What is God doing in the earth today? He is building His church. Jesus said that He will build his church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matt 16:18). The church is the hope of the world, and through it, Christ can be manifested.

In English we often use the term ‘church’’, referring to a building. That is a complete misunderstanding. The church has never been a building made with hands. It consists of living stones - people like you and I. The Church is a living organism where Christ is the head. A church doesn’t really need four walls; we are the church wherever we go.

Everyone is called to the ministry
Amongst other important truths, we learn from this passage in Ephesians 4:7-16, t hat everyone is called to the ministry (v.7, 12, 16 )

This is a new thought for many believers today. People have been trained to be ‘spectators’ from the sidelines rather than members who participate. The word ‘’membership ‘’ in English has biblical roots. We are members of Christ’s body and every part of the body has a function and is important to Him. God has never called us to be church-attenders only, but members fulfilling a function.

 
There is grace for your place
Also , when God calls us to the ministry, we receive grace for the place we minister in (v.7)

This is good news! The Christian life is not about striving and struggling in our own power and in the end being completely worn out. When God calls us, He also gives us the grace. Grace is unmerited and can only be received. Grace in this context is God’s ability working in us.

Your local church is the place you will discover, develop, and use the gift and grace that is upon your life. You may also have a wider ministry that is reaching further but that is in addition to your ministry in your local body.

1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 
Christ is the giver of all gifts
We also need to remember that Christ is the giver of all gifts (v. 7)

We cannot put ourselves in any position or choose which ministry we want to do. In Romans chapter 12 and in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 we read that there are many different ministries and callings in the body of Christ.

 
Called to build other people up
Here in Ephesians we read that some have gifts or are called to the fivefold ministry (v.11) Their main purpose is to equip others to do the work of the ministry ( v. 12)

“Equip” here, means to prepare, train, perfect and to make fully qualified for service.

We need to remember that authority is always given to leaders to build other people up -

2 Cor 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Leaders are set in the church to build up and to help the other members to reach their full potential, not to tear them down. Leaders are there to make the members successful, not vice versa. In a local church, we want to create a healthy environment where people can discover their gifts and graces given to them by God. We may compare the local church to a green house where people can grow and develop in their God-given gifts and fulfill the dreams that God has put in them.

Churches should always have a vision that is big enough to encompass the members’ dreams and visions in the overall vision.

 
We need each other
We also learn form this passage that we need each other (v. 16)

Organs always have to be connected to a body to fulfil their purpose. Another important thing is that you make other members function. When one organ or part of our natural body does not work right, other parts suffer also.

Eph 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. New Living Translation

 
Healthy bodies grow
In conclusion, in verse 16 we read that the body: joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

A natural effect of a healthy body is growth. God wants internal growth and numerical growth. God has always been a God of growth and multiplication even from the first chapter in the Bible (Gen 1:27-28)

When every member is in place and are using their God-given gifts and graces in their lives, it will result in growth and expansion on the earth.

Together, we can make a difference. Take your place in the body!