Ephesians 4:11-13 is held dear by many pastors and church leaders. In fact, it’s often read at ordinations.

But it is of significance to all Christians, not just leaders. Let me share it with you, and then I’ll explain why.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Paul talks about leaders who have a certain job to do. But that job is actually a commission from Christ himself—and it is about and for the people of God. If you’re a follower of Christ, that means you!

You are to engage in “works of service.” The purpose is so that “the body of Christ [i.e. the church] may be built up.” This is to continue “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.” All of this will help us “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

That’s you: Works of service. Unity in faith. Growing in your knowledge of Jesus. Maturity. Christlikeness.

Theologian John Stott would sometimes be asked how he would summarize the Christian scene in the world today. He would reply with three words: “growth without depth.”* It was a comment about the lack of Christian maturity. A lot of people say they like Jesus. Many of them even go to church. Some of those churches are even quite full. Stott goes on to write: “the poorer our vision of Christ, the poorer our discipleship will be, whereas the richer our vision of Christ, the richer our discipleship will be.”*

It’s about maturity.

Don’t just go to church, be the church. 
Don’t just have a Bible, study your Bible. 
Don’t just talk about love, love actual people.
Don’t just watch Jesus, follow Jesus.

It’s a process. It takes time. Acorns don’t turn into oak trees overnight. But growth needs depth.

Let’s pray, talk, act and serve “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

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Notes and extra content:

–*John Stott, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of our Calling (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2010), 38, 47.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.