The Body of Christ – United and Growing

The Body of Christ – United and Growing – Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16

Many Illustrations of the Church in the New Testament

Here is one – the Body of Christ: undivided, united but in many parts, and always growing.

Four truths:

Life in the Body, verses 1 to 6. A life of love, with unity – “⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Christ’s Gifts to the Body, verses 7 to 10 – “⁷But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.
Equipping the Body, verses 11 to 13 – then apostles and prophets, now pastors and teachers. “¹¹So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip his people for works of service…”
The Growing Body, verses 14 to 16 – “¹⁶From 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.“