In this sermon, we looked at God’s plan for His Church to grow together in biblical community. We began in Genesis 2 with a reminder that we were created with a need to be in relationship, with God and others, in which we can be fully known and fully loved. In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul lays out God's plan for His Church and the essential roles of Church leaders in equipping Church members to minister to one another in order to build up the body of Christ. Growing together is the sanctification process through which God makes us more like Christ, individually and collectively. For sanctification to take place in our lives individually, it is critical for each member to engage in ministering to one another, leading to the collective growth and sanctification of the Church. As we grow together in biblical community, we are being sanctified together, becoming fully restored in the likeness of Christ.
