Walking Worthy: A Call to Serve

Introduction

Message Title: Walking Worthy: A Call to Serve

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:7-16

Ch 1-3 vs Ch 4-6

From doctrine to duty

“Doctrine drives conduct” (to know and to do)

The Giver of the gifts (vv7-10)

Grace

Charis (Ha-riz)

Gift

Doreas (Do-ray-ah)

Charisma (HA-riz-ma)

Psalm 68:18 NASB95

18 You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.

The Message of Ephesians a. The Giver of Spiritual Gifts Is the Ascended Christ (Verses 7–10)

What is in Paul’s mind, therefore, is not so much descent and ascent in spatial terms, but rather humiliation and exaltation, the latter bringing Christ universal authority and power, as a result of which he bestowed on the church he rules both, the Spirit himself to indwell it and the gifts of the Spirit to edify it or bring it to maturity

Philippians 2:5–11 NASB95

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Gifts for leaders (vv11-12)

Apostles

Acts 1:20–22 “20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’ 21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.””

John 13:16 “16 “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent (n: apostolos) greater than the one who sent him.”

2 Corinthians 8:23 “23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers (apostolos) of the churches, a glory to Christ.”

Prophets

“Thus says The Lord”

The Message of Ephesians b. The Character of Spiritual Gifts Is Extremely Varied

a prophet was a mouthpiece or spokesman of God, a vehicle of his direct revelation

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; (1 Corinthians 14:31–32, NASB95)

Ephesians 2:20 NASB95

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Evangelist

2 Timothy 4:5 “5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Pastors

John 10:11 “11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Teachers

James 3:1 “1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”

Ephesians 4:12“12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

The Goal of the gifts (vv13-15)

Ephesians 4:13 “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.”

Unity

1 Corinthians 12:28–30 “28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?”

Knowledge of the Son of God

Know God and make God known

Contrast - “Mature Man” vs “Children”

Hebrews 5:11–14 NASB95

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Christlikeness)

Walk worthy

Conclusion

You are important and valuable (your role)

Ephesians 4:16 “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.”