Ephesians 4.11-16 (7)
Pray Psalm 132.13-18.
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
“This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Sing Psalm 132.13-18.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior—
Beloved, eternal light and resting place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
Read Ephesians 4.11-16; meditate on verse 12.
What does “edifying” “building-up” look like in a church?
Preparation
1. How does the “edifying” of the church occur?
2. What does a church look like that is being edified?
Meditation
Jesus announced His agenda for these last days: “I will build My Church” (Matt. 16.18). To demonstrate that He was constantly overseeing this process, to make sure it was on course according to His design, He dictated letters to seven representative churches (Rev. 2, 3) to let them know He had not changed His plans and He was determined to bring His project to a successful end.
Ephesians 4.11-16 is the precis that guides our ongoing work of building the Lord’s Church. He appoints certain people as pastors and teachers—to shepherd the people as He would if He were present among them. Those who take up this office have one defining work: equip the saints for works of ministry. It’s as the saints do works of ministry in their own sphere that the grace of Jesus spreads to others, to church members to encourage them in their own labors and to the lost to point them to Jesus. The saints need continuous teaching and equipping, so the pastors and teachers teach them how to feed on God’s Word and commune with Him in prayer. Here they find all they need to carry on the work God has assigned each of them.
These good works strengthen us in Christlikeness and lead to a church that grows in unity and maturity, looking more and more like the body of Christ Himself.
This is how Jesus builds His Church. As we join this project, let’s be sure we follow the pattern revealed to us by the Lord, for then we will know His Presence and blessing.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“…for the works of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4.12).
“…a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.’ And they criticized her sharply.
“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her’” (Mk. 14.3-9). And here we are—telling it again.
The part that we are honoring, right now, about her is this: she was edifying the Body of Christ.
She was carefully and lovingly tending to Him, to show her respect for Him, and to honor Him.
What if we could look at those in our Personal Mission Field in the same way?
Seeing them, tending to them, as if we were attending directly to our beloved Savior.
That specific work was created for her “beforehand” (Eph. 2.10); before His death.
And now we are called to do the works created for us beforehand, to tend to Jesus, to edify His Body, for Him, here and now.
“And David said with longing, ‘Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!’ So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David” (2 Sam. 23.15, 16). Overcome with their love, he could not drink it; but assuredly, he was edified by their service.
Our love for the Savior edifies Him, and by extension, edifies His Body, His Church—however we are called to serve—applying oil, getting water, and telling of His glorious Name and salvation.
“…love edifies” (1 Cor. 8.1).
Reflection
1. What can you do to improve or increase the works of ministry you do each day?
2. Is this something you should want to do? Explain.
3. What specific work of ministry will you do today for the edification of your church?
Three stages of growth are presented here: Gifted leaders are responsible for the equipping of the saints; the well-equipped saints do the work of ministry; and the result is that the body of Christ is built up. The final goal is maturity, truth, and love. Earl Radmacher (1933-2014), NKJV Study Bible Note on Ephesians 4.12
Pray Psalm 132.8-10.
Pray that Jesus will continue His work of building His Church and growing you in His grace. Commit yourself again to the works of ministry He has assigned to you.
Sing Psalm 132.8-10.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
Arise, O LORD, come to Your resting place;
Your holy Presence meet with us in might.
Clothe us with righteousness in Jesus’ grace,
and we will shout to Your divine delight!
For David’s sake, turn not away Your face,but look upon us in Your holy light.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we continue looking at what the Scriptures say about justice. Our Read Moore podcast considers three brief books that could change your life, beginning with The Gospel of the Kingdom. Our Crosfigell teaching letter continues our study of the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click hereto see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
