Jump Start # 3597
Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
As the apostle defines the functioning of God’s church, we come to this massive verse. It’s wordy in the English language. And, it brings the idea of a parts department. Dotting our cities are auto parts stores. A homespun mechanic can walk up to the counter and order a part that he needs to keep his car running. We recently had a hiccup with our air conditioner at home. A service tech came and bandaided it to keep it running. He said a part needed to be ordered.
In our passage, the apostle doesn’t have a car in mind. He is using the image of a body, a human body. There are joints, ligaments, bones, muscles and tendons that are tied together that enables us to hop out of bed in the morning and get moving. And, as one ages, those joints sometimes hurt. There comes a time for some when one of those joints has to be replaced. Sometimes in archaeological digs, the remains of a skeleton are found. The bones are there, but they are no longer held together.
What we are seeing in this passage is what keeps us together. What holds us together. Some, are held superficially by things that are nothing more than a house of cards. Tradition, the church building, familiarity are what holds some congregations together. Those are weak bonds and it doesn’t take much for it to splinter apart.
Notice from our passage:
First, there is an individual effort that keeps the whole together. The words are simple and plain. He says, every joint and each individual part. Every joint is suppling and each individual part is working properly. That’s the key. Much, much too often the majority of the work is being done by the minority of the people. What’s everyone else doing? They are not suppling. They aren’t working properly.
The parts don’t do the same things. As in your body, as in your computer, as in your car engine, there are different parts and they all play different roles. But combined they make things run smoothly. And, that’s the key. We don’t all need to stand behind the pulpit. We cannot all be shepherds. Some are great at knowing just the right thing to say at the right time. Others, fumble and mess that up. Yet, others see things that some couldn’t see if they stared at it all day. Different gifts. Different functions. Different roles.
Now, stop trying to decide which one is most important. You need them all. Stop complaining because one part isn’t doing what another part is doing. As long as each is supplying and working properly, things will run smoothly.
Second, we are not told here what was being supplied. The apostle is not thinking about tendons and muscles and bones. He is focused upon the church. What do we supply? We supply faith, courage, hope, support, strength and encouragement. What keeps us going? Christ. What holds us together? Christ. What motivates us? Christ. It’s all about Christ.
Third, the result is a mature body that loves. That’s what we often call, “growing up.” That cute little kitten grows up to be a cat. That puppy becomes a dog. That little boy becomes a man. Maturity spiritually is accomplished when we stand together with the Lord. And, the ribbon tying all of this together is LOVE. Love for the Lord. Love for one another. Love for the kingdom.
Working parts. Working together. The devil wants us to stop working. He wants us to work against each other. And, one of the best way to keep the devil at a distance is when the church is firing on all cylinders. You have a role. You have a part. Find it. Do it.
Roger