A Body that is Serving and Growing

 Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4 

“There is one body and one Spirit…But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it…It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Ephesians 4:4, 7, 11, 12, 15

The picture of the Body of Christ, the Church, is one of unity and diversity - one Body, one Spirit, one Head, and many different grace-filled gifts and functions. The purpose of the five-fold leadership gifts is equipping for service so that the Body becomes strong and mature in Christ. This is not a consumer church, always feeding and never contributing. This is a Body-in-training for service and assignments which contribute to building up the Body. It’s as we serve, that we grow. Christ our Head, came to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit and so are we to serve through unity in diversity, for service unto maturity.

Are we growing and giving, or just consuming and complaining?

“Lord Jesus, strengthen your Body for all the mission assignments you have for us, for your glory.”