Ephesians 4:7-16; Unity Through Diversity

Sermon in a sentence: I will use my God given gifts to grown unity in the body of Christ.

Introduction

Tom Brady - 6.4 & 225 lb

Robert Hainsey - 6.4 & 306 lb

God's Grace

God has sovereignly given each member of His body special grace.

I don’t struggle with anxiety, but maybe you do.

This week, I saw a pastor had a panic attack while he was preaching. The elders thought he was having a stroke and he was unable to finish preaching.

I have spoken to another pastor in our own region that had a panic attack and he could not finish his sermon either.

Some of us may have struggled with addictions in the past. That could have been a bottle, a pill, a website, the notification bar on your phone, you own ego, the approval of others.

Each one of us have different strengths and weaknesses. And the Lord knows you intimately. He knows what grace you need and what grace I need.

God has won victory over all enemies.

vs. 8-9 is a quotation of Psalm 68:18. God has defeated his enemies and taken his place on the thrown in Zion/Jerusalem. Paul says this was fulfilled in the ascension and condescension of Christ.

Christus Victor is part of the atonement that should not be minimized nor centralized.

Christ’s descent and ascent could be a few options

His incarnation

His death

His death and descent into hell

Captives:

Could be fallen angels from Genesis 6, 2Peter 2:4-7

2 Peter 2:4–7 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked

Jude 6–7 ESV

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

This could be the OT saints in Abraham’s bosom/Paradise

Calvin

Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians Chapter 4

He has not only gained a complete victory over the devil, and sin, and death, and all the power of hell,—but out of rebels he forms every day a willing people,” (Ps. 110:3,)

Ben Merkle

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

It should be noted, however, that Paul’s primary concern is not with Christ’s descent but with his ascension. The very one “who descended is the one who also ascended” (Eph. 4:10). Specifically, he ascended “far above all the heavens,” a sign of his exalted status (1:21). Finally, the stated goal of Christ’s ascension is “that he might fill all things” (cf. 1:23). Christ fills the entire universe through the exercise of his divine lordship over all things.

God’s Gifts

God has sovereignly given the church offices as gifts. (vs. 11-14)

The offices of the church are to grow the entire church, not just the one with the gift.

1 Corinthians 14:3–4 ESV

3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Ben Merkle

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

The gifts listed across the NT total more than 20, and each list is different and therefore incomplete. Each list simply illustrates certain gifts relevant to the particular context.

Romans 12:6-8, 1 Cor 12:8-10; 28-30, 1 Peter 4:10-11

“the shepherds and teachers” τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους

Granville Sharpe `When the copulative KAI connects two nouns of the same case, if the article HO or any of its cases precedes the first of the said nouns or participles, and is not repeated before the second noun or participle, the latter always relates to the same person that is expressed or described by the first noun or participle; i.e., it denotes a further description of the first-named person.'" (A Manual Of The Greek New Testament, Dana & Mantey, p. 147)

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

The pastor-teacher is one position

Notice Paul immediately goes into human cunning, craftiness, and schemes. Pastors should be very careful to put secondary beliefs upon brothers and sisters. There is wisdom and grace that must work in the pastorate!

He has sovereignly given each member special gifts.

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

These gifts are based not on the believers’ works or merit but “according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Christ graciously and sovereignly distributes gifts to every member of his body

Sometimes the gifts God gives us are connected to our talents. Sometimes they are actually based on our weaknesses.

Paul was clearly a gifted teach/preacher.

God used Moses as his spokesman even though he didn’t want to speak.

Timothy was a young man with probably a very timid personality.

Those who struggle with their gift must lean upon the strength of the Spirit working in you (Ephesians 1:19-23).

Those who excel in their gift must likewise lean upon the power of the Spirit and fight against pride!

Our diversity should be based upon our gifts not our genetics.

I’m not asking you to be color blind.

I am saying you should be happy that our diversity is in our gifts that God has given us! Let’s desire a diversity of gifts in his body.

Conclusion

Zwingli and Luther’s disagreement at the Marburg Colloquy in 1529.

Reformation Day - 1517

Diet of Worms - 1521

They agreed on 14 of the 15 agree topics.

The failure to find agreement resulted in strong emotions on both sides. "When the two sides departed, Zwingli cried out in tears, 'There are no people on earth with whom I would rather be at one than the [Lutheran] Wittenbergers.'"Because of the differences, Luther initially refused to acknowledge Zwingli and his followers as Christians, though following the colloquy the two Reformers showed relatively more mutual respect in their writings.

Application

This week, pray to the Lord and seek the wisdom of those around you. Identify gifts and talents you have that you can use to serve the body of Christ.

Then I want you to ask yourself, to come talk to me or a deacon and ask how you can serve the body of Christ.

Maybe you are already serving the church. How can you grow in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Ask me and I will help you find a resource to grow in your area of giftedness.

Family Reflection Questions

What was the point of the text? The sermon?

How does this point me to Christ?

How will I apply this to my life?