Today brings to a close our series on Blueprints for Building the Church. Our hope and prayer has been that we—as a fellowship…have a better understanding of what Jesus meant when He said in Mat. 16:18, “I will build My church” by discovering how He’s gone about building it. I trust we’ve noticed at least 6 things thus far: genuine believers,   only one church, gifted by God’s grace, kingdom representatives, equipped to serve, and made aware of danger.

As we turn our attention to verses 15-16 here in Ephesians 4—Paul is going to introduce the primary element necessary for building the church…love. Let’s think about love for just a moment.

The Bible tells us that God is love (I John 4:16).

The Bible tells us the reason God sent His Son from heaven to earth was love (John 3:16).

The Bible tells us the reason Jesus went to the cross was love (I John 4:10).

The Bible tells us the way the world will know we belong to Jesus is love (John 13:34-35).

The Bible also tells us this is love…that we walk in obedience to His commands (2 John 6).

All of these various facets of love are included in what Paul’s been teaching us here about building the church. That being said, as important as love is in building the church…it’s as equally important in sustaining the church. Look at verses 15-16…

Looking back to verse 13—we’re told to become mature. As a result of this—in verse 14, Paul says we will no longer be tossed around by deception and false teaching. Then—he tells us in verses 15-16 that speaking the truth, motivated by the love of God will create the growth that ultimately sustains the church.  This growth Paul references here in both verses 15 and 16 is spiritual growth that will be seen in at least 3 areas.

1. Strength

The truth that we’re to be speaking…is the gospel. The good news about Jesus Christ. Dr. Skevington Wood in his commentary on Ephesians says the Greek word used here for truth may refer to more than just verbalizing the truth…it implies doing the truth also.

What this means for us is—we’ve been called by God to verbalize the truth and visibly demonstrate the truth concerning the gospel…and the good news is He will supply the strength necessary for us to accomplish it (Phil. 4:13). As we grow up into Him…mature, grow in grace and knowledge (2Pet. 3:18) we become stronger in our faith and our walk with Christ. We begin to get a greater sense of confidence (not arrogance) that the truth of God and the promises of God are real.

When we’re actively engaged in sharing the gospel through speaking or doing activities that demonstrate its power—we’re led to the place where we can say like Paul, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). How many of us here have been involved in an opportunity to share the power of the gospel? IE: one on one, VBS, block parties, mission trips, etc. At first you’re a little nervous—but the more you do it the more confident you become. That’s because you’re growing stronger in your faith and walk with Christ.

It’s not that we’re just getting better with practice…it’s because “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph 3:20). The church is not sustained by man’s wisdom, man’s knowledge, or by man’s physical abilities…it’s sustained by the inner power of an ever-present Holy Spirit that loves you and loves those to whom you have been commissioned to share the gospel with by speaking the truth motivated by God’s love.

2. Stability

Paul tells us in verse 16 that our stability comes from Christ. He illustrates this by drawing an example from the human body. The human body is a collection of different parts that are put together and then we read they are held together by supporting ligaments. All of this is from Him according to the first part of verse 16.

It's football season now—therefore games are being played somewhere almost every night of the week. As these games are played it is not uncommon for football players to pull, strain, or tear ligaments in their ankles or knees. When they do—they are no longer stable on their feet.

So, what can we learn from the example here in verse 16? Christ is the supporting ligament that builds and holds His church together. He’s the One that provides the stability in each of our lives. 2 ways He makes this happen in our lives. Through His love we experience salvation from our old way of life. [Eph 2:4-5]

Through the truth of God’s Word we are given the resource that creates growth in wisdom and knowledge in order to provide stability for life. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone that hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” John 17:17

3. Service

There’s a purpose for the church…and that’s to serve the Lord. I mentioned back when we looked at verse 7—I believed that Paul turned his attention from the group to the individual…and we see it here as this section comes to an end. “As each part does its work.”

We also made mention at the beginning of our series that the Letter to the Ephesians divides neatly in to two parts. 1) Chapters 1-3 are doctrinal. 2) Chapters 4-6 are practical.

Notice what we’re taught about service in 2:10. The reason God saved us was to serve His Son…and here in 4:15-16 we see that Jesus has given us everything we need to do it; strength, stability, and a heart motivated by God’s amazing love!