GOD’S WISDOM IN THE CHURCH

EPHESIANS 2:19-3:13

God’s Wisdom in the Church• The church is a spiritual house 1 Peter 2:4-8• Christ is the foundation 1 Cor. 3:8-17• Gentiles are a part of it Eph. 2:19-22• All have a chance to be a part of it• Word of God is the blueprint Eph. 3:1-7• Church demonstrates God’s manifold wisdom

Eph. 3:9-11• Church glorifies God Eph. 3:21• Specific conduct in God’s house 1 Tim. 3:15

God’s Wisdom in the Church1. How we are saved shows God’s wisdom2. How we teach others shows God’s wisdom3. Our mission shows God’s wisdom• We are to teach others Matt. 28:18-20; Acts

8:4; 1 Thess. 1:3,6-8; Philippians 4:14-18• We are to edify each other Ephesians 4:11-16

v.11-12• Teachers->equip->saints->serve->edification

v.15-16• Speaking truth->every joint supplies->growth

God’s Wisdom in the ChurchEphesians 4:11-16

• V.11-12 process: teach saints to minister–V.13-14 goal measure of fullness of Christ

• V.15-16 process: every member does its share• Strength of the church – v.16:• Strength of union to Christ the head• Proportion of members working• Proportion of members working with others• Proportion of effort to ability• God’s plan for the church is beautiful

God’s Wisdom in the Church• Edification by:• Association Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 3:13• Assemblies Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 14• Discipline 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:6-11• Benevolence 2 Cor. 8:4,24 9:12-13, Romans

15:25-27, Acts 11:27-30• “Form Follows Function”• Elders Acts 11:30, 14:23, 1 Peter 5:1-4• Titus 1:5-11; 1 Tim. 3 qualifications