WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.519 So we're reading Ephesians chapter 4, verses 1 to 16. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:19.879 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 00:00:19.879 --> 00:00:25.420 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:29.740 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:37.700 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you accord to the one hope that belongs to your call, 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:46.460 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:52.179 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:59.740 Therefore, it says, when he ascended on high, he led a host of captives and he gave gifts to men. 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:09.219 In saying he ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:17.359 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:26.719 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, 00:01:27.019 --> 00:01:34.640 for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:41.359 to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:49.340 so that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:53.680 by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:02:00.880 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, 00:02:01.320 --> 00:02:08.480 into Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:15.000 When each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:22.280 Good afternoon, everyone. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:29.219 So we've been in two congregations now for two months. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:30.780 There you go. 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:37.080 Have you noticed the increase in needs of moving to two congregations? 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:44.780 The upfront needs have doubled, like service leaders and readers and prayers and kids' talks and music. 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:47.699 These roles have doubled. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:53.580 The Grace Kids teachers and helpers, that role has doubled. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:59.039 The sound and tech guys has doubled and you've got the cameras now and Zoom. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:06.080 Moving from online back into the building, all of a sudden we need to clean the place again. 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:13.560 Our welcoming team has moved from two people at the door with a bulletin to a small army. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:18.960 The Lord continues to bring new people to us. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:24.919 And we're no longer in such a large crowd where we can just leave it to someone else to welcome them. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:28.740 We can see more clearly when someone's by themselves. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:36.840 We have the small groups still going and playgroup and fresh and youth and sport. 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.659 Those needs continue. 00:03:39.700 --> 00:03:45.780 We've got a multitude of meals and phone calls and visits during the week. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.500 Those needs continue. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:56.099 And I think moving to two congregations has revealed needs in two other ways. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:04:05.599 I think being in a smaller gathering, we've now got the opportunity to talk to the same people, in a sense, week after week. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.379 We can go deeper in relationships. 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:10.500 We can have a longer conversation, I think. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:18.459 And the more we get to know each other, the more opportunity we have to speak truth into each other's lives. 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:24.939 The ministry we could do at a person level, it's endless. 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:27.740 So that's one way. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:30.779 I think we've got more opportunity to know each other deeply. 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:42.299 I think a second way being in a smaller gathering has increased the need is in a large group, when this room was just chockers, 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:50.500 it was easy to think that we really were connecting over the age differences, the different cultures, the different personalities. 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:52.039 And we were to some extent. 00:04:52.979 --> 00:04:56.819 But how much were we just talking to people who were just like us? 00:04:56.819 --> 00:05:01.779 I think when you're in a smaller group, it's more obvious when you do that. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:07.199 You realise, I haven't talked to that person for weeks, maybe months. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:16.680 So I think we've got an opportunity to just be the church across all the potential divides between us. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.279 So there's an increase in need. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:26.600 And that's why we've got this four-week series on every person ministry. 00:05:26.820 --> 00:05:28.240 We need all hands on deck. 00:05:31.280 --> 00:05:35.920 Let me just quickly point out that these needs aren't just the result of COVID getting in the way. 00:05:37.900 --> 00:05:42.800 Do you really think that God is restrained by coronavirus and the government restrictions? 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:46.180 Is God subject to them? 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:49.720 And he's just going, oh, well, this will have to do. 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:52.140 I don't think so. 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.080 Surely not. 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:57.439 God wants us in this context at the moment. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:04.620 And if this is where God wants us at the moment, then we can be confident this is the context. 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:09.219 He wants us not just survive but thrive in our faith and love. 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:18.380 So let's spend four weeks in Philippians 4, 1 to 16, just picking out bits and pieces of this passage. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:26.560 You could be forgiven for thinking at this point, I'm just trying to pad out the rosters. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:34.379 But the real change we hope this series will achieve is at a heart level, in our motivation. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:41.519 If you picture a relay race, there's four runners in a relay. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:45.779 They could be running as hard as they can. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:50.899 But at the motivation level, there could be something different going on. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:57.079 For one runner, she might be just craving that acceptance to belong in the team. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:02.680 And she's just running as hard as she can so that she can finally feel like she belongs. 00:07:04.359 --> 00:07:07.439 It's almost running out of fear of not belonging. 00:07:08.419 --> 00:07:13.279 Whereas another runner might be just completely assured that they belong to the team. 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:17.079 But they run as hard as they can for the sake of the team. 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.019 It could look exactly the same. 00:07:20.159 --> 00:07:23.240 But the motivation driving it is very different. 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:27.120 One runner might be looking for their own glory at the end. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:32.139 Another runner is looking for the glory of the team or maybe the country they're representing. 00:07:33.099 --> 00:07:38.079 So the goal of this series is our motivation level. 00:07:42.599 --> 00:07:45.560 So let's move into Ephesians. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:49.319 And not be motivated by guilt or fear. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:53.439 But out of the overflow of God's grace to us. 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:55.259 That we now belong to his people. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:04.980 So before we get to chapter 4, I think we need to first understand God's big plan. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:07.420 God's eternal plan that he's working towards. 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:12.480 If we understand where God is aiming for, what he's going to achieve, 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.319 we can understand our part in it. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:18.240 So what is God's goal for all history? 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:20.420 What's he moving things towards? 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:27.420 Can you turn with me to Ephesians 1 verse 10 to see the answer to this? 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:29.840 Ephesians 1 verse 10. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:33.720 God's goal. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:37.759 God's goal. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:40.419 To unite all things in Christ. 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:44.019 Things in heaven and things on earth. 00:08:45.439 --> 00:08:47.419 United in Christ. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:52.679 And how are people united in Christ? 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:57.120 Here we're going to flick to chapter 2 verse 16. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.539 Chapter 2 verse 16. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:05.579 So there can be all sorts of divides between people. 00:09:07.239 --> 00:09:09.379 We're seeing it at the moment in the US. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:12.219 The Republican versus Democrat divide. 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:16.540 Maybe we're feeling it a tiny bit in Australia. 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:18.940 The Victoria versus the rest of the country. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:26.220 But you don't find a bigger divide between people than Jews and Gentiles. 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:28.860 God's people and the nations. 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:32.519 But here's the power of the cross. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.519 Verse 16. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:39.980 To reconcile us both to God. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:45.179 All people were enemies of God in our sin. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:51.960 But the power of the cross is to reconcile us both to God in one body. 00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:54.100 Christ's body. 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:57.419 And how is that achieved? 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.419 It's through the cross. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:00.100 Through Jesus' death. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:04.019 And he kills the hostility between people. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:10.080 Anything that divides people, the cross breaks down. 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:15.300 Reconciled to God, breaking down everything between us. 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:22.220 Jesus was killed to kill the hostility between us. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.560 To unite us in him, in God. 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:30.619 We all need washing of our sin. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:43.319 And we're all given the same spirit, Christ's spirit, of humility and as a desire to serve God by loving service. 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:46.399 We're all washed. 00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:48.039 We're all given the same spirit. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.159 Ephesians talks about it as a new humanity. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:54.759 All of us come into a new people. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:07.679 A people, a society characterized by joyful, wholehearted laying down their lives for one another. 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:08.559 Not competitive. 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:12.519 Not seeking status for themselves. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:18.960 Not violent like Andrew's story of the guys came across. 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:23.059 But laying down your life for the other person. 00:11:26.939 --> 00:11:29.019 Isn't that a society you want to be part of? 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:34.419 Where do we find this society? 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:36.559 This people? 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:39.379 Turn to chapter 3, verse 10. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:48.200 We find this new, unified, loving community in the church. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:55.840 Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:00.899 Even the heavenly beings are looking at the grace of God to create this new community and going, 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.740 Wow. 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:08.139 The church is obviously not there yet. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:12.060 We've got to move a long way and God's working among us. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.340 But we're not where we were. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.000 We have moved. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.700 We're not there yet. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:23.460 But from God's point of view, since it's his grace that guarantees that we're going to get there, 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:27.560 the church really is unified. 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:30.940 The start of chapter 4, we're not going to unpack this too much, 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:35.740 but we are as unified as the Father, Son and Spirit is unified. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.160 We have the same Lord. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.519 We are filled with the Spirit. 00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:41.620 We call on the same Father. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:45.840 We are unified and we're called to express that. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:51.820 So how do we become part of this community? 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:55.800 Before we talk about serving and doing things, we need to work out, 00:12:56.100 --> 00:13:00.519 we need to remind ourselves how are we brought into this community in the first place. 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:03.680 And chapter 2 describes this. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:09.060 We were spiritually dead towards God, each one of us walking in the ways of this world, 00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:12.960 living for me only, living for myself. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:17.000 We were spiritually dead towards God. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:21.960 We were by nature on the brink of receiving God's wrath. 00:13:23.280 --> 00:13:24.519 We deserved it. 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:31.720 Now at the moment in our house, we have spiders are coming out everywhere. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:36.160 I don't know if it's the season or what's going on, but spiders are everywhere. 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:39.320 And this other night there was this particularly ugly spider 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:43.720 and I sprayed it multiple times and it still wasn't dying 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:48.480 and I just couldn't wait until it fell so I could just smack it. 00:13:49.520 --> 00:13:54.060 All I felt for this spider was loathing. 00:13:54.059 --> 00:14:07.179 Jonathan Edwards famously uses the spider analogy as how God feels towards us 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:13.859 when we live for ourselves and just completely disregard him. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.539 It is so offensive. 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:20.279 We were on the brink of God's wrath. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:26.360 But for his grace alone. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:31.139 There is only one way you become part of the community. 00:14:31.339 --> 00:14:32.720 That's God's grace alone. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:36.240 His call to bring you in. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.299 Forgiven. 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:44.839 Given new resurrected life. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.819 Alive spiritually to God now. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.120 Created for good works now. 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:54.100 A member of God's household. 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:00.139 Okay, I think we're ready for chapter 4. 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:05.659 How are we to live now that we belong to Christ's body? 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.259 Christ's people. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.899 Chapter 4 verse 1. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:14.019 It's the first command after three beautiful chapters of theology. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.500 And here's the command. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:20.579 And it kind of overarches all the rest of what we're told to do in the rest of the book. 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:22.579 Here it is. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:24.820 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord. 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.879 I urge you. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:27.000 That's a strong word. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.820 I beg you. 00:15:27.900 --> 00:15:29.080 I beseech you. 00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:31.200 To walk. 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:31.980 To live. 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:38.500 In a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:44.000 Our calling is to live for Christ as a member of his people. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.059 Loving like he loved. 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:49.399 And we didn't choose to become part of this community. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.600 God called us. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:00.200 Can you imagine the honour it would be to play sport for Australia? 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:05.759 Or the honour it would be to be elected as a member of parliament? 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:11.679 These are high callings. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:20.659 Or what about the respect I have from you all now that I'm called a pastor? 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.080 That's a high calling. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:33.960 I heard in High Anglican Church that a bishop only recently banned the practice of people kissing the bishop's ring 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:37.160 as an expression of submission and respect. 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.560 And I've got a ring here. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:52.040 Now, the only respect I get in this church is Sarah Morris saying the other day that this rose gold ring is feminine. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:01.259 What about you? 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:03.160 Are you called to ministry? 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:12.660 If calling is about being a pastor or an evangelist on the mission field, 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:15.700 then most Christians should conclude, no, I'm not called. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:21.420 We've got to be really careful how we use this term calling. 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:26.539 Because if we do that, then suddenly there's a divide in the body. 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:32.059 There's those who are called to ministry and then there's ordinary Christians. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:41.460 Those who are called can feel superior and just be trying to get the affirmation of their giftedness and their status. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.240 They can be proud. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:52.019 Those not called can feel inferior and be envious, trying to vie for position or just complacent. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:58.579 What does God say about who is called to ministry? 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.559 Look at verse 7. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.460 Verse 7. 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:04.839 But grace was given to who? 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.700 A few? 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.559 The elite? 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.000 Grace? 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:15.299 No, grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:18.220 Notice three important things here. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:24.579 Firstly, the grace here is not the salvation grace that reconciles us to God. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:28.900 The word grace here is what John Stott calls service grace. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:35.319 So Christians receive salvation grace and Christians receive service grace. 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:41.700 The second thing to note is that the grace is given. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:41.740 It's given. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:46.819 It's a gift from Christ who owns heaven and earth. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:49.039 He's the one who gives it. 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:55.580 He decides what each of his servants will be equipped to do. 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:59.640 Like our salvation, so too our service. 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:02.100 There is no grounds for boasting. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:06.640 We've received everything. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:16.000 And third, just to reiterate, we're each one. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:16.700 Each one. 00:19:16.820 --> 00:19:17.920 It's really emphatic. 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:21.620 Each one is called to serve, to minister. 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:23.960 Grace is be given to each one. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.220 So what is your model? 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:35.700 What is your framework for how this church, a church, should do ministry? 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:48.120 Should the church operate like a bus where you've got the driver and then you've got everyone else in the seats being carried and directed by the driver? 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:54.779 Basically, this model says the staff or the pastor is the one who does ministry. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:20:00.400 Everyone else is kind of carried by that person or maybe a few persons. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:10.160 Now, if that is your model of ministry, then the goal is to raise as much money to get as many staff members, as many passes going. 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:13.880 Now, I'm hoping you don't like that model. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.940 I hope you're concluding after today that's not a biblical model. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:28.100 But let me ask to see if we can think this way practically. 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:31.460 In theory, we might say, no, that's not a good model. 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:33.460 But do we practically think this way? 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:37.180 So I'm going to use an example. 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.680 What about welcoming visitors? 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:47.700 We want all visitors who walk in these doors to feel the welcoming grace of God through the gospel by our welcome of them, don't we? 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:53.480 Is it the pastor's job to welcome people? 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:56.940 Is it just the pastor's job to welcome people? 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:05.200 If we think it is, isn't that really just the bus model in operation? 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:11.720 Here's another model for ministry. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.360 It's the pyramid model. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:17.200 So there's a hierarchy of positions. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:19.440 You've got the staff or leaders at the top. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:29.960 And then you've got the coordinators, the ministry coordinators, those who are youth leaders, those who are worship leaders, those who are the kids ministry leaders. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:35.039 So you've got this hierarchy of organisation. 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:42.240 In this model, really, it's about those who are in positions. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.059 Maybe it's in the welcoming team. 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:46.720 It's those who have a position who do the ministry. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:51.720 But I don't think that fits. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:58.100 Because what we've heard is that Christ has given grace to each one. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:03.220 It's not just those with a position who serve the rest. 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:06.360 Christ has given grace to each one. 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:17.779 If you go for a walk with your friend, and I assume you're talking while you're walking, is that ministry? 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.399 It should be. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:27.480 It can have profound influence. 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:32.140 We can encourage one another, speak the truth in love in those conversations. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:39.080 I don't think it's just about positions. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.540 Formal positions. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:44.740 So if it's not a bus, it's not a pyramid, what is God's model? 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:50.120 What means does God use to build the church to become more like Christ? 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:55.580 We see it most clearly in verses 15 and 16, if you want to have a look with me. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:23:02.939 Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:14.259 From whom the whole body, the body, the whole body joined and held together by every joint. 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:18.000 With which it is equipped. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:29.779 When each part is working properly, it makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:33.240 The biblical model is the body. 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:36.079 You need each bit, each function. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:46.480 You are essential to this church growing and functioning as the community of truth and love that we're called to be. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:56.400 Christ has given serving grace to each one of us, each joint, each ligament. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.500 We need every single bit. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:04.900 So can I ask you again, are you called by Christ to ministry? 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:17.940 I hope you're answering yes from scripture. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:21.740 We're all called to ministry. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:24.099 Every person ministry. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:28.539 Now there is an order in Christ's church. 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:30.299 A process. 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:33.259 Not an order of importance, but an order of process. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:35.579 Look at verses 11 and 12. 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:46.919 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:51.179 So prophets and apostles finish when the written word of God was finished. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.319 But we still need evangelists. 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:55.079 We still need pastors and teachers. 00:24:55.079 --> 00:25:02.079 And their role is to equip God's people for all the rest of ministry. 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:07.079 Now I know this is an oversimplification, but I still think it's true. 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:09.759 In a sense, my calling is to teach. 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:12.000 Your calling is to do the rest. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:22.700 I know it's oversimplification, but we're all called to ministry, each part. 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:28.200 Now you might be thinking, I don't feel like I have anything worthwhile to offer. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:37.000 I reckon that's probably because of the bus and pyramid model that's just in our head. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:43.480 But in a body, you need every little bit to function properly. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:56.000 So during high school, I bruised one of my toes just before my soccer semifinal. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.099 And it was just bruised. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.819 It wasn't broken. 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:04.759 And I went to the game knowing that I'd be on the sidelines, but I wore my gear anyway, just in case. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:11.279 And the team was kind of struggling on the field, and I just really wanted to get out there. 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:12.259 It was a semifinal. 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.059 We had to win. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:17.599 And I asked the coach if I could go on the field. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.660 He let me go on. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.779 And I was really encouraged. 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:22.259 The team actually cheered when I came on. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.660 I was like, oh, wow, I'm appreciated. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.240 There you go. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.779 But I was absolutely useless. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:34.619 I couldn't make the simplest movement pass. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:41.799 I was actually hurting the team by being on there because of the toe. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:50.419 We need the whole body functioning to function properly. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:57.539 A body doesn't elevate one type of function over another. 00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:04.500 But it needs and it rejoices in all the various parts, the diversity. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:08.019 The diversity is part of the wonder, the amazement. 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:25.980 The church needs both the people who get up front and those who, at home, behind closed doors, the only person listening is God, and they're praying for people in the church. 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.860 We need both. 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:26.880 We need both. 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:41.099 The church needs the person who can winsomely share the gospel and those who call those who are unwell, those who cook meals. 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.279 We need those who can earn money to give. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:48.220 We need those who understand roofs and how to fix them. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:54.480 We need those who understand how parents and singles feel walking into this building. 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:58.500 We need those with a burden for refugees and so on and so on. 00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:01.019 We need extroverts. 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:02.099 We need introverts. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:09.759 We need speaking people, practical people, and up front and behind the scenes. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.900 We need everything. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:22.299 But together we mature to become the community of truth and love we were called to be. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:28.039 So how do you know what good works Christ has gifted you to do? 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:35.180 To answer this, I just want to share a bit of my story and hopefully it illustrates something. 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:43.039 So finishing the HSC, I wanted to pick a career that avoided public speaking. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:51.859 That was high on my list of criteria and God's got a sense of humour. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:29:03.859 The first time I was invited to teach at the front of a church, I was so close that morning to just calling in sick. 00:29:03.979 --> 00:29:07.319 I just felt so nervous. 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:12.859 By my own natural temperament, I would much rather not be a leader. 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:15.899 I would much rather not be up here right now. 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:27.920 But the problem was, brothers and sisters in the church, just bit by bit, said that I helped them when I spoke. 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:31.440 And they just urged me to keep learning and learning and learning and learning. 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:38.180 And God can use our natural temperament, and he often does. 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:42.279 Our natural giftedness, things we're comfortable with, our talents, he can use those things. 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:44.019 But don't be constrained by that. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:50.420 Just because you're afraid and just because you feel inadequate doesn't mean God hasn't called you to do it. 00:29:50.420 --> 00:30:02.840 If there's a need, that's a much bigger indication that God's called you to do it, if you can see that need. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.660 So here's my two rules of thumb. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.420 I just said one. 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:13.640 If you can see the need, that's a great starting point, that God's given you wisdom to see a need that needs addressing. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:18.759 Why not assume that God's called you to do it, or find someone who can? 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:23.160 The elders can't see everything. 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:25.080 We can't. 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:29.539 So if you can see a need, try and meet it. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:41.759 Another rule of thumb is, like in my own story, I honestly would not be in ministry if people didn't almost force me into it. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:49.500 If people were saying they're helped by something you do, that's a great indication that Christ wants you to do it, I think. 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:55.620 It's a better indication than you just thinking, I'm gifted for this. 00:30:55.740 --> 00:31:01.960 If the church is saying, yeah, keep doing this, this is really helpful, I think that's a great indication. 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:07.860 So if you notice someone sitting by themselves, go talk to them. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:18.019 If you notice that there could be a much better system to make something run more smoothly, then talk to those involved and see if your idea is as good as you think it is. 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:30.480 But let me offer a warning that I know all too well, all too personally, which we just so quickly fall into. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:35.779 Don't confuse your gifting for your calling. 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:40.579 You are not your gifts. 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:51.279 You may have music ability, but your fundamental identity is not as a worship leader. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:32:00.559 Your identity is as a member of God's household called to live for Christ and to belong to his people. 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:08.279 So understand your calling first and foremost and make sure we keep that central. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.319 The gifting can change. 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:16.159 Because here's the problem. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:27.299 If my identity was in my gift, so if my identity was in a pastor, as a pastor, then I must be that to be myself. 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.940 I must do it well to be myself. 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:40.839 And all of a sudden our motivation subtly shifts from doing it for the sake of love for others to doing it to reaffirm your own identity. 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:44.819 It's just a subtle shift in motivation. 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:50.759 So don't confuse your calling and your gifting. 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:56.740 You are a member of God's household. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:58.859 You are called to serve Christ. 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:02.240 That never changes. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:10.400 He is the head of the body and he decides what opportunities you have, you and I have. 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:12.339 He decides your agenda each day. 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:16.039 He decides your capability in any given task. 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:20.220 And he so often loves for us to feel weak so that we rely on him. 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.420 He gets all the glory. 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:28.800 And he decides what level of success that you have in your service as well. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.940 He is the Lord. 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.559 He is the Lord. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:43.519 So let me finish by painting two contrasting pictures of what the body looks like when we're not living up to our calling and the beauty of the body when we do. 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:49.059 So what does it look like if we don't walk worthy of our calling? 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:51.980 I just want to point out three things. 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:54.299 The body will get a sore back. 00:33:54.299 --> 00:34:02.119 So when a person goes to a physio with a sore back, sometimes the cause has nothing to do with the back. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:05.700 It's some other muscle not functioning properly. 00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:07.740 And it's putting strain on the back. 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:17.659 When only a handful of people are carrying the burden of the needs in the church, there's going to be a sore back. 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:20.239 They can't handle that strain. 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:25.719 We need each part of the body functioning in proportion. 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:33.879 When only a handful are carrying it, it's just a recipe for resentment and burnout. 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:39.059 So a sore back is one thing. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:46.539 Another thing is the danger of just the ugliness of one part of the body being boastful. 00:34:46.539 --> 00:35:01.159 It's so ugly when a member of the body takes the gift that Christ has given them by grace to love others and then they use that to make it about themselves. 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:06.300 Now, I'm guilty of this. 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.659 But it's so ugly. 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.079 The church shouldn't be that. 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.400 That's what the world does. 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:14.059 That's where we've come out of. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:19.159 It's got no place in the church. 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:28.000 So I had a teammate on my soccer team who thought he was a striker. 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:32.219 But he was much better for the team as a left back. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:34.679 Now, you don't know this person, so don't try and guess who it is. 00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:39.059 But there's no glory as a left back. 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.519 Trust me, there's not. 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:42.820 There's glory as a striker. 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.960 None as a left back. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:48.539 Only if you make a mistake does anyone notice. 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:53.800 But the team was stronger if he was a left back. 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:57.779 Are you willing to be a left back? 00:35:57.780 --> 00:36:11.519 One last way I'll mention is when we have a really fixed or rigid idea of our giftings. 00:36:12.600 --> 00:36:26.660 So if we think we only have this gifting, maybe one or two gifts, we just have blinkers on and we just become blind to other needs that we could be meeting because it's not my gift. 00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:32.660 So let's not have a rigid idea of gifting. 00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:39.079 Christ can change our gifting over time according to the needs he wants us to fulfill. 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.500 And nothing is beneath us. 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:46.239 So a preacher can't say, oh, it's beneath me to take the bins out. 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:54.519 Christ came and humbled himself, becoming like one of us. 00:36:57.399 --> 00:36:58.599 Identifying with sinners. 00:36:59.419 --> 00:37:03.039 Shamefully accused going to his death for our sake. 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:09.259 If he did that, nothing can be beneath us. 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:13.559 So let's not have a rigid idea of our gifts. 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:17.639 Let's be flexible and look for needs to be met. 00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:27.579 Okay, so what will the church look like if we do walk worthy of our calling? 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:38.179 I find live orchestras one of the most emotionally powerful and peaceful experiences. 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:42.380 It doesn't matter if you don't share that with me. 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:52.360 But I think it's a great picture of the unity and the diversity the church is meant to have, which will glorify God's grace in creating this community. 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:56.760 In an orchestra, each member has their part to play. 00:37:57.660 --> 00:37:59.180 It's got a specific sound. 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:06.780 It creates, on its own, the instrument and the sound is kind of bland. 00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:17.579 But together, when each part does its bit, even the symbols that only might clash once during a movement, like that's all they get. 00:38:17.700 --> 00:38:17.960 One. 00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:19.860 They're just waiting, waiting, now. 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.140 That's their bit. 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:32.360 But each part, when it works together, coming in at the right time, it creates a sound more beautiful and powerful than the sum of its parts. 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.760 That harmony. 00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:43.320 And part of the beauty of an orchestra is not just when the player comes in at the right time. 00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:47.680 Part of the beauty is when that player stops and let others come in. 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:55.720 For me, I think that's a picture of how the church is to function. 00:38:58.019 --> 00:39:05.360 Every part doing their bit, coordinated, motivated by love, seeking God's glory. 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:16.340 Nowhere on earth will you find a community so unified, rejoicing in each other's contribution rather than competing. 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:23.500 Not seeking their own glory, not seeking their own glory, not seeking their own glory, but motivated by love, as you will in the church when it's working properly. 00:39:26.200 --> 00:39:31.680 So let's be a body that shows the watching world and the watching heavens. 00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:38.579 The incredible grace of being called into this new community of truth and love. 00:39:40.899 --> 00:39:43.899 I want to finish by reading chapter 5, verses 1 and 2. 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:53.220 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:39:55.860 --> 00:40:05.760 And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:09.639 Will you pray with me? 00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:10.559 Let's pray. 00:40:13.900 --> 00:40:22.139 Father, we thank you for your grace to us. 00:40:23.240 --> 00:40:30.180 While we were dead in our sin, just living for ourselves, you called us out of darkness into your wonderful light. 00:40:31.180 --> 00:40:35.300 And we thank you for your grace to us to serve one another. 00:40:35.440 --> 00:40:40.500 We thank you for your spirit that motivates us to love like Christ loved us. 00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:44.239 Father, help us to be the body. 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:48.559 Help us to be unified and to express that. 00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:57.159 Help us to serve, not for our own glory, but for the sake of others' good, that they might know you and live for you. 00:40:59.519 --> 00:41:00.780 Lord, help us be this. 00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:02.420 We can't do it in our own strength. 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:04.980 We thank you for your grace to us. 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:07.700 In Jesus' name. 00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:08.119 Amen.