LifeLink Devotions (Click link for audio blog)

Thursday, November 18, 2021

So far this week we have looked at two of the 5 characteristics of a quality church as found in the book of Ephesians.  On Monday we discussed holiness. On Tuesday and Wednesday we looked at unity. Today, we look at characteristic #3 – maturity.

In Ephesians 4:13, Paul says this – “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” The Greek word for mature used here means “to be brought to its end and need nothing more for completion.”

The conclusion to be drawn from this word’s usage in this verse is that it is entirely possible for the church today to be so complete in Christ that we lack nothing and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Has anyone out there ever been to a church like that? Anyone want to be a part of a church like that?

Well I do! If it’s possible, then I want to see it happen and be a part of it. It’s my personality to be that way. I want the fullness of every experience. I want the best of what life offers. I want a hole in one on every par three. I want a record-breaking fish on every cast. Of course these things are possible, but not necessarily fulfilling. What I really want is someone saved with every sermon. I want lives changed and empowered by the Holy Spirit in every ministry of the church. I want people on their knees in repentance seeking the forgiveness of God. I want people focused on Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. I want a church of mature people who are experiencing the fullness of Jesus Christ in their lives so that He powerfully impacts every part of their being. I want these things not because I’m selfish or seeking personal glory or fame or recognition. Let that never be the case. I want them because it’s possible and it is God’s desire and provision for us. It is not immature to want the fullness of what is available; it is actually mature to do so – at least in the spiritual realm.

There are many aspects of the fullness of Christ which we could discuss, but let me focus on just one today, and I will trust that you will do a continuing study using your concordance on the other passages in the New Testament that talk about fullness and maturity. The passage I want to share with you is again found in Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 14-21. Read them carefully. They are my prayer for all of you and for our church.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Notice 3 powerful points:

1. Building our lives on the love of God gives us God’s power to spiritually understand the fullness of God’s love which is not humanly knowable.
2. The understanding of God’s love produces the fullness of God’s being in us.
3. The fullness of God in us gives us the power to do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine.

All of this is made possible because it will result in God’s glory in the church. I want that! I want the powerful presence of God’s love to fill every part of our church and its ministries. That means it has to start with me, and with you. So whatever you do today, do it all in the name of Jesus and for God’s glory. Be mature!

Pastor John