An effective body building program seeks to develop the overall health of the body to ensure that it functions at optimal health. The Apostle Paul described God’s blueprint to build His body – the Church, in his letter to the Ephesians,

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11)

The gifted roles that Paul enumerated are essential in preparing God’s people for ministry. Their task is revealed in the next verse,

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:12

The word “equipping” has an emphasis on completely furnishing one for the task at hand. Paul uses the term “saints” to refer to the people in the church – that includes you and me! You are considered a saint, one who is set apart for ministry. You may not feel like a saint, but that is how the Bible describes God’s people. What encouragement do you find knowing that God views you as a saint?

The work of ministry is done by the saints – that’s you and me. The Church significantly limits its ministry if the work of ministry is conducted only by the church staff. God’s design is for all of His people to use their spiritual gifts. When the Church functions as God designed, then people are able to grow in spiritual maturity,

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

A Church that is committed to spiritual maturity has the ability to stand firm in the faith and not be deceived by falsehood,

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (Ephesians 4:14-15)

As each person plays his or her role, the result is a healthy and vibrant body that is growing in love,

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)

Do you realize your vital role in building up the body of Christ. There is no insignificant role, each individual part is necessary. We play a role in the world’s greatest enterprise – His Church. Bill Hybels passionately taught us, “The local church is the hope of the world.”  May God richly bless you in your service to Him.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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