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Evening Message 4 : The whole body joined and knit together

Text: Ephesians 4
7 December 2011

THE PROBLEM OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL CHURCH

1. The possibility of a dysfunctional church

a) Not because of any lack on God’s part

i) No lack of planning

ii) No lack of provision

iii) No lack of power

b) The lack lies with man

i) Lack of knowledge

ii) Lack of commitment

iii) Lack of cleansing of personal sins

iv) Lack of focus

v) Lack of spiritual leaders

vi) Lack of spiritual power in the church

2. The consequences

Cf. Revelation 2D3 (The Seven Churches of Asia)

a) Loss of vision

b) Loss of vitality

c) Loss of relationship with the Lord

d) Loss of fruitfulness

e) Loss of place in God’s plan

f) Loss of ability to give God the glory due to Him

g) Loss in spiritual battles

THE POTENTIAL OF A FULLYWFUNCTIONAL CHURCH

1. Challenge to keep Unity of the Church through the Spirit of God

a) Through practice of the following:

i) Walking worthy Ephesians 4:1a

ii) Remembering our calling as God’s people Ephesians 4:1b

iii) Humility Ephesians 4:2a

iv) Gentleness Ephesians 4:2b

v) Longsuffering Ephesians 4:2c

vi) Loving forbearance Ephesians 4:2d

vii) Peaceful endeavouring through the Spirit Ephesians 4:3

b) Every reason to possess and practice Unity

i) One body Ephesians 4:4a

ii) One Spirit Ephesians 4:4b

iii) One hope in our calling Ephesians 4:4c

iv) One Lord Ephesians 4:5a

v) One faith Ephesians 4:5b

vi) One baptism Ephesians 4:5c

vii) One God and Father Ephesians 4:5d

2. The Power of a FullyDFunctional Church

a) Provision of godly and gifted leaders

i) Apostles (past)

ii) Prophets (past)

iii) Evangelists (present)

iv) PastorsDTeachers (present)

b) Equipping of the Saints

i) Unity of the faith Ephesians 4:13a

ii) Knowledge of Jesus, the Son of God Ephesians 4:13b

iii) Full maturity Ephesians 4:13c

iv) No longer children Ephesians 4:14

v) Speaking the truth in love Ephesians 4:15

c) FullyDfunctional

i) The whole body Ephesians 4:16a

ii) Joined and knit together Ephesians 4:16b

iii) Every joint supplies Ephesians 4:16c

iv) Effective working – because every part does its share Ephesians 4:16d

v) Causes growth for the edifying of itself in love Ephesians 4:16e

CONSECRATION CHALLENGES

1. Say “No” to former life

a) Futility of an unregenerate mindset Ephesians 4:17

b) Darkened understanding Ephesians 4:18a

c) Alienated from God Ephesians 4:18b

d) Ignorance Ephesians 4:18c

e) Blindness of heart Ephesians 4:18d

f) Past feeling Ephesians 4:19a

g) Given to uncleanness Ephesians 4:19b

2. Say “Yes” to Christ

a) Taught the truth in Christ Ephesians 4:20-21

b) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind Ephesians 4:23

c) Cultivate the new man created by God Ephesians 4:24

i) True righteousness

ii) Holiness

iii) Speak truth Ephesians 4:25

iv) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30

v) Practise kindness and tenderness Ephesians 4:32

3. The Christian Walk

a) Walk in love Ephesians 5:2

b) Walk as Children of light Ephesians 5:8

c) Walk circumspectly Ephesians 5:15

i) Redeeming the time Ephesians 5:16a

ii) Understanding the will of the Lord Ephesians 5:17b

d) Be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18