Features:

UNITY OF THE BODY

FOLLOW

Subscribe to the Trumpet

Front Page

Past Issues

Home

Often we allow our body to control the brain. We let our passions and emotions control our mind. Illustration: a person in love is difficult to reason with. Their emotions control their logic. Their body reacts passionately while their mind says no.

This can be dangerous in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical. Paul said, “I keep my body in subjection. . .” I know better, so I do better. Some of us say, “I know better, but I can’t help myself.” We are slaves to our bodies.

As a member of the body of Christ, we must let Christ our Head dictate to us and we must obey. . . .for the benefit of the entire body!

I. THE BODY AND ITS OFFICERS: (vs. 11)

A. The Body’s Infancy: growing
1. Apostles:
a. Appointed by Christ
b. Saw the resurrected Saviour
c. Endowed with special inspiration (revelation)
2. Prophets:
a. Divinely taught
b. Divinely inspired with special revelation.
B. The Body’s Maturity
1. Evangelists:
a. Itinerant preachers. e.g. Philip
b. Missionaries, e.g. Paul
2. Pastor/Teacher
a. One office
b. For the declaration of revelation
Illustration: When Oliver Greene was alive, he distinguished between these officers. He said, “A Pastor can be a good, efficient pastor and teacher. But I do not believe there is an evangelist on the face of this earth who, if he is a God-called, God-sent evangelist, can success- fully pastor a church, teach the people, and lead them into the deeper spiritual experiences set forth in Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. An evangelist has a specific and peculiar ministry.”

II. THE BODY AND ITS OBJECTS: (vs. 12,13)

A. Perfection of the Saints.
B. Perfection in service - for the work of the ministry. v.12
C. Perfection in Unity - unity, v. 13
1. The most needed requisite of the body.
2. The most blessed requirement of the body.
a. Unity in faith
b. Unity in knowledge
c. Unity in fellowship
D. Perfection in Character - “unto a perfect man”
1. Christ is the standard of excellence.
2. Christ - likeness in character - Biblical perfection

III. THE BODY AND ITS OBJECTIVES Vs 14-16

A. Negatively: “not children” v. 14
Illustration: Body growth demands maturity. If we reach the perfection of saints, service, unity, and character, we will cease to be children.
1. Children are easily led astray.
2. Children believe whatever they are taught. - “wind of doctrine”
The image suggests infants on board a ship about to be wrecked by being blown about.
3. Children’s usefulness hangs in the balance of cunning teachers.
The word “slight” is the Greek word “kubeia” or “cube.” Cube suggests dice. Here the deceivers are pictured as gambling for men’s souls.
B. Positively: “But grown up in Him” v. 15
1. Note the use of the figure of the body growing up.
2. Note the use of the figure of the head being the controlling factor.
When men let Christ control their growth in the Lord, there is no danger of shipwreck or deception, but spiritual growth.
C. Figuratively: “the whole body fitly framed” (Joined) v. 16
1. The body must be “joined together”
a. This unity comes from the head of the body.
b. This unity is necessary for the health of the body.
2. The body must be “compacted”.
The strength of the part is determined by the strength of the whole.
a. according to = control, domination
b. effectual working = working efficiently
The whole process is determined by the individual Saints’ fellowship with the Lord and fellow believers.
d. maketh increase = growth
e. edifying of itself in love
Paul later states that “no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nour- ishes and cherishes it. Even as the Lord, the church.” As He is con- cerned with the church, so should we be concerned with the body of believers, their welfare, good growth, and future.