Jesus loves all people.
Jesus loves every member of the human race regardless of who they are, where they live, or what their lives are like.
Jesus’ love for us as humans beings is not based on how we behave. It is not based on whether we love Him or not.
Jesus, though He loves all people, has a special relationship with His people, the church.
The church is the Body of Christ, and as the Body of Christ we relate to Jesus in a different way than those who are not part of the Body of Christ.
Jesus loves to bless people.
Jesus especially likes to bless His church, His body.
Ephesians 4:11
It was He who gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.
God has gifted the church with:
Apostles - ones sent to those who have never heard the Gospel message
Prophets - ones sent to the people of God to move them back into the ways and purposes of God
Evangelists - ones who have the gift of sharing their Jesus story and seeing people respond positively
Pastors - ones who shepherd a local group of God’s people
Teachers - ones who instruct others in God’s Word
These people are gifts to the Body of Christ.
There are five purposes given for these gifts to the church.
Ephesians 4:12a
To prepare God’s people for works of service.
#1: To prepare God’s people for service
God’s people are to be servants.
Matthew 23:11
The greatest among you will be your servant.
Jesus calls all of His followers to be servants. All are ministers.
I often ask our church how many ministers we have. They have learned at least to say, “All of us.” Our church has two pastors but hundreds of ministers.
Matthew 20:28
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
Our example of how to be a servant is Jesus.
The Body of Christ is to do what Jesus did: serve.
Our lives should shout the gospel.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is serving others in the name of Jesus and in the power of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:12b
So that the Body of Christ may be built up.
#2: To build up the Body of Christ
Every living organism grows.
The church as the Body of Christ is a living organism. The church is to grow.
The church is to grow in:
Size
Spiritual Depth
Love
Passion
Joy
Peace
Hope
Faith
Grace
Knowledge
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Our growth as individuals and as the church glorifies God.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about growing to be more like Jesus.
Ephesians 4:13a
Till we all reach unity in the faith
#3: To bring the church to unity in the faith
John 17:23
I in them and you in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent Me and have loved them even as you have loved Me.
There are two marks of His followers that Jesus said would let the world know Him:
Love
Unity
When the world sees the unity of the Body of Christ, it shouts that more than human effort and resources are at work. It shows Jesus to the world.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is being in unity, oneness, with Jesus and with each other as His followers.
Ephesians 4:13b
And in the knowledge of the Son of God
#4: To complete the knowledge of the church about Jesus
We as the church are to:
Preach Jesus
Teach Jesus
Sing Jesus
Share Jesus
Serve Jesus
Live Jesus
The church is the Body of Christ and Jesus is the Head of the church. The church is to be all about Jesus.
The focus of the church is not about:
Politics
Entertainment
Social Change
Social Gatherings
Moral Goodness
All of these will be affected, but they are not the focus of the church. The focus of the church is Jesus.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is making everything focus on Jesus, revolving around Jesus, and flowing out of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:13c
And become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ
#5: To become mature and full in Jesus
When our son was born, God impressed upon me that I was not raising a child. I had a child, but I was raising a person who would become an adult.
Jesus wants to mature each of His followers and thus His church to grow up and be like Him.
The way that happens is for us to be full of Jesus.
Colossians 1:27
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches if this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We are full of Jesus as the Holy Spirit continually fills us.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is growing each day to be more like Jesus by being filled up with the Holy Spirit.
As the Church, Being Gifted by God to Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls
Joe
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