13 Till we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect/mature man, to a measure of the standard of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we no longer be  children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the dice playing of men, by cunning craftiness, with a view to schemes of deception;

{Our Story thus far: The Body's ability to function as a self-edifying entity, united under the HS's control & reflecting the glory of God, is dependent upon individual believers drawing upon the manifold grace of God to know the truth, live the truth, and love others with the truth.}

I. The Gifted Men Equip until the Body Reaches Reproductive Maturity

A. Unity is the NT expectation based upon alignment with Truth (Apostles & Prophets = codified Truth)

Ac 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul... but they had all things common.

1Co 1:10...all speak the same...no divisions among you...perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.

1. Oneness of Belief/Faith (Hope & Love?) - We're believing the same God for acting the same way or for the same things (He is Who He said He is; He'll do what He said He'll do.) Heb 11:6

2. Oneness of Knowledge - Our experience/knowledge of Him is uniform (who He is, what He does, wants & will do)

2Pe 1:3...His divine power given to us all...life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory...

B. Complete Man/Corporate Identity (Evangelists = announced the Truth)

We view ourselves not as independent individuals but as part of Christ's Body

C. Control by Holy Spirit (Shepherd-Teachers = applied the truth)

God's will/desire is accomplished in our individual and corporate lives

II. Obstacles to Body Building/Edification/Reproduction

A. Disunity

B. Independence/Incompleteness

C. Lack of Control by the HS (individually and corporately - His agenda)

D. Immaturity-Childishness

                1. Ignorance

                2. Defenselessness

                3. Rebellion (Parental..Divine..Self-Control)

                4. Selfishness

                5. Instability/Irresponsibility

                6. Easily Swayed from purpose

                7. Easily Deceived

Ac 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What do you think prevents most bodies from reaching self-edifying (and reproducing) maturity?

2. Which traits of childishness are hardest to get out of and easiest to slip back into?

3. What kind of unity did the early church have? How did they get it? Lose it?

1. How have other members of the Body ministered to you in the past year?

2. How have you ministered to other members of the Body?

3. On the basis of your observation, how has the Body been equipped to minister?

4a. In your estimation, what else does the Body need in order to minister better?

            4b. What should we de-emphasize or suspend or stop in order for the above to happen?

5a. What should we do about "members of the Body" who are dislocated (aren't tied in to the other ligaments and joints) and dysfunctional (aren't supplying their part)?

5b. What if that doesn't work?

6. Rate your equipment and list any other equipment you've acquired or still need to build up the body:

7a. (Without getting bitter or belligerent) think about the times when or areas where the Body could have been used by God to minister to you and it didn't happen.

7b. What prevented ministry from occurring?

            i) on the part of the Body?

            ii) on your part?

7c. What would need to happen in order for the Body to be able to serve you in the future?

7d. What would it cost the Body (in terms of changing priorities, commitments, focus, etc.) in order for "c." to become a reality?

7e. What cost are you willing to pay for "c." to happen?

7f. Speak to a member of the leadership within the next two weeks about the above.

10/9 We worship the God who is knowable/the Son of God; the goals of equipping + -; obstacles to edification; boulders that prevent building from proceeding; knowing the son of God; maturity;