May 16- Senior Recognition

Good morning church. My name is Alex Araya. I am the minister of students here at FBC. We are so excited to celebrate and honor our graduating seniors. Yesterday we had a meaningful dinner with the graduates and their parents. We got to share a good time and pray for them as God leads them in this next stage of life.

I am very thankful with Pastor David for allowing me to share my heart with you today. I know you know this but we are so blessed to have a pastor that loves this church. I am so lucky to learn under this man and see how he shepherds this church so well. Amen? Thank you Pastor for this opportunity.

Today we will be in Ephesians chapter 4:1-16. I believe that while this teaching is not complicated, it is imperative for the kingdom of God advancements here in San Antonio for our church body to get this.

I want to introduce you to one of my closest friends. This guy has helped through hard times. Even today sometimes I spend a few minutes a day with him in order to feel better. He means a lot to me and his unique qualities make a tremendous difference in my life. The Foam Roller! You see the foam roller has a unique shape, density and purpose that benefits my body in a great way.

Sermon in a Sentence: A sign of healthy follower of Christ is one who currently uses their gift to build God’s kingdom- not their own.

The reality is that all of us have a kingdom we are trying to build. Perhaps its seeking a promotion at work, or getting into a school / career you want, or even making sure you have everything in order as you enter retirement. On its own, none of those things are necessarily bad.However, when our future, our plan, our kingdom becomes more important than the kingdom of God, there is a problem.

Let’s read.

Ephesians 4:1–16 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 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.

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Paul’s classification of himself: Prisoner

Universal vs Specific calling

Our Universal Calling is found in Matthew 28:19.

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

We are all called to make disciple of Jesus as we go, to proclaim Jesus. However, we all have a specific calling to fulfill our universal calling. God can use our skills, talents, and experiences to to bring glory to his name and to edify the capital C church

Do you know your specific calling?

Ephesians 4:2–6 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Characteristics of a worthy walk

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Endurance

Eager to maintain unity

Verse 6: Supremacy of Christ over the body?

Church use to be the center of our lives- more and more today church becomes one of the many places we put our energy.

Ephesians 4:7–10 ESV

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 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.)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:7–8

The essence of the psalm is that a military victor has the right to give gifts to those who are identified with him. Christ, having captivated sinful people by redeeming them, is Victor and gives them as gifts to the church.

Ephesians 4:11–14 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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, 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.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Pastor never has shy away from preaching the word of God, yet He continues to

Ephesians 4:16 ESV

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.

Are you currently working in the body?

“The only way you can serve God is by serving other people.”