GROWING

UP “unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the

stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4.13)

Growing Upis Hard Work

Ephesians 4.12-13CB NT p. 340

Jesus, the Servant

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.”

— Isaiah 42.1, CB OT p. 1144

“taking the form of a servant”— Philippians 2.7, CB NT p. 346

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

— Matthew 20.28, CB NT p. 39

“But I am among you as the one who serves.”

— Luke 22.27, CB NT p. 153

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

— John 13.14, CB NT p. 190

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

— 2 Corinthians 8.9, CB NT p. 320

Gifts

Equip the saintsGifts

“perfecting”

“mending their nets”

Matthew 4.21CB NT p. 6

Equip the saintsGifts

“perfecting”

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ Ministry

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ MinistryWORK

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ MinistryWORKAttitudes

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ Ministry

☛ Building Up

“in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

— Ephesians 2.21, CB NT p. 338

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

— Ephesians 4.29, CB NT p. 340

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ Ministry

☛ Building UpUnity of faith & knowledge

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ Ministry

☛ Building UpUnity of faith & knowledgeMature manhood

Equip the saintsGifts ☛ Ministry

☛ Building Up

We are fully-equipped to serve one another.

Serving is work.

“Well done, goodand faithful servant.”

— Matthew 25.21, 23; CB NT p. 50

“You wicked andslothful servant!”

— Matthew 25.26; CB NT p. 50

Serving is work.⋏hard

Growth happenswhen we serve.

Will today be the day you decide to be reconciled to

God?

Lesson slideshows (with notes)and audio can be found at:

www.churchofchristmiranda.com

Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)

Bible: iStock_000002689223

Jesus washing feet: http://www.gci.org/files/images/ab/_0512162631_032.jpg

Sisyphus: iStock_000013010086

Brickwork: iStock_000006888008

Knife: iStock_000004395274

Yellow Flowers: iStock_000007274077

God’s Growth

#06

Growing Up is Hard WorkEphesians 4.12-13

Compiled and Presented by:

Dave Stewart17 April, 2011

Las Cruces, NMwww.churchofchristmiranda.com

Synopsis: Why did Jesus give us gifts? The gitfs equip us for the work He intends us to do. They are for the work of ministry and the building up of the body. Three lessons are drawn from this passage: 1) We are fully equipped to serve one another; 2) Serving is work; and, 3) Growth happens when we serve.

“Let all that you do be done with love.”

“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”