Ephesians 4:7-16

Ephesians 4:7–16 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up 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 mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

If our position in Christ is provided by grace, then our practices for Christ must be powered by grace.

Look at verses 7-8. Grace was given according to the measuring cup of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for men in verse 8 is anthropos, referring to men and women. The context is spiritual gifts. Despite what 1 Corinthians 14 teaches, there are segments of the American church that believe some gifts are more important than other gifts. Paul instructed the Corinthians to seek gifts that build up the church. There are some segments that believe gifts given to men are superior to gifts given to women, which is prideful and foolish. The verse tells us that according to the measuring cup of Jesus Christ, he gave gifts to men and women. Grace made decisions about which gifts each believer has received. Every believer was included without a waiting list. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift that is to be used for God’s glory.

Psalm 68:18 - “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.”

King David recalled a time when the Ark of the Covenant was taken from Israel by the Philistines before it was moved to Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinidab for about 20 years. You can read the narrative in 1 Samuel 6-7. The Ark represented God’s presence and King David wanted it returned to where it belonged. To rightfully restore God’s presence, he gathered the army, assigned their tools, and established their orders. Every person in the Israeli army was necessary for the mission to be accomplished. King David victoriously led the army so “the Lord God may dwell there”.

As we continue down the passage, look at verses 9-10. King Jesus has chosen, adopted, redeemed and sealed us to establish the body of Christ so that he can fill all things. In the same way that King David assigned his army’s tools, Jesus chooses and assigns our gifts and skills. Psalm 139:13–14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

As God made decisions about our gifts and skills, he powers our abilities and our effectiveness through grace. If life can be done without the power of grace, there are untapped skills and gifts that God’s grace has planted in us. Not only is every gift the Lord powers valuable, but don’t miss that it is vital to the mission being completed - “so the Lord God may dwell here.”

Before we move to verse 11, we need to be mindful that Ephesians 4 is highly relational. God powers the individual gifts of each person with grace, but intends those gifts to be used collectively. Remember the story our church logo tells:

The 'C' wraps the exterior because we are collection of people who commit to a church community. We have an individual faith, but our spiritual growth is not independent. We need our church to come around us.

“SO THE LORD GOD MAY DWELL HERE”

How does God’s grace power God’s people?

Look at verse 11.  Ephesians 4:11 - “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,”

Paul gives a dual answer ~ ministry offices and spiritual gifts. Denominations scattered across the country have missed important theological truths when they view this verse as spiritual gifts only, specifically in the biblical roles of men and women in the church. Ephesians 4 is not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts. The New Testament provides four lists of spiritual gifts.  Romans 12:4-8.  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.  1 Peter 4:9-11. Ephesians 4. 

The office of apostle. There are two uses for apostle in the New Testament. First, there were the 13 apostles, including Matthias (disciples chose to replace Judas) and Paul. Galatians 1 and 1 Peter 1 refer to them as apostles of Jesus Christ. Second, there are those who have been sent on a specific mission as the messengers of church (2 Corinthians 8:23).

The gift of apostle is what I call the “spiritual entrepreneurs” of the church. They are the men and women who are dreamers and creators. People with this gift are better an launching programs, but weaker at follow through and finishing well. When this gift works in unity, it is an important gift as it helps the church to continue moving forward.

The office of prophet is recorded in the Old Testament. We don’t see prophecy in the same way God used prophecy in the Bible.

The gift of prophecy helps a person proclaim God’s message with boldness and courage. As this person often speaks what others are thinking, he also helps the church move forward.

In the NT, the evangelists went to places that were unreached for Jesus Christ, led people to faith, taught them the Word, discipled them and moved to another location. The evangelist is gifted at drawing people into a church. He doesn’t give up until every person has heard the message of Jesus Christ – saying no to the gospel is not an option. He pushes the church to keep reaching the community.

The office of shepherd-teacher – The men who serve as pastors and elders in a local church.

The gift of shepherd provided care and protection in the church. When the shepherding is combined with listening and communication skills, a congregation understands the vision of the church.

The gift of teaching accurately and clearly communicates the Word of God with grace and truth.

Why does God’s grace power God’s people?

“SO THE LORD GOD MAY DWELL HERE”

Ephesians 4:12–16 ESV

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up 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 mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

God’s grace powers the body of Christ because we cannot do verses 12-16 on our own. I could probably make the argument that we don’t want to do these verses on our own. Often, it is easier to do something by ourselves than to train another person to do it. Maintaining the unity of the Spirit and keeping an entire congregation going in the same direction is hard work. Making other people look great at what they do means that we take a back seat and let our efforts remain invisible. Adulting is difficult because it requires a person to take responsibility for their actions. Loving people well can be messy. Some people love better than others. Some people are easier to love than others. The process doesn’t happen by itself.  God’s grace must power the body of Christ, so the Lord God may dwell there.

I could talk about lazy Christians, lukewarm Christians and legalistic Christians, but I would rather talk about the power of God’s grace.  

God’s grace powers God’s people to prepare God’s people to do God’s work of growing up God’s people. That is verse 12.

God’s grace powers God’s people to become fully grown in Christ. That’s verse 13. The marker is spiritual maturity that measures the stature of the fullness of Christ. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” That’s the standard that Paul is pushing us toward. Chris, that’s Jesus. Yes, it is, he’s 12. Don’t miss what is happening.

Jesus increased in wisdom. Jesus increased in glorifying God. Jesus increased his spiritual influence among people. God’s grace powers all of us to do that. Can we do it as well as Jesus? Probably not, but don’t let that deter you from trying.

God’s grace powers God’s people to become unsettled as a spiritual child. That’s verse 14.

Children are influenced by what is popular among their friends. Children haven’t figured out who they are yet. Children get caught up in lots of different things. Children say they are bored. Children waste time. Children are disobedient for no reason. Children lie about silly things. Children make up stories. Children leave a mess for others to clean up.

Paul said don’t be tossed around.  Don’t get carried away with watered-down doctrine that doesn’t convict.  Don’t let other people ruin your walk with Jesus Christ. Adhere to the purity of the gospel.  Our child-like tendencies should remind us that we need the cross daily.

God’s grace powers God’s people to serve. That’s verses 15-16.

I love the phrase in verse 16 that says, “when each part is working properly the body grows.”

Application:

Invitations and gospel conversations…