How can you contribute to the "growth of the body" in your church? Anchored in the Text “From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.” — Ephesians 4:16 What Growth Looks Like • Growth begins “from Him”—Christ is the source. • The church is “fitted and held together”—unity is assumed, not optional. • “Every supporting ligament” speaks of relationships that actively supply strength. • The body “builds itself up in love”—love is both the method and the metric. • “Through the work of each individual part”—no person is unnecessary. Your Personal Contribution 1. Embrace Your Place • God assigns your position in the body (1 Corinthians 12:18). • Reject envy or self-pity; rejoice in the role He chose. 2. Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts • “We have different gifts according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6). • Ask mature believers to confirm what they see in you. • Deploy your gift consistently, not sporadically. 3. Strengthen the Ligaments—Relationships • Invest time in small groups, mentoring, hospitality. • “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). 4. Speak Truth in Love • The verse just before our key text commands this (Ephesians 4:15). • Correct gently, encourage freely, refuse gossip. 5. Serve Sacrificially • Follow Christ’s example of humble service (John 13:14-15). • Look for unnoticed needs—setup, cleanup, visitation, childcare. 6. Pray for the Body • Paul prayed “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). • Intercede for leaders, missionaries, hurting members. 7. Pursue Personal Holiness • A pure life keeps the body healthy (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Repent quickly; hidden sin handicaps corporate growth. 8. Give Generously • Material support funds ministry and expresses love (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Encouragement from Other Passages • 1 Corinthians 12:27 — “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” • Romans 12:10 — “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” • 1 Peter 4:10-11 — “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Practical Next Steps • Commit to a specific ministry this month. • Schedule one intentional encouragement conversation each week. • Set a reminder to pray daily for your church’s mission and its members. Final Word of Motivation When you supply your part, the entire body becomes stronger, more loving, and more effective for Christ’s glory. Step in, stay faithful, and watch Him cause the growth. |
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