Is Your Church Compacted?

Is Your Church Compacted?

Eph 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (v.12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians (v.13) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (V.14) “That 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.” (v.15) “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (v.16) from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Here we are given a specific list of gifts in verse 11 and their use in verse 12. It is not all of the gifts listed in the New Testament. But this list has in it some very important features. These gifts are given for a specific time which is not listed as 6 months or even 60 years. The duration of the above gifts is fourfold. These gifts were given so that the members of the Church might mature in their relationship with God and become better equipped to perform the work of the ministry they have been given by God. And so that each member in the Body might be edified:

1. Until all believers are unified in the faith

2. Until we have a full knowledge of the Son of God

3. Until we come to the place that we can be a perfect or fully complete man

4. Until we attain to the measure of Jesus Christ, until we can say that we are finally like Him

Having received these gifts and understanding that they are an integral part of the Body of Christ for as long as this life endures we must understand their purpose. These gifts are used within the church in order to bring us to maturity.  We simply must grow (I Peter 2:2-3; Hebrews 5:12-14). And we will grow if these gifts are properly used within the Body of Christ, the Church. Also, in verses 14-15, these gifts are shown to protect us from ‘stunted growth,’ from being tossed around and driven by every wind of doctrine, and from false teachers who lie in wait to deceive the child of God. The gifts God has given to the Church, when spoken in, or used in love, are what cause us to grow up into the holy nature of Christ. It is His Word fitly spoken that brings us to spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness.

When we come to verse 16 we read, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Now, in this verse we can see two very important aspects of gifts being properly used in the Church, two things that cause it to be “compacted.”

First, the image is much like brick and mortar with each joint supplying the mortar that holds the brick together. The Church is to be tight-knit or closely associated, driven together, knit together or closely united for the purpose the ministry. Everyone has a purpose. Each member has a part to play, or a contribution to make.

Second, we are to be “compacted” or standing firm in unity. But wait, not only compacted but compacted very specifically. We are not just sitting around shoulder to shoulder singing Kumbayah. Read it again. We are compacted by that which is supplied by every joint in order to increase in loving edification. I was speaking with a man today who was disillusioned with the Church for many years. They had essentially wagged their religious finger in his face but never showed the compassion that would later be shown by others and eventually make the difference in his life. How many church members do not minister in any local outreach because they don’t feel ‘good enough’ to measure up to another member’s standard? Every member in God’s Church, the Church of Jesus Christ, is vital to its ministry and its contribution, to the growth of each and every member. We, each one of us individually and collectively, are invaluable to the ‘bricks’ that make up the Church because we are the mortar that holds it all together.

Our churches must become the “body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth….” Every member must supply the mortar (their own spiritual gift from God) in order to build a strong Church.

Is your church compacted?