Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - Handout

Ephesians 4:7-16

I’ve talked about this before, but before 2020 the UIL, which is the governing body of High School sports in Texas, would not allow schools to live broadcast their Friday night games. Of course, there were a few exceptions, but not many.

After 2020, or in the fall of 2020, because of Covid, this began to change. The UIL started letting schools broadcast their Friday night games. They originally said it was only going to be for one year, but they now allow it all the time.

I was approached and asked if I would broadcast the games online for our school. I agreed and began to put a team together consisting of students and community volunteers. I did this for two years; I loved it. My goal every Friday night was to put together the best possible broadcast in the state. It ended up being very successful and received great accolades from the community and the school.

But what made this whole thing successful wasn’t just me. Yes, I did the planning and producing, but I had a great team of volunteers who worked their tails off in the blazing August heat and the blistering weather of November. When we showed up on Friday nights, every individual knew exactly what they were there supposed to do, and how important their job was to the overall broadcast. Nobody complained. Nobody argued. Nobody got flustered; except me when there were technical difficulties. Everybody knew their job was important. The guy running the camera on the sideline was no less important than the girl running the graphics in the press box. The guy who set up the microphones was no less important than the guys doing play-by-play. Everybody had a job. Everybody did their job. I had a great team and we were successful. ----

Tonight, we continue to look at Paul’s practical advice for life and ministry that he provides in his letter to the church at Ephesus. The key to this text is that everyone has a job to do in the ministry of the church, the body of Christ; and the only way for the church to fulfill its mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is for each person to understand their gifting and calling, and put that to work for the ministry.

Ephesians 4:7-16 (NASB)

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high, He led captive the captives, And He gave gifts to people.”

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.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of 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 a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 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 people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, 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.

The text starts with the word BUT. We talked last week in the previous passage that the church is ONE body and every member is to strive to keep the peace and unity within that body.

BUT, Paul says, the body is not only a unity, but it is also very much a diversity. While we are united together in the spirit, all believers are also very much different. We have all been given different spiritual gifts to use in the life of the body of Christ.

Spiritual gifts are special abilities granted to the believer by God for the building up and the strengthening of the believers.

Four things concerning spiritual gifts:

1. Every believer IS gifted.

2. Every believer's gift has COST the highest price.

3. Every believer’s gift is CHRIST-CENTERED.

4. Every believer’s gift has a threefold PURPOSE.

I. Every believer is gifted (Ephesians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4)

Ephesians 4:7 (NASB)

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

If you are a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, you are not exempted from this truth. Christ has given you a spiritual gift.

A) Spiritual gifts are not natural abilities.

God has given each of us natural abilities, and of course, this is considered when gifting believers with their spiritual gifts.

B) Spiritual gifts are highly specialized gifts

These gifts are given to build up the body of Christ, the church, in witnessing and ministering to the outside world.

C) It is Jesus who graces us with the ability to perform these tasks.

The power, the strength, the love, the concern, the motivation, the courage, the wisdom – all come from Christ to use your gift. We are not dependent on our abilities.

- This should be an encouragement to you to use the gift. It’s not based on what you can do; it is Christ who empowers and sustains you in the gift.

1 Corinthians 12:4 (NASB)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

II. Every believer’s gift costs the greatest price (Eph. 4:8-10)

Ephesians 4:8-10 (NASB)

8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high, He led captive the captives, And He gave gifts to people.”

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.)

A) See the picture being painted here.

It is a picture of a king who is returning to his city, or nation after a victorious battle. Behind the king is the victorious army. But behind the victorious army are the prisoners of war from the enemy. The enemy who had set out originally to destroy the king and his army, are now defeated. With the defeated army comes the spoils of war. The victorious king bestows upon his people the spoils of war.

We too have enemies that attack over and over; sin and death. Christ has defeated those enemies at the cross. Christ went to war on behalf of mankind and conquered sin and death. They no longer have dominion over us. Because they no longer have dominion, our lives can have purpose and meaning.

B) Note the great cost. (Rom. 10:7, Matt. 12:40, Col 2:15, Heb 2:14)

Jesus paid the price of death to be able to give the spiritual gifts. Paul quotes from Psalm 68 when he tells us that for Jesus to ASCEND into the heavenly realm He first had to DESCEND into the lower parts of the earth.

There’s lots of debate on what this text is referencing when it talks about the “lower parts or regions of the earth.” F.F. Bruce says this may mean one of three things, the earth itself to which Jesus came from heaven, the sepulcher or tomb in which He was laid, or Hades, the place of the dead.

In studying scripture, we should understand that scripture interprets scripture. So, let’s look at other scriptures to draw our conclusion.

Romans 10:7

7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

The abyss is referencing the abode of the dead.

Philippians 2:8 tells us Christ humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross. The literal translation is, He humbled Himself to the “lowest depths of death.” We can contrast this with Him being “exalted to the highest” heavens of God.

Matthew 12:40

40 for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

Christ shall descend into the lowest part of the earth; the place prepared for the dead.

The point is this: Jesus had to die and descend into Hades, the place prepared for the dead to gain the right to gift men with spiritual gifts. Had He not died, we could not have been saved or gifted. He has conquered our enemies and paid the greatest price for your spiritual gift.

Colossians 2:15

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Hebrews 2:14

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

C) Note the great reward

He descended to ascend and fill the whole earth with His presence. He is seated at the right hand of the Father in splendor and majesty. He is now able to save and gift mankind.

III. Every believer’s gift is Christ-centered

Ephesians 4:11 (NASB)

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

Christ possesses the gifts to give to mankind; HE GAVE.

There are five specific gifts listed in the text.

1) The gift of an Apostle.

- Apostles means to send out.

- Apostles are representatives of their land or country

- Apostles belong to the one who sent them

- Apostles are commissioned before being sent

- Apostles carry the authority and power of the One who sends them

- Refers to the original 12 Apostles and Paul

- Three qualifications: (Acts 1:21-22)

A) Chosen directly by Jesus Himself

B) Had seen or been a companion of Jesus during His earthly ministry

C) Was an eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus.

- The gift of apostleship was bound to die because of the limitations on its qualification.

2) The gift of a Prophet. (1 Cor. 14:3)

- This is the gift of speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

- Includes both predication and proclamation

- This gift has been highly abused, therefore many struggle to believe it still exists. But God can still give the gift of allowing believers a glimpse into things to come.

- One primary function: The strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of mankind.

1 Corinthians 14:3

3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.

3) The gift of an Evangelist.

- The gift of taking the Gospel all over the world

- Specializes in spreading the Gospel to the lost

- Both evangelists and missionaries

4) The gift of a Pastor.

- Greek word means “Shepherd.”

- Jesus told Peter to “Shepherd His sheep.” (John 21:16) Peter told other ministers to “Shepherd the flock of God.” (1 Peter 5:2) Paul told the elders in Ephesus to “Shepherd” the church. (Acts 20:28)

- Jesus is the Good Shepherd and gives us the qualities of the under-shepherd.

A) He knows the sheep (John 10:14).

John 10:14

14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me,

B) He feeds the sheep (Even if by force) (Isaiah 40:11).

Isaiah 40:11

11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in the fold of His robe; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

C) He guides the sheep (Psalm 23:1-4)

D) He seeks and saves the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12)

Matthew 18:12

12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost?

E) He protects the sheep (John 10:11)

John 10:11

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

F) He restores sheep that go astray (1 Peter 2:25)

1 Peter 2:25

25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

G) He rewards sheep for obedience and faithfulness (1 Peter 5:4)

1 Peter 5:4

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

H) He shall separate the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:32-33)

Matthew 25:32-33

32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.

5) The gift of a teacher.

- Job is to instruct believers in the truth of God and His ways.

- Teaching is one of the highest callings. Ranked second behind apostles and prophets.

- Often tied together with the calling of a pastor-teacher

- Every pastor, prophet, and apostle has the gift of teaching, but not every teacher is a pastor, prophet, or apostle.

- Teachers will be held to a higher accountability before God. (James 3:1)

James 3:1

3 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.

- Involves understanding, interpreting, arraigning, and communicating the Word of God.

IV. Every believer’s gift has a three-fold purpose

Ephesians 4:12-16

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of 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 a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 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 people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, 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.

The five gifts list in the previous text are gifts that involve aspects of speaking and proclaiming the Word of God. These are typically looked at as vocational ministries.

- Threefold purpose

1) Equip believers to do the work of ministry

A) It is not the responsibility of the vocational minister to do ALL the work; he is to prepare believers to be able to do the ministry work and to build up the church.

B) The church CANNOT be built up without the members themselves doing the work of ministry.

2) Eternal purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10)

A) Bring about perfect unity among God’s people

1. Bring peace and unity to the church

2. Lead people into perfect harmony and oneness of spirit

3. Shepherd people out of divisiveness, grumbling, arguing, etc.

1 Corinthians 1:10

10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

B) Bring about the knowledge of the Son of God (John 8:31-32, John 17:3)

John 8:31-32

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 17:3

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

C) Bring about mature followers who attain the full measure of Christ (1 Cor. 13:11, Heb. 6:1)

1 Corinthians 13:11

11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

Hebrews 6:1

6 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

3) Personal purpose: (Matthew 7:15, Hebrews 13:9)

A) That we no longer be immature in the faith, being led astray by false teaching.

Matthew 7:15

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Hebrews 13:9

9 Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

B) That we grow up in all things in Christ by speaking the truth in Christ (John 17:17)

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

C) That we do our part in building up the church – Every believer provides SOMETHING to the church (Ephesians 4:16)