Walk Worthy Pt 2: The Goal of Maturity

He then goes on in verse 11. To explain four of the gifts. Four offices that are also gifts that he gives. Notice what it says in verse 11. And he gave some as apostles. And some as prophets. And some as evangelists. And some as pastors and teachers. Now I want to tell you a couple of things about this verse. Before we get any more into it. These are different gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to the church.

But we need to understand something. Number one. This is not an extensive list of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to the church. As a matter of fact I would encourage you. To look a couple of different places in scripture. Look in Romans. And look in 1 Corinthians. And see some of the giftings that God has given to the church. Because none of them are extensive lists.

But it's interesting to put all of those lists together. And see what some of the gifts that God has given to us are. The second thing that I'll point out to you about this list of gifts that are given to us in verse 11. Is that these giftings are also what we refer to as offices within the church. In other words leadership positions within the church. Not everyone will have one of these giftings.

And sometimes not even every church will have one of these offices. But these offices were given as gifts to the church. For a specific goal that we'll point out in the second half. But let's look at these four things real quick. It says first of all that he gave some as. Number one. Apostles. He gave some as apostles. As number one. Apostles. He gave some as apostles.

Now this is what I would call a word that's a little bit abused in the world that we live in today. Because an apostle by its very definition. Literally means a sent out one. One who is sent out by God. Now there is a specific application. To it. And then there is a general application to it. The specific application to what Paul is talking about right there.

Are the apostles of the New Testament. They are I guess 11 because Judas has now died. They are the 11 plus Paul. Those specific apostles were given the task of laying out the doctrine for the church. That doctrine for the church was canonized into scripture. And it's what you hold before you today as the New Testament. That was a specific application. For a specific time.

We don't have apostles like that today. And it's important that we understand that. And it's important. The reason why it's important that we understand is because there are people running around today claiming that they are apostles. And they are spreading false doctrine. And they have changed things about scripture. Listen if somebody is going to come out and say I've received a new revelation.

Don't believe them. Because there is no new revelation that's being given to us. Scripture will always line up with scripture. It will always go along with what God has to say. Now that's the specific indication of an apostle. There is also a general application to the word apostle. And that's what the word itself actually means. One who is sent out by God.

They will take what God has put in his word. And they will be sent out by God to do the work of the ministry. In a specific place for a specific purpose. So God has given to us apostles. Number two. He has given to us prophets. There is another fun word right? The hits just keep coming. He has given to us prophets. Because this is again somewhat of a controversial word today.

Now let's understand what the role of a prophet is. In the Old Testament the prophets were specific men who were called out by God to speak forth the word of God. The only thing that they had at that point in time was the first five books. The Pentateuch. And so to declare the truth. God would specifically speak. To these men. And usually tell them to write it down.

And they would speak forth the word. That word that they spoke forth. Usually took on two forms. It was either predictive in nature. Or it spoke to the situation that was going on right then. Either way they were speaking forth the word of God. Sometimes in a predictive way. Sometimes in a way of addressing what was going on right then. But always with a singular goal.

To call people to God himself. Usually with the purpose of declaring the coming. Messiah. As you move into the New Testament. Prophecy took on a similar role. But there was less of the predictive prophecy. And more speaking to the specific situation. Speaking forth God's word. Into a specific situation. I have no problem believing in the gift of prophecy for today.

I have no problem believing that God is able to speak through people. And speak to a situation. But here's the one thing you have to know about prophecy. It will. Always agree with scripture. And if somebody speaks forth a predictive prophecy in your life. You need to pay attention to what God's doing in your life. To see if that's actually taking place. Because sometimes this gift can be abused.

But it is a specific office that's used within the church. Let me share with you an instance from my own life. Not when I use the word of prophecy. But when it was used for me. There's actually two instances where somebody spoke a prophetic word over me. And it wasn't weird. And it wasn't odd. It was just somebody speaking. My dad went up. And I don't remember if he did the message at Calvary Chapel of Wichita.

Or he just led worship at Calvary Chapel of Wichita. Because I wasn't walking with Jesus at the time. And I didn't care what was going on in church. So that's a backdrop. But we go as when Don Duncan was still pastoring Calvary Chapel of Wichita. And we went up there. And after church. Of course my dad's talking to everybody. You know. Pastor's kid. So I'm standing there waiting around.

And some guy comes up to me. And he goes I want you to know something. God's going to use you in a powerful way. God has a calling on your life. And he's going to use you. And I remember thinking whatever dude. And rolled on with life. Right. Because I wasn't walking with Jesus at the time. It didn't make much sense to me. And now I look back. And I'm like I don't remember who the guy was.

But I was like whoa. Wild. Word of prophecy. Right. Well the one that really was interesting to me. Was when I was in Bible college. They would allow different students to get up and give a devotion. At the Bible college. Like a 15 minute. And so I said hey I'd like to do that. So they said great. This is the Wednesday that you're going to get up and do it.

So I get up and I give the devotion in front of the whole school. And as they get up and give the devotion in front of the whole school. Everything went great as far as I could tell. And so we move on with our day. We go to our next class. I think it was first Corinthians class if I remember correctly. And there's a girl sitting next to me. Her name was Jennifer Jenkins.

And so she's sitting next to me. And she starts writing. Had nothing to do with class. She starts writing out this note. This really long note. She folds it up. And she hands it to me. She said read that when you get back to your room. I said okay. So I get back to my room and I read it. And it starts off little Ryan. Because that was my nickname in college.

There were two of us named Ryan. One was big. And then there's me. So I was little Ryan. Little Ryan. I want you to remember today. God spoke through you today. And there's going to come a time in your life when you're going to question your calling. And when you're going to question who you are in Christ. And when that comes. Remember today. Because God wants to use you.

So I folded it up and I put it in my Bible. Later I put it with my stuff. Moved back from college. Kept it in a box. And as I was going about life. I came to a point in time in my life. When I questioned everything about my calling. And I questioned everything about who I was in Christ. And I started going through a box of my stuff. I had completely forgotten about the note that Jennifer had written me.

And I pulled out the note. And I unfolded it in a box of some stuff. And I read it. And I remember sitting back and going. Wow. God knew. God knew what was coming. And he knew I needed to be ready for it. And so he spoke a prophetic word into my life. So that I would know. To not give up. You see that's the gift of prophecy. There wasn't anything weird about it.

There was no. Nobody dimmed the lights. There was no special music that was playing. It was just God spoke to her. She wrote it down. And she gave it to me. You see. God gave some to be apostles. And God gave some to be prophets. You may have the gift of prophecy. And God may give you a word to speak to somebody. And you know what the first thing that will happen when it's from God is?

You'll go. That would be stupid. Why would I tell them that? Listen. I'm here to tell you right now. And I don't know who needs to hear this this morning. But maybe somebody does. Be obedient to that word of prophecy. And let them know what God has ministered to you. Because God's probably going to use it in their life. He gave some to be apostles. He gave some to be prophets.

He gave some to be evangelists. Evangelists. Evangelists. I tried to find something that means a preacher of the gospel. I could have come up with that one on my own. But I looked it up anyway. It means a preacher of the gospel. Now. It is fascinating to see people with the gift of evangelism. I do not have the gift of evangelism. I have tried to have the gift of evangelism.

I don't have it. I've tried to put together messages that I thought. Man. Everybody's going to come forward on this one. I feel confident that this is the one that will spark the revival. And I give the message. And I'm like. Would anyone. Would anyone like to receive Jesus? And there were crickets chirping in the background. Even they didn't want to receive Jesus.

Right? So. So I'm like. Okay. Or. Or not. Maybe nobody wants to receive Jesus. Every now and then some people will come to know Jesus through my ministry. Because God has spoken through their word. But. But we're never going to have one of those Sundays where 300 people come forward. Right? Because that's not my job. That's not my ministry. It's not what I'm called to.

But then you see people. Who all they have to do is say sunshine, bubbles, and Jesus. And everybody's like. I need to know Jesus. I need to know Jesus. And you're like. What just happened here? It's the gift of evangelism. And they are specifically called to do that job. And they have the ability through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus gave them a gift individually.

To give out the word of God. And see people immediately drawn to the truth. Some of you may have that gift. You may never stand on a stage in front of a thousand people and do that. But every time you talk with your co-workers. Or your friends. Or your family members about Jesus. They find themselves drawn to it. Use that gift. Use that office of an evangelist.

And then of course number four is. The pastor teacher. Some view this as two different jobs. Some view it as the same job. I lean towards it being one. Pastor teacher. But I will discuss how I can see one of them separated out in just a moment. What is a pastor teacher? A pastor teacher. Is one who shepherds. And feeds the flock. That's what I do. That's my job.

It's the thing I'm called to. I was listening to Chuck Smith teach on this. And he said the same thing. That he tried for years to be an evangelist. To put together. To salvation. He said and then one day God spoke to me and said. That's not what I called you to do. I called you to be a pastor. To shepherd and feed the flock. And so my main job as a pastor and a teacher.

Is to give you the truth of the word of God. To do it boldly. To do it. Fearlessly. I do the best I can on that. To do it without compromising it. But to give you the truth of the word of God. So that you can be well fed. So that you can be prepared for everything that comes in your life. And then to come alongside you in any way that I can. To come alongside you in any way that I can.

To love on you. And to be a support to you. That's a pastor teacher. Sometimes it's to tell you. No those are bad things. You shouldn't pay attention to those. Or yes you should do more of that. Because you're going the right direction. Either way. That's the job. Now. I used to have a friend. His name was Truman Page. Truman Page lived in the section that I took care of.

When I worked at Lakeview Village. The Wrinkle Ranch. The old folks community. And Truman. I say that with all the love and respect in the world. Truly though. That was one of my favorite jobs I've ever had. And my respect level for Truman Page. Was at a level that I can't even put into words. Because he knew so much about the Bible. But Truman felt like he was not a pastor.

But he was a teacher. Because he had his doctorate in Old Testament theology. And that's exactly what he taught. He taught Old Testament theology at Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary up in Kansas City. And he didn't feel like he was a pastor. He felt like he was never called to pastor a church. But he did feel like he was called to teach. To teach the next generation of pastors.

What God's word really says. And who Jesus is in the Old Testament. And who Jesus is in the Old Testament. And he even did it for a knucklehead 23 year old kid. Who on his breaks would take his Dr. Pepper and brownie and say. Tell me everything you can. Because he was a teacher. Listen. Some of y'all may not be called to be a pastor. But you are called to be a teacher.

And you should do that. You should teach. Maybe it should start in the Sunday school classes. Maybe it should start with teaching some of those tiny kids. Because as Albert Einstein once famously said. If you can't explain it to a five year old. You don't understand. You don't understand it yourself. And the greatest way that I understand what scripture has to say.

Is because I'm forced to teach it. Therefore I can't just stand up and say. That's what it says. I don't know what it means. Because I have to stand up and say. That's what it says. Let's do our best. Right? And that's the best way to learn it. Is to teach it to somebody else. Some of you may never teach a Sunday school class. But you have kids. And you need to teach them.

Some of you may never teach a Sunday school class. You don't have kids. But you do need to pull some people aside. And say. How can I teach you? Some of you need to be used as small group teachers. Group leaders here in this church. Because we need more small groups in this church. And you have the gift of teaching. And you need to say. Ryan I think I have the gift of teaching.

And then I'll say. Yay or nay. Based on what the Holy Spirit says. But some of you have that gift. And you need to be using it to pour into the body of Christ. And so. He lays out these four offices. These four giftings that are also offices. Within the church. And so that is the gifts. But the next thing that we see is. The goal. And so we pick up in verse 12.

Notice what it says. For the equipping of the saints. For the work of service. To the building up of the body of Christ. 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. As a result. We are no longer to be children. Tossed here and there by waves.

And carried about by every wave. And carried about by every wave. By the wind of doctrine. By the trickery of men. By craftiness and deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up. In all aspects into him who is the head. Even Christ. From whom the whole body. Being fitted and held together. By what every joint supplies. According to the proper working of each individual.

Causes the growth of the body. For the building up of itself. In love. So what is the goal? Paul tells us four things. Four things are the goal. Number one. The equipping of the saints. The equipping of the saints. Notice what it says in verse 12. For the equipping of the saints. For the work of service. To the building up of the body of Christ. That word equip.

Means to completely furnish. Picture if you will a soldier. A soldier who is about to go into battle. But they have been furnished with everything they needed. The furnishing started going. Going through basic training. And then through their specific training. For the job that they would have. And then they were furnished with the proper uniform. They were furnished with the proper equipment.

So that they could be the soldier. That they need to be. To fight the best that they can. They are completely furnished. For the work. You see those offices. The apostle. The prophet. The evangelist. And the pastor teacher. Their goal is to equip the saints. And what are they equipping the saints to do? I want you to notice what it says. For the work of the service.

Well what does that mean? To do the work of the ministry. You know how I always say. Once you get saved. You are not just a Christian. You entered the ministry. You see that is where I get that from. Is that the job is to equip you. To be in the ministry. Because whether you realize it or not. Whether you are willing to admit it or not. And whether you take the bull by the horns and do it or not.

The day that you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You entered the ministry. And now God wants to use you. In the ministry. Here at Calvary Chapel of Arc City. He wants to use you in the ministry. Here in the body of Christ. In Arc City. You see we have come to a place in our culture right now. Where we have this cult of personality. Right? And we want the right pastor.

Because that way we can show up every Sunday morning. And we can watch him. And we can do the work of the ministry. And if he can't handle it all himself. That's fine. We've got elders. And the elders can handle the work of the ministry. Here's what I need you to realize. The work of the ministry is never intended to just be on the pastor. Or just on the elders.

The work of the ministry was always intended to be the body of Christ. And my goal. The thing I've been trying to do for a long time. Is to tell you. I can't do everything here. The elders can't do everything here. We need the entire body of Christ. To be involved. In the ministry. That's why I send out prayer requests on flock note. It's not just so that you can know all of the gossip that goes on at Calvary Chapel of Arc City.

It's so that you can get involved in the ministry at Calvary Chapel of Arc City. Because maybe you see that prayer request come through. And you go. Oh man. I should start praying for them. That's a good way to start. But then maybe you should call or text them. Maybe you should see if they need a meal. Yeah. But nobody called me to ask me to bring a meal. But maybe you still could.

Maybe you could. Maybe that's still your responsibility. For the work of the ministry. Because sometimes we can do things. Listen. Even if nobody asks. Simply because the Holy Spirit is prompting your heart. The most wonderful thing happened. After my parents lost half their tree. A few weeks ago. I was in Kansas City. At a conference. And so my mom sends me this picture of half of their tree.

And underneath of it somewhere was a shed. It was completely smashed. And some members of the body here just went over there. And took care of it. And I came home thinking that. Well. I better find a chainsaw. And get to work. And it was done. I didn't have to do any of it. Because the body of Christ was working together. Because somebody said. Hey. I bet there's a need there.

I see what happened in our neighborhood. I'm going to take the initiative. And go figure out what I can do to help. And nobody asked them. They just did it. That's the work of the ministry. And my job is to equip you. To give you all of the tools. All of the tools that you need. So that you have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. A foundational understanding of what ministry looks like.

So that you then can go out. And do the ministry of the body of Christ. Why? For the purpose of building up the body. For the purpose of building up the body. And it reminds me. Of what our mission statement is. Here at Calvary Chapel of Ark City. I don't go over this a whole lot. Because I'm not a big mission statement guy. But our mission statement at Calvary Chapel of Ark City.

Calvary Chapel is this. Calvary Chapel of Ark City. Reaching in and reaching out. Reaching in to build up the body of Christ. So that we can reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that's what we're to do. My prayer is that as I pour God's truth into you. You will take that truth. And it will change the way that you treat the rest of the body of Christ.

So number one. Equipping the saints. Number two. To become mature. To become mature. Notice what it says in verse 13. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith. And the knowledge of the Son of God. To a mature man. To the measure of the stature which belongs to Christ. As he begins talking about maturity. He first of all. Talks about the fact that this equipping of the saints.

Is for the purpose of maturity. Which first of all means. The unity of the faith. There's that word again. Right? We're to be unified. Unified. Unity always begins in the local body. And as unity begins in the local body. When we realize that we are all one. Even though we're all from different backgrounds. We all have different likes and dislikes. We all have different hobbies.

We have one thing in common. And that's Jesus Christ. It begins in the local body. But it doesn't end in the local body. Because maturity says. That unity will then spread to. The body of Christ and the entire community. And then that unity will spread to. The body of Christ and the entire nation. And then you realize. That it's the body of Christ throughout the entire world.

You see that's the unity of the faith. But not only does maturity mean the unity of the faith. But maturity means. Growing in the knowledge of the son of God. The equipping of the saints. Draws us to a place where we grow in our knowledge of the son of God. Because after all. That's why we were created. All for the purpose of becoming a. Mature. Man. Sorry ladies.

You have to be a mature man. Men. We're the bride of Christ. Ladies. You're a. It's fascinating to raise kids. You know it. Because kids all mature at their own rate. I think that's one of the biggest things I've learned. Not only as a parent. But as a youth pastor. Is that. Is that kids always mature. At their famous football coach. It was. That said this.

But he said. You know what the best thing about freshmen are? They become sophomores. Right? Because eventually they're going to mature. And it's fascinating. If we as parents. If I as a pastor. If I as a youth pastor. Whatever it is. If we equip young people. With all of the things. They'll eventually mature. If I feed them the right foods. If I make sure that they're educated.

If I'm reading to them. If I'm caring about them. All those things. Then they're going to mature. And that's the way it is. In the body of Christ. Hopefully we are going to mature. I remember. When my oldest daughter was born. Which was about 50. Right? Not the one where she got the shots. I share this with first service too. Because the one where they get the shots.

Is the worst doctors. One where you ever take them. Quick sidebar. I remember taking her to the appointment. Where she got the shots. And listen. I didn't spend a ton of time around babies growing up. My sister babysat a lot. But I was kind of like babies. Right? They just weren't my thing. And so. So I don't know a ton about all the things. My wife knew a ton about all the things.

I didn't know a ton about all the things. So we take her to the doctor. What's going to happen? Is she going to get shots? I'm like. That's probably going to be a bummer. Isn't it? They're like. Yeah. It'll be quick. You'll be done. So Violet's sitting there. She's just as pleased as punch. She's as happy as can be to be in the doctor. And as she's sitting there pleased as punch to be in the doctor.

Two nurses come in. Listen. If two nurses come in. Something's going to get funky. Right? Like that's a whole lot of nurses all in one room. And they take these needles. And they're like. Oh. You like being at the doctor. Don't you? Oh. You're such a big girl. Look how cute you are. It's a dunk. Right? And they stab her with these two needles. Right? And they give her the vaccination.

And she goes. Right? Starts screaming at the top. That's the worst appointment. I cried with her. I'm not even joking about it. Just come here. I know that hurt. I'm sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen. That's not the appointment I'm talking about. I'm talking about the appointment that you go to when they're like. Okay. These are the milestones your child should be hitting.

Right? By this point in time they should do this. By this point in time they should do this. If they don't hit those milestones. We need to talk about why. Well in the body of Christ it's no different. As a believer in Jesus Christ. There's milestones you should be hitting. They involve things like unity. Love. Your understanding of Jesus Christ. Your craving for the word of God.

Because if you're not maturing. We need to know why. Because maturity is what we are to become. As a matter of fact. To become mature. Notice what it says. A mature man to the. In the verse 13. Measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. So equipping the saints to become mature. Number three. We are to no longer. Be children. We are to be no longer.

Children. Notice what it says. As a result. Verse 14. We are no longer to be children. Tossed here and there by waves. Every wind of doctrine. By the trickery of men. By craftiness. In deceitful scheming. The word children there literally defined. Simply means immature ones. If we are to be mature. Mature. Then we are to be the very opposite of this. We are to no longer be immature ones.

We're no longer to be children. You know what that tells me? If we are to no longer be children. And he has to say. To no longer be children. What is it our natural inclination to want to remain? Children. You know how I know that? And fellas I'm going to step on your toes here for just a minute. Because I see grow up. And just keep playing video games. And that's all they're doing with their lives.

Is playing video games. I see women grow up. And they have not gotten out of the gossip circle. You act like you're a teenage girl on the cheer team. And we have got to stop being children. To no longer be children. And specifically the way that we should no longer be children. Is the way that we should no longer be children. Is we should not be tossed here and there.

By every wind of doctrine. I love the old King James. The way it translates this. It says no longer tossed to and fro. With every wind of doctrine. I like that phrase to and fro. First of all it sounds fun to say. But also it just really creates the idea of what that verse means. Because that phrase. Tossed here and there. Or to and fro. Pictures a ship. That is constantly battered about by the waves.

It can't keep its course. Because it's constantly being pushed. One direction or the other. By the waves. And what are the waves that are pushing the ship about? Every form of doctrine. In the early 2000's. When I first got into ministry. Everybody was writing a book. Right? I'm sure everybody still is today. But that's not the main influence today. Instagram is the main influence today.

Right? Or Snapchat. Or something like that. But when I was in my early 20's. And first started into ministry. Everybody wrote a book. And I hated when every new book came out. You know why? Because when every new book came out. The Christian bookstore would have an entire section. Dedicated to that book. Y'all remember the prayer at Jabez? I was so tired of seeing the stupid prayer at Jabez.

Everywhere at that point in time. First of all. They turned it into a Lord give me what I want to prayer. It wasn't exactly what the prayer was intended to be. Second of all. I was so tired of seeing doilies. It said prayer of Jabez. Man that's so dumb. The prayer of Jabez devotional. The prayer of Jabez journal. The prayer of Jabez doily. Oh look. You can have the prayer of Jabez door knocker.

What? This is what we do. Right? And we get tossed about by every wind of doctrine. The only problem is. Some of those things. Some of those books that get written. Aren't right. And we get tossed about by them. The church in America today. God bless us. We will go for. Anything. If it's packaged properly. If you get the right person behind it. We'll fall for any of it.

And we often times are like children. Who are tossed to and fro. By every wind of doctrine. Which is why you can't allow yourself. To be shaken by every wind of doctrine. The shaking that takes place. By every wind of doctrine. Usually falls into two different camps. You're either shaken by doctrine. I came pretty close a couple of times. To throwing in with some pretty dumb things.

But the Holy Spirit. Was bold enough in my life. To say that's a dumb idea. But now I have to get past. The being shaken by the winds of doctrine. That come across. That people start to believe. In other words. As a pastor. I can sometimes be shaken. When I see people. Give in to false doctrine. I see them. Go and do something. That's the exact opposite of what I teach.

And sometimes. I'll have to say. That's not right. And they don't like it. But that's okay. Because my goal is to. Keep you focused. On the right things. But now I have to go. Lord. It's okay. That there are people. That believe the wrong thing. Because I've told them the truth. And that's all that I can do. And from that point on. People have to make decisions themselves.

And I've had to learn that. I'm in the process of learning that. Because seeing people go the wrong way. Is a hard thing. But we don't want to be tossed about. By every wind of doctrine. I want you to know. There's two other ways. That he puts this. By the trickery of men. And by the craftiness. And deceitful. And scheming. Brothers and sisters. Number four.

The fourth goal is. To grow up. In him. Notice what it says in verses 15 and 16. But speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up in all aspects into him. Who is the head. Even Christ. From whom. The whole body being fitted. And held together. By whatever 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. We are to grow up in him. But before we get to that specific part of the point. I want to tell you how that verse starts. Because that first line of that verse is so important. But speaking. The truth. In love. Now I'm going to give you. Both ends of that here real quick. Okay. Number one is speaking the truth. Have you noticed how.

Hard it is to come across the truth. In today's world. I saw. I saw a meme come up. And it said. I'm going to start a new type of podcast. Instead of true crime podcast. We'll call them false crime podcast. And then we'll just call it the news. That's pretty good right. Truth comes at a premium today. And it's hard to come across. It's hard to discern. If we're to speak the truth.

We first of all need to. Discern the truth. You need to know what the truth is. But then you're going to need to. Stand on the truth. And that's where things start getting a little bit funky for us. Right. Because standing on the truth. Means you're going to have to. Make some unpopular stands. Sometimes. You're going to have to stand firm. Even when it costs you something.

And so. You know to stand on the truth. You're going to have to count the costs. Matter of fact. Jesus told his disciples that. He said. No one who puts his hand to the plow. And then looks back. Is worthy of the kingdom. Therefore you need to count. The cost. Jesus said. If they hated me. They're going to hate you. And we need to know that when we begin to stand on the truth.

The potential of being hated for it is very strong. But the potential of standing before Jesus. And being told well done. Good and faithful servant. Is also very strong. So we are to. Know the truth. We're to stand on the truth. But then listen. At some point in time. You have to start to speak the truth. And this is where things really get hard. Because the rubber meets the road.

When you start to talk. Because when you start speaking the truth. You start declaring what's true. That's when people are going to start coming against you. Because right now in our culture. If you speak the truth. And it's not what everybody agrees with. You're considered hateful. We'll deal with the love part in just a moment. But you're considered hateful.

Anything. Any speech. That you make right now. That is not affirming of the things of the culture. Will be considered hate speech. By the culture. Right. We just have to understand that. As part of the counting the cost. Right. Because listen. I have this philosophy. And I don't usually share this from the pulpit. Because it's kind of a hard thing. It's a hard one to say.

Because it makes me the bad guy.

Whatever. Right. Nobody wants equality. Everybody wants control. Do we understand that in our culture today? People don't want equality. If they wanted equality. Then you could say. Fine. Do your thing and go your way. And they'd be content with that. But they're not. Because you can't just say fine. You do you. And I'll do me. Because unless you're also willing to march with them.

You're not affirming of them. So there can't be a happy middle ground. I suppose that's kind of a. Good thing in today's world. There can't be a happy middle ground. Where I sit back and say. You do you boo. I'll do me. We'll move on from there. Right. Because not making a stand. Is making a stand. Right. And so eventually we got to start speaking the truth.

We have to start telling the truth. In each other's lives. We need to speak truth into each other's lives. We need to speak truth into the life of the world. We need to speak truth into our kids lives. We need to speak the truth. But listen. There's two words. That are really important. In that sentence. We need to speak the truth. In love. What does it mean to speak the truth in love?

Well speaking the truth means. I have two goals in mind. Transformation or restoration. I either want to see your life. Transformed by the truth. Or I want to see your life restored by the truth. And if my goal. In speaking the truth. Is not transformation and restoration. You should probably not speak the truth. Because. Then you really will be being hateful.

Because your goal will be to tear somebody down. Not to see them restored.

Parenthetical statement. I still have a real tickle in my throat. So bear with me. I'm sorry. Meanwhile. Okay so. We are to speak the truth in love. It's to be your heart. It's to be what's behind the words that you speak. It's to be behind the goal of getting truth. Into the lives of other people. Because if you can't speak the truth in love. Like I said. You better just be quiet.

But speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up. In all aspects. Into him. Who is the head. Even Christ. Speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up in all aspects. You notice the first two words there. We are to grow up. Have you noticed a theme. About the goal of the gifts. They're not just so that we can make a show. They're to get all of us as believers in Jesus Christ.

To grow up. Right? To not be kids whose feelings get hurt. Every time the ball gets taken. To not be kids who demand their way all the time. Who can only think about themselves. But that we would grow up. Only what are we to grow up into? We are to grow up into him. Who is the head. Even Christ. What does it mean to grow up into Christ? It means when I grow up.

I want to look like Jesus. When I grow up. I want to look like Jesus. I want my life to look like him. That's what I'm looking to grow into. Is to be like my savior. To be like him in his prayer life. To be like him in the way he loved people. To be like him in the way he served people. To be like him in the way that he sacrificed for people. To be like him in the way that he was constantly surrendered to the father.

To be like him. In his ability to boldly speak the truth. And love. Even if it's just a little bit. Even if it meant flipping some tables. I'm to grow up into him. Because I want to grow up to look like Jesus. And as I grow up to look like Jesus. He is the head. Notice what it says. 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. Listen brothers and sisters. There's nothing more beautiful than to watch the body of Christ work together. There's nothing more beautiful than to see the body of Christ be the body of Christ. Where each one is supplying their own thing.

Where each joint and ligament is supplying their own part. To hold the whole thing together. I've told you before VBS was a beautiful picture of that. Where everybody put in their own part. But the other thing I noticed the other day. So I was so blessed by this. Because we had a member of the church. We had a member of the church. We had a member of the church.

We had a member of the church. We had a member of the church that needed to move. And so the message went out. Hey this person is moving. Who all can show up. And man people showed up. Only you know what. It was just the right amount of people. If there had been any more people. We'd have been tripping over each other. If there had been any fewer people. I would have sweat too much.

Right. It was just a right amount of people. Because the body of Christ all worked together. And it was an amazing thing to see happen. And that's what it means to grow up in Christ. When we grow up in Christ. The body starts to. Fit together. The body starts to be joined together. Christ at the head. Each member of the body. Fulfilling their own role. And so brothers and sisters.

Are you in the ministry today? Are you taking part. In the ministry today? Because. Walking worthy. Means that you take the individual gifting. That God has given to you. The grace. And allowing yourself. To be equipped. To perform the work. Of the ministry. God wants to use you each individually. God wants to use you each specifically. You just have to decide you're going to follow him.

Amen. Well this morning is communion Sunday. And so I'm looking down the hall. Oh man an usher just went running. It means the kids won't be in here for a few minutes.

So I'll take a minute to. To talk about communion. Before the kiddos all get in here. In just a minute. The kids will start. Roaming in. And the elements will be handed out by the ushers. While we sing one last song. But I want to talk for just a minute about the elements. Because it's important that we pay attention to what we're doing. On that last great night of the feast.

Of course Jesus stood up. He took that bread and he broke it. And he said this is my body. Which has been broken for you. Do this in remembrance. Of me. It's always fascinating. To look at the matzah bread that they would have used. Because the matzah bread. Was unleavened. It was completely flat. Meaning it was pure. It had piercings. And it had stripes. Which is pretty fascinating.

Because it does give to us the perfect picture of Christ. Because he was pure and sinless. He was pierced. And he was striped. So what a vivid picture. When he took that bread and he broke it. He said this is my body. It's been broken for you. And then he took the cup. The very last cup. It's called the cup of redemption in the Passover feast. He said this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood.

Which is shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And so Paul as he was speaking to the Corinthian church. He said there's a problem that's happening when you show up. When you show up to these love feasts. When you show up to take communion. The problem is you're leaving people out. And you're not discerning the body. Not only the body. But the body. And you've become selfish.

One walks away drunk. The other walks away hungry. It shouldn't be this way. Then he goes through and tells them about the Lord's Supper. And says those same words. He took the bread and he broke it. He said take and eat. This is my body. Then he took the cup and he said this is my blood. Which is shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And so Paul says every time we do this.

We declare the death of Jesus Christ. We declare that the one hope that we have in this world is Jesus. But we declare that the one thing that bonds all of us together. Is the death of Jesus Christ. And so we're told to do so in a worthy manner. Understanding the body. And understanding the body. So that means a couple of things. Number one it means if you're here this morning and you're an unbeliever.

This won't mean anything to you. I'd actually encourage you not to take it. Because for you it'll just be juice and crackers. And they're not that good.

But if you're an unbeliever here this morning. I want you to know that Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. From all of your unrighteousness. And the moment that you do that. You become a part of the family. And this means everything to you. But if you're here this morning and you are a believer. Then you need to first of all make sure that you understand.

Of the death of Jesus Christ for us. And you need to understand the sacrifice that he made. But you also need to discern the body. Therefore if there is any sin in your life. Now is a really good time to confess it. Because again. If we confess our sins. He's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. So I'm going to invite the worship team to come on up.

I promise the kids will get in here when they can. I'm going to invite the worship team to come on up. And as they sing the last song. You'll be given the opportunity to take the elements. As you receive your elements. There will be two cups. The top cup has the juice. The bottom cup has the cracker. But as they're singing. As they're singing this last song.

And you sing along with them. My encouragement to you would be to allow the Holy Spirit. To do the work that only the Holy Spirit can do in your hearts. If there's confession that needs to take place between you and the Lord. Let there be confession. If today is your day of salvation. Put your faith in Jesus. And allow God to do the work that only he can do.

Amen. And keep an eye out for your kid.

That he should give his only son. To make a wretch his treasure. To put his face away. As wounds which bar the chosen one.

And his sons to groan across his shoulder.

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice. The scoffer. Was my sin that held him there.

A plague. His dying breath has brought me. Forced in anything.

Forced in Jesus Christ.

Resurrection. I cannot give an answer.

Yes I know.

And son. My son. His treasure. Would you bow with me. Father we come to you. And Lord I thank you for your love. For your body that was broken for us. Lord for taking the nails. Lord for bearing the stripes. For bearing all of our sin. In your own body on the tree. Father I thank you for your blood that was shed for us. Lord your blood that covers all of our sins.

Father your blood that continues to cover us. From all of our sins. And Lord I thank you. Because of the great love with which you loved us. You went to the cross. Father may we never take for granted. Who we are because of you. And Lord I thank you so much for the body of Christ. The body of Christ. Fitted together. Of which you are the head. And so Lord. As we partake.

Keep us ever in mind of those things. In Jesus name. Amen. You may partake.

And if you would bow with me one last time. Lord. I do thank you for the great love that you have for us. And Lord. May we take the truth of your word. Allow it to marinate in our hearts. And Lord allow it to do the work. That only you can do. Father we thank you and praise you. And pray that you would be with everyone that's here. As we go out into this next week.

May we be prepared. For the things that you have in store for us. In Jesus name. Amen. Be blessed.