Gifts for a Gifted Church

      Almost everyone enjoys receiving gifts. Small gift, large gift, we enjoy gifts.

      Paul tells us that the ascended Christ gave special gifts to his

people. Those gifts are intended to help his people to live and work for God in the real world.

      Remember, Paul is continuing to write about the life of the people of God; as he does so, he begins to move from the abstract to the concrete. You might be surprised at some of what he says. At the same time, we are still in the context of unity. Nothing any Christian does in the way of ministry should produce disunity in the church.

      Why is it so important for us to understand what Paul is saying in Ephesians 4:7-11? Because Christ still gifts his church. Through the gifts he gives the church, Christ provides the resources we need to minister as his people.

      We see a picture of...

I

A GIVING CHRIST

 EPH 4:7-10

      Christ's gifts affirm the victory Christ won on behalf of the church. (New English Translation: "He 'took captive those who had captured us' and gave 'gifts to people.)

      This is militant language, recalling the world in which the Ephesians lived.  They knew what happened when one power conquered another. The language Paul uses suggests a conqueror who gives spoils to his people.

      If Christ is depicted as a conqueror, where did the battle take place? In "the lower earthly regions .... "

      To be honest, commentators disagree about the meaning of that phrase:  Was he talking about a battle in Hades, the realm of the dead? Or was he talking about a battle on Earth, an event during Christ’s earthly ministry?

      Most contemporary interpreters say that it is a reference to earth and Paul is talking about what happened during the earthly life of Christ. He is giving us a glimpse of what happened when Jesus walked the roads and streets of Judea and Galilee.

      Throughout his ministry Christ battled the forces of sin and evil. Not every observer recognized the battle going on but it was, nonetheless, happening.  The Resurrection and Ascension were demonstrations of his victory. He regained the glory that was rightfully his. More than that, as Victor, he bestowed gifts upon his people.

      Christ's gifts affirm the concern Christ has for the church.

      Do you recall the tension many felt when we had to begin writing dates using 20—rather than 19--?  Lots of voices were asking how we would be able to face the demands of a new century.

      The answer involves those gifts Christ continues to give to the church.  These gifts are a part of Christ's ongoing work on behalf of the church.

      Christ did not leave the church without resources. What we will need to do his work he will provide.

      II

      THE GIFTED CHURCH

      In recent years there has been much discussion of the "spiritual gifts." Most of the discussion has focused on what Paul says in I Corinthians. As we deal with this passage, there is an important distinction we must make. In I Corinthians Paul shows us that each individual in the church is "gifted" in some way to enhance the life of the church; here Paul tells us that some individuals in the church are, themselves, "gifts" to the church.

      We need to look at the diversity of these gifts to the church. The work of the church is diversified so the gifts given by Christ to the church will be diversified.

      They are different in function, not in value or worth. That’s important to recall.

      They cannot perform their function within the church unless there are those who are themselves gifted by the Spirit and willing to minister for the good of the entire church.

      No Christian can say, "I don't need other Christians;" nor, "Other Christians don't need me. "

      Look at the dimensions of the church's giftedness.

      This is not an exhaustive list but illustrative of the kinds of ministry the church needs.

      Among the 'gifts' were apostles.

      These seem to have been individuals especially appointed because of their ability to witness to the resurrection. More than 12. Some evidence suggests both men and women functioned as apostles. (Ro.16:7 Junia is likely a woman’s name and the phrase might be translated as “they are prominent apostles.” Early writers believed Paul was describing her as an apostle.)

      These apostles possessed the authority of the one who sent them. Their ministry was attested by miracles.

      Are there apostles today?  Good Christians disagree on the answer.  Obviously, we have no more witnesses to the resurrection.  But Vincent points out a another feature which may continue to be relevant, apostles "possessed an unlimited commission to preach and found churches." We still need the gospel to be taken to new areas.  The term has been used to describe those who have opened new fields for the gospel. (Samuel Zwemer, for example, was called “the apostle to Islam.”)

      Among the 'gifts' were prophets.

      In the Old Testament, prophets spoke the words of God to the nation. The New Testament prophets had the capacity to speak to special circumstances in the church. Some believe “prophets” ceased to function after the New Testament.  Their ministry was no longer needed after the New Testament writings were available.

      Of course, not everyone agrees.  Some insist there are “prophets” in today’s church. Anyone holding that position should be very careful to examine the word of such prophets against the Biblical materials and the consistent testimony of the church.

      Among the 'gifts' were evangelists. ("traveling missionaries”

AMP)

      They seemed to possess a special ability to share the gospel. While every Christian is called upon to share the gospel, some Christians are clearly gifted in this ministry. (Billy Graham, for example.)

      It is interesting to notice that one of the greatest revivals in recent history, the Revival of 1858, seemed to have no clear leaders.  Certainly it had few ordained leaders; in fact, it was also called “the laymen’s revival.”  Yet, that revival produced many evangelists whose ministries brought countless men and women to Christ.

      Among the 'gifts' were pastor-teachers.

      Some translations seem to separate the roles. Paul sees the two roles combined in one person.

      The person fulfilling this role has a twofold ministry: to shepherd and to instruct. The two roles are intertwined. Preaching and teaching is never simply to be an academic exercise. Sermons need solid content, something for the mind and understanding; they also need something for the Christian to use in daily living, facing challenges and hurts of life.  I haven’t always kept that in mind.

Observations

1. Whatever is said about those who fill specialized roles within the church must be understood in light of the entire New Testament view of ministry.

      Every Christian is to be involved in the ministry of the church. So,there are two extremes to avoid: (1) Drawing too great a distinction between the clergy and the laity. Some groups ascribe a special sanctity and authority to those who serve the church. At one time, I would have said there was not much danger of that in Baptist life. Now, I’m not so sure.  The New Testament makes clear that no Christian is to surrender his or her mind to another.  If a Christian believes the pastor is wrong on some doctrine, she should say so. If a Christian sees leaders abusing their power, he should confront them.  (2) We should also avoid another extreme:  Denying that a specialized ministry has a place in the church. It has become popular in some quarters to deny the very notion of a "call to special service" or even the concept of ordination; yet both have their roots in the New Testament.

      Many Christians don't know they, too, have been gifted by the Spirit. Think about discovering your gift and getting busy using that gift.

2. It seems clear that the most valuable resource any church possesses is people.

      The most dynamic time in the history of the church was a time when all the church had was the church-the people.

      I would not be so naïve to say a small church can “do” as much as a large church.  Obviously, the large church likely has more material resources at its disposal, not to mention professional personnel.  But, if a small church doesn’t have a paid youth pastor, it does have individuals—even among the grey-haired folk—who can show Christ’s love to young people in their neighborhoods.  Small congregations, instead of listing all the things they don’t have, should take the time to list what they do have.  They might find they have more resources for ministry than they imagine.

3. Ultimately, Christ gave "gifts" to the church so his "gifted people" could give themselves in ministry for him.  

CONCLUSION

      Sometimes we look at the task before us and conclude that it is too much for ordinary people. We're right.

      So we long for Christ to provide his church with extraordinary people to do the work of ministry in the world.

      Look around you. He already has.

A Wish for Every Church

Often during my career as a pastor I wondered if the reason more people were not coming to our churches was the churches.  At the end of the First World War and on into the 1920s many people believed the churches just weren’t dealing with the real world.  They were caught up in controversies over issues no one cared about and neglecting issues very much on the minds of those same people. 

The problem was few people—either in the church or out—really knew what the “real” world was about.  They didn’t know the problems that created the Great War, the moral confusion of the age, the conflicts between races, and the greed that helped set the world up for the Great Depression were spiritual problems.  Problems needing spiritual resources.

Remember that in Ephesians Paul is explaining how in Christ God has created one new people to live for him and work for him in the real world.  In Ephesians 4:1-7, he is laying out a picture of how that ideal finds its expression in the church.   Paul’s wishes for the church are describe the kind of churches we need.

[Some of you will recognize this as a revision of my sermon posted in December 2014.  If so, you know “Final Wishes” was the last sermon I preached as pastor of the Worthington Baptist Church.  That sermon contains more personal material than usually finds its way into my sermons.  If you want to read it, go to it in the blog; otherwise, I hope you enjoy this revision.]

We need churches possessing those qualities unquestionably marking you as Christ’s people.

He begins by underscoring those traits that ought to be found in every Christian.  Christians are to live “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love.”

We can’t look at each trait in detail but, taken together, they describe a remarkable person.  Such a person does not scramble to be the Alpha dog; but is willing to do the menial if it benefits the church.  Such a person meets you without assuming you want his undivided opinion.  Such a person is a soothing presence in potentially explosive situations.  Such a person has marked “retaliation” out of the dictionary and written “patience” in the margins.  Such a person shows a dogged determination to start once again from square one with that spiritual slow-learner.  Such a person ties up all these qualities with Christian love.  At the same time, because the Spirit intends these qualities to make us Christlike, not nice, such a person will not allow bullies to go unchallenged and error to go uncorrected.

Imagine what church would be like if each person possessed and demonstrated these qualities.  Imagine the impact that church would make. Every Christian would be a living defense of the faith.  It’s why I wish it for you.

Of course, Paul’s own words remind us this vision is sometimes thwarted.  These qualities are too often missing from my life.  But I offer this wish because, we ought to aspire “to live worthily of the calling with which [we] have been called.”  I think Paul is reminding us we have been called to be part of a redeemed people, a changed people, a new people; a people whose lifestyle testifies to the fact God has been at work. 

We need churches that celebrate their unity as God’s People.

As Paul wished for the Ephesians, I wish you would “be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” 

Division in churches is one of the reasons so many are disgusted with churches.  Instead of seeing love at work in our churches they see pettiness. 

Let me point out something that seems clear from Paul’s language.  If the Ephesians were “to maintain the unity of the Spirit” it’s reasonable to assume the unity was already a reality.  We know of churches were unity is gone; only animosity remains.  I believe better things of this church.  So, I want you to celebrate your unity.  But let me be very clear.  The unity worth celebrating is “the unity of the Spirit,” that unity produced by the Holy Spirit.  Since the Day of Pentecost the church had known the unifying presence of the Holy Spirit.  In Paul’s view, unity is the natural state for the church.  It’s a unity that manifests itself in “the bond of peace.” 

Peace is a big theme in Ephesians.  In the second chapter Paul speaks of the impact of Christ’s work on the cross:  “Christ himself is our peace,” he says, “Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away from God, and to those who were near to God.”

We Christians are bound together because we have peace with God and peace with each other.

So, celebrate your unity.  Learn from each other.  Let yourselves be inspired by the testimonies of those who don’t share your background.  When you look around and see someone whose accent is different than yours, whose political affiliation differs from yours, whose experience differs from yours, remember Christ is in the business of tearing down walls.

But let me remind you, there is one whose business is building walls.  So, let me add a footnote to this particular wish.  For, I wish you might understand the threats to your unity are many and you must be diligent to resist them.  Peace—even peace generated by the Spirit—can be fragile.  Paul’s words imply maintaining demands commitment and work.  Here’s the Amplified Bible’s rendering of the command:  “Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness produced by the Spirit.”

The threats to unity may take various forms.  Be on guard against interpersonal relationships getting out of control.  Watch out for parties forming.  Pray you don’t allow jealousy and ambition to make you a pawn of that great Divider, Satan.  Be on guard against that happening.  Hold onto the vision of being a united church.

Remember, there may come a time when you must take the mantle of peacemaker.

We need churches that treasure the essentials of the faith without obsessing over the non-essentials.

Some believe Paul might have been citing an early creed as he says,

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all

In this list Paul cites those things that ought to bind us together.  We are united in “one Body” for Christians in a local church shouldn’t behave like they belong to different churches.  We are united through “one Spirit” for the we are all received the Spirit and become more like Christ as the Spirit works within us.  We are united through “one hope” for we should share the common yearning for God to complete the work of salvation within us.  We are united through “one Lord” for it is Christ to whom all of us owe our allegiance.  We are united through “one faith” for each of us is saved “by grace through faith,” none of us can claim any other basis for our salvation.  We are united through “one baptism” for though the stories of how we may have come to that place may differ, we have each declared our allegiance to Christ.  We are all united through “one God and Father” for we are doubly privileged to be part of God’s family and to call him Father.

I think Paul is telling us that the Faith is to be experienced not just talked about.  But this doesn’t mean there aren’t essentials of the faith.  There are core elements on which our hope stands or falls.  Yes, we are united through “one Lord,” but we must be absolutely clear who that Lord is.  He was more than a wise teacher reputed to have done a lot of good things. He alone could claim that anyone wanting to know what God is like should look at him.  Ignore that and you have jettisoned much of the Christian message.

Just a few verses later, when Paul speaks of the varied ministries of the church, he stresses the importance of being grounded in these essentials.  The ministry of the church has its goal for us to

all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ…

I wish for you to treasure those essentials.  

But be careful you don’t get caught up with non-essentials.  Watch out for those who claim to know more than they can possibly know.  Avoid, as Paul warned Timothy, those who have “an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words.” (I Timothy 6:4)

Remember, churches are hurt when they treat every doctrine as non-essential.  They are hurt as much when they treat every notion as essential.

We need churches where believers exercise their spiritual gift so they might work together to accomplish Christ’s purpose for them as his people wherever they might be.

Once again I’m going to have to be content with broad strokes, leaving it to you to fill in the fine detail.  Listen to what Paul says:

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry…

In Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12, he focuses on the nature and character of the gifts.  Here, we might say he focuses on the gifted within the church, those who are both gifted and gifts.  But what’s more important than the contrast between these passages is what they have in common.

Both make it clear Christ provides what his churches need to do his work.  Do you get what that means?  Because of Christ’s provisions a small church doesn’t have to wait until it is big to do his work; a poor church doesn’t have to wait until it is rich to do his work.  And, remember, those provisions are manifested through the lives of individual Christians.  In both passages Paul tells us each believer possesses some gift (a charisma) from the Spirit.  Ironically, that means we are all charismatics but I don’t intend to pursue that notion on my last Sunday with you. 

Keep in mind how Paul uses “grace.”  It is the “unmerited favor” that opens the way to salvation but it is also a God-given enablement.  The Expanded Bible translation gets to the point:  “Each one of us has been given the special gift of grace,” where the phrase refers to a “graciously bestowed divine endowment.”  Those who possess such “gifts of grace” have no more earned them than they earned the gift of salvation.

The proper response to Christ’s gifting his people isn’t pride but an eagerness to discover and use those gifts in ways that will honor the Giver and accomplish his vision for the church. 

What’s important now is for you to understand you possess—by God’s grace—the capacity to do the work of the church even as you search for a new pastor. 

Let’s try to relate this to the text.  Good Christians differ over whether there are still “apostles” and “prophets” in the church.  We won’t resolve that this morning.   But it’s not impossible for one of you to have an apostle-like ability to so testify to your experience of Christ that new doors are opened for the gospel, doors that no “professional” minister could open.  Or maybe, in the days to come, the church will need someone with a prophet-like ability to apply the insights of God’s Word to some challenge.  Maybe that will be you. 

I don’t think it’s off base to suggest that the work of these individuals Paul lists may been done by Christians who never have the title.   You may be one of them.

While there’s no doubt an individual like Billy Graham can wear the title “evangelist,” you may discover that if you ever once ask God to help you overcome your fear, you might be able to help a friend or neighbor toward faith.  Of course, in doing this work of evangelism you will discover that some might trust Christ the first time you offer the gospel.  Others, probably most, will be brought into the Kingdom through a measured process.   All of us are to be witnesses, but you may discover God has specially graced you to do that kind of midwifery. 

Many believe when Paul speaks of “pastors and teachers,” he uses the phrase in a way that calls for a hyphen, that he is describing a single office, that of the “pastor-teacher.”  Once again, while Paul is certainly speaking of an individual who holds a specific office or role in the church, the pastor-teacher’s work is not exclusive to that office.  Obviously, the Sunday school reveals the pastor is not the only teacher in the church.  Then, too, even if you are not the pastor, you may be so gifted that you are able to relate pastorally to others.   You may be the person God uses to “shepherd” a confused believer, to comfort a broken-hearted fellow Christian.

Praying to Grow

"Up, Up, and Away", a Broadway musical which appeared several years ago, explored the psychological side of Superman's personality. Judging by the spate of superhero movies, we seem to want to run all such heroes through analysis but that’s another story.  Anyway, near the end of the play, the Man of Steel says, "I'm a freak. "

Sometimes, I think we have come to think of spiritually mature Christians as 'freaks.' They seem to be endowed with powers beyond those of "ordinary Christians. "

Just as we know the ability to fly is beyond us, we have come to believe that spiritual maturity is beyond us.

As a consequence we neither pray for ourselves nor for others so grow spiritually.

Of course, we continue to pray.  Every Sunday, most church bulletins include a notice concerning members and friends who are experiencing some sort of physical difficulty; they're there because we believe people experiencing these kinds of problems need our prayers. The prayers we offer on behalf of another are called "intercessory prayers"; praying for others is called "intercession." It is an important ministry. But it isn't limited to praying for the physical needs of others.

Paul, reflecting his great devotion to all of God's new people, shows us that intercession for God's people can include praying for their spiritual needs. Look at Ephesians 3:14-21.

Remember, Paul was praying for a group of ordinary Christians at Ephesus.  He wanted them to attain their potential as the new people of God.  Paul prayed that the Ephesians might receive the resources for Christian maturity.   In so doing he is showing us how to pray for one another.

You don't have to be born in a church, have a degree in theology, know the Bible so well you can recall the wives of every one of the prophets, in order to become a spiritually mature Christian.

Because we may approach God for whatever we need to attain spiritual maturity, we ought to pray for ourselves and others to reach this goal.

I

WHEN WE PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS

WE NEED TO START AT THE RIGHT PLACE (VS 14-15)

Paul's ministry consisted not only in speaking to God's people on behalf of God, but also of speaking to God on behalf of the people.

Paul knew God alone could lead these Christians toward spiritual maturity.   I have serious doubts about the efficacy of programs promising spiritual maturity in thirty days.  There are no tricks, shortcuts, or gimmicks to help us achieve the peace, insight, and vision God wants us to have.  Some of the false teachers Paul would encounter promised such but the apostle warned against it. 

He says, “I fall to my knees an pray to the Father.”   The usual stance in prayer was standing; the fact that he falls on his knees suggests the intensity of his prayer.  Picture Paul kneeling on the hard, cold prison floor, his mind on the needs of that church in Ephesus. He seemed to be saying, "I don't want my Ephesian friends to miss anything you have for them. "

I like the implications of this.  In prison, Paul wasn't able to go to them and preach or teach. Instead he seized the opportunity to avail himself of the access Christians have to God and prayed for them. (Vs. 12)   Even though you may be separated from those fellow-believers you care about, you can still pray for them.  Maybe age has limited your ability to get out, you can still pray.

Like Paul, we should approach God with awe.  Paul was reverent.  That reverence created an attitude of submission and humility.

Sometimes our approach to God suggests we think of Him as a sorority sister or old army buddy.

Instead, we should come before God with the attitude expressed in the words of the hymn:  “only Thou art holy—there is none beside Thee.

Like Paul, we should approach God with anticipation. Notice how Paul describes God.  He is “the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” (NIV)  In the Greek, there appears to be a play on words in these verses.  God is “the Father” (patēr in Greek) of every “family” (patria in Greek) on earth.  Out of all the tribes and peoples in the world, God has created a new “tribe.”  God is the Father of the whole Christian family, a family made up of all nationalities and races. He made one new people--carrying his Name--out of all the peoples of the earth.  God is not to be associated with just one race or nationality; his fatherly care transcends that. The God who initiated the great scheme resulting in the creation of one new people is the Father to whom we pray.

Keeping that in mind, as we pray we should recall this Father is eager to see all of his children grow toward maturity.  So, why would he keep any good from us?

II

WHEN WE PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS WE SHOULD PRAY WITH THE RIGHT OBJECTIVES.

We should seek spiritual strength.   Paul says, “I pray that fro his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” (NLT)

 Paul prayed for them to be strengthened because he knew that living for Christ can be difficult. The word for “strengthened” is "endynamited."  The idea is that of a power capable of achieving what needed to be achieved.

 In making this request Paul draws upon God's "unlimited resources".  

Earthly bank accounts are limited; God's reserves are unlimited.  Right now I can write you a check for $1,000,000; if you need more I can write you a check for more. I have no problem writing the check, but you will have a problem when you take it to the bank.

God's resources never run out.  He is never overdrawn.  He can give us what we need to face our particular challenges.

 That strength is manifested in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Church was born in an explosion of the Spirit's power and had been conquering the Roman world for Christ though power of the Spirit. That same power is available to us and for us.

 It is important to note that Paul asks for this strength to be manifested in the "inner being" of his readers. J. B. Phillips: "the strength of the Spirit's inner reinforcement.”

Baptist scholar E. Y. Mullins explains that "The inward man is our total inner nature: the intellect, emotions, and will."

 Strength for our physical being is important, strength for our inner being is more important. The distinction is important because the outer being may appear to be strong while the inner being is weak; or the outer being may appear to be ready for collapse while the inner being remains calm and strong.

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe gave up his goal of becoming a Marine after just three days of boot camp. His manager explained: "It has to do with a guy who's 29, who's a multimillionaire, who's had control over his life ... coming and going whenever he pleased, losing control. That was a big culture shock-something very hard for Riddick to deal with." The problem wasn't one of outer strength; it was one of inner strength.

To live for Christ you need strength on the inside.

2We should pray for Christ to continually shape our lives.

 When Paul prayed for Christ to permanently occupy their hearts, he was speaking of Christ's having an impact on all that they were. He wanted the Ephesians to know both Christ's saving presence and his sovereign presence.  Christians should know Christ as redeemer and ruler.

 Spiritual maturity is marked by a growing consecration to Christ as he takes a greater possession of our lives.

The word "dwell" suggest the image of a military commander occupying territory. That may be a frightening prospect to some. They think of the Nazi occupation of France, the Japanese occupation of China, events marked by cruelty and oppression. Think instead of the American occupation of Japan, marked by generosity and new freedom.

We should pray to know the dimensions of Christ's boundless love.

Ever aiming to make their new oneness a reality, Paul prayed that their relationship with God and with each other might be rooted and established in love.   

Such knowledge of God's love will lead to confidence.

Such  knowledge of God's love will lead to a rich fellowship.

The experience of Christ's love is one we share with all the saints (18a). The child who comes from a home filled with love is better prepared to face the rough and tumble of the real world. The Christian coming from a church filed with love and support is better able to face the challenges of a hostile spiritual environment outside the church, an environment that fosters materialism, racism, hatred, cynicism, fear.

Since we will never discover the boundaries of that love, we are spurred to grow in love.

 The more we are immersed in and transformed by the love of God, the more we become like the loving Christ.

 As these prayers are answered we will move toward the goal of Christian maturity: to be like God in every possible way. (''And so, at last, you will be filled up with God Himself.”)  Paul wants us to experience the fullness of Christ’s love not just so we will feel loved but so we will be transformed by that love.  Again, E. Y. Mullins helps us understand what Paul has in view: "'The fullness of God' means our nature possessed completely by the energy of God and transformed completely into the likeness of Christ."

III

WHEN WE PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS WE SHOULD REMEMBER TO PRAISE THE GOD OF GRACIOUSNESS

(20-21)

Paul's praise reflects confidence that God would act on behalf of his people to help them grow.

So, too, we should have confidence in God's capacity to meet our needs, He is not limited by our lack of vision.

We should have confidence in God's willingness to help us toward growth. He is more willing for us to grow than we are.

God's power is working in us. We need his power. Christian maturity is not self-improvement; it is the work of God in us.

We don't pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps because we don't have boots. We cooperate by letting God work in us.

To  degree, the hardest part for us is getting out of God’s way.

Such praise ought to mark every Christian community.

The God who redeems should be praised for providing salvation. The God who reconciles should be praised for bringing making his people one.

The God who renews should be praised for leading his people toward growth.

In all our praying, do we remember to praise God for his work for us and in us?   The work he is already doing.

Any of you can move on to genuine Christlikeness, to the real sign Christian maturity.

The resources are available to every Christian.

Paul has shown us the way to approach God for ourselves and for others.          

Approach God as the Source of our maturity.

Approach God with the longing to become more like him.

Approach God with praise for what he has done and will do in your life.

So begin to pray for spiritual maturity with anticipation.  And, as you pray for yourself, remember to pray for me.