"[12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A SERVING CHURCH.
Christ has given gifts to the church for "equipping the saints for the work of ministry."
" Saints" is a general term that describes the entire church, and 'ministry' is a term used to describe the action of attending to the needs of another. This teaches us that we're all ministers. Every member of the church is called to ministry, and ministry is humble service, tending to each other's needs. Proper church culture is one of humble service. The heartbeat of the church should be lowly and humble Christ-like service and love. Each of us is called to empty our tanks, using our gifts to serve one another selflessly.
A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A UNITED CHURCH.
“….for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God….”
Here, we find a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, we have already been made one in Christ. We have been adopted into the family of God, grafted into the people of God, members of the body of Christ. But, on the other hand, we are responsible for working toward unity. Unity is something received, but it is also maintained (v.3) and attained (v.13).
The unity we seek to maintain is a unity that revolves around knowing Jesus. Jesus is the glue that holds the church together. The moment we abandon knowing Jesus is the moment Christian unity comes out of reach. The moment we forsake learning about Jesus is the moment fractures will begin to creep into the body of Christ.
What unites the church ought to be the same thing that has ignited the church. What has ignited the church? Individuals coming to know Jesus. So, what unites the church? Individuals knowing Jesus.
Jesus is what holds us together.
A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A MATURE CHURCH.
".…to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and from by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
There are cultural and doctrinal currents ripping throughout our society today. There is an abundance of false doctrines that sound compelling and will easily pull young Christians away from Christ. There are many false teachers who— like Satan himself— have intentions to confuse, trick, and deceive the church.
So, we need to grow and mature in our faith so that we can begin to recognize and discern what is true or not. As we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we mature as believers. And as we mature, we will become rooted and grounded in truth. We want to be a mature church full of men and women who can stand firm together against the currents seeking to pull us away from Christ.
A HEALTHY CHURCH MATURES TOGETHER.
For the church to mature corporately, it must be filled with individuals maturing personally. As we grow, we grow together. As we mature, we mature together. Christian maturity ought to coincide with Christian unity. The more we grow in our walk with Jesus, the closer we should grow with one another.
Immaturity will push us away from one another; maturity will push us closer to one another. You show me a mature church, and I will show you a united church. You show me a united church, and I will show you a mature church.
A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A LOVING CHURCH
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
The more we grow in a knowledge of Christ, the more we ought to love like Christ. The more we embrace truth, the more we ought to ooze out love. Yes, part of Christian maturity is understanding, embracing, and proclaiming truth. But truly mature Christians will proclaim the truth in love. The mark of a mature believer is love, and the mark of a mature church is love. Christian love is the blood flow to a healthy church. Without it, we will quickly die.