Ephesians # 17 Eph 4-9 thru 4-11

   We’re going to continue on the book of Ephesians. Last time (2 weeks ago) we we’re on (EPH 4:8). So let’s pick up from there.

   I. EPH 4:9

       A. When Jesus was raised from the dead He led captivity captive, meaning that He led those that had faith in Jesus (Now we know that Jesus in the OT was Jehovah).

          1. Those in the OT that had faith in Jehovah were counted righteous (not made righteous). (ROM 4:1-5)

              a. There sin were not taken away, Jesus had not yet died on the cross, so there sins could not be taken away.

          2. They we counted as righteous.

              a. When these people died, they did not go to heaven, they did not go through Hell’s torture and torment.

              b. They went to “Paradise”, also called “Abraham’s Bosom.” (LUKE 23:43 and LUKE 16:19-23)

       B. Back in (EPH 4:8) Paul said, “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive.”

          1. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He led those that were in Paradise into heaven.

       C. The end of (EPH 4:8) Says, , “He gave Gifts unto men.” Now this is also referring to after Jesus ascension into heaven.

          1. He’s mainly talking about ministry gifts, and we get into that in just a moment.

   II. EPH 4:9

       A. Turn to MATT 12:38-40

          1. Jesus told them that the only sign that they would receive was that of Jonah.

              a. Meaning that Jesus would go into the earth for 3 day and nights (As Jonah was in the whale’s belly 3 days and nights) and then Jesus would be raised from the dead on the 3rd day.

          2. After Jesus death He went into Hell. Where He paid the price for our sins.

              a. (Acts 2:27) Says, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This is part of a prophecy.”

                 i. It’s referring to when Jesus died on the cross and descended into the lower parts of the earth.

       B. EPH 4:10

          1. This is talking about Jesus Ascending into heaved after He descended into Hell.

          2. This V also says something very interesting and if we were to just read this quickly you might miss it.

              a. It says that He ascended into heaven that He might fill all things.

              b. The Word “Fill” there means “Complete.”

                 i. When Jesus went to the cross for us died, went into hell for us and then rose and ascended into heaven, He completed all things.

                 ii. Meaning that all the promises are completed, the work is finished.

                     a. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” KJV

                 iii. The promises belong to us, the work has been done, all we have to do is to receive it.

              c. Something else that goes along with the work being complete, is that You are complete in Him.

                 i. You are excepted in the beloved, complete in Him, now you are an heir of God, joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. You are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

   III. EPH 4:11

          A. In this V we have what is often call the 5 fold ministry gifts, it’s also sometimes called the pulpit gifts.

                 1. Some have said that the Apostle, Prophet, and even the Evangelist have ended. We don’t have these gifts anymore.

                        a. In the very 1st part of this V he says, “And He (Jesus) gave some.”

                               i. It never says He took them out of the Church.

                        b. Turn with me to 1 COR 12:28

                               i. Notice that God set the Apostles and the Prophets in the Church.

                               ii. Never does He say that He took them out.

                               iii. If there is still a church then there are the Apostles, Prophets, and the Evangelists.

                        c. Now you might be thinking, but the word Evangelist doesn’t appear in this V.

                               i. That’s true, but the work that an Evangelist does appear here.

                               ii. Miracles, and the Gifts of Healings are part of the Evangelist anointing.

                               iii. It’s a wake up call to the unsaved.

                 2. Go back to EPH 4:11

                        a. WHY? EPH 4:12a

                               i. Do the saints still need “Perfecting?”

                               ii. Actually the word “Perfecting” means “Equipping.”

                        b. The minister gifts were put in the body of Christ to Equip the Saints.

                               i. Also there are always brand new babies in Christ which need the Word of God so they can be equipped.

                        c. In this same V (4:11) Paul lists 5 ministry gifts, but 1 ministry gift has to stand in 2 anointings.

                               i. And that is the Pastor. He also has to stand in the office of a teacher.

                               ii. In the Greek (Ephesians 4:11) Reads this way, And he gave some, The apostles; and some, The prophets; and some, The evangelists; and some, The pastors and teachers; KJV

                               iii. Also the word “AND” is the same between all the ministry gifts, except the 1 between “Pastors and Teachers.” Which indicates that they are to be joined.

                 3. . When the KJV says, “He gave some Pastors and Teachers.”

                        a. The Wuest translation words it this way, “Pastors who are also teachers.”

                        b. There are teachers in the body of Christ, but not all of them are Pastors, But there also Pastors in the Body of Christ, but all of them should be Teachers.

Ephesians #17 Eph 4:9-11.docx

WOLCC Thurs. 6/27/96