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The Knowledge of the Son of God to Mature Manhood
[Where Are We Going? Ephesians 4:1-16 #4]
Introduction: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers have the work of equipping Christians to do the work of service, which entails building up the body so that we all attain to the “unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood.” In our last lesson, we discussed attaining the unity of the faith. In this lesson, we will pursue how we obtain the knowledge of the Jesus in such a way to bring us to maturity.
As we begin, please notice that there are no exceptions to Paul’s emphasis on growing to maturity. None. That should strike us to our core. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for Christians to simply “stay the same,” never moving past the level they have already obtained.
Each of us should struggle with the idea of growing to maturity. Maturity is a challenge. Maturity does not just happen. It is not simply the result of age. As Proverbs tells us, humans do not always learn from life experience. In Job, the three friends who uttered foolishness were older than Elihu who imparted wisdom. In other words, growing to maturity takes diligence.
- How Does Maturity Happen?
- Notice in the text the emphasis on “knowledge” – the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood.” Certainly knowledge of scripture is a key to growing to maturity. But please notice that the goal is not simply “knowledge,” but knowledge of the Son of God, which would lead to mature manhood.
- Therefore, truly knowing God depends on applying the word to our lives. It requires a present day application. In this letter, Paul spends three chapters on specific applications that are to be generated from the principle of living so that we are “to the praise of his glory.” James gives a warning about application: “be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
- One of the greatest challenges preachers have is going beyond giving the message of the inspired text to explaining how that text is to be applied in our lives. When we study the Bible, we purposely look for ways we are to apply God’s word.
- But while we all agree application is necessary to please God, we must ask the question, “What exactly is application?” In other words, application is necessary, but that depends on how we define application. We should consider that it is possible that in emphasizing application, we may be pointing others and ourselves in the wrong direction.
- Therefore, in this lesson we will examine how to apply God’s word so that we “grow to the knowledge of the Son of God” or, as in verse 15, “grow up in all things into him…” and what the concept of “mature manhood” looks like.
- The Proper Approach to Application
- Reading an article a few years ago helped me to understand a better way of thinking about application. The writer explained that the wrong emphasis on application can be a “red herring.” Dictionary.com defines a red herring as “something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.” For our purposes, application can unintentionally result in a red herring or a diversion from the real problem. When that happens, instead of bringing us to maturity, Bible study will make it impossible for us to reach maturity.
- Matthew 5:19-48 is an example of using application as a red herring – a diversion from the real problem or matter at hand. In this example, let’s first ask the question, would anyone argue that the scribes and Pharisees had reached maturity? No we wouldn’t. And yet, these two groups were considered the most knowledgable people of the day. Not only knowledgable, but they also prided themselves in their expertise in applying the word.
- Notice that these scribes and Pharisees could not enter the kingdom and no one else could enter who followed their pattern of applying the scripture. There is no doubt they knew the scripture in its traditional way of knowing, but their application was lacking.
- For example, how did they understand the commands of murder and adultery? You might say, they read the prohibition and obeyed it. Well yes, but, were they pleasing to God? Was the simple application of “You shall not” truly obedience? Was that truly an application from the text?
- Verses 43-48 illustrates what God really desires, or more accurately an authentic application. Becoming like our heavenly Father does not allow such a simplistic approach to application. The Pharisees approach to application does not address how true and lasting change happens.
- In other words, what is our goal for our children? Obedience to our commands? Some, in fact, would think that way, and many have lost their children because of it. But that isn’t the real goal, is it? The real goal is hearts bound together (Malachi 4:5-6). Disobedience is difficult when hearts are bound together. True and lasting change does not happen simply by emphasizing the need to apply the scriptures or obey the scriptures or defeat false doctrine from the scriptures. These goals sound good, but left by themselves, they are distractions from the true goal.
- To use a present day illustration, the scriptures express concern for members of a local body who are not well connected to periods of Bible study and worship. The Hebrew writer urges that we are to exhort one another daily and that we need to assemble with one another in order to stir up love and good works.
When I was younger, a common argument was: we are commanded to submit to the elders, therefore if the elders tell us to assemble we must do so. A member once made the argument that he only needed to attend “services” or classes that the elders required. I simply went to the elders and asked which “services” they required. Their answer was perfect: “We don’t ‘require’ any gathering of Christians. That should happen because people love God with all their heart and their neighbor as themselves.” Exactly! And that is the problem with beating someone over the head with Hebrews 10:25. - Ephesians 3:17-19 “…strengthened with power in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
- Hebrews 4:11-13 is a good summation of how we should approach our Bible study whether individually or collectively. If we are going to “strive to enter that rest,” we must study in a way that penetrates and changes the thoughts and intents of our heart. This is necessary because God sees all things, to the very depth of our heart, and we will give an account to him.
- Therefore, when we insist on making an application of a text, what should be foremost on our minds is becoming captivated by the grandeur of our God so that we can see in ourselves how to pursue transformation into his glory: “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
- 10 Questions to Reveal Our Level of Maturity
- Are you more thirsty for God than ever before? Psa. 42:1; Isa.55:1-2
- Are you more loving toward others? 1 John 3:16-18; Phil.2:2-4
- Are you more aware of God’s purpose & presence in your life? Psalm 139
- Are you governed more and more by God’s word? 2 Tim.3:16; Heb. 4:12
- Are you more concerned about the spiritual needs of others? Mt. 23:23
- Are you more and more concerned with the welfare of the local body of Christians? Romans 12:3-8
- Are the tools God has given you for growth more important to you?
- Are you more and more aware of your sin? 1 Tim. 1:15
- Are you more willing to forgive others? Ephesians 4:32
- Are you thinking more of heaven and of being with Jesus? Phil. 1:23-24; 3:20-21
Conclusion: Continued growth to reach a higher and higher level of maturity is not an option for a disciple of Christ. Further, it is something we obtain together; we do this as a church, all working for the same goal.
Berry Kercheville