Fresh Speaking
(Nancy's notes from Lord's Day, May 30, 2010)
Regarding God's economy - we are so blessed to have such a vision, such a view.
In Eph. 1 The Triune God is issuing in something. That issue is the church. He has accomplished so much. He had a plan. God Himself went step by step through a process and eventually became a Life-giving Spirit imparting Himself into man. He breathed Himself into man. He entered into man. That is a key moment in history. God has entered into us - producing the church. The church is the fullness of the One who fills all in all. This is on the one hand. He accomplished everything.
On the other hand - He is working something out. God chose us and graced us in Christ. He is making known the mystery. The issue is the church, the body, the fullness of Christ. The church becomes His enlargement, His multiplication. Eph. 4 - The process. Building up is going on. Each one of us has a measure.
In Eph. 1 is the fullness. In Eph. 4 is the filling. We have two sides.
Then in 4:12 - For the perfecting of the saints - us! unto the work of the ministry. The Lord's plan is that each one of us enter into the ministry. All the saints perfected unto the work of ministry. I can easily not let my "link" function - therefore no building up.
v.13 - Growth is going on - a process involving all of us ministering our Christ.
v.16 - through every joint of the rich supply. What builds the body? The supply from every member. Each member has been given a supply. Through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the body.
Each one of us is a member - one with a measure of supply for the body.
In Paul's experience, where does this supply come from? We see a little glimpse of where it comes from in 2 Cor. 4:1 "Therefore having this ministry as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart;" Having this ministry - we are ministering the glory of God! In my little following of the Lord, there is a ministry. I am ministering the glory of God. In this we do not lose heart. If we talk to someone and do not get a positive response - we do not lose heart.
v. 16 Our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed. Do not lose heart. Follow the speaking. We do not like to call a brother to read together. We must follow the speaking. Paul's experience may not have been so high and victorious. Care for the saints - call them, take dinner to them, etc. We quench the Spirit. We need to follow the speaking. We may be oppressed, but the inner man is being renewed. This is what supplies the body. Death operates in me, but life in you! When we follow the speaking, it may not turn out so wonderful. It may oppress us. But the result is life to the body. Our outer man is consumed! Praise the Lord! Our inner man is renewed! Cling to this treasure! May this set us free - cause a boldness in us. Follow the inner speaking. "Lord, I just follow You!" What a freeing this is. This is the way He can get what He is after. May we all have such a freedom to follow His leading and not judge by the outcome. Let us not lose heart!