Ephesians Part 6 | Gifted

Scripture

Ephesians 4:7–16 NKJV

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

I. Introduction

Christ is depicted in Psalm 68:18 as a triumphing King.

Paul denotes that Christ has:

Come to the earth from his throne

Freed those who were bound and captive.

Ascended to Heaven and Left us gifts to continue His glorious work

Jesus loved the church so much that he put a system in place to protect it and nourish it. Christ is intentional at nurturing and developing his church. Everywhere in creations we see the meticulous systems of God.

We live in a solar system (Genesis 1:14-19)

God created a body with a skeletal system, digestive system, an immune system, a circulatory system, a lymphatic system, a nervous system, respiratory system and more.

Systems and structures show us that God cares for us enough to put things in place for our well-being and our thriving.

Power Principle: Where there is no structure or ecosystem, potential development is stunted. Many have not progressed to maximum potential because they wish to live outside healthy God-ordained structure.

There is accountability is structure

There is interdependence and vulnerability in structure.

There is both protection and correction in structure.

Ephesians 4:10. He is king of everything that exist in the universe. He has placed a system in place to nurture us and grow us. To protect us from all of the good sounding bad doctrine.

Ephesians 4:10 NKJV

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

These are offices that placed strategically for the advancement of the kingdom through the church.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

The Offices:

Apostles - speak with Special authority

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 12

12:28 first The priority implied by this phrase refers either to the rank of the roles mentioned or to their importance for church growth. In the first part of the verse, Paul discusses what seem to be church offices. In the second part of the verse, he begins to discuss spiritual gifts.

apostles In the first century, the “apostles” included the Twelve (

Strongs’s Exhaustive Concordance

apostolos: Apostle

Original Word: ἀπόστολος Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: apostolos Pronunciation: ah-POS-toh-los Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os'-tol-os) Definition: Apostle Meaning: a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel; an apostle.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), meaning "to send away" or "to send forth."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "apostolos," the concept of being sent with a mission can be related to the Hebrew word שָׁלִיחַ (shalach), meaning "to send."

Usage: The term "apostolos" refers to one who is sent forth with a specific mission or commission. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ, who were sent out to preach the gospel and establish the early Church. The term is also used more broadly to refer to other key figures in the early Christian movement, such as Paul, who were recognized as having a special commission from Christ.

Prophets - designated by God to speak on His behalf

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

prophets Refers to those who are designated by God to speak on His behalf. See note on Eph 2:20; note on 1 Cor 12:10.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 12

Refers to utterances inspired by the Holy Spirit. Like the OT prophets, this role involves social critique, calling people to repentance, and revealing God’s future plans for both judgment and salvation. Such utterances may include predictions of the future (e.g.,

Topical lexicon

Usage: The term προφήτης is used in the New Testament to refer to individuals who are divinely inspired to communicate God's will and message. This includes foretelling future events, exhorting, comforting, and teaching. It is used to describe both Old Testament prophets and New Testament figures who fulfill a prophetic role.

Prophets were essential for guidance (hearing God), encouragement and divine revelation of God’s word. (Acts 11:28) and Paul's journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-11).

Evangelist - Spreading the Gospel, increasing the fold

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

Prophets Refers to those who are designated by God to speak on His behalf. See note on

They serve in the expansion of the church. They are useful in new starting congregations to help build. They are very necessary in established congregations to continue to build the community of faith with new believers and life. Their goal is to get the message of Christ out.

Modern Context: Evangelist can be both on the street corners and the algorithms. Social media is a ripe filed to spread the gospel. Social Media evangelism is a powerful tool.

Pastor - Spiritual Guidance and Care

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

pastors Refers to those who care for, or protect, the Church. Since the Greek word used here, poimēn, literally means “shepherd” and is often translated as such, this role corresponds with the NT portrayal of the Church as God’s flock (

Teacher - To Instruct in Word and sound Doctrine

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

teachers Indicates those who faithfully pass on the teachings of Christ and the apostles, especially through explaining or applying Scripture (compare

Summary:

Apostles for establishment and church planting

Prophets for vision and revelation

Evangelist for the spreading of the word

Pastor/Teacher or the spiritual care and maturation of the saints

II. Why did he give the gifts?

Ephesians 4:12 NKJV

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

To equip the saints for ministry - to bring to a point of fitness!

To edify the church

Lexicon katartismos: Equipping, perfecting, preparing

Original Word: καταρτισμός Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: katartismos Pronunciation: kä-tär-tē-smos' Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ar-tis-mos') Definition: Equipping, perfecting, preparing Meaning: a bringing to a condition of fitness, perfecting.

III. What is the Goal?

Ephesians 4:13 NKJV

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Goal:

For us all to be unified in faith and proper doctrine.

That the we would grow in Christ.

IV. What is the intended result?

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Goal:

That we should be stable and solid in the faith. That we are mature in Christ and not likely to be manipulated.

That we reach spiritual maturity