Christ's gifts to his Church: their end or purpose.
I. Generally, Christ has a work of perfection on hand. This denoted by—"for the perfecting of the saints" (Ephesians 4:12), and "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). What a high aim with reference to creatures so poor and needy as the members of his Church!
II. In order to this, the work of the ministry exists; and that work seeks
III. While ministers are instruments, Jesus is himself the great Source of growth.
1. The growth to be promoted is growth "unto him who is the Head" (Ephesians 4:15). All vital, spiritual influence is in Christ. As the woman reasoned, "If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole;" so if we, by faith, shall come into contact with our living Head, his gracious influence will spread through our souls.
2. The whole Church is articulated with Christ; its parts are articulated with each other, but all are designed to communicate with the Head, and to assist in conveying vital influence front the Head to the members. So it is in the human body; it is all jointed and connected together; but the object of this is to facilitate the transmission of the vital force throughout the whole. All the members of the Church should realize their position as parts of a body connected with the head, and should regard the measure of energy received by them as designed for the general good (Ephesians 4:16).
3. While Christ is the sole Source of vital influence, and ministers are the main instruments of its transmission, the whole body is to be self-edifying, intelligently and consciously moving on towards the grand consummation (Ephesians 4:16). Ministers do not differ in kind from the members. They have got special gifts for the edifying of the body, but every part of the body has got some gift for the same end. All ought to conspire harmoniously together, keeping in view the grand consummation. Churches and members of Churches must not be content with any inferior aim, but habitually and earnestly move on toward perfection. And for this the Spirit of love is indispensable (Ephesians 4:16). The Church cannot edify itself except in love. Strife and division are sure to arise, and these are not edifying, but disintegrating. One great lesson here is that, as Christ is the Truth, so he also is the Life. The gospel as a system of truth has Christ in the center; so the Church as a living agency has Christ in the center. Take Christ from either, and "Ichabod" may be inscribed on the wall.