For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
No perfection without pains
“However prodigious may be the gifts of nature to her elect, they can only be developed and brought to their extreme perfection by labour and study.” Think of Michael Angelo working for a week without taking off his clothes, and Handel hollowing out every key of his harpsichord, like a spoon, by incessant practice. Gentlemen, after this, never talk of difficulty Or weariness. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The perfecting of believers
Theinvisible power of Christ, and His visible gifts in the Church, are in cooperation “for the perfecting of the saints.” An endless variety of ministry is provided for this end. Every Divine ministry is supplied with its measure of wisdom and of grace, from the treasury of Christ. Diversities of gifts are necessary to meet a corresponding diversity in the natures of men. Each disciple is susceptible of a development peculiar to himself; nor can his perfection be confounded with that of any other man. The perfection of a primrose is not that of a lily, nor the perfection of a lily that of a rose. God’s idea of perfection is not to make lilies into fruit trees, nor fruit trees into cedars. God will have His lily-like children to be perfect as lilies, and His cedar children to be perfect as cedars, and so on. There will be endless diversity among men, yet each perfect in his own order. The riches of Divine love and wisdom, strength and beauty, will be mirrored in the variety. “The perfecting of the saints” is not only very distinct from their conversion, or first faith in Christ; but much more important than their comforting. The Divine method of comforting is by perfecting. To comfort souls, and leave them unrenewed and disqualified for life in heaven, would be delusive and cruel. To look to Christ as the Beginner of the new life is absurd, unless we also look to Him as the Finisher. Finishing the life of faith, and perfecting men, are the same work. “The perfecting of the saints” can never be promoted by the ministry of a mere evangelist, or preacher of gospel facts. The hodman is very useful, but not as an architect. A reiterator of common places is not a teacher. The perfecting of your house must be given to other hands than the men who dig out the foundation. The grand end of the Christian ministry, as it is also the end of time, and the end of Christ’s whole work, is to perfect man, or rather to perfect humanity. (J. Pulsford.)
The edifying of Christ’s body
I. The edifying of Christ’s body consists in enlarging your views of the polluted, guilty, helpless state of fallen man.
II. Person, work, and relation of Christ to His people.
III. The freedom with which the Scriptures hold Him forth for our salvation.
IV. The privileges of believers.
V. The necessity of, and Scriptural arguments to enforce, an exemplary walk before God, the Church, the world.
VI. The sovereignty of God in the disposal of His favours.
VII. The grounds of submission to Him.
VIII. In pointing out to them their particular sins. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you,” etc. (1Co_5:1, etc.). Errors. Galatians. In putting them in mind of their future glory. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1Th_4:10). (H. Foster, M. A.)
The Christian Church the body of Christ
Observe some points of importance connected with the Church as the body of the Redeemer.
I. Its visibility.
II. It is a living body.
III. As the body--the Church just exhibit Christ’s mind and character.
The body of flesh Christ had was under the control and hallowed influence of the Holy Spirit. It was the residence of the Deity. Now just so also His body the Church. It is to receive celestial influences and impressions from Christ, and then to show them forth.
1. Was Christ meek and lowly? So must be His Church.
2. Spiritual and holy? So must be His Church.
3. Self-denying and forbearing? So must be His Church.
4. Devoted and obedient? So must be His Church.
5. Compassionate and merciful? So must be His Church.
The mind, and spirit, and life of Christ, must be reflected by the Church, the body of Christ.
IV. As the body of Christ, it must carry out the purposes and will of Christ.
1. The Church must be a teaching holy.
2. The Church must be a sympathizing body.
3. The Church must be an active body.
4. The Church must be a liberal and benevolent body.
5. It must be a heavenly body.
It is of heavenly formation. He had heaven in His spirit, and words and life, so must the Church His body. (J. Burns, D. D.)
The Church Christ’s body
I. The Church is called Christ’s body.
1. All the senses are in the head for the guidance and protection of the body (Eph_1:22; Col_1:19; Joh_1:16; 1Co_1:30).
2. The variety and respective usefulness of the members in it (1Co_12:15, etc.).
3. The infirmities to which the various members are liable.
4. The concern of one member for another (1Co_12:26).
5. Its continual increase, etc. (Eph_4:12-13; Eph_4:16).
6. Christ, as its Head, has the preeminence, etc. (Col_1:18).
7. Without it, Christ would not be complete (Eph_1:23; Heb_2:13).
II. The edifying of the body in ministry of the word, consists--
1. In enlarging their views of gospel truths, in their importance, connection, and use.
2. In pointing out to them their sins and errors. “it is reported commonly that there is fornication among you,” etc. (1Co_5:1, etc.). Galatians.
3. In getting before them their duty in their various connections in life. (H. Foster, M. A.)
