Peter Barnes | Ephesians 4:13-16
SERMON NOTES
GROWING INTO CHRIST
(Ephesians 4:13-16)
1. We are to seek to mature together in Christ.
– 4:13-14; already is unity in 2:14; 4:3
– ‘mature’ is the same Greek word for ‘perfect’ but ‘mature’ fits better here.
– 1 John 3:2
– like children (Matt.18:3-4) and unlike children (1 Cor.14:20)
– 1 Pet.2:2; beware of deception (2 Cor.11:3-4)
2. We grow as we speak the truth in love.
– 4:15
– John Stott: ‘Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth.’
– Phil.3:18; Ps.119:104; Mark 10:17-22
3. We grow together in the body of Christ.
– 4:15b-16; we do not grow alone