Christ's Gift to the Church, for the Church 10/29/23

Welcome - Prayer, Israel

Introduction

Ever given a gift that you did not want, did not realize you needed (awkward moment).

*Grandma’s Gift

Ever been offered something that you did not want, only to discover it was something you would need in the future (all the time, hoarder).

Ever been offered a gift, that you did not know was a gift, but a thought a burden.

Christ

People

Main Point

Gift’s given by Christ for the building of his Body, the church.

*3 Major Themes, 3 Sections of Scripture

What… Grace and Gifts Given

For… Building of the Body

Result… Children on firm foundation, growing in love.

*What… Grace and Gift’s Given (Ephesians 4:7-10)

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

Given by Grace in His Measure

Measure by His discretion

*8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,

He led captive a host of captives,

And He gave gifts to men.”

“Captives” we were slaves to sin

Now “captive” to Christ, Life not our own, salves of Christ. (Joyfully!)

He gave gifts to men… what gifts, what men?

*9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

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

He qualifies, he fills all things...

Why he was born, lived sinless, died, was resurrected and then ascended, conquering death.

*For Building of the Body (Ephesians 4:11-13).

*11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

People as a gift of Christ

Not everyone is...

No title, but anointing.

Anointing - An observable, evident (by the Body) gifting, producing fruits, walking in the fruit of the Spirit and love.

*Apostles - Sent Ones, not “Christ’s Apostles” but plant and oversee.

Prophets - Words of God, discerning, heart of the truth.

Evangelists - Spread the Word, heart for the lost.

Shepherds - Feed/Protect the sheep.

Teachers - Teach the Word, accuracy to the Word of God.

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

Given by Christ for Equipping… you, the church for...

The works of service

GOAL... of building up the Body

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

IN… unity of the faith

AND… knowledge of the Son of God

TO… Maturity

Absolute necessity for a healthy Body/church

Conclusion, to what end...

*Result… Children on firm foundation, growing in love (Ephesians 4:14-16)

*14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

Who does this sound like?

The Result are from… these gifts, these people, building and equipping.

Given by Christ, thus we need to accept the gift and use it!

It is His way for our life, his people and His church!

Thus not being fooled, as the church is prepared and protected.

*15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

Truth and Correction in Love

Causing growth in Christ

*16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Fitted together, each part in right relationship.

Build this house of God

The Body of Christ

A building built on, and in love.

Story: Building a house… the right people, with the right skills.

Same with the church.

Takes time to learn and grow in the gift’s God has given.