Building up the Body
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But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
· Grace: see ;
o Grace is referring to the manner of the (spiritual gifts) God gave Paul
o Here we see that this grace (gifts) were/ are given to “each one of us”
§ All believers
o “measure of Christ’s gift
§ Not talking about saving grace
§ But relates to the Christ given to be head of the church has given gifts to all Christians. (How do we know that?)
Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
· Quoting
“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.)
· Quoting
o Song of praise for God continual protection, remembering how he brought them out of captivity.
o Paul shows that this ancient praise included Christ
§ If this victor ascended then he must have also descended
· When He ascended (after His death and resurrection, then 40 days he spent among us)
o He gave gifts
o says he received gifts
§ Commentators point out the Hebrew word used can mean to “receive in order to give it away”
· Isn’t on par with the church.
· So:
§ Gifts are given as a manner of grace (just like Paul
§ Gifts are given to all believers
· “men” {anthropoid] can refer to men or women
§ Gifts were given when Christ Ascended (after his earthly ministry)
· “He ascended… THAT he might fill all things” (v10)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
· We know this is not an all-inclusive list (see verse 7)
· We know this is not an all-inclusive list (see verse 7)
o But Paul apparently wanted to make a point
§ ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF GIFTING
· Common thread here:
o All named here are for the purpose of articulating God’s word.
§ Apostles – foundational
§ Prophets – some link with apostles others relate to pastors.
§ Evangelist – spread outward (gospel)
§ Shepherds and teachers – Overseers & teachers.
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
The purpose of these gifts is to build up the body of Christ
o Equip the saints
§ starting with apostles
· foundationally set the foundation
§ To my role here today
· IT is to equip the saints
o That’s all of you.
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,
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,
The goal of our work is to attain unity in the body.
o WE ARE TAKING THE CHURCH SOMEWHERE
· Speak of the duration of the work that is to be done.
o “all attain” points to a finality in the work we have to do
§ (1) Looking at the goal – “Unity in faith” we are always to be testing our position and working toward the goal.
· Attain to
o Unity of the faith
o (unity) of the knowledge if the Son of God
§ What we think about Christ matters (truth matters)
· (attain) to mature manhood
· (attain) to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Our service as well as our spiritual growth will never be complete until we are with Christ in glory.
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.
Eph
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.
The purpose of our growth into unity is to make the church secure enough to withstand the devil’s evil schemes against us.
· Waves and wind of doctrine.
o It is so tempting to follow the latest trend (and there are many)
o “How we do church” will always change
o The foundation of truth never will!
· This also points us toward the mission of the devil
o Pull us away from God’s design by following false doctrine
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.
Eph 4:
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.
· With the love at our core
· Grow up in every way
· “When each part is working properly”
o When we work in the place God has called us
o When we serve in love
o When we are seeking unity
· This is how the body grows so that it builds itself up
o Can God miraculously cause growth (yes)
o But He has chosen to work through us.