Walk the Walk 2

This morning we are going to move on deeper into Ephesians chapter 4. Sunday before last we started looking at what Paul has for us on living the Christian life, walking the walk, and as Brother Bobby taught us last Sunday this can only be done in and through the Holy Spirit. We are called to walk a holy walk, a united walk, Paul gives us some of the reasons for our unity in verses 1-6, we are united in one body and one Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit. Paul then sums up why we are called not only to unity but also to walk in a manner worthy, it is because there is “one Lord, one faith one baptism, and one God who is over all, in all and through all.”This morning we are going to be looking at verses 7-16 where Paul is going to show us how Christ builds and unites the church. We have two points this morning 1 God’s provision for growth verses 7-12 and 2 What is the goal of our growth verses 13-16.

Ephesians 4:7–10 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up 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 mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:14–16 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

God’s Provision for Growth

Ephesians 4:7 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Here Paul moves from the unity of all believers to the uniqueness of believers “grace was given to each one”. What is grace, it can be seen as the single word definition of the gospel, God’s offering of salvation to us, who are not worthy. God could have just let us all die in our sins couldn’t He, but he extended grace to each one of us to give us the opportunity to experience reconciliation and restoration through the power of the Holy Spirit. And God’s gift has nothing to do with anything we have done. His gift of salvation is undeserved, unmerited and unearned. Now the second part of that verse talks about the measure of Christ’s gift, whether you think so our not if you are truly saved and have the Spirit of the Living God residing in you, then you have a spiritual gift that is unique, a gift from God. The Greek word that Paul uses here for gift focuses on the Spirit as the source of that gift. In the beginning of the chapter he focuses on Unity through our connection with one God, yet here we see that each one of us has our own particular gift, which is to be used for the good of the whole. We are to use our gifts for the growth of the kingdom.

Ephesians 4:8 ESV

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

Here we see Paul quoting from Psalm 68:18. Where David paints a picture of God being victorious and His triumphant ascent to Mount Zion. Christ defeated satan and death on the cross, He returned to God those who had once been held captive by their sin. Paul sees this also to represent Christ’s victory, and just as a conquering king would return and distributes the spoils of his victory.

Ephesians 4:9 ESV

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

There are several interpretational view points of this verse. 1)That Christ’s descended is speaking of the time between His death and Resurrection where He witnessed to the Spirits in prison those in Hades. 2) That Christ’s descended is speaking about His incarnation.

Ephesians 4:10 ESV

10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

We see here that Paul clarifies that he is referring to Christ, because of the order that he speaks. Jesus descended (His carnation). and then he ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. That He might fill all things, He Jesus fills the entire universe with His divine presence (Omnipresence) power (Omnipotence), sovereignty and blessings.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Not only did Christ give gifts to men, He also equipped them to further the growth of the church, part of His provision for the church. Paul gives a list of church offices, this is not an all inclusive list, but those equipped for the instructing the church. The point is not about the gifts that these have recieved, but that the individuals gifted with these are gifts themselves to the church. Apostles were those who had seen the risen Lord. Prophets were not just ordinary believers with the gift of prophecy, but those who were specially commissioned in the early church. Evangelists are those who proclaim the gospel to the lost. Shepherds or as some translations say pastors and teachers these can be seen as one office of leadership in the church. Because the shepherds are to feed the sheep.

Ephesians 4:12 ESV

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Here Paul gives the reason. The provision. The word equip refers to making something complete, here it refers to leading believers from sin to obedience. The church has the responsibility to shed the gospel light throughout the world. We have apostles, prophets (these two are found in the Word), evangelists, shepherds and teachers to help the church, equip the church, he means to teach the church us, what we need to know so that we can share the gospel with the world around us. Remember this is the one job that all believers have in common, that we are to share the gospel.

What is the Goal of our Growth

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Here we see the goal and the goal Paul had in mind is not numerical growth, but building up the body, working out in the spiritual gym to grow our spiritual muscles. The unity of faith that Paul is speaking of here is the revealed truth that makes up Christian teaching. This is why the body of Christ is being built up. The reason we get instruction is so that we can mature, not physical maturity, but spiritual maturity. Remember the process we go through in our salvation. Justification, sanctification and glorification. He is speaking of sanctification here, the lifelong process of becoming more Christ like. Remember Jesus is our standard for spiritual maturity and perfection.

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

This is another reason that we are equipped. The spiritual maturity that we are working towards. We need spiritual maturity so that we are not tossed around by false doctrines. If we are immature we are easily swayed, and blown in the wrong direction. Paul was deeply concerned about doctrinal stability, as we should be. There should be no compromise on the doctrines of God’s word.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Christ is the head of the church. The head of the body. The body of the church has many members that work together for the whole body. To share the gospel, to further the kingdom.

Ephesians 4:16 ESV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

We are united in Christ, held together through Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Godly biblical church growth only comes from every member of the body fully using their spiritual gifts in submission to the Holy Spirit, and in cooperation with other believers.