The Greenhouse of Growth

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:11–16)

“…be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11–12, KJV)

Mission Statement: “Leading people to a growing relationship with Christ.”

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” (Eph. 4:11–12)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints “…you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,” (Ephesians 2:19–20, ESV)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14, ESV)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints Important Truth: God perfects the saints when the Church is in unity.

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints “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:” (Ephesians 4:11–13)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 1. Equipping the Saints “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:15–16)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 2. Deploying the Saints “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10)

2 W AYS THE C HURCH IS A G REENHOUSE OF G ROWTH 2. Deploying the Saints “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Corinthians 12:4–6)

The Greenhouse of Growth