11. READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-16
d. Why are God's people prepared for works of service?
Answer: God's people are prepared for works of service so that the body of Christ (His church) 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, (verses 12-13).
The ultimate goal of all the varied gifts in the body of Christ, His church, are to prepare God's children for works of service so that the church may be built up.
"Built up" comes from the Greek word oikodome. This Greek word is from two Greek words, oikos, meaning "house," and demo, meaning "build." So it refers to the act of building. It has also been translated "edifying" and "edify" and "edification." It is the promotion of spiritual growth, which is accomplished by the Word of God. We are to do nothing to tear down, but are to do all to build up the spiritual growth of the church, the body of Christ:
Acts 20:32: "Now I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
Romans 14:19: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Romans 15:1-6: "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.' For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 14:12: "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church."
Ephesians 4:14-16: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the Truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him Who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11: "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Jude 17-20: "But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
No one acts individually, separately, in the body, but all members of the body work together for the building up, growth, maturity of the whole church. The aim is stated in verse 13, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ," meaning that we exemplify (show forth by example) all of His virtues and excellencies, and, therefore, the virtues and excellencies of God the Father. We are to continue to be built up and to build up the body, the church, for the sake of other members of the body, and for an example to those outside of the body, so that they may be brought to Christ.
We are to be built up until we reach unity in the faith, until we reach unity in the knowledge of the Son of God, and until we become mature. This unity, building up, growth, maturity is a never-ceasing process of emptying ourselves of "self" and being filled to overflowing with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. We become the receptacle into which They are poured--from fullness comes fullness:
John 1:16-18: "From the fullness of His [Christ's] grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, Who is at the Father's side, has made Him known."
John 13:15-17: [Jesus said,] "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the Truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Acts 11:22-24: "News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord."
1 Corinthians 11:1: [Paul said,] "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Ephesians 1:22-23: "And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way."
Ephesians 3:14-19: "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from Whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 5:15-20: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's Will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:9-11: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."
Philippians 3:17: "Join with others in following my [Paul's] example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you."
Colossians 3:15-17: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
1 Timothy 1:15-16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life."
1 Timothy 4:12: [Paul, writing to the young evangelist, Timothy:] "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
Titus 2:6-8: [Paul, writing to the young evangelist, Titus:] "Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
1 Peter 1:18-19: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
1 Peter 2:12: "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."
1 Peter 2:21-22: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.'"