Thanks for the Presents

or…for the Presence?

Within the Church, we recognize that we are only the true Church if the Holy Spirit is present

The Spirit of the Living God must be present of a church is just a building or an organization

Maybe good things are happening, but it’s not a church

The ascended Christ is in the Heavens and in the process of filling all things up

Offertory: Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place

This is the difference between a dead church and live church

The Spirit inhabits all believers at the moment of salvation

So, He gave these gifts

The context is Eph 4 8

Ephesians 4:8 ESV

Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

The gifts are gifted people! The construction in Greek makes HE emphatic—Christ himself gave the gifts

Other Comments on Context

Ephesians is a book that emphasizes location—being the word or concept “in” shows up

Theologian Henry Ironside titled his exposition the book, “In the Heavenlies”

This morning we will encounter the concept of direction:growing into Christ

The List of the Gifts

Right in v. 11:

Apostles

Somewhat interpretive in translation

We make distinctions between the 12 apostles—specific men; and the general term, those recognized by that group

Matthias, Paul, James, brother of Jesus; Barnabas, others—possibly expand the list to 22

These others were gifted as apostles, did not share the position of the 12

Important to note that the office of apostle ceased to exist when the last of them died

There is no Biblical justification for the office to have been handed off—apostolic succession

The next round of theologians, e.g., Polycarp, Papias, Clement…a host of others, did much, taught much…but were never considered apostles; called apostolic fathers or ante-Nicene fathers—never apostles

They filled the multiple of the rolls listed in the gifting list

We could say that they passed the torch on to the other gifted individuals mentioned in the text

Prophets,

Those who speak forth the Word of God, not those who foretell future events

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

Evangelists

Specifically those who proclaim the Gospel

Classic example, Billy Graham

He fits none of the other described positions—but what a gift to the church

Shepherds, and teachers

…or pastors and teachers

Greek construction causes us to treat the two as a combined gift set

Those who lead the flocks, in a continual teaching mode

In this context, we generally see pastors/teachers and being melded into one person

In the 1st century, it may have looked different

Today, we have teachers who are not pastors

We might even see today the same man being pastor/teacher/prophet

The Purpose of the Gifts

From v. 12

Collectively to equip the saints—church is not to be a spectator sport

…for the work of the ministry

…for building up the body

…until we attain unity of faith and knowledge...

The Result of the Gifts

A change in construction @ v. 14, a “hina” clause SO THAT

Now we look at the desired result

No longer children

Easily tossed to and fro by error, deceit, cunning

Instead

Speaking the truth in love

Something of a reference to that bind guy who is happy to fix your sin, blind to his own sin

To be MATURE

To be a fully functioning body, v. 16; all parts working together

Growing into Christ—clearly there’s a direction to that…a direction to the life of a believer

As the head, he holds us together

When all the parts are working together, the church grows properly, building itself up in love

The body becomes a living organism—the Church is alive

Thanksgiving for these Gift

Are we giving thanks for the gifts

Like Jimmy Fallon, writing his thank you notes:

I am thankful for those apostles—who put themselves on the front lines; truly avant-garde; the leading edge of this new thing called Christianity

I am thankful for the prophets—those who spoke, and still speak words of Biblical encouragement and counsel into lives of believers throughout the two centuries the church has been in existence

I’m thankful for the evangelists who have boldly proclaimed the Gospel

That man is sinful; cannot save himself from hell; Christ died to pay the penalty so we don’t have to go to Hell; For me that was Jack Wyrtzen

I am thankful for the pastor-teachers who nourished me and brought me along---there’s a long list

I am thankful for the LIVING CHURCH

Those who do the work of the ministry

Those who make phone calls, visit, communicate, cajole, encourage, help others

How Do We Show Thanks?

The greatest expression of thanks...

Thankfulness first for our salvation

Thankfulness for the church—both universal and local—into which we are placed

...is to use our gifts

You may say “but I’m not an evangelist, a pastor/teacher, a prophet”

But, we have other gifts of 1st Cor. 12 4-6 , also service and activities

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 ESV

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

If truly saved, we’re given the Holy Spirit who empowers us with theses things

We are NOT to be spectators

The LIVING CHURCH depends on participation

I submit to you that participation, joyful participation is the truest mark of thankfulness

To quote Pastor Rick Klueg: If you’re saved and not serving, you’re sinning

Not trying to toss guilt on anyone; but...

As we close,

If you are saved, have you felt the Spirit move you exercise your gifting? provoke you acts of service?

It’s time to act, out of thanks, not of guilt or obligation

A Call to Thanksgiving

As we thank God for His bounty

…for His goodness

…His mercy

…His grace...

Let us show our thanks actively, not sitting passively

But by being a vital part of the living church