The Vision of the Five Guys

The Vision of the Five Guys

Words of Faith 3-9-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Ephesians 4

[12]... so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 

      What is the vision of the Five Guys ministry?  What is supposed to happen as a result of the guidance of the Holy Spirit through Godly leaders? 

      The vision that the Holy Spirit sets before us for the Body of Christ is that it may be built up.  This does not necessarily mean a larger Body, but it definitely means a stronger one.  The vision given by the Holy Spirit is that of a more competent, greatly strengthened, Body of believers. 

       The local expression of the Body of Christ is a ministry of the Gospel that is responsive to what Christ desires rather than what the world or people desire. The gathering of the ecclesia-- the called out ones-- is not a political arena.  It is a place of obedience to the Spirit.

        Because of this, there will be unity in faith-- our basic TRUST of Jesus together.  There will be unity in knowledge-- how much we KNOW Jesus.  There will be recognition-- a full discernment and acknowledgment-- of the Son of God.  There will be a maturity that reaches the whole measure of the fullness of Christ so that none will miss out on any of what Jesus has for them.

       Wow. That sounds great, but what does that look like?  Paul described the qualities of a mature Christian Body Life under godly leadership. 

    First, we will no longer be infants... The word used by the Spirit here means babylike or childish, immature. The plural speaks of no longer being a gathering of baby believers.  While babies are cute cuddly and generally very lovable, they are also completely dependent others, must be watched all the time, and are entirely self-absorbed.  That is not the goal of Christ in us.  He wants to grow us up.

     Secondly, we will be no longer tossed and blown.  The image described is that of waves thrown back and forth by the wind.  The goal of Christ in us is not to be blown here and thereby the winds of bad teaching and deceit.  We are not to be violently "whirled around" until we are spiritually dizzy by every wind of teaching.  Are not to be blown along by the latest fads or by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming-- deliberate schemes of charlatans and manipulators.

     Third, we are to be those who are speaking the truth in love.  In contrast to childish or tumultuous fleshly energies, we will speak truth in love as a core dimension of the "Body Life."  With the guidance and care of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers-- truth is proclaimed and truth is spoken in love.

      This is not a license or excuse for blunt or hurtful communication, selfish confrontation, self-indulgent transparency, opinionated outbursts or "Christian Assertiveness."  None of that reflects the character of Jesus. Paul has already said-- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (4:2).  Rather, we might bear a sign that reads: Truth spoken here.

        Father God, grow me up.  Grow me beyond the infancy of the faith.  Keep me from the winds that blow so many believers here and there.  Make Your truth evident in me.  Call me to situations where truth is needed and where I might speak truth in love.  In Jesus’ Name. 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2010, 2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.