Grace From Above
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
What have we been learning from this chapter? We are learning about unity and maturity. This unity and maturity must be rooted in Christ. He is the foundation of our faith. Too often we begin our faith walk with Him and then after a little maturity we turn to our ability and religion and go to the Lord when we really need Him, when the reality is the more we get to know Him and trust in Him the more we realize we can do nothing apart from him. It’s in Him that we have unity in the body the church and it’s in Him that we because of Him in us are used to build up the church. He is preparing the body for His return. Today we are going to learn that not only does grace, faith, and salvation come from Him but He has done more that just saved us but while we are here on earth He has blessed us with a spiritual gift
Every believer has been given a gift v.7
What was the gift we have received? One gift is God’s grace! Each of God’s chosen people have received undeserved favor/grace. Besides grace we receive a spiritual gift or gifts. Now these spiritual gifts must not be confused with natural abilities or talents. these are different from spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts come from God and are to be used to build up and unite the church and for making Him known by sharing the Good news.
By His grace we are given strength, wisdom, courage, the ability to persevere,the ability to love, compassion, and all this is by the power of Him who lives in us. Whatever is needed God supplies us through faith in Christ and by Christ in us.
The gift He gives us He gives according the the measure of what we need to accomplish His plan or purpose. Each of you who believe have at least one spiritual gift. Christ pours out His grace on us and equips us to do His will. This gift we should be thankful for and we are not to want another gift or a different gift. But we are to use the God given spiritual gift for His glory and praise and to make His name known. It’s not about us and our giftedness but it’s all about the One who has gives us the gift.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone who is among you not to think more highly of yourself than what one ought to think, but to think sensibly, as God has apportioned a measure of faith to each one.
6 but having different gifts according to the grace given to us: if it is prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if it is service, by service; if it is one who teaches, by teaching; 8 if it is one who exhorts, by exhortation; one who gives, with sincerity; one who leads, with diligence; one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
It’s not so important that we have many gifts but that we use the gift or gifts that He has given us. We are all part of the body and each part is important for the body to function as one. Too often our focus is on our spiritual gift and when that happens we become prideful instead of humble. We need to identify our gift and then use it for God’s glory and so that the church His body is unified and being built up.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but the same God, who works all things in all people.
Our gift or gifts are from above given to us by the creator of all things. We need to remember before we can be given a spiritual gift or gifts we must first receive grace and believe. Until that happens we will not receive any gifts. Coming to church, reading your Bibles, tithing, serving these are all good things but we must first believe and then receive.
Every Believer’s gift has cost a price none can pay v. 8-10
We must know of the great price paid for us so that not only we would be saved and live eternally with the Father in Heaven, but that we would have spiritual gifts to use and build up the church. Remember we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Verse 8 is quoted from Psalm 68:18
Though evil seems to be flourishing in these times this will not always be true. And for those who know and trust in the Lord evil has no power over us.
15 When he had disarmed the rulers and the authorities, he made a display of them in public, triumphing over them by it.
In Christ we are victorious. Sin has lost it’s sting. By His death on the cross we can stand firm against evil. He has us covered and He has given us a helper His spirit in us. We are never alone.
Since Christ has given us meaning and purpose in this temporal body, why is it that many in the church are bored or unsatisfied with their lives. Why are so many believers unhappy, empty, hopeless, without purpose, and always wanting more in life? The Bible tells us clearly.
A person has not commited his life to Christ- Not fully, not completely. He or she has not denied themselves to follow Christ. They are still seeking comfort from the world in the flesh.
23 And he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.
2. A person has not surrendered fully, all they are and all have is Christ’s and we are to serve the Lord and we do that by serving others. A person has not commited themselves to a life of service. True life is found when we serve others. It’s not about us anymore but about Christ.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me will find it.
3. A person sows and does things in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
8 because the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
Christ came from above in the form of a baby. He was born of a virgin given birth by Mary the one chosen by God. He lived a perfect life without one sin. He paid the price for all sin and bore or took the wrath of God for all sin. He died and was fully dead for 3 days. He then conquered death. He walked and lived with the disciples for 40 days . During those 40 days he was still teaching the disciples. He told his disciples it was time for him to go and be with the father but to wait for the gift my Father promised. Acts 1:4
It’s at that time His spirit came to live in all who believe. He filled all things He poured out His grace and spiritual gifts.
Read vs 9 and 10
He has filled the universe. We see Him in all creation. He is not hiding. Some just fail to look for Him or they are spiritually blind and dead. The mystery has been made known to us so we can go out into the world and be a light to make Him known.
Verse 11 Peter names just a few of the spiritual gifts that are given to those who believe.
Every believer’s gift is Christ centered v. 11
Our gifts are given to us by Christ for building up the church the body of Christ. What a great work we have been equipped to do. We can only do this with our eyes and thoughts on Christ. It says in verse 11 He himself gave these spiritual gifts. Peter goes on to list some of the gifts but these are not the only gifts. I made up a list of some.
ADMINISTRATION: The ability to help steer the church, or a ministry, toward the successful completion of God-given goals, with skills in planning, organization, and supervision.
DISCERNMENT: The wisdom to recognize truth from untruth by correctly evaluating whether a behavior or teaching is from God or another, ungodly source.
EVANGELISM: The ability to successfully communicate the message of the gospel, especially to nonbelievers.
EXHORTATION: Competence in offering encouragement, comfort, and support to help someone be all that God wants them to be.
FAITH: People with this gift have such great confidence in the power and promises of God that they can stand strong in their belief, no matter what may try to shake them. They can also stand up for the church and for their faith in such a way as to defend and move it forward.
GIVING: Those who have this gift are particularly willing and able to share what resources they have with pleasure, and without the need to see them returned.
HEALING: A capability used by God to restore others, be that physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
HOSPITALITY: A natural ability to make people—even strangers—feel welcome in one’s own home or church as a means to disciple or serve them.
KNOWLEDGE: This is the gift of someone who actively pursues knowledge of the Bible. This person may also enjoy analyzing biblical data.
LEADERSHIP: This aptitude marks a person who is able to stand before a church, to direct the body with care and attention, and to motivate them toward achieving the church’s goals.
MERCY: This is the defining trait of a person with great sensitivity for those who are suffering. It manifests itself in offering compassion and encouragement, and in a love for giving practical help to someone in need.
SERVING: A talent for identifying tasks needed for the body of Christ and using available resources to get the job done.
TEACHING: The skill to teach from the Bible and communicate it effectively for the understanding and spiritual growth of others.
WISDOM: The gift of being able to sort through facts and data to discover what needs to be done for the church.
Here at Mision Refugio de Paz we not only want you to know your God given gift, but that you humbly use it for the glory of God.
When we become believers our responsibilities do not stop at just coming to church on Sunday and fill a seat. We give tanks to God for His grace and our salvation but how can we serve we need to be asking ourselves. What spiritual gift do I have? Lets search and find that gift so that we can be used by the Lord to expand His kingdom. Each part of the body is important and necessary. You may never be a pastor or ministry leader but that does not mean your role in the church/ the body of Christ is not important and needed to build up the church. Look at our physical bodies. Our bodies are made up of many part and each part has an important function. I we lose and arm it will be harder to function but the body can still function. if we lose a leg or both legs the body can function but it gets more difficult. If we lose our head tho body ceases to function. If one day I die or move to another city or country what will happen to this body the church? It will still function not because Ruben is here but because we are not the head of the church but Christ is the head. We must never forget this and we must all remember that we are an important part of the body. We have a purpose and the most important purpose is to love God and love others.
Every believer’s gift has a purpose v. 12-16
These gifts are given to us so the we will equip the saints, so that will will use them in ministry serving others, and that we build up the body of Christ. Remember that Christ is coming for us His bride. He is preparing the church. He has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the church. Why does He do this? He does this to keep us united and going the same way together. We walk united following the Lord.
10 Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing and there not be divisions among you, and that you be made complete in the same mind and with the same purpose.
Do we know our purpose? Is it about us and what we want or is it about Him and what we need?
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, be encouraged, be in agreement, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
What a blessing we have received by the grace of God. Lets use these gifts together and know that He is always with us and His peace and joy are not to leave us but we are to share this joy and peace with the world.
It’s when we live united and dependent on Christ that we begin to grow in unity, in faith, in knowledge, and we become mature. We all will one day attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. He is preparing us and we need to be ready. For now we are to work together and function as the body He made us to be. Do His will and live for Him. Find life in Him and no longer in the world.
27 Only lead your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I hear your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
This was a letter written by Paul to encourage the church. This is what the God inspired Word is telling us the church to do.
Read verse 14-16
It’s when our focus is on the Lord and His word, and the apostles teaching that we are strengthened. The storms of life and false teaches no longer cause us to be tossed around. We are to be firm, established, rooted.
2 Peter 1:5-8
All we have and all we need is to come from Christ.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him—this one bears much fruit, for apart from me you are not able to do anything.
In Closing
This is the God breathed Word of God almighty. He is all knowing and sovereign, which a fancy way of saying all powerful and over everyone. There is none greater that the One who has made Himself known to us. The one who chose us, adopted us, redeemed us, and lives in us. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Let our roots grow planting in Him who will sustain us. It’s when we do this and we use the spiritual gifts He has given us that we see the fruit in our lives and in the lives of others. An we praise His name. We give Him all the credit for what He has done, is doing, and going to do in the lives of all who believe.
We are the church and it’s so more than a place we go to on Sunday. It’s who we are because of Christ. We are the church every day for the 1st day we believed. Lets live as the church and walk united in Him