Your Spiritual Journey
Help Wanted - Training Provided
“Help Wanted-Training Provided”
I loved Houston’s sermon this past Sunday, and I’m sure I’m not alone (if you couldn’t be with us, be sure to check it out on YouTube). In our small group discussion that night, we found much to discuss and reflect on in the fourth chapter of the book of Ephesians, one of the main texts of the sermon. In particular, we reflected on verses 11-13:
24-05-19 Sunday AM Class and Sermon - Unity in Maturity - Houston Haynes
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
These two verses prompted conversation: Christ has provided the apostles, prophets, etc., to equip the church…for works of service! Paul teaches that as we grow in knowledge and faith, so grows our ability and desire to serve others. And what does our work of serving together produce? Unity in faith and maturity in knowledge! Through our working together serving others, we as the Church grow closer together and mature (that is, become more like Jesus).
The word inspires us, preparing us for the work. Then, our unified work binds us together and produces growth, both individually and as a body. In fact, we need each other to reach our potential maturity in Christ!
The Master Carpenter is calling us to the jobsite. Don’t forget your toolbelt-we work as a team.
Jim
