(Audio/Video/Text)
Title: Knit Together
Intro:
What is the medical term when one part of our body grows disproportionately to the rest of our body?
(Mutation)
What is the medical term when cells grow out of control, unbridled and take over the body?
(Cancer)
“Paul uses the analogy of the human body. Believers are not given gifts for their own private benefit, and no one can grow to maturity in isolation. Paul himself strives for a knowledge of the Son of God that comes to maturity only when all believers attain it as well.”
-J.I. Packer
“Joined and knit together by what every joint supplies…”
(Alternate translations?)
This is a huge point that Paul reminds us of; everyone has something to contribute. The church doesn’t work unless everyone of us does our part. Our parts may be different, and often struggles come when we either don’t recognize our part, or we don’t think our part is particularly important.
(Story of Zeb truly becoming part of the church, not after he became a member, but after he became a “joint” that was crucial to the church. What’s “crucial”? When the church is different when you’re not here.)
“…according to the effective working by which every part does it’s share…”
Have you guys every heard the saying that 90% of the church work is done by 10% of the people?
Why does that so often happen? (take answers)
1. Some people frankly don’t want to serve, just be consumers.
2. Leadership fails to recognize and cultivate skills and gifts of individuals within the congregation.
3. Some people want the glory and therefore do the work.
Solution:
- Figure out what your part is.
- Do it for the glory of Christ.
The Result:
“…causes the growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
We see here the wonderful result: when WE recognize our part, and do it to the glory of God, WE ALL GROW!
We, in love, encourage the growth of others when we grow.
How many of you have had a situation where you have marveled at another’s growth, or wisdom, or maturity, and you didn’t feel dejected, you felt motivated? You then wanted to “step up your game.”
Not out of a sense of competition, or our of a sense of jealously, but out of a sense of encouragement and motivation?
And finally, with the last two words of this passage, Paul reminds us that all of this must be done “in love.”
Selflessly, sacrificially, earnestly. In love.
Quietly, humbly, tirelessly. In love.
Joyfully, peacefully, efficiently. In love.
Pray/QA