10_8_2023 - Ephesians 4:7-10 - The King That Gives

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue our “Ephesians” series.

(AG Reminder)

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(Ephesians Context)

The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are what we call the “Prison Epistles.”

Paul is writing Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60 AD (recorded in Acts 28).

Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (Eph. 6:20-21).

This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.

On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

On his third missionary journey Paul pastored the church of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31).

Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.

(Series Recap and Sermon Title)

Since July, we have been going through the Bible book of Ephesians.

In Ephesians 1 we focused on the calling of Paul and the nature of the gospel.

In Ephesians 2 we focused on the impact of God’s love, mercy, and grace upon us and the people around us and how being “in Christ” changes us.

In Ephesians 3 we focused on the mystery of Christ being played out in the Church.

Last week, Pastor Robby, spoke from In Ephesians 4:1-6 about “Unity”

Today we are in Ephesians 4:7-10 and have entitled the message, “The King That Gives”

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 4:7–10 (NLT)

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.

10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

1. King Jesus Gave Grace

Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)

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

Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

This “grace” (charis) is not saving or sanctifying grace, but ministry grace.

However, this ministry grace flows from His saving grace.

(Grace Definition)

Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve.

When we come to know Jesus we receive His “grace,” and from this grace we are given the responsibility to minister to the body as Christ has called us to minister.

Every believer should be a minister of the gospel to others, not necessarily as pastors but as believers who have witnessed the work of God in their own lives.

Paul uses the word grace here in the sense in which we have found it used in Ephesians 3:2, 7-8, as in the privilege of a special calling in the service of God.

The word, “grace" implies that there is no place for boasting; none has anything other than what he has received freely.

Paul is clear in so many places that it is by the grace of God that he was called to minister unto the body of Christ.

Everyone within the body of Christ has been given the ability to minister one-to-another in some way.

The Apostle Peter says it this way:

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

2. King Jesus Gave Gifts

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.”

Ephesians 4:8 (NLT)

8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”

What is interesting about this statement that Paul makes is that he is quoting an Old Testament Scripture, but he says one part of it different than the original.

Psalm 68:18 (ESV)

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.

Paul changes it from, “and receiving gifts among men” to “he gave gifts to men.”

That statement seems upside down that the conqueror would receive gifts from their captives.

(Roman Conqueror Context)

Roman conquerors would enter a city with their captives behind him.

Their captives would have to give offerings of worth to remain alive and in the service of the conqueror.

Instead, King Jesus came and conquered and gave gifts to those who were held captive!

King Jesus is like no other king.

He is the King of kings and does things His way.

Christ came and gave us grace for the ministry of the body one to another and He gave gifted us with spiritual gifts through the enablement of His Holy Spirit to minister effectively.

Commentary Quote

Each believer is to function in Christ’s body by God’s enablement, proportionate to the gift (spiritual ability) bestowed on him, no more and no less.

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.

Elsewhere Paul uses “gift” (charisma) to refer to that which is given to believers for corporate service and edification (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:4).

Each one of us is used of the Spirit in the grace or giftings of the Spirit (Eph. 4:7; Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11; 1 Pet. 4:10).

In Ephesians 4:4–6 “one” was used in reference to the sevenfold unity, and here it underscores that each member ought to be a contributor and participant in that unity through his use of the gifts the Spirit has enabled us to use.

These “gifts” are based not on the believers’ works or merit but according to the grace of God.

Christ graciously and sovereignly distributes “gifts” to every member of his body by the Spirit as He determines.

Specifically, Paul in context of Ephesians 4 is speaking of “gifts” in the sense of the people that He has given to the Church, the body of Christ.

Next week, we will speak at length about what those “gifts” are and why they are important.

Finally Paul giving commentary on the rest of Psalm 68:18 by unpacking the truth of Christ’s plan.

Ephesians 4:9–10 (NLT)

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.

10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

(Sermon Recap)

The King That Gives

King Jesus Gave Grace

King Jesus Gave Gifts

(Closing Tension)

(Response Card)

(Closing Challenge)

(Response)

(Invite Prayer Team)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.