#1451. The body is designed to grow (12/2/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

It’s Jesus’ will that the church grows, however, we must allow Jesus to teach us what true growth is. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Growth comes ‘from Him’

True Christian and church growth comes from Jesus! Our salvation and our sanctification are dependent upon the power of God. We cannot organise ourselves into revival!

If we want our church to grow we must, as we’ve seen previously, be healthy connected to Jesus our head. We personally, and with our church, need to be devoted to Jesus through prayer, truth and obedience - as we saw in our last devotional. 

Let’s be humbled and encouraged today - growth comes from Jesus and will inevitably come to any one, or any church, who will seek to be as close to Him as possible. 

2. True growth is growth in loving service

It’s important that we understand what is meant by growth. 

Oftentimes, growth is measured in the numbers that attend a church. However, if numbers were true success, we could simply seek to entertain our church members so as to attract a crowd. However, a selfish crowd is not success in God’s eyes!

True Christian and church growth is expressed here as: 

This text points to three aspects that constitute church growth:

i. Growth is growing closer to Jesus

True growth is growing in humility and meekness that is expressed in dependence upon our head - Jesus. This will be seen in a growing celebration of the gospel of grace, and growing devotion to prayer. 

ii. Growth is growing closer to one another

Our text describes true growth into maturity as ‘The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament…’ 

There is no church growth where there is no growing devotion to fellowship. Anyone knows that a body - rather like the body of a baby -  in which the ‘members’ are not properly coordinated and working together is not yet mature! Likewise, maturity is our growing in love and dependence upon one another. 

iii. Growth is growing in loving service

Finally our text describes growth as ‘[the body] builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.’ 

Personal growth and church growth is measured by our sacrificial service for one another - using our gifts to serve the body of Christ. 

Response

Finally, if these aspects of true growth are in place then numbers will follow. As we focus on these qualities, quantity will follow. So, are the qualities of seeking to be close to Jesus, seeking to be close to one another, and seeking to serve, growing among us? This is the growth that pleases Jesus. It leads to growth in salvation; as we read in Acts 2, where after speaking about their loving devotion to Jesus and one another, we are told: 

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

The summary of our message was:  As each part does its work - as each uses spiritual gifts in love - we are able to stand and serve in the storms of life. 

Please read Ephesians 4:14-16 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• If we remain infantile, what are the dangers we face?

• From these verses, what is a vital key to our growth?

• Take a moment to encourage one another by describing the different spiritual gifts that we see in one another. 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• From our text, why is using our spiritual gifts vital to our effectively reaching our community with the gospel? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

• Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• Ask God to work through us by His power, so that others may come to know Christ.