Ephesians 4:7-16

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Ephesians 4:7–9 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?

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Intro:

In the first 6 verses.. we talked about unity..

and unity was defined.. as an unanimous agreement.. upon a truthful and unwavering understanding concerning a handful of vital topics…

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the church,

the Holy Spirit,

The Hope of our calling,

Jesus,

our system of belief.. in which we have faith..

The baptism of believers, by the HS, into the body of Christ..

And: God the Father..

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Unity is a popular topic..

However.. the context of unity.. as spoken of here in Eph 4..

Is completely different than the unity people are often seeking.. ++

The unity of Eph 4.. is a high goal.. it’s something we strive for.. it gives us direction.. it’s a motivation for what we do.. ++

But, we need to remember… this passage isn’t calling us to attain unity… it’s calling us to work towards it.

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As long as we are broken humans.. we are not going to agree, unanimously, upon God’s intended definition of truth..

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Concerning unity...

There are those who say.. we should abandon all divisive beliefs..

And practice a faith.. that everybody can agree upon..

And this sounds good.. this plays to feeling, and creates an impression of virtue.

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Who could argue against such a noble goal?

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Well, I could… because, unlike the masses around us, I don’t define facts with impressions and feelings.

I trust that you don’t either.

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So, even as a call to compromise-unity is made, and even as it sounds so good to our feelings… we who read Eph 4 will know… that God has called us to a unity, that requires work..

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Not a unity, that requires compromise.

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So.. vss 1-6.. unity..

here’s what we all have.. – All of us.. who have been called with this incredible calling..

These are the things.. that are common.. to all of us.. ++

But now.. as we transition..

We’re going to talk about a structure w/in the church that God has established, to help believers attain unity. God has called some, to do a work of equipping and building in the church… - and this work happens, according to verse 13… on this side of unity.

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Now… we’ve just read verses 7-9…

This passage is not easy to understand… ++

This could mean.. one of three things..

I’ll share those three things with you..

… as a curiosity…

But then.. we will get to the ultimate point of this text.. which is:

“God gave us gifts” ++

So.. we’ll come back to vs. 7.. but let’s look for a moment.. at vss. 8-10

Paul is quoting from Psalm 68

Most say that he’s commenting from vs. 18 of Psalm 68..

But I seem to think that he’s quoting from the context of the entire Psalm.

Which is almost always the case when a NT writer throws a snippet of an OT Bible reference at us… he isn’t focusing on that one verse… he’s focusing on the context that surrounds that verse.

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This was how the Rabbis taught.. This was the point when Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Jesus was pointing the hearers back to Psalm 21, so they could truly understand what was happening…

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Concerning the context of Psalm 68

The idea.. speaks of battle..

The army that is victorious.. returns w/the spoil..

…and can distribute the gifts of that spoil.. to whomever they want…. ++

The parallel.. is that of Jesus..

He won the victory.. He has returned to His Heavenly throne.. on high..

And now.. He gives gifts / He gives the spoils of His victory.. to mankind.. ++

Vss 9-10 are given.. to provide an explanation..

But.. it’s an explanation.. that is still hard to understand..

Here are the three views.. of these verses.. ++

One: This speaks of X coming down.. to the lower parts.. or.. the lowly part.. speaking of Him coming to the earth as a man.. ++

Two.. Some think this merely refers to the grave.. His body.. was laid in a grave.. or “a lower part” of the earth.. ++

Three.. This might speak of Christ.. descending into hell.. for three days.. before His resurrection. ++

I’m gonna focus on this third one.. because I think it best describes what Paul is talking about here.. - and many of you grew up reciting this in church as you declared the Apostles Creed… ++

Matthew 12:40 ESV

40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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Now.. let’s turn to:

1 Peter 3:18–19 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,

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In the Apostles Creed.. we say, that Jesus descended into hell..

That has been, for many.. a confusing statement..

When I was kid.. saying that every Sunday in the Lutheran church.. I though it was strange.

Why would Jesus go to Hell? ++

Was the suffering on the cross.. not enough? Did He also have to go and suffer in Hell?

I thought it was crazy.. ++

But.. some people don’t think that this is crazy..

This is a popular teaching amongst the word of faith teachers… the ones with jet planes that coheres your grandma, from their multi-million dollar television set… to send them your inheritance… ++

Some of these teachers think.. that Jesus.. went to the fiery pits.. and suffered.. ++

When, on the cross, He said “it is finished”

He didn’t mean that.. what He really meant was: it is almost finished.. ++

Just 3 more days in Hell, and then, it’s actually finished..

When He told the thief.. that He would see him in paradise.. today..

He didn’t mean that either..

Unless, today, doesn’t mean.. today.. ++

Now.. w/that said.. let’s take a look at another story.. to give us a clear picture of what this “hell” looked like.. ++

Luke 16:19–31 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

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Jesus tells a story here, and uses the afterlife as a backdrop. Now, whether the story of Lazarus and the rich man are a parable, or a true story, is up for debate..

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But the setting is significant. Every parable is set in a real world environment…

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So even if this is a parable… we have no reason to doubt whether the setting is accurate or not.

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So… here, we get a picture of the afterlife… and a picture of hell.

This is Hell.. at least.. the old version of hell..

It was one place, divided into two distinct sections.. ++

On one side.. those who live a faithful life.. were preserved..

This place was called: specifically: paradise, or Abraham’s bosom

But generally, it was part of a greater location.. called: sheol, or the grave, or the pit… or… hell ++

The OT faithful could not go into Heaven, into the presence of God..

Because Jesus had not yet died for their sins..

So this is where they went.. a nice place… a place of comfort.. ++

Paradise was separated from the place of punishment.. by an impassible gulf..

This is where.. the unfaithful went.. ++

So Christ..died, and was in the heart of the earth…

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If this speaks of more than just the physical tomb… then maybe he went to this place called Abraham’s bosom.. ++

While He was there.. He preached to the captives who were in paradise… they were in a good place, but they were still separated from God..

And when He ascended..

He led those.. who were captive.. out of captivity.. ++

Now.. Notice what our Lord has done..

He was betrayed, beat, crucified and locked up in a tomb..

The world.. scorned Him..

Three days later.. He beat death.. rose from the dead.. ++

And what did He give to men?

Gifts.. ++

After all that Jesus just went through… I wouldn’t have given men gifts… I would have given.. grief..

The world had just rejected Him..

The masses had cried out:

“Crucify Him.. Crucify Him!”

He was brutally beat.. ++

Mankind was dead set against Him..

He was “public enemy number one”..

So.. when He rose up from the dead..

He looked at mankind.. and gave them what?

Gifts! ++

That’s incredible..

Let’s talk about the “gifts” for a minute..

Most folks say, there are three places in the Bible.. where the gifts are listed..

I Cor 12 / Romans 12 / Eph 4..

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That’s what most people say..

But.. the more I study this topic.. the more I realize..

That each list.. is very distinct.. and different.. ++

One list.. should not be made.. from the three..

For all three lists.. have a distinct and unique character.. . ++

Let’s consider first.. the list from I Cor 12:1-11

If you turn to I Cor 12.. and look at vs. 1.. you might notice.. that possibly, in your translation.. that the word “gifts” is in italics..

The reason it’s in italics.. is because.. it’s not really there..

I know you see it.. I know it really seems like it’s there..

But it’s not.

It’s.. an illusion.. ++

Actually.. it’s a word that the translators stuck in there..

To better understand what’s being said..

These enablings of the H.S… from I Cor 12..

Are actually called: spirituals.

The entire phrase ‘gifts of the Spirit’ is one word.. pneumatikon…

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These things we call gifts.. have a completely different character and nature.. than the gifts listed elsewhere.. ++

This character is seen.. most clearly.. in vs. 11

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

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Notice that.. “as He wills”..

As who wills? The Holy Spirit

He is the one.. who gives these gifts to the individuals… in His timing, according to His purpose.. ++

Each one.. from this list.. is unique..

Because the practice of each one..

Is miraculous.. ++

It is a divine enabling.. that we, in our flesh.. are unable to do..

Now.. that’s the list.. from vs. 1-11.. ++

As we continue down.. to vs. 27-28.. Paul mixes it up a little..

1 Corinthians 12:27–28 ESV

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

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Here, he talks about all three kinds of gifts in one vs..

He talked about some of the offices through which the gifts operate.. (these will be the things we address in Eph 4) ++

Then he talks about a few miraculous enablings..

The spirituals.. of: miracles, healings and tongues.. ++

But mixed in there, he also mentions two gifts..

Not mentioned in Rom 12.. but consistent to the nature of Rom 12..

The gifts of: helps and administration.. ++

Now.. one of the spirituals listed in vs. 1-11.. is also listed as a “gift” in Rom 12.. ++

And that.. is the gift of prophecy..

Now fortunately.. this makes sense..

For the term prophecy can mean two different things..

One.. it speaks of the foretelling of events..

I prophecy.. that later today, one of you will find a silver nickel in their shoe ++

The other form of prophecy.. speaks of.. “forth-telling the true”

Now.. this is more than just.. saying something that’s true..

This speaks more of.. “application”.. speaking truth in an applicable.. and powerful way.. ++

with this in mind.. we can see how one.. is 100% supernatural.. and fits well in I Cor 12..

and the other.. is a combination of God’s enabling, and man’s cultivating..

which, we will see, is consistent to the gifts listed in Rom 12.. ++

Let’s turn to Rom 12..

Read

Romans 12:4–8 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

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The unique thing about these gifts, in contrast to the spirituals from I Cor 12..

Is that each of these… are characteristics that you can find.. even amongst unbelievers..

These are gifts.. that are natural born.. ++

As believers.. God has called us to recognize what we specifically have been designed to do..

And to cultivate it..

And use it.. for His glory.. ++

The interesting thing about this list..

Is that we are being encouraged.. strongly.. to use what we have..

And to use it.. whole heartedly.. ++

Now.. let’s head back to Eph 4.. and see it all come together..

Vs. 8 says: “he gave gifts to his people”

God gave us spiritual, supernatural abilities..

God gave us gifts, talents, unique natural abilities.... to be used.. for His glory..

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Now.. as we read on in vs. 11.. we’ll see.. that He then.. gave gifted individuals.. to the church.. ++

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

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,

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Apostles.. prophets.. evangelists.. pastor teachers..

these aren’t.. gifts..

No.. these are clearly defined offices.. mediums.. avenues..

Through which the gifts are intended to flow.. for a specific purpose.. ++

And may I suggest.. that a person can fill one of these roles.. consistently in their life..

Or.. a person may operate.. in these roles.. at different times and in different places.. ++

An apostle.. is someone who is “sent”.. w/a specific message / mission.

Jesus.. was an apostle.. sent by God.. to fulfill His purpose here on the earth..

The 12 disciples.. and Paul.. were apostles.. sent by Jesus.. to fulfill their mission..

And even now.. there are apostles.. sent by the H.S.

To go.. into a certain place.. or a certain situation.. to fulfill.. a specific mission.. ++

Some will say.. the office of apostle is closed down..

Well, yes, and no.

The office of “apostle”.. as commissioned by Jesus, in person..

Yes.. that one is closed down..

The disciples filled that bill ++

But the H.S. still calls, and sends..

And as we respond.. and go.. w/the message He gives us..

We go as apostles.. and God gives us gifts to fulfill the mission that is on our heart.. ++

You can be a full time apostle.. by going off.. into the mission field.. and fulfilling the desire that God has put on your heart..

Or.. you can be a part time apostle..

By going down the street, and knocking on that door..

Because the H.S. is tugging on you.. to go and minister..

You are being sent.. w/a mission.. ++

I believe I came to Charlottesville to plant the church… and that was an apostolic work… but once the church was established.. it became a pastor/teacher work. ++

The Prophet brings truth and conviction to a person’s heart.. in a powerful way..

They speak.. either by the forth-telling of truth.. or the foretelling.. ++

I truly miss our friend Roger Vaus.. and it’s been many years since he’s been with us…

Roger was the director of YDI in Highland county, and, before the Lord called him home… he often came over the C’ville to preach… ++

And he had a way.. of bringing a powerful message.. to our hearts..

Someone else could say the exact same words..

And it wouldn’t stick…

But when he said it.. people responded.. ++

He was our prophet.. and I miss the ministry he had here.. ++

the evangelist.. they truly have a gift to bring the gospel to the hearts of people..

I could share the gospel message w/someone..

And they’ll roll their eyes at me and walk away.. ++

And yet.. if an evangelist.. uses the same words..

And the same person.. the eye roller.. will be convicted in their heart.. and surrender their life to Jesus.. ++

And finally.. the Pastor / teacher..

Which I believe was meant to go hand in hand..

The combination of a shepherding ministry.. and a teaching ministry.. ++

Again.. each of these.. may be an office that a person walks in.. solidly..

or.. an office.. that a person operates in.. at unique times.. and unique moments.. ++

Now.. all of this is useless.. unless we know the purpose..

and Paul goes on to explain that in the following verses.. ++

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.

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Folks.. I get to serve in the capacity of Pastor teacher..

and here.. in vs. 12.. I get to have a clear presentation of what my job description is..

.. my job.. is to equip you.. for the work of the ministry..

My work.. my main work.. it to equip you.. to do the work.. ++

I can’t force you to do your part..

But I can teach you.. encourage you and instruct you..

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To what goal?

That i would see you, equipped to do the work of the ministry. ++

The other offices carry the same purpose..

Each of them.. playing a part.. builds up the body..

How long are we to do this.. and unto what goal?

Until.. we come to the unity in the faith..

And the unity in the knowledge of the Son of God..

..to become mature… attaining to the whole measure....

And by measure, it speaks of a measuring device…

-the rule.. the standard.. the full limit..

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The full limit of what?

Of the fullness..

Completeness.. to the brim.. abundance..

The measure of the stature of the fullness of what?

Of Christ! ++

To a degree, this takes us back to the beginning of chapter 4..

Where we discussed.. the weight.. the caliber of our calling..

We are to walk.. in a manner consistent to..

.. the glorious and the divine.. ++

Can we do it?

In our strength? No ++

Can we experience vs. 13.. in our own strength?

Here.. in the flesh? Will we experience the completeness that this speaks of?

I don’t see it happening.. ++

Not as a complete body of believers..

But as we discussed last week..

The call to unanimous agreement.. the call to perfection.. completion and total fulfillment..

Sets our course..

Establishes our direction..

Gives us.. a compass.. a north star.. a high goal.. to press on towards.. ++

Do we experience it? Do we get a glimpse a taste a benefit of this full perfection?

Yes.. in that Christ is perfect..

We benefit.. by being reckoned perfect.. before God.. ++

Vs. 13.. sets our goals.. establishes our direction..

Vs. 14-16.. tells us what we should attain.. as we are being edified.. by the gifts.. – specifically, through the previously mentioned offices.. ++

We shouldn’t be tossed to and fro..

Good teaching.. good application.. of the Word..

Should ground us.. We shouldn’t swing this way or that way with the different ideas and doctrines that are presented to us.. ++

We should be wise.. to the tricks of men..

We should be given to love.. in our communication..

We should be growing.. more and more..

In our identity w/Christ.. ++

Every part.. has its share.. every part.. every individual.. every one of us..

has a part to play..

And if we are all stepping out.. and stepping up..

To be used by God.. for His purpose..

The body.. will be edified. ++

Conclusion..

so.. UNITY… What is God’s will concerning it?

That we would work towards full agreement… not that we will attain it… but it sets our direction and defines our work..

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To help with this process… God has established certain people w/in the church… to facilitate His gifts...

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To what goal? To help, in the here and now… to equip the saints for the work that they need to do… in the here and now… as they away for the TRUE FULLNESS… AND THE TRUE UNITY THAT WE WILL ONE DAY EXPERIENCE… IN THE FULL SPIRITUAL MATURITY WE WILL EXPERIENCE… IN JESUS.

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With this word, we are reminded… that - we have our work cut out for us.

And that work involves the transformation that happens… not only in our one on one relationship with God… but that work involves community..

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Something that I hope, we will be able to return to… soon.