2. Ephesians 4:7-10
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

3. Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

4. Ephesians 4:14-16
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

5. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly equipped (12a)
for the equipping of the saints…
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly effective (12b)
for the work of service…
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly edified (12c)
to the building up of the body of Christ…

6. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly established (14-16)
Establish in doctrinal discernment (14)
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming…

7. Acts 20:29-30
“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

8. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“Indeed it might almost be said that the New Testament came into being in order to warn Christian people to beware of the terrible ever-present danger of being led astray by false teaching concerning our Lord Himself and His great salvation.”

9. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly established (14-16)
Established in doctrinal discernment (14)
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming…

10. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly established (14-16)
Established in truthful testimony (15)
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…
We must practice truth (15 a)
…but speaking the truth
We must practice truth “in love” (15 b)
…but speaking the truth in love
We must practice truth “in love” to grow in Christ (15 c)
…we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…

11. Philippians 3:12-14
“12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

12. “grow up in all aspects into [Christ]”
In thought life
In emotional life
In body/moral life
In use of time, money, possessions

13. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly established (14-16)
Established in dynamic determination (16)
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love…

14. Honest Evaluation?
Are you growing in doctrinal discernment, so that you are not tossed around by all of the modern waves and winds of doctrine?
Are you practicing, confessing, and proclaiming the truth of the gospel in the love of Christ?
Are you growing towards Christlikeness in every area of life as you submit to His lordship?
Are you serving the body of Christ so as to contribute to the growth of the whole body in love?