Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

C.I.: “One for All and All for One!”

Today is the last lesson in the series, “What a Body!” - (Col. 1:18).
For today we will see – that like the Musketeers of old, - God would have His church shout, “One for all…!”

I. “…that which every joint supplies…”

A. Every Member is a Minister

1. I love it when people ask, “How many ministers do you have at Golden?” – I say, “About 150!”
a. (Mk. 10:43-45), “Whoever wishes o become great among you – shall be your servant/min….”
1) For the Greek word for “servant” (diakonos) – is the same word for “minister.”
2) Thus, since all of us are called to be servants – we are therefore all called to be ministers!
3) Serving & Giving characterized the life of our Lord – and so it should our own.
b. Authorized for ministry – (Matt. 28:18-20), “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and..”
c. We have been created for ministry – (Eph. 2:10), “We have been created in Christ Jesus for….”
d. We will be rewarded for ministry – (Col. 3:23-24), “Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward.”
e. Called to ministry – (I Pt. 2:9), “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a….”
f. Gifted for ministry – (I Pt. 4:10), “As each one of you has received a spiritual gift, employ it….”
g. Which all begs the question – are you fulfilling your ministry – (II Tim. 4:5), “…fulfill your m.”
1) “Fulfill” = to Fill Full. – Do we fill each day full of giving & serving?!

B. Every Ministry is Important

1. There are no unimportant people – and there are no unimportant ministries – in the Lord’s church.
a. Indeed, small ministries often make the biggest difference.
b. The most important light in my home – is not the pretty one over the dining room table – but the small one that keeps me from stubbing my toe at night (Chris would say it’s the refrigerator light).
c. (I Cor. 12:22-24), “…the members of the body which are weaker are necessary, - and those upon which we deem less honorable, - on these we bestow more abundant honor…. - God has so composed the body, - giving more abundant honor to that member which lack
d. So just as our physical bodies have no unimportant parts – and the spiritual body of Christ ( His church) – has no unimportant ministries!!!
1) ILLUST.: “Ladies” - >50% of our congregation is female; - “Missions/Evangelism” – Jesus purpose statement (Lk. 19:10); - “Young Marrieds” = engine that drives the church forward – “Seniors” – their wisdom/experience form a vital link from the past to the future…!
2) And so many others! – We have no “unimportant” ways of serving God here at Golden!

C. We are Dependent upon Each Other

1. Every time we read one of the “One Another” verses – we are reading about our need for each other:
a. (Jn. 13:34), “A new commandment…love one another…”
b. (Rom. 14:19), “Let us pursue the things which make for peace & the building up of one another”
c. (Gal. 6:2), “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill….”
d. (Eph. 4:32), “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God….”
e. (Col. 3:16), “with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another….”
f. (I Thess. 5:15), “…always seek after that which is good for one another.”
g. (Heb. 3:13), “Let us encourage one another day after day….”
h. (Heb. 10:24), “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”
i. THUS, WE ARE ALL DEPENDANT ON EACH OTHER FOR ALL THESE THINGS!

2. So then, - which is more important – the body (the whole church) – or its parts (individual members)?
a. (Eph. 4:15-16), “…we are to grow up into all aspects into Him who is the head, Christ, - from whom the whole body, - being fitted and held together by that which 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.”
b. The “body” brackets the point – every joint/each part – the Lord’s church will not and cannot “GROW” in any sense (numerically, spiritually, in love, care or service) – unless each and every single one of us – is doing their part.

3. The UNITY of the whole & the importance of each individual part – is seen in mutual dependence
a. (I Cor. 12:14), “For the body is not one member, but many.”
b. (I Cor. 12:20), “But now there are many members, but one body.”
c. Thus, when the Musketeers’ cry, “One for all and all for one” – they are actually giving - what should be the rallying cry for God’s people!!

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Every member of the Golden church of Christ is a minister to the Lord – and if they aren’t – then today
is the day of repentance (“Ministry Fair”).

2. Every Ministry at Golden is Vital to the Mission we are striving to accomplish – “To be a Christ-
centered church that equips each member to fulfill the Great Commission while obeying the Great
Commandment!”

3. Everyone member here needs every other member here. To the extent that we draw ourselves into the
body - is the degree to which we are truly allowing God to do His will in our lives.

4. Jesus doesn’t save us so we can SIT – He saves us so we can SERVE! … (Acts 2:36-41)!