Growing Up
A Sermon on Ephesians 4:14-16
Originally preached Jan. 12, 1958
Scripture
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, …
Sermon Description
Christians are designed by God to live in unity together. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:14–16 titled “Growing Up,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones makes this strong point as he shows the balance and community needed to live the Christian life. As believers become stronger and more firm in their faith, they also grow in the body of Christ. Paul says that all Christians have different and varying roles, but all are essential for the life of the church and one’s personal spiritual growth. It is simply impossible for a Christian to grow as they should when they are not part of a community of believers. This message is of increasing importance in the loneliness and isolation of today’s world. As Christ is the head of the church, so all Christians are connected to Him and to each other as a part of this living organism. All parts are connected to one another and serve a specific role in the life of the church. All believers ought to strive to live in such a way so that they are living in fellowship and harmony with all believers and Christ Jesus who is the head. This is the only way to grow fully in maturity for which all believers should be continually striving.
Sermon Breakdown
- The theme of the sermon is unity in the church. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians 4:3 by saying we should "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".
- Paul describes the church using the metaphor of a body. Christ is the head of the body (Ephesians 4:15-16).
- As members of the body of Christ, we are "fitly joined together" (Ephesians 4:16). This means we are closely connected and work together harmoniously.
- We are also "compacted" (Ephesians 4:16) which means we are closely knit together mentally and share a unity of understanding.
- The body is supplied and grows through the "joints" or "bands" that connect us (Ephesians 4:16). The joints are channels through which abundant life and energy flow to each part of the body.
- Each part of the body receives the supply it needs according to its capacity (Ephesians 4:16). Though we have different capacities and functions, we each receive what we need.
- The ultimate purpose of this structure is the growth and building up of the body in love (Ephesians 4:16). Love is the greatest virtue (1 Corinthians 13:13) and the body should reflect the love of the head which is Christ.
- For the body to fully grow, each individual part must be filled to capacity and functioning properly (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). If one part suffers, the whole body suffers. Each member is vital for maturity.
- We must no longer remain as children but grow up into Christ, the head, in all aspects of our lives (Ephesians 4:14-15). We must grow in knowledge, emotion, and behavior to properly reflect Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Ephesians 4:15-16: Growing in Christ's Body
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the main theme of this section of Ephesians?
The basic theme of this section is the unity in the Church. As Lloyd-Jones states, "The basic theme is the theme of unity in the Church. It's that which he puts explicitly in the third verse endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This unity is the first great deduction Paul draws from the doctrine he laid out in the first three chapters of Ephesians.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones call Ephesians 4:16 "the most complicated thing that the Apostle Paul ever wrote"?
Lloyd-Jones describes verse 16 as "undoubtedly the most complicated thing that the Apostle Paul ever wrote." He notes that it's "an extremely difficult verse to read, and it is a difficult verse to understand unless you take in your hand the key that the apostle himself has already provided for us in his previous statements." The verse contains many phrases piled upon phrases, making it complex to follow, as Paul was so anxious that no part of his message would be missing.
According to the sermon, what does it mean to "grow up into him in all things"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that growing up into Christ in all things means: 1. Growing in every aspect of Christian life, not just some 2. Developing symmetrically, not being overdeveloped in some areas while underdeveloped in others 3. Growing intellectually in knowledge of truth and Scripture 4. Growing emotionally, being moved more by the Gospel 5. Growing in conduct and behavior 6. Conforming to the head (Christ) so every part of the body corresponds to and is worthy of the head 7. Being always ready to respond to Christ's will and service
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the phrase "fitly joined together and compacted"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "fitly joined together" means "parts fitted closely to each other, a kind of harmony." He describes it as parts "articulated, they fit into one another. Everything goes into position, ball and socket." He compares it to the perfect design of a joint where surfaces are smooth so there's no friction and everything works smoothly.
"Compacted" means "closely knit" - brought and held together. This goes beyond the mechanical aspect to include "minds fitting in together" which is "essential for a true unity, for an organic unity and for proper working."
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the supply system in the body of Christ?
Lloyd-Jones explains the supply system as: 1. Coming from Christ as the head 2. Being an "abundant supply, a superabundance" not just enough 3. Being channeled through "joints" or "bands of communication" 4. Being distributed according to each member's capacity - "each part doesn't receive the same amount but each one receives all that it needs" 5. Providing operative energy and vital power to every part 6. Being similar to how the nervous system connects every part of the human body back to the brain 7. Enabling each part to carry out its function perfectly
How does the condition of individual members affect the whole body of Christ?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that though everything comes from the head (Christ), "the growth of the whole depends, in a sense, upon the condition of every part." He illustrates this with an example of how an infection in a little finger can affect the whole body and even cause a headache that prevents proper brain function. He states: "if there is any defect in any part well, then the development of the whole is interrupted and interfered with." Every single member of the church is therefore "of most vital importance," and members can cause "pain and trouble in other parts of the body by being diseased, by being sinful or failing or being lethargic."
What is the ultimate purpose of the body of Christ according to the sermon?
The ultimate purpose is love. Lloyd-Jones concludes: "There is no value in intellectual knowledge unless it finally leads to love. There is no value in any emotion unless it leads to love. Our works are useless if they do not produce this love." The body is designed to make "increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." The entire structure and supply system of the church exists so "that the body may grow" and build itself up in love, which Lloyd-Jones calls "the final perfection."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.