Ephesians 4:13 - Forerunner Commentary

Ephesians 4:13

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Ephesians 4:12-16
Excerpted from: Government (Part Six)

Even as Jesus Christ was the Father's gift to the church, Christ's gift to the church is the ministry. Now, for what reason? Notice how specific this is.

We'll confine ourselves here to general statements regarding the ministry's area of authority. It is in the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry (or, serving) and for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Equipping is interesting in what the word means. It means, to set in order. In other words, it is saying that something is not aligned properly, and it needs to be realigned, and put into the proper alignment.

What is out of line is our knowledge of God, our knowledge of truth, our knowledge of His way of life. Our character is out of line. And so, God has given a gift to the church in the form of the ministry, to help put people in right alignment with God.

They will therefore be equipped for the work of the ministry—which is a work of service. Serving God. Glorifying God in one's witness. That might include everything from preaching the gospel in evangelistic settings, or administering to local congregations.

Now, edifying means "to promote the spiritual growth of." It becomes very clear that the ministry's area of authority has to do with teaching. There is administrative responsibility as well, but the administrative responsibility has to do with the work of the church. It does not have to do with having magisterial authority in people's lives—dictating to them about what they can do, and what they cannot do. The minister is a teaching machine. That's where his authority lies.

Ephesians 4:11-13
Excerpted from: Government (Part Seven)

There is authority in the ministry, but it is narrow and specific. It is seen as, what I would call, "a staff position"—given by God, as a gift to the church, for equipping the saints for service and for edifying the Body of Christ (so that we can all grow up into Christ).

A key word here, in regard to the ministry, is "equipping." This word is used in regards to medicine for the setting of a bone. In politics, it is used in bringing opposing parties together. In Mark 1, it is used for the mending of fishing nets. In Galatians 6, it is used of instructing a church member so that he is fit to take his place in fellowship again. The basic idea of this word is putting something in the condition it ought to be in.

It is the ministry's responsibility to God, in behalf of the church, to put the church member into the condition that they ought to be in. The function, then, of the ministry is to see that the church members are so educated, so guided, so cared for, and so sought for (when they go astray) that they become what they ought to be. Their aim is to see that this work of service (ministry) goes on—beyond themselves. "Ministry" means "practical service."

The concept here is always one of construction. It is positive, showing up in the word "edifying." It means, "building up." (We are talking about the work of the ministry here.) It is always one of construction towards unity. "Till we all come to. . . the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Ephesians 4:13
Excerpted from: Jesus in the Feasts (Part Six): The Eighth Day

Back to Ephesians, chapter 4 this time, we will see a similar phrasing that shows that it is more that He fills us rather than we fill Him.

So in this way it shows that we do not have the fullness of Christ. We start pretty much at empty and we need to be filled with the fullness of Christ until we get to the point where we are of His measure and stature.

So we start out where we need to get rid of a lot of our humanity and begin backfilling with the new man. And those things that we are putting on reflect true righteousness and holiness.

And He is working it in you and He is working it in me and He is working it in you and you and you and you and you. If you are in the Body, He is working all of those things to bring you to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Himself and therefore to be His bride. And live forever serving, giving, doing, working, creating, all those things that God does.

So why fear? You have the fullness of Christ, the divine nature within you by His Spirit. And hopefully you are growing in that divine nature by putting on the image of Jesus Christ with the goal of the measure of the stature of our great King and High Priest.

Ephesians 4:13
Excerpted from: The Bride of Christ (Part One)

The bride of Christ is filling out within Christ.

Carried About by Every Wind

Articles

'As a Thief in the Night'
A Tale of Two Widgets
Born Again or Begotten? (Part Three)
Born Again or Begotten? (Part Two)
Choosing the New Man (Part One)
Christ, Our Passover
Five Teachings of Grace
How Much Does God Love Us? (Part Two)
Like a Tree
My House or God's?
No Private Interpretation
Our Spiritual Marathon of Hope
Our Uniqueness and Time
Perfection...Piece by Piece
Pillars Stand for Something!
Prepare to Meet Your God (Part Five): Religion and Holiness
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Seven): The Prophesied Blow Falls
Religious Confusion and You
Setting Spiritual Goals
Sharing Our Lives at the Feast
The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Nine): Conclusion (Part Two)
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part One): Introduction
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Seven): The Sin and Trespass Offerings
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Two): The Burnt Offering
The Oracles of God
The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility: Part Eleven
The Wavesheaf Offering
What Sin Is & What Sin Does
Whatever Happened to Gnosticism? Part One: False Knowledge
Who Is Doing the Work of God?
Why Should Christians Refuse Jury Duty?

Bible Studies

Basic Doctrines: Going On to Perfection
Parable of the Minas
The Holy Spirit
The Model Prayer (Part Two): Our Father in Heaven
The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Eight): The Parable of the Dragnet
The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Nine): The Parable of the Householder
The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira

Booklets

For the Perfecting of the Saints
Guard the Truth!
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part Two)
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part Two)

Essays

'I Will Build My Church'
A God Near at Hand (Part Three)
An Abuse of Sovereignty
Anarchy in God's Church? (Part Three)
Autoimmunity in the Body of Christ
Building on a Perfect Foundation
Christian Obedience
Evil Is Real (Part Four)
Growth
Knowing God
Like a Growing Seed (Part Two)
Making the Cut (Part One)
Making the Right Choice
No Good Thing Will He Withhold (Part One)
No Works Is No Good!
Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part Five)
Seeds and Seasons (Part Two)
Sheep Rustling
The Absence of Love
The Impossible Metric
The Nanny Church (Part One)
The Problem with 'Leader Security'
The Rare Virtue of Self-Mastery
The Same Mind, Judgment, and Speech (Part Two)
The Seventh Thunder
The Shepherd's Guidance (Part Three)
The Shepherd's Guidance (Part Three)
The Three Witnesses of Christ (Part Three)
Turning the Fathers' Hearts to the Children (Part One)
United With Whom?
What Is Real Conversion? (Part Two)
Will the Church of God Be Thrown Down? (Part Two)

Sermons

The Paradox of Terror and Rejoicing
Jesus in the Feasts (Part Two): Firstfruits
'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'
Speaking the Truth in Love
How Much of the Mind of Christ Do We Have?
God is the Strength of My Heart
Unity
Character and Leadership
Gifted With Power From on High!
Pioneers: Our Job Is the Journey
'But I Say to You' (Part Five): Oaths
Essential Characteristics of Our Calling
Called to Change
Why Are We Here and What Is Our Focus?
It IS All About Government
The Mystery of the Church
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Five)
Titus (Part Four): Traits of a Healthy Church
Titus (Part Four): Traits of a Healthy Church
WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?
By This We Know Love!
Are You Living An Illusion?
The Measure of a Man in the Completed Canvas
Producing Fruit
Our Awesome Destiny (1993)
The Purpose of the Church
Four Views of Christ (Part 1)
Four Views of Christ (Part 1)
Four Views of Christ (Part 1)
Four Views of Christ (Part 2)
Titus 2:11-14
Titus 2:11-14
Titus 2:11-14
The Purpose of the Ministry
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part 1)
Elements of Motivation (Part 5)
Elements of Motivation (Part 6)
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part 1)
Our Father
Persecution
The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 2)
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 3): Hidden Treasure
Real Conversion
Glorifying God
Liberty vs. Independence
It Takes a Church
It Takes a Church
The Beginning of History
Two Contrary Visions
What Does God Really Want? (Part 1)
A Survey of God's Gifts to Us
Christ Our Standard
Christ Our Standard
How Emotions Affect Spiritual Maturity
Remember the Christians
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part 7)
Childrearing (Part One)
Childrearing (Part Six)
Growing Up
Endeavoring to Keep the Unity
Endeavoring to Keep the Unity
Strengthening the Family
Grieving the Holy Spirit
Principled Living (Part 3): Growing in Righteousness
The Mystery of the Church
Man's Greatest Challenge (Part 3)
Man's Greatest Challenge (Part 3)
Matthew (Part Twenty-One)
Matthew (Part Twenty-One)
The Heart's Self-Absorption
Power Belongs to God (Part 2)
Our Core Business
Together We Stand—But on What?
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 5)
Eating Out on the Sabbath
Eating Out on the Sabbath
A Son Is Given
Redeeming the Time for Unity
Prayer Does Make a Difference
Forging the Canon
Obeying From the Heart
Teaching Children
Teaching Children
Be Perfect
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part 1)
Self-Government (Part 2)
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part 9)
The Love of Christ
The Holy Spirit: The Power of God
Completing Sanctification
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Three)
In Search of a Clear World View (Part Six)
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)
Death, or Not A Hair of Your Head?
Tests of True Knowledge
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part One)
Are You Worthy of Your Calling?
The Problem Of Leadership
Numbers (Part Three): Poised at the Jordan
Offerings (Part One)
Principles of Church Leadership
Thank You for Finishing What You Start!
Matthew (Part Thirty)
The Book of Joel (Part Two)
Remaining Unleavened
To Be, or Not To Be, Like Everyone Else?
Consequences of Resurrection and Ascension
Unity and Godly Diversity in One Body
Differences of Opinion
God and Government

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