What Every Joint Supplies Ephesians 4:11-16

What Every Joint Supplies Romans 12:3-21, I Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:11-16 Don’t think too highly of yourself Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly I Corinthians 12:21 – And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” Even though you may use your hands more than your elbows, could your body still function the same without your elbows? Just because we don’t have the same function or talent doesn’t mean we are not equally important!

What Every Joint Supplies Romans 12:3-21, I Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:11-16 Each Member Supplies a Different Function – Given by God! Romans 12:4 – For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function I Corinthians 12:11 – But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. I Corinthians 12:18 – But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. I Corinthians 12:28-29 – And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Even though we may not have the same function, we need to recognize God set us just as he pleased and we should appreciate all the functions of our members

What Every Joint Supplies Romans 12:3-21, I Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:11-16 Each Member Must Supply in Order for the Body to Grow Romans 12:6 – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them… Ephesians 4:16 – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. What do we as individual members supply to cause growth and edification in the body here?

What Every Joint Supplies What NONE of Us Should Supply - Ephesians 4:17-32 Lying – The Prosthetic Member (vs. 25) What if your arm wasn’t real? How would that affect your daily life? It may look real, but it serves minimal function. Prosthetic limbs in the church supply: Hypocrisy Deception Shame Hatred (Proverbs 26:28) Burden to other members - compensation Although the appearance is there, most of the time, the other members know it’s not real, “for we are members of one another.”

What Every Joint Supplies What NONE of Us Should Supply - Ephesians 4:17-32 Evil and Corrupt Speech – Autoimmune Disease (vs. 31) What if your arm suddenly and uncontrollably began attacking your face? It may think it’s helping, but in reality, the body is assassinating itself. Autoimmune diseases in the church supply: Gossip – the “not-so-silent” assassin Foolishness – (Proverbs 10:18) Pain and Resentment Lack of Trust You never know when part of the body will be attacked without cause.

What Every Joint Supplies What NONE of Us Should Supply - Ephesians 4:17-32 Clamor and Bitterness – The Arthritic Joints (vs. 31) What if you had Arthritis in your knees? It’s a constant hindrance and drag on the body, and everything is shadowed in discomfort. Arthritic joints in the church supply: More Trouble and Defilement – it spreads! (Hebrews 12:15) Cynicism – negativity abounds and anything positive becomes jaded. The entire body is slowed down because of the constant irritation and aching. And, just like a bitter taste, it is difficult to remove!

What Every Joint Supplies What NONE of Us Should Supply - Ephesians 4:17-32 Anger, Wrath, and Malice – The Unhealing Wound (vs. 31) What if you had a sore on the back of your hand that never healed? The whole body must be cautious. Unhealing wounds in the church supply: Harsh Words (Proverbs 15:1) Isolation (Proverbs 22:24) Cruelty (Proverbs 27:4) You must constantly be aware of the wound, lest you hit it or touch it. If you do touch it, it causes pain and it gets irritated again!

What Every Joint Supplies What We Can Supply - Ephesians 4:32, Romans 12:8-21 Be Kind and Tender Hearted How does your body react when you hit your head on something? Be Forgiving and Merciful Whenever you stub a toe, does your toe forgive your leg? Abhor Evil and Love Good Does your left arm enjoy causing pain to your right arm? Affectionate and Loving When your foot itches, do your hands tell your feet to “get over it”? Compassion, Leadership, Prayer, Peace, Humility, Hospitality, Distribute to other’s needs, Patience, Unity, Encouragement, Joy

What Every Joint Supplies …according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love To supply and do something, we have to be around… How would you say your right foot functioned if it disappeared for a month? …more than just twice a week! What if your right foot was only around for 5 days of every week? Our BODY FUNCTIONS DAILY – we need each other daily! The functions each of us supply go beyond how well we lead a song or read the announcements. It’s our everyday character that provides growth and edification in other members! Our FUNCTION in the Lord’s church is WHO WE ARE, not what we occasionally do in a worship service. What if your foot was around everyday of the week, but it only worked 2 days a week and didn’t function the other 5?

What Every Joint Supplies THE MEMBERS OF A BODY KNOW EACH OTHER …according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love We must SUPPLY SOMETHING, not ALWAYS Take (do our share) What if your foot was around all the time, but it only took energy from your body and never functioned? In Bible class, do we pay attention, listen, and look for ways to ask questions or make encouraging comments (supply), or do we only provide cynicism and squabbling? Do we come to worship to edify, teach, help, and encourage others (supply) or do we come only to be edified ourselves? Did you “Bring” a function today, or are you only looking to “get something” out of worship? Lest we forget – we are here today to serve! When we are around members, do provide them with kindness, compassion, and encouragement (supply) or do we provide complaining, backbiting, and selfishness? (oh…by the way – this applies at home!) What do you provide to your wife or son? They may be members too! DEEPER THAN SKIN LEVEL We ALL must Grow and Work…and Hold Each Other Accountable! What if your right leg grew, but your left did not?

What Every Joint Supplies THEY DEPEND ON OUR ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS TOWARD EACH OTHER Kindness and Tenderness Forgiveness and Mercy Abhor Evil and Love Good Affection and Love Compassion Diligent Leadership Steadfast Prayer Ministry and Teaching Peace Humility Hospitality Patience Encouragement Joy None of these Bodily functions Depend Upon our Education, Hobbies, Job Status, Race, Age, Family Heritage: Ultimate Unified Goal: Ephesians 5:25-27