Building Christ's Church: Foundations of Humility and Unity

 

Summary

Building Christ's Church is a task that requires a deep understanding of both theology and practical application. As we delve into Ephesians, we see that the foundation of building the church is rooted in humility, unity, diversity, maturity, and stability. These five elements form God's program for the church, guiding us in a time when the church faces decline and increasing criticism.

Humility is the first step. It reminds us that we are not significant in ourselves but are called to reflect Christ's humility. This humility counters the anger and power struggles that can arise when we feel disestablished or marginalized. It is a call to gentleness and patience, reflecting the humility Christ showed on the cross.

Unity follows as the second step. Paul emphasizes that we are one body, united by one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. This unity is not automatic; it requires effort and a commitment to maintain peace and harmony. It is achieved through a shared commitment to the Word of God, which helps us overcome differences and grow closer together.

Diversity is the third element, highlighting the variety of gifts Christ has given to His church. These gifts, particularly those of teaching and preaching, are essential for building up the church. They lead us to maturity, the fourth element, which involves growing in the knowledge and truth of God. Maturity is not always easy or fun, but it is necessary for the church to fulfill its calling.

Finally, stability is the result of these elements working together. It provides a peaceful and secure environment for the church to thrive, free from the storms of deceitful schemes and human cunning. Stability allows the church to focus on faithfulness and the gathering of Christ's elect, ultimately glorifying His name.

Key Takeaways:

- Humility as a Foundation: Humility is essential in building Christ's church. It counters the temptation to engage in power struggles and anger, reminding us of our dependence on Christ's humility. This humility should lead us to gentleness and patience, reflecting Christ's character. [13:30]

- Unity in Diversity: Unity is achieved through a shared commitment to the Word of God, which helps us overcome differences. Despite diverse gifts and backgrounds, we are united by one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This unity requires effort and commitment to maintain. [17:58]

- Embracing Diversity of Gifts: Christ has given diverse gifts to His church, particularly those of teaching and preaching. These gifts are essential for building up the church and leading it to maturity. Embracing this diversity allows the church to grow in knowledge and truth. [27:39]

- Pursuing Maturity: Maturity involves growing in the knowledge and truth of God. It requires a commitment to studying and embracing the Word of God, allowing it to reshape us. Maturity is necessary for the church to fulfill its calling and reflect Christ's character. [32:02]

- Achieving Stability: Stability is the result of humility, unity, diversity, and maturity working together. It provides a peaceful and secure environment for the church to thrive, free from deceitful schemes and human cunning. Stability allows the church to focus on faithfulness and glorifying Christ's name. [39:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Introduction to Building Christ's Church
- [01:10] - Reading from Ephesians
- [04:13] - The Church in Decline
- [06:00] - Rethinking Church Building
- [07:34] - Identity in Christ
- [09:12] - The Temple of God
- [10:58] - Power and Programs
- [12:38] - Humility as the First Step
- [17:20] - Unity in the Church
- [23:13] - The Role of the Word
- [27:39] - Diversity of Gifts
- [32:02] - Pursuing Maturity
- [39:27] - Achieving Stability
- [42:53] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building Christ's Church

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 3:20-4:16

Observation Questions:
1. What are the five elements mentioned in Ephesians that are foundational to building Christ's church? [12:38]
2. How does Paul describe the unity of the church in Ephesians 4:4-6? What are the key components of this unity? [17:58]
3. According to the sermon, what role do diverse gifts play in the church, and which specific gifts does Paul highlight? [29:28]
4. What does Paul say about the maturity of believers in Ephesians 4:13-14, and why is it important for the church? [32:02]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does humility serve as a foundation for building the church, and why might it be challenging for believers to embrace this quality? [13:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that unity requires effort and commitment? How can this be practically achieved within a church community? [22:24]
3. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of teaching and preaching gifts in the church, and how do these contribute to the church's growth? [30:17]
4. How does the concept of stability relate to the other elements of humility, unity, diversity, and maturity in the church? [39:27]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with humility in your interactions with others. How can you better reflect Christ's humility in similar situations in the future? [14:11]
2. What practical steps can you take to promote unity within your church, especially when faced with differences in opinions or backgrounds? [23:13]
3. Identify a gift or talent you have that could contribute to the diversity and growth of your church. How can you actively use this gift to serve others? [28:34]
4. Consider your current level of spiritual maturity. What specific actions can you take to grow in your knowledge and understanding of God's truth? [33:37]
5. How can you help create a stable and secure environment in your church community, free from deceitful schemes and human cunning? [40:19]
6. Think of a person in your church who exemplifies one of the five elements discussed in the sermon. What can you learn from their example, and how can you apply it to your own life? [42:03]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the church's decline and criticism in society. How can you be a positive influence in changing this perception within your community? [06:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility as the Path to Christlikeness
Humility is the cornerstone of building Christ's church. It is a reminder that our significance is not found in ourselves but in reflecting Christ's humility. This humility is a powerful antidote to the anger and power struggles that can arise when we feel marginalized or disestablished. By embracing humility, we are called to gentleness and patience, mirroring the humility Christ demonstrated on the cross. This foundational attitude helps us to navigate conflicts and challenges with grace, fostering an environment where Christ's love can flourish. [13:30]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt the urge to assert your own importance. How can you choose humility and reflect Christ's character in similar situations today?


Day 2: Unity Through Shared Commitment
Unity in the church is achieved through a shared commitment to the Word of God, which helps us overcome differences and grow closer together. Despite the diversity of gifts and backgrounds, we are united by one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This unity is not automatic; it requires effort and a commitment to maintain peace and harmony. By focusing on what unites us, rather than what divides us, we can build a strong and cohesive community that reflects the love and unity of Christ. [17:58]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Identify a difference you have with someone in your church community. How can you focus on your shared faith to strengthen your unity with them today?


Day 3: Embracing the Diversity of Gifts
Christ has given diverse gifts to His church, particularly those of teaching and preaching, which are essential for building up the church. Embracing this diversity allows the church to grow in knowledge and truth, leading it to maturity. Each member of the church has unique gifts that contribute to the body of Christ, and recognizing these gifts helps us appreciate the richness of our community. By valuing and utilizing these diverse gifts, we can work together to fulfill the church's calling and reflect the fullness of Christ's love and wisdom. [27:39]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: What unique gift has God given you, and how can you use it to serve your church community this week?


Day 4: Pursuing Maturity in Christ
Maturity in the church involves growing in the knowledge and truth of God. It requires a commitment to studying and embracing the Word of God, allowing it to reshape us. Maturity is not always easy or fun, but it is necessary for the church to fulfill its calling and reflect Christ's character. As we pursue maturity, we become more equipped to handle life's challenges and to support one another in our spiritual journeys. This growth process helps us to become more like Christ, embodying His love and wisdom in our daily lives. [32:02]

Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Reflection: What specific step can you take today to deepen your understanding of God's Word and grow in spiritual maturity?


Day 5: Achieving Stability Through Spiritual Growth
Stability in the church is the result of humility, unity, diversity, and maturity working together. It provides a peaceful and secure environment for the church to thrive, free from deceitful schemes and human cunning. This stability allows the church to focus on faithfulness and the gathering of Christ's elect, ultimately glorifying His name. By fostering a stable community, we create a space where individuals can grow in their faith and where the church can effectively carry out its mission in the world. [39:27]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the stability of your church community, ensuring it remains a place of peace and growth for all members?

Quotes


"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [00:01:17]

"Building the Church," "Building the Body of Christ;" that certainly is a topic which is of great need in our time, isn't it? We live in a time when all studies seem to indicate that the church in America is in decline; declining numbers of members, declining numbers of attenders, declining certainly in influence on the public understanding of truth and morality. The church is in decline in facing, it seems, ever increasing enmity to the message that it preaches. [00:03:56]

"And the Apostle Paul begins his letter with this wonderful theology we have been seeing in the first three chapters, encouraging the Ephesians with the great promises that God has given to them, the great ways in which they should understand themselves. Self-understanding, identity is important. There is great discussion in our time about identity, and a lot of that discussion is wrong and problematic, but the issue of identity itself is important." [00:06:22]

"Humility is the first point of God's building program for the church; humility. I think Paul is very intentional about this because he knows having said that 'You are saints,' having said that 'You are children of God,' having said that 'You have immeasurable power and riches.' We may be very tempted then to let that go to our head. We may really think that life is a power struggle." [00:13:05]

"And Paul, I think, is providing an antidote to anger here when he says, 'What we need to be as Christians, what we need to show as Christians is humility.' We are not important in ourselves. We are not significant in ourselves. We are not powerful and rich in ourselves. And because we ought to see ourselves as weak, as we heard Paul seeing himself as the 'least of the saints,' elsewhere as the 'greatest of sinners.'" [00:14:11]

"Paul says that God calls us to unity with one another, and he then lists the ways in which we are united with one another. We are one body; that is, we are one church. Some of you may go to churches that at times use the Nicene Creed, and in the Nicene Creed one of the things we confess is, 'I believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic church.'" [00:17:52]

"Paul says, 'Let us not forget that unity that we share together as we are building the church. We are one body because we have one Spirit, has worked in our hearts, one hope.' That really does unite all Christians, doesn't it? Our one hope is that one day Christ will return in glory to make all things new. We may have some differences about exactly what happens before He returns in glory to make all things new, but we are united in that truth." [00:20:37]

"And it is as if Paul is saying to all of us, if we are going to build up the church of Christ, we need the full diversity of gifts that Christ has given to His church. But leading the growth of that church, leading the building up of that church, we need those who will faithfully preach and teach the Word of God. That is what apostles did foundationally. That is what prophets did under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." [00:30:03]

"And what is maturity as Paul is defining it here? Maturity is growing up to be mature believers and knowers of the truth of God. That is what maturity is; knowing the truth of God, embracing the church of God. And we all know that maturity is hard to acquire, isn't it? I have a five-year-old grandson, who earlier this year when he was told to do something, 'That's what big boys would do,' he said, 'I don't want to be a big boy.'" [00:31:51]

"We have a responsibility to grow up, and we grow up by the study of the Word of God, by embracing the Word of God, by letting the Word of God reshape us. And that is the glory of the Word. It is always at work in us. Now, in the Heidelberg Catechism of the Dutch Reformed churches, we confess that in this life we have only small beginnings of the obedience to which God calls us." [00:37:33]

"Stability. It is interesting that Paul thinks of his own experiences as a traveling preacher, and he is thinking in terms of traveling by boat on the Mediterranean. Traveling by boat in the Mediterranean in Paul's day was most of the time not a pleasure cruise, but you constantly worried about the weather. You constantly worried about the wind. What direction was it going to come from? Where would it drive the boat?" [00:39:27]

"You want stability. You don't want to live in a storm. You want the peace and the peacefulness of living a stable maturity before the Lord. The winds arise out of deceitful schemes and human cunning. That is not what you want. You want the truth, not deceitful schemes. You want a divine Word, not human cunning. One of the besetting sins of the American church in the last two centuries has been a kind of pursuit of excitement." [00:41:19]

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Transcript
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