Blocks 2025

A church that does not display God's manifold wisdom is like a wedding band missing the diamond.

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Ephesians 3:7-11

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

The Mystery: How God would bring salvation to the ends of the earth—to Jews and Gentiles alike.

Ephesians 3:10

So that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

God wants to display His manifold, multicolored, many-sided, multi-faceted, beautiful diamond-like wisdom to angels through the church.

It has been reported that over 40 million young people raised in Christian homes will walk away from their faith by the year 2050.

CHURCH = Literally "called-out ones”

• Ekklesia = Assembly of citizens called out to transact city business.
• An assembly of saints called out to transact kingdom business.

The church is a living organism, composed of living members joined together, through which Christ works, carries out His purposes, and lives.

We are 25 years from the predicted “losing generation in a generation” statistic.

The Church’s Significance

The church of Jesus Christ is the most important institution in the world.
The assembly of the redeemed, the company of the saints, the children of God are more significant in world history than any other group, organization, or nation.
The United States of America compares to the church of Jesus Christ like a speck of dust compares to the sun. The drama of international relations compares to the mission of the church like a kindergarten riddle compares to Shakespeare. And all pomp of the pageantry of New Year's in Pasadena fades into a formless grey against the splendor of the bride of Christ.
The media and all the powers, and authorities, and rulers, and stars that they present are a mirage. "For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).
The gates of Hades, the powers of death, will prevail against every institution but one, the church.
— Piper

Concerning the Future of the Church

Think Christianly & Build Decisively.

Surely you know that if a man can’t be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighborhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches. So pray bestir yourself and send this fool the round of the neighboring churches as soon as possible.
— Uncle Screwtape

The church contains within itself the corrective and prophetic mechanisms to both critique the church and to call us back to its purpose.
— Jon Tyson

What could God do through a modern local group of believers throughout the same period of time?

The Church’s Mission

The church’s mission is to display the wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

1. Who are these rulers and authorities?
2. What is the manifold wisdom of God?
3. And why should this matter to me?

There are angelic powers who are spectators to the redemptive drama unfolding through the church.

In the big picture, God doesn’t use the angels to reveal His wisdom to the saints, but He does use the saints to reveal His wisdom to the angelic beings, both faithful and fallen angels. This reminds us that we are called for something far greater than our own individual salvation and sanctification. We are called to be the means by which God teaches the universe a lesson, and a beautiful lesson.
— Guzik

The manifold wisdom of God = "knowledge of the most precious things” (The diamond. The gospel. The mystery that’s been revealed).

The manifold wisdom of God is displayed when ordinary people of God, equipped with the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, dedicated to the Son of God, are accomplishing the mission of God—making worshippers of Christ from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Redeemed people enhance angelic praise.
Your life and activity in a local church body affect the praises of heaven.

Resurrender

1. Identify your role in this body in this season.
2. Embody your role with a zeal that would make the begging apostle proud. (Ephesians 4:1)

6 Roles - Identify & Embody

• Ambassadors: Evangelism, mercy, hospitality
• Trainers: Disciple-makers, teaching
• Builders: Leadership, giving, knowledge
• Advisors: Leadership, wisdom, discernment
• Artists: Encouraging, mercy, exhortation
• Investors: Encouraging, teaching, serving, helps