Equipped to Do the Work of Minsitry: Grow Eph. 4:7-10

Intro:

Recap from last week including asking how they are doing with application

Humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love

Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace

Last week we looked at the unity of the church, what we are called to. When it comes to worship, the renewal of our minds in Scripture, we all need to be on the same page with our calling and confession. This week we are looking at the diversity among those in the church, where we grow. This requires us to engage our hearts with the giftedness God has given us

Read the text (SLIDE)

Outline:

The Gift of Grace: “To Each One of Us” (vs. 7)

The Gift’s Source: “Christ” (vs. 8-10)

Gifts to Equip: “The Body of Christ” (vs. 11-13)

Summary:

Prayer: 1 Pet. 4:7-11 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

The Gift of Grace: “To Each One of Us” (v. 7)

The Measure of Christ (v. 7)

But Grace was given

to each one of us- this is given to every indidividual in Christ, where would we be without God’s grace?

According to the measure of Christ’s gift (“doreas” not “charis”)- The unity of the church depends on God’s saving grace, the diversity within the church is made up by Jesus’ equipping gifts.

Not the measure of what I think or what I desire, according to the measure of Christ’s gift to us.

The gifts are given by Christ, not determined by me nor given for me.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

The text right before this was about everyone being unified under the saving grace of God through Jesus

This section is about the diversity of the gifts of Jesus to those who are unified by God’s saving grace

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

What is Christ’s gift given to you through the Holy Spirit? What is it…Shepherding, administration, exhorting

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

If you are unsure, take the survey to start the conversation. it is on our website under resources, go check it out now if you have not.

Transitional phrase: God’s saving grace is what unifies us in the church, the diversity of Jesus’ gifts are what help us grow.

The Gift’s Soucre: “Christ” (vs. 8-10)

He (emphatic) gave gifts to men (v. 8)

Therefore it says

“When he ascended on high- This is a quote from Psalm 68:18 or a paraphrase of the whole Psalm 2 exchanges happened

he led a host of captives- “echmaloteusen”, aor, act, ind, 3rd, sg to capture (by force), as after an invasion

Captives to what? Sin? The grave? Those in Abraham’s bossom?

and he gave gifts to men”

In this context:

He gave- “edoken”, aor, act, ind, 3rd, sg to grant a request- to allow someone to have what the person has requested

Gifts- “domata”, presents, slightly different word than verse 8, but is not the word for grace.

To men- generic term, not just believers or the church

quoted from Ps. 68:18 “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.”

David is writing about God’s victory over their enemies

It turns to focus on what God does and will do

But it also has echos of what will happen in Revelation

Main difference:

Psalms “receiving gifts among men”,

Because of the earthly victory, the king (David) is praising the Lord for the vicotry

leading the captives in a train

receiving gifts as he goes to the temple

Eph. “giving gifts to men”

Because of the eternal victory, King Jesus is heading to heaven

Leading the captives

giving gifts as He goes to Heaven

Jesus did not receive the gifts that are due Him this time around. He will when He returns to rule.

This echos what will happen in the millenial reign of Jesus after the tribulation. If people want it to rain on their land, they are going to bring gifts to Jesus.

In all cases, gifts are only given in a state of victory

Summary of the Psalm- “The essence of the psalm is that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those who are identified with him. Christ, having captivated sinful people by redeeming them, is Victor and gives them as gifts to the church. Whereas Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 speak of gifts given to believers, Ephesians 4:7 speaks more of gifted believers given to the church (cf. v. 11).”

Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 634.

“He ascended” (v. 9)

The following seems to be an interpretation of what was just said, hence the brackets?

In saying “He ascended”

what does it mean but that he had also descended

into the lower regions

the earth?-Jesus descended from heaven, took on human form, was born of Mary, lived, was crucified, burried, and then rose again from the grave

“He descended” (v. 10)

He who descended

is the one who ascended- they are the same person.

John 3:13 “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”

far above all the heavens

that he might fill all things- very much like Colossians

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

I encourage you to go back and read Psalm 68 sometime today or this week

What in these verses caught your attention through new understanding or confusion? Take some time to study them for yourself this week?

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

Do you believe that Jesus did this for you and for our church family?

Since the gifts are given in a state of victory, what does that say we truley believe if we are not using them or stewarding them. A lack of growth in the christian walk and in the maturity of Christ’s gift can be a sign that we do not believe that Jesus really has won the victory. That there is a more important “calling” in your life than walking worthy of of Christ’s call.

When you and I exercise our gifts, when you and I grow to become more like Jesus we are proclaiming and celebrating that Jesus won the victory! What is keep ing your from celebrating?!

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Study these things out this week

Talk to a friend

Transitional phrase: Paul tells us that Jesus is the one who gives the gifts because He is the one that descended from heaven to the earth and ascended from the earth to heaven. He has won the victory! Has anyone else ever done this? No, then I think we should listen to the purpose he gave to these gifts...

Gifts to Equip: “The Body of Christ” (vs. 11-13)

The list (v. 11)

and he gave: Jesus is giving “gifted people”

the apostles- “sent one” as an authoritative delegate, an envoy of Jesus Christ comissioned directly by Him or by other apostles; nomally someone who has been taught directly by Jesus and who is invested with the authority to speak on his behalf

the prophets- someone who speaks in behalf of and interprets the will of a supernatural being, often rebuking or redicting events; can be used of poets who were said to be inspired by the gods. Their main purpose was to provide edification, exhortation, and comfort according to 1 Cor. 14:3. Doing so when the cannon of Scripture was not complete. They stood in the council of God and spoke from the mouth of God

These two were already mentioned in 2:20 and 3:5 as foundational gifts of the church.

“It is understood as a gift of insight into either the biblical text or the contemporary situation, or both, namely a powerful combination of accurate exposition and pertinent application.”

John R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 162.

the evangelists- Similar to present-day missionaries.

“It may refer to the gift of evangelistic preaching, or of making the gospel particularly plain and relevant to unbelievers, or of helping timorous people to take the plunge of commitment to Christ, or of effective personal witnessing.”

John R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 163.

the shepherds and teachers

Shepherd- Christian leader, a leader of a christian congregation understood as a shepherd over a flock of sheep, comforting and guiding.

Teacher- a person who instucts others by imparting skills or knowledge; probably as an occupation. Instructing them in God’s ways

Going (apostle, evangelist, itinerate) and staying (prophet, shepherd, settled congregations)

Speaking and serving

The purpose (v. 12)

to equip (the “What”)- “katartismon” noun, not a verb- completing, the bringing of somone or something to completion (perfect and adequate in every respect) and fit for some purpose.

the saints (The “Who”)- Yes, this is plural! This means all of us, not one of us. The plan is to send gifted people to equip gifted people to be the measure of Christ’s gift to the church.

for the work of ministy (The “Why)- Yes this is singular! We have one goal or mission, or ministry.

Work- “ergon” work, duty, work that a person is obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons.

Ministry- “diakonias” service, ministry. Singular. to go out and evangelize and remain and disciple- “every member ministry”- John Stott

for building up the body of Christ (“the “How”)

Building up- “oikodomen” noun, singular, the act of bringing something closere to fullnes or completion; understood as if assisting in the construction of an incomplete building. USE THIS FOR KIDS DEVOTIONAL WITH LEGO OR BLOCKS

The body of Christ- singular, a congregation of believers understood as a human body.

“Gifted people (Eph. 4:11) are to minister the Word to others so that they in turn are readied to get involved in ministering to others (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2). The goal of all this is the building up or edifying of the body of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:16). This shows that all saints and not just a few leaders should be involved in the “ministry.” All saints are gifted (v. 7) to serve others spiritually.”

The best way I understand this is to think of illustration of coaching. The coach is a gifted individual with knowledge of the game, strategy, the opponent and his or her players. What do they do, they don’t run out onto the court and play the game. No, they take gifted individuals and equip them with what they need to work together for the common goal.

Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 635.

The goal (v. 13)

Renewed mind: until we all attain (“reach”) to (the “When”)- until all the travellers arrive at the destination, which is described in 3 goals:

the unity of the faith- “oneness” united…remember the “one” statments...

and of the knowledge of the Son of God

Engaged Heart: to mature manhood- this looks like something

Mature- “teleion” mature development, having reached full natural growth or development

Manhood- “andra” an adult person who is male, as opposed to a woman

Have Luke or some other kid come to the plateform, one younger, one older

Enlisted Body: to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Measure- “metron” quantity, how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

Stature- “helikias” maturity, age, the social recognition, qualification, or expectations of a specific age group; behaviour fitting an older age group often resulting in greater esteem in all categories.

Of the fullness- “pleromatos”, completeness, fullness, the stat of having every necessary or normal part of component or stemp

OF CHRIST!

There it is the 3 goals of becomind more like Jesus!

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

John Stott says that this ministy model is not a pyramid with the pastor on the top or a bus in which the pastor drives and everyone sits in security behind him, but as a body that has many members working together.

This is why I am a little hesitant to hire a “Youth Pastor” or “Music Pastor” to “drive the bus of that ministry when we already have gifted people in these areas serving well.

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

You are a piece of the puzzle, where do you fit

Transitional phrase:

Summary

Song: Ancient Words … “Let us come with open hearts… ”

Update and Farewell to the Schmidts

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. According to verses 7-8, who is qualified to give gifts? In what ways does Psalm 68 (especially verse 18) help us understand this section of Ephesians?

3. What gifted people are listed in verse 11? Give a brief description of what each one is and any passages of Scripture that support your answer.

4. According to verses 12-13, what is the purpose of goal of gifted people being given to the church?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. Which area do you think our church needs to grow the most:

a. Unity of the faith and of the knowldege of the son of God (Worship: Renewing the Mind)?

b. Mature manhood (Grow: Engaging the heart in Christ-like community through conversation)?

c. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Serve: Enlisting the body to share the hope of the gospel with our neighbours)?

2. Where are you actively involved in the work of ministry? Is there anything holding you back from building up the body of Christ?

3. What was something you found helpful to your understanding during the sermon (eg. scripture passage, quote, diagram, illustration, etc.)?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

If you have not already, please take the gifts survey that is on our website

Who will you talk to this week about using or discovering the giftedness you have been given for the work of the ministry and building up those around you?

Where are you going to seek to serve the body this week?