Building Up the Body

A Daily Thunder Series with Nathan Johnson

Building Up the Body

A Study in the Unity and Growth of the Church from Ephesians 4

The apostle Paul reminds us that in every generation, the church needs to be measured against the perfect standard of Jesus Christ. And the modern church is sorely lacking. In this series from Ephesians 4, Nathan Johnson shows that our desperate need is for unity, focus, and repentance. We in the body of Christ, must be measured and grow in our maturity that is marked by the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Part 1: The Symphony of the Saints (Ephesians 4:1–6)

The body of Christ is called to live in unity with one another—a symphony of the saints. As we dive back into Ephesians 4, Nathan uses this study as a review of Ephesians 4:1–6 to set the context for our future studies. As he reminds us, we are not called to uniformity but to true Jesus-focused unity as the Church. If you’d like to listen to Nathan’s past studies in the book of Ephesians, check out his Ephesians Bible Study podcast here.

Part 2: Your Gift of Grace for Salvation and Serving (Ephesians 4:7)

You have received the ultimate gift from Jesus Christ—His grace! While many of us think of one aspect of grace (salvation from sin), we miss what Peter calls the “manifold wonder of grace”—the many layers and characteristics of His grace. In this study, we explore Ephesians 4:7 and Paul’s declaration that every Christian has received the fullness of grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Part 3: The Humility and Exaltation of Christ (Ephesians 4:8-10)

Christ has ascended! While Christians give a lot of focus to the death and resurrection of Christ, we nod our heads at His ascension. Yet, contained in the ascension of Jesus is His exaltation, coronation, and a revelation of His majestic supremacy! Join Nathan Johnson in this study of Ephesians 4:8–10 as we examine Paul’s parenthetical statement about the majesty and preeminence of Christ Jesus in the context of Him giving gifts to the Church. He has ascended!

Part 4: A Gift to the Church (Ephesians 4:11)

Jesus has given a gift to His body—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But what are they and how do they function today? In this study from Ephesians 4:11, Nathan explores these five areas, how they might be different today, and explains why God gave them to the Church. This message is bound to step on some toes, but will ultimately point all of us to the Giver of the gift, Christ Jesus.

Part 5: The Waiter at the Table (Ephesians 4:12)

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:12–13 that God’s desire for the Church is to grow up and be built into a body that is mature and measured by the stature of Christ. And this “building up the body” process happens, according to Paul, when every believer is equipped and in active ministry. In this message, Nathan examines Ephesians 4:12 and what it means for every Christian to be a “waiter at the table” for the work of Christ and His Kingdom.

Part 6: The Perfect Man (Ephesians 4:13)

Jesus is the perfect man and Paul writes that He is the standard of growth and maturity for the Church. In this study of Ephesians 4:13, we investigate the primary goal for the body of Christ and discover the only way it is possible to live such a life.