 2Timothy 2:2 – "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
C.Notice the goals of Christ for the church (v. 13).
1.All members of the church are to obtain the unity of the faith.This comes by the understanding of Christ.
2.All members are also to obtain the unity of the knowledge of the Son of God.This comes by a close relationship with Christ (compare to Phil. 3:8-11).
3.All members are to achieve maturity to a level that is in proportion to Christ.This comes by a likeness to the Lord.
4.Until all members of the church acquire all of these, the church still needs to grow and its members need to work.
III.CHRIST TELLS US WHAT TO DO TO GROW AS A CHURCH – EPHESIANS 4:14-16
A.If we are working properly as Christ designed, then we will not remain as spiritual children (v. 14).
1.We will not be "carried about by every wind of doctrine.”It is a childish mind that is easily enticed by every new thing that comes along.
2.We will not be easily tricked and deceived.Mature Christians "because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).
3.We will not be unstable and uncertain.People who are mature in the faith are not double-minded, doubtful, and internally divided (Jas. 1:6-8; 4:8).
4.The church should quickly grow out of any such marks of immaturity.
B.Rather than being children, we are to "grow up” (v. 15).
1.We grow up by "speaking the truth in love.”This includes all truth, whether it is pleasant or not.
2.We are to "grow up in all aspects into Him.”All areas of life (church, family, work, etc.) should be affected by this spiritual growth.
3.Christ, who is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22), is the standard of measure for growth.We are not to measure ourselves against one another or others, but rather we are to look to Jesus as the standard.
4.The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), and a mature head requires a mature body.
C.When every member works, the body grows (v. 16).
1.Christ (the head) enables the growth of the body through the means revealed in this passage.He has equipped the saints for this purpose.
2.Moreover, the body causes the growth of itself through the working of each individual part.The church is a self-edifying body.
3.Therefore, every member must do his or her part in order for the church to grow.
a.If you are a member of the local church, then you must be a part of its growth.
b.If you are a member of the local church, then don’t refer to the church as "they,” but instead refer to it as "we.”
IV.LESSONS LEARNED
A.The growth of the church can only happen through the individual members’ dedication to learning and keeping the word of God.
1.The church grows when individual members are:
a.Learning the word of God;
b.Helping one another learn the word of God;
c.Helping outsiders learn the word of God.
2.If we want the church to grow, then we must set goals of learning and teaching the word of God."So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17)
B.The growth of the church can be measured by certain changes in its members.
1.We know the church has grown when:
a.We are no longer spiritual children;
b.We make progress toward the unity of the faith (understanding of Christ);
c.We make progress toward the unity of the knowledge of the Son of God (relationship to Christ);
d.We make progress toward the maturity of Christ (likeness of Christ).
2.We must not be afraid to change, for growth requires us to change.
C.Certain things are necessary for a church to grow.
1.This passage from Ephesians 4:11-16 shows that growth requires love, patience, diligence, time, and perseverance.
2.Growth does not come quickly or easily.We must be reasonable in our expectations and faithful in our work to make growth happen.
D.Certain things must be eliminated for a church to grow.
1.This passage from Ephesians 4:11-16 shows that growth requires the elimination of ignorance, indifference, selfishness, laziness, and strife.
2.Such things are like leaven that will affect the entire church (1Cor. 5:6).
E.If we want this church to grow, then we can make it happen through Christ.
1.Christ has done His part and supplied all that we need.Let’s do our part and use all the blessings Christ has supplied.
2.We cannot do too much, work too much, learn too much, or grow too much."Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Cor. 15:58)
