Would you turn in the scriptures this morning to the book of Ephesians?

This morning I want us to begin on something new in Ephesians 4 is our main text for it.

Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4 and verse 7 unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ

wherefore he says when he ascended up on high he led captive, and he gave gifts unto men.

Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts

of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might

fill all things.

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.

To 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.

That he henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

It goes on, but I want to stop right there and emphasize this. Verse 15, read it out loud with me.

Verse 15, but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ.

Notice those two words.

Grow up.

May grow up. Is it the will of god for us to grow up

well that's the new series growing up you can see through this whole passage you can see through

this whole passage he talks about this development.

Let's read it again with that in mind.

In verse 11, why he gave the ministry gifts.

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