Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a
WEEK 51
CONTEMPLATING THE POWER OF
THE CHURCH
EPHESIANS 4:1-16
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men." (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 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.
FATHER, through the years as we have
followed Christ, we have observed (and in some measure experienced) how His church is fitted and held together organically
as a single body, according to the proper working of each part
by the power of the Holy Spirit. We have witnessed the growth of the Body as it is built up in love. We ourselves are members of that one Body—
the true church consisting of all the redeemed. We believe in one Holy Spirit,
who indwells us both individually and collectively, the divine Source of our life and power. We trust in one hope—one way to heaven—
because we know there is just one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father over all.
As we endeavor to sustain our unity in the bond of peace,
at the same time we thank You
for the diversity that exists in the Body. You have given separate gifts to each of us that blend wonderfully together,
like ingredients in a delicious recipe, so that the Body wonderfully manifests the true beauty of Christ.
We long that Christ be on full display through us as His Body! We have no desire for the praise and honor of this world. We have no esteem for superficial and ceremonial
religious accomplishments. We have no regard for works done
primarily to be seen by other people. We desire rather that Your Spirit would have His way in our hearts. The spiritual treasures we possess
have been bestowed upon frail earthen vessels
so that what shines through
obviously comes from You and not ourselves.1
Your strength is thus made perfect through our weakness;2
and Your glory is thereby put on display in us. What an unspeakable privilege that is for redeemed sinners such as we are!
Thank You for sermons and other Bible lessons
that accurately convey Your Holy Word
and serve as means of grace that enable us to experience
Your truth, power, and love. Our Lord Jesus said You are glorified when we bear much fruit;
therefore we ask that our hearts would be good soil
that receives the seed of Your Word
by hearing, accepting, understanding, and obeying it.3
Your Word has dispelled our doubts,
diminished our discouragements, convicted us, confronted us, humbled us, and kept us from any sense of self-importance. Pour out Your blessings on our labors in Your name,
and help us to function in Your strength. Pour out Your power on Your people,
and may Your church be faithful and fruitful
in proclaiming the message of salvation. We are privileged and humbled
to be counted as Your fellow workers. Give us faithful, devoted hearts.
May we be true to Your plan for the church;
keep us ever mindful to take care how we build
on that exquisite foundation that was laid in the apostolic era.4
Incline our hearts to Your truth. Guide our steps as we seek to walk in all Your ways
and obey all Your commandments. Hear these requests, we pray in Jesus' name. And may all the peoples of the earth know
that You are God; there is no other.5 Amen.
1. 2 Corinthians 4:7,15-17 2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 3. John 15:8; Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20 4. 1 Corinthians 3:9-10 5. 1 Kings 8:58-60