Week 13 Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16

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1 Week 13 Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16

2 WEEK 13 - HOOK Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 HOOK NOTES Q: What scenes from the film can you recall that illustrate the different purposes of the church? Q: How does the diversity of the toys in the films help you to have a broad understanding of who the church is? Q: Do you see value in science mapping out the body? Q: What positive or negative effects could this have upon the world? MAIN IDEA: The church is the community of all true believers for all time. That is, the church is made up of all the men and women who have been, are, or ever will be true believers in Jesus. 1 HOOK (Choose One) Illustration: In the Pixar Toy Story Trilogy, we experience a humor-filled, though accurate, picture of what it means to be the church. The toys from Andy s room each have unique personalities, strengths, and struggles. They each wrestle to have their own, special relationship with their owner, Andy, while also living a life of purpose as a community. As toys, they are integrally part of a community that is focused on loving their owner, welcoming new toys into their midst (as we see throughout the films) and helping each of them in turn to connect with the higher calling of being a toy. They don t get any choice in the matter, but are lumped in with all manner of unique individuals that can (as with Buzz and Woody) drive them crazy and even bring the worst out in them at least at first. Discuss as a class what gifts you each have received from God. Ask, How do these various gifts, talents, resources, and abilities of our church allow us to fulfill the various purposes of the church? Encourage your class to use their gifts to encourage believers and evangelize unbelievers. Current Event: Doctors and scientists may soon be able to see how your body works on their computer. A new project entitled Recon 2 maps the body s inner workings much like Google Maps guides you around Dallas. The project is designed to map the human metabolism so scientists can discover the causes of diseases and doctors can better form treatments. Alexandra Sifferlin of TIME notes how this complex system will help the advancement of wellness: Recon 2 resembles a Google map since it consolidates all the details of human metabolism functions into one interactive tool and allows users to zoom in to view as much detail, at a cellular level, as they want, or to zoom out to get a broader perspective of all the different metabolic reactions that might be involved in a particular function. Such analyses can reveal patterns in function that might not otherwise be obvious to scientists working on more limited projects. 2 Discuss as a class why knowing more about our bodies will help us letter better and healthier lives. Ask, What disease or condition would you like to see scientists use this program to cure? Now discuss why we should also seek to better understand our role as the church. Ask, How does studying the body of believers help us have holy and healthy churches?" 1 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), Alexandra Sifferlin, The Human Body In Google Map Form. 2

3 WEEK 13 - BOOK Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 BOOK NOTES MAIN IDEA: The church is the community of all true believers for all time. That is, the church is made up of all the men and women who have been, are, or ever will be true believers in Jesus. 3 Background: The church is not a building nor an institution nor even a set of rules and beliefs to be followed. The church is the people of God, formed on the foundation of Christ, indwelt by God s Spirit, proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God through their lives. Key to the Passage: Verses 4-5 and 16 emphasize that the church is not a building or an institution but rather people who are brought together across socioeconomic, political, ethnic, and cultural divides by faith in Christ Jesus. Their purpose is to build up each other to know, love, and live in God s presence with joy. Discuss why Scripture illustrates people of God as a body. Note Jesus is the head of the body, the controlling and central part and each person in the local community of believers makes up the rest of the body. The significance of this analogy is that every person in the church matters, that every person has a purpose, and that the body as a whole is meant to have a unified function in a certain manner for a particular reason; namely to proclaim and demonstrate that God rules this world and that He is worthy of love and worship. Exegesis of Ephesians 4:1-16 and ESV Study Bible Notes 4:1 prisoner. Paul s imprisonment for the sake of the gospel is for the Lord (see 3:1). His exhortations have great power, since he himself has taken these matters seriously enough to suffer confinement in the Lord s service. Christians are to live in a manner worthy of the adoption, holiness, and unity to which they were called (see 1:4-5; 4:4). 4:2 Humility was regarded as distasteful by the pagan world of Paul s day. Pride was more highly prized. All of the virtues mentioned humility, gentleness, patience, and most all, love were displayed in Christ s own character and are to be evident in the daily walk of every Christian. 4:3 Peace is a state of reconciliation and love and therefore acts as a bond to unite believers in Christ. Believers do not create unity but are to preserve unity already established. 4:4 Spirit. Just as a human body has one spirit that animates it, so Christ s body, the church, is enlivened by one Holy Spirit who enlivens Christians to eternal life. one hope. Christians do not have separate hopes but are together called to eternal life and to enjoy God forever in resurrection glory. They are also called to express that unity this side of eternity. On the church as a body, see Rom. 12:4-8; I Cor. 12: :6 over all through all in all. God is omnipresent (see Ps. 139:7-12; Isa. 66:1). Thus the Christian church is one body 3 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005),

4 WEEK 13 Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 BOOK NOTES Q: What does the statement from note on verse 3, Believers do not create unity but are to preserve unity already established mean? (Eph. 4:4), wherever its separate congregations may be found throughout the world (see Rom. 3:30). 4:7 Grace according to the measure of Christ s gift does not refer to different levels of saving grace but of grace given to serve Christ s church. To hold an office in Christ s church (see 3:2; 4:11-16) requires a special calling from Christ himself, who rules his body as its head (see 1:22; 4:15; 5:23). 4:8 it says. Paul cites Ps. 68:18, where the one who ascends is the triumphant Lord God. Paul sees this as referring to Christ Jesus in his resurrection as head of the church. gifts. In Ps. 68:18, the divine victor is seen receiving gifts among men, but Paul adapts the passage to his purpose (as NT authors sometimes do in citing the OT) to show that Christ gave gifts to his people from his spoils of victory (interestingly, ancient Syriac and Aramaic translations of Ps. 68:18 also have gave ). The gifts given by Christ turn out to be the church leaders described in Eph. 4:11. The captives over whom Christ triumphed are most likely demons (cf. this theme of victory over demonic forces in 1:19-22). 4:11 Christ gives specific spiritual gifts to people in the church whose primary mission is to minister the Word of God (v. 12). For apostles, see not on 1:1. Regarding prophets, different views on the nature of the gift of prophecy in the NT affect one s understanding of this verse (see notes on 2:29; 1 Cor. 12:10). Since the Greek construction here is different from Eph. 2:20 and 3:5, some see this verse as a broader reference to the gift of prophecy generally in the NT church, rather than a reference to the foundational prophets mentioned in 2:20 and 3:5. From the Greek word for the gospel (euangelion), evangelists denotes people like Philip and Timothy who proclaimed the gospel (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim. 4:5). shepherds (or pastors ). In the OT these are kings and judges (2 Sam. 5:2; 7:7). In the NT, elders shepherd by watching over and nurturing the church (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:1-2). There is some uncertainty as to whether shepherds and teachers refers here to two different ministry roles or functions, or whether the reference is to a single shepherd-teacher ministry role, since Paul uses a different Greek conjunction at the end of the list, joining the two nouns more closely together than the other nouns in the list. If teachers are a separate group, they can be understood as a special branch of shepherds (overseers, elders) responsible for instruction in God s Word (cf. 1 Tim. 5:17). 4:12 Those church leaders with various gifts (v. 11) are to equip the saints (all Christians) so that they can do the work of ministry. All Christians have spiritual gifts that should be used in ministering to one another (1 Cor. 12:7, 11; 1 Pet. 4:10). 4:13 The diversity of gifts serves to bring about the unity of Christ s people. Mature manhood extends the body metaphor used earlier for the church and contrasts with children in the next verse (see Heb. 5:11-14). Some people think that the learning of doctrine is inherently divisive, but it is people who divide the church, whereas the knowledge of the Son of God (both knowing Christ personally and understanding all that he did and taught) is edifying and brings about mature 4

5 WEEK 13 Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 BOOK NOTES manhood when set forth in love (Phil. 3:10). The work of gifted ministers (Eph. 4:11) was to proclaim and teach the word centered on Christ rather than on speculative or eccentric teachings of their own (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2). measure. Christ Jesus is the standard of maturity to which the church must aspire. Christ s fullness is the full expression of his divine and human perfection (see. Eph. 1:23; 3:19; Col. 1:19; 2:9). 4:14 children. Immaturity in the truths of Christian doctrine makes the church like gullible children tossed helplessly by the waves and wind of cunning and deceitful schemes of false teachers (1 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1-3; Jude 4; Rev. 2:2). Q: How does verse 16 give purpose to each member of a local church? What is each member s responsibility (v.12)? 4:15 The truth must not be used as a club to bludgeon people into acceptance and obedience but must always be presented in love. The truth leads the Christian to maturity, which is defined here as growing up into Christ. As head, Christ leads, directs, and guides the body (see 5:23; 1 Cor. 11:3). 4:16 joint. Paul continues the body metaphor to describe the church s maturity. Every member (i.e., every believer, viewed as a limb or unit, in Christ s body) plays a crucial role in this growth. in love. There is no Christian maturity or true Christian ministry without love (1 Cor. 13), and every act of love in the name of Christ is valued and remembered by him, as each part is working properly (illustrated in Eph. 4:25-32; cf. Matt. 25:31-43; 26:6-13). Q: How might a local church, a local group of believers, hold up the gospel before a watching world? Cross References: 1 Timothy 3:15 In this very significant verse, Paul states his reason for writing 1 Timothy providing one of the key NT description of the church s identity and mission. The use of household and related words to describe the church and its ministry is common in Paul It describes the church as God s family, especially with reference to authority and responsibility within the church and the home. The stress is on God s authority over the church and the behavior of people in the church. Church of the living God highlights the church as the gathering where God most clearly manifests his presence. Thus, references to God as the living God in Scripture often refer to his reality and presence in the community of believers Identifying the church as a pillar and buttress of the truth is a way of saying that God has entrusted to the church the task of promoting and protecting the gospel The architectural imagery presents the church s responsibility of holding up the gospel before a watching world, probably with a view to repelling the attack of false teaching. This picture of the church is striking. The role of advancing the gospel is divinely given to the church, not (at least not in the same way) to any other body. Parachurch organizations have value, but they must support and not supplant the church. 5

6 WEEK 13 Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 BOOK NOTES Q: Have the class discuss the importance of seeing the marks of the church regularly demonstrated here and how that helps them remain faithful. Q: Have the class discuss how their lives are becoming more like Christ s. What barriers will they encounter while trying to be more like Christ this week in their work, homes and neighborhoods? Additional Helps: Thoughts from Wayne Grudem 4 The church is supposed to minister to God, to its members, and to the world. Ministry to God is done through worshiping him Worship in the church is in itself a fulfillment of a major purpose of the church, whose members were created to live for the praise of God s glory (Eph. 1:12) The church s ministry to its members is done through nurturing and building them up so that the church can present everyone mature in Christ (1:28) The church s ministry to the world is done through preaching the gospel to all people in word and in deed the message is to be given in both word (through evangelism) and deed (through ministries of mercy). Discuss a ministry of the church you value. Ask, What about that ministry helps you see the church as a unified body? How Does This Point to Jesus? The church does not exist without Christ Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection allow sinners to become God s family members. Not only is He the reason and means for the church s existence, He is the head of the church. Jesus Christ s life and character give believers the goal of our maturity. He demonstrated for us how we are to live in relationship with God the Father and one another through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. His life and character model for us what it truly looks like to be human as God intended and His mission to glorify God through proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God is given to us. Discuss what you think Jesus wants the church to accomplish. Ask, What focus did He want us to have? Thoughts from Danny Akin 5 In the chart below Dr. Akin shows us the key biblical texts on the vision, structure and purposes of the church. He notes that each church has already been given a vision, a set of guidelines for those in authority, the ordinance of the Lord s Supper, what is Christian giving, offices within the church, how to go about church discipline, the symbol of baptism and the ministry of preaching. Discuss as a class if these are suggestions or commands from Paul on how the church should act. Ask, How have your previous church experiences veered from these key texts? How have you seen Prestonwood uphold these truths? 4 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), Excerpt from Christian Theology: An Overview, by Dr. Daniel Akin, used with permission 6

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8 WEEK 13 - TOOK Our Body Ephesians 4:1-16 Took Notes Q: How do our jobs, our home life, our leisure and our church involvement fit into the cosmic significance of the church? Q: According to Ephesians 2, why should you care? Q: How can you, practically, showcase the wisdom and mercy of God? How has He gifted and enabled you to disperse grace to and strengthen faith of those around you? MAIN IDEA: The church is the community of all true believers for all time. That is, the church is made up of all the men and women who have been, are, or ever will be true believers in Jesus. 6 So What? Applying Doctrine to Our Life Today: Most of us live our lives with far too little awareness of the stupendous realities around us. Most of us go through day after day and seldom feel the impact of the magnitude of what we are caught up in by belonging to Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the ruler of the universe. And we don't take enough time to meditate on how our jobs, our home life, our leisure, our church involvement -- how each of these fits into the cosmic significance of the church. And consequently our lives often lack the flavor of eternity and the aroma of something ultimate. 7 TOOK (Choose One) Why Should I Care? How Will This Impact Me? In Ephesians 2:12-14 Paul [expounds on] the mystery of Christ that in His death on the cross He purchased not just eternal life for individuals who trust him; he purchased and formed a new people, a church composed of Jews and Gentiles who are both heirs of God's promises and beneficiaries of God's grace. 7 Discuss why the creation of the church is a mystery. What questions do you still have about the church? How Can I Live This Essential Out Tomorrow? The cosmic mission of the church is to display before the hosts of heaven the manifold wisdom of God. "You are the light of the world." But not merely that. You are the light of the cosmos, with the spectacular mission of revealing the wisdom of God to supernatural beings. Therein lies a tremendous incentive for being the church Christ created us to be...your gift, your God-given ability to disperse grace and strengthen faith, may seem small, but that as a part of God's eternal revelation of his glory it takes on stupendous proportions. 7 Discuss practical ways to gird yourself up with the truth, focus on the prize, and speak words of salt and light. Ask, What motivates the non-believers around us to live in sin? What is the natural trajectory of serving sin? Where do you see yourself succumbing to the temptation to serve sin? And finally, How do we, practically, remain engaged with a world that has given over to that temptation without falling prey to that temptation ourselves? In other words, How can we be in the world, not of the world? 6 Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), Copyright John Piper. 8