Open Subject

Eph 4 - Corporate Responsibility in the Church

Theme: For all at Crabtree Church to understand what their corporate responsibility to the Church is.

At a leadership meeting we were discussing the issues for keeping the Church going during our building work. The concerns about enough time to pray, to sing, to reflect. The services are too long, too short, why can't we start on time, why can't we go on a bit later and start a bit later. How are we going to get anything arranged. What about setting up Crabtree School, what about the children.

A bright spark on the leadership team says we need teaching on corporate church responsibility - nodding of heads - over to preaching team - sharp intake of breath from preaching team - no slots until Christmas 2006 (they are very organized)(editors note: dramatic license here!) apart from your slot Jeremy which is an open subject. Ever been had? So let's see what scripture teaches us about corporate responsibility.

I have chosen Ephesians 4 as the basis of the sermon. I took the easy route and asked Dr. Bennie Wolvaardt, Principle of Veritas College which passage would be appropriate. Hopefully you will agree. For those attentive people you will remember that we looked at Ephesians last year but I believe the Lord has more to say to us from this scripture.

Paul is writing a letter to the Ephesians, some commentaries suggest it should be regarded as a circular letter rather than specific to just the Ephesian Church . One key difference about this letter rather than other letters Paul has written is that there does not appear to be a specific problem that he is writing about - I quite like that in the context of Crabtree. It is like a sermon on the greatest and widest theme possible for a Christian sermon - the eternal purpose of God, which He is fulfilling through His Son Jesus Christ, and working out in and through the Church.

The letter was intended for the Ephesians and us to appreciate the high goals God has for the Church.

Paul starts this part of his letter by reminding how deep is the love of Christ (v18 & 19 of Chapter 3 ) for each one of us and with his power in us we can do much more than our small human minds can imagine. Not a bad way to start anything really.

I am essentially focussing on Chapter 4 - lets see how we can understand bringing Glory to God in the Church and especially here at Crabtree Church .

Training for works of service

The first key absolute I want to bring to your attention is in verse 12. Church leaders are responsible for training people for works of service. Paul is also saying that Jesus has given each member of the Church a gift, a job, a function. As Calvin put it 'no member of the body of Christ is endowed with such perfection as to be able, without the assistance of others, to supply his own necessities'. It is for the common good of the Church that we all do our bit and then we grow spiritually, we become mature. See verse 13.

We should serve the Church and each other. It also gives us a defense mechanism against those seeking to destroy the Church(v14).

I am just getting middle aged this year - getting a little mature - Paul uses this analogy of maturing in the growth of Churches - we shouldn't be dependent like little babies - like Katarina at the back there - but grow to become stronger and able to function without the vulnerability of a little baby - Our spiritual life should be the same! We can all think of examples when maybe someone has told you something at work or on a subject that you clearly know more about than them - we should grow in the same way in our spiritual confidence and maturity.

Speak in truth and love

The second key point is found in verse 15. We should speak in truth and love with one another. Continually acknowledging Jesus as the Head of the Church. This is Jesus' church here at Crabtree - he is the boss. Sometimes I meet people who want their own church. This is scary stuff because the church should always look to Jesus not someone's own worldly agenda - that's why the corporate prayer times are so important for the church - it shouldn't really be optional. It is a real encouragement to have so many more coming to prayer meetings and the prayer chain has grown by nearly fifty percent.

Three key points for Corporate Responsibility -Spiritual Maturity through us serving Jesus Christ, Truth and Love.

What is truth - honest, accurate, no spin, no denial. Read John 1 v14 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John mentions truth 25 times in connection with Jesus - Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the personal embodiment of truth - seek truth in Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 4 v 23 & 24 that we should worship in spirit and truth. Without truth our personal and corporate spiritual life is severely restricted.

Love - We have to be truthful but in a loving manner. Paul compares the way we should be truthful by the contrast in verse 14 of 'cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming'. These men are after their own gain whereas our motives should be to bring spiritual benefits to all. Therefore examine our motives when we speak in truth - is it for spiritual enhancement. I am sure some of you can recall conversations when someone says may I have a word in love please - your heart sinks and your suspicions are not unfounded. Genuine love is essential and it may mean you have to have a direct conversation. We mustn't lose this love for one another and for our Lord Jesus Christ as the Ephesians Church did - hence the warning in Revelations ch.2 v 1-7.

Paul emphasizes the need for love as he starts this part of his letter in verse 2 -be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Corporate Responsibility requires Unity. See verse 4. We are all Christians professing our love for Jesus. How many times are you asked - what sort are you - Anglican, Catholic, Methodist..I say Christian first and then talk of the style of Church I prefer. Paul was alluding to the saving Grace of Jesus for Jews and Gentiles in his letter. It is the same today - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. When I was first attracted to Crabtree I was impressed by the different backgrounds of people and their styles but there was a common Love for the Lord and each other - this should be cherished in Truth and Love. The Churches Together initiative here in Harpenden endorses that Unity of love for the Lord - let us encourage and support this great witness.

So practically what else can we do as part of Crabtree Church? Paul gives a list of positives in relation to different unholy behavior (v 25 - 32). Do not lie but speak truthfully, Do not be consumed by your anger even though you may be righteously angry. Do not steal but give and work generously. Do not discourage but encourage. Choose our words carefully, do not swear or gossip.

Each of us needs to grow spiritually but we need to do it together. Each of us has a purpose and function and we should exercise our responsibilities not only for our satisfaction but for the growth of all in the Church. Are we fulfilling our function? Are we doing the right job in the Church? Who should be preaching? I have asked Alex and Mike (provided they are awake) to assess my sermon - some churches have this as a standard practice - it gives good feedback to the preacher and it encourages an openness and honest comment within the Church - healthy for the Church. Are we prepared to listen to others in the Church? Are we prepared to change or take on board people's comments?

We must be truthful -Who too? - to Jesus, to ourselves and to each other.

We must be loving to one another - not just being nice and kind but be open and challenging with each other but with Jesus at our side. If our motives are right and we have committed our action with Jesus then we are acting in love. The saying Is it Kind? Is it Necessary? Is it True? Can be a useful checklist before we open our mouths.

We should embrace the power Paul talks about in having the Holy Spirit with us - we should not be timid but confident that Jesus lives with us through the Holy Spirit.

Let's us take the positives -

Let all of us aim to build ourselves spiritually both individually and corporately so we will become mature. We will become a great witness to those around us. We will have challenges as a church, scripture tells us that and it may well come from within the church. But if we are mature, seek truth in love with Jesus we will be fine. We will not be tossed back and forwards like Paul's example in the scripture. Let people see how we can hold a Church in a school despite the added hassles. Let us use it as an opportunity to share Jesus' love for others. I want to show the love of Jesus to the school caretaker. Lets use this as a way to build bridges with the school, the children and the teachers.

Let us build each other up to maturity in the love and truth of Jesus.

We should regard ourselves as part of Jesus' family here at Crabtree and embrace that truth knowing we have Jesus' Love and Power in our midst. It is up to us to use that knowledge with truth, in love for the good of us all.

 

Jeremy Bloxham