Ephesians 4:7-16 (Part One) |

Move throughout this, not the drummer tonight. as we preach God's word this morning, because, It's really foundational to everything that we're going to look at from the Apostle Paul this morning. The gifts that God has given his church to build up the church to equip the Saints for the work of ministry. So that the whole body would grow in Christ being mature it so that our church would grow that sometimes thought of as numerical or numerical District description and you know typically healthy things grow but many many healthy missionaries planted small churches that grew a little but grew in their maturity over there over our church history. And so it's not always a numerical thing but we want to see it. If we is a church family is Oak. Grove Church as local church here in Shellsburg Iowa, in Benton County are growing in our maturity. The Lord calls us To be the church, not simply go to church and so it happens in this room as we meet together, as we grow together. But it it, it, it, it moves beyond the borders of these walls as we live our lives, with him. And for one another You know, there's a certain expectation if you watch any team sports whether on TV or in the bleachers cheering on somebody, which is certainly more fun, but, you know, before that depending on the game, but the, before the hand, before the clock starts, you know, the teams often, gather together the huddle up, Circle up, when I was bored with your to call it and they're going to gather together and we're going to get an emotional pep talk, right? And and then they're going to break from their and they're going to split out to their positions, weather offense, or defense or what, whatever the case might be. And so we kind of expect that, right? Or if you watch a concert I think of an orchestra or a high school or middle school concert what concert of a of a of the case might be right there going to gather together probably talk about things or or maybe they just kind of make their way out into their respective seats right with her first first chair. So I can share a third chair, you know. Instrument that they might be. And this is odd thing that happens with orchestras while we're on the topic, you know, they get to get out there and everybody's trying to finally, you know, tune their instruments. And so that's like the worst part of the whole thing. I just was terrible, really know that was the process. He walk in and think what have I gotten myself into, right? But they get out there. They begin to tune their instruments and they're all over there to do, but right at the end, they just just comes together, that's Unity, right? Wouldn't be weird though if they have the sports team gathered together and and and they huddled, they had their pep talk and they all ran out of the same energy and pass along with the exact same spot on the field. Like 12 p.m. 11 people or pain or five people or pain around your sport. Write 9 people that were in that same position same spot All right, I did it right the batteries at the plate. Need like me and lots of openings out there.

The orchestra came out, they all came out with Piccolo's this day. Like, this is going to be really good or. Absolutely terrible.

You know, God has built the body of Christ to be different. We spend last week speaking about the unity that we have in Christ. The very fact that God sent his son Jesus to redeem, a people for himself and his tore down the wall between those that were opposed to each other. Brought them together, he has created a unique unity and we saw last week that we are called to maintain that Unity. We're not trying to create Unity that's very important for us to understand. We're trying to maintain or preserve and can put a spiritual sweat into maintaining or preserving that which God has created a palooza verses 1 through 6, through and introducing introducing that idea to us or really filling it out what he starts to explain in an earlier and in Ephesians and then he breaks here. Let me let me just read what we read last week if he's has four, four through six, there is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one, hope belongs to your call. One Lord, One Faith, one baptism, one God. And Father of all, who is over all and through all. And in all, that means everyone in this room who names the name of Jesus as your personal. Lord and Savior has one God and Father and spirit, who is over us and through us and in US. It's only gives us this this, these keys to church growth or church maturity in the pure sense of what it means that the to develop the members of the body of Christ. And so Paul moves from last week speaking strongly about this unity. And then this morning we'll see that he talks about Unity through diversity For bring it all back together to speak of that Unity again. let's ask the Lord to Open The Eyes Of Our Hearts 2 to both understand and And then understand with our hearts, what this means for each one of us this morning, would you pray with me? Heavenly Father, we we exalt Your Name Lord. We saw this morning as we saying that, we don't deserve to come to worship you. We stand before, you Simply because of the blood of Christ able to worship you with our whole Hearts, because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. For us this morning, or we ask that you use were that The Giver of all good gifts, help us. With a particular understanding, for this particular Grace, that you give your children that we might maintain. The unity of the body of Christ through the incredible wisdom. That you have and that you've demonstrated through deploying your people with a diversity of gifts, and passions, and purposes, and Pursuits. But all those aligned as we seek to build up the body of Christ, may you receive all of the honor and praise and glory in Jesus name. Amen. What about you? Open your bibles. If you don't have them open already or a Bible app Ephesians 4 7 through 16 will read this morning a Fusions for 7 through 16.

Apostle Paul says, but Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And therefore, it says, when he ascended on high, he led a host of captives and he gave gifts to men. Notice the parentheses there, anything he ascended? What does that also mean? But that he also descended into the lower regions of the Earth. Or into the lower regions the Earth, he who ascended is the one who after he was decent. It is also the one who ascended far above the heavens that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophet, the Evangelist the Shepherds and teachers to equip the Saints for the work of Ministry for building up the body of Christ until we all Italian 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 and buy craftiness and deceitful schemes. And rather speaking the truth in love with her to grow up in every way into him. Who is the head into Christ from the whole body joined in 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. Jesus Christ gives varieties of gifts that are to be used for his purposes, right? Varieties of gifts intended to be used for his purpose of each Christian when someone repents of their sin Christian or little Christ or Christ follower me that I can't work my way to heaven. So I'm going to, I'm going to repent of mice. And I'm going to turn away from trying to be the king of my own heart and knowledge. That Jesus has done it all for me, he stood in my place at the cross and I believe that that's true. And what a person make that profession of faith. Bible says that were justified in those mowing that moment God equips us, he gives us gifts that are enabling Grace in the exact proportion. That he Seems or determines to be fit in a way that he measures it out, right? And complicated for us because we like to compare ourselves to others and we don't have to work very hard at it just sort of happens because our hearts love to be looked upon well by others. And so we compare ourselves to others. We think all this guy is better at that or this lady's better at the house or whatever the case might be, but that's not the point. The point is gonna saying, I, I am uniting all things in price, things in heaven, and on Earth, and under the Earth. And I am building up my church, the body of Christ. And in order to do that, I need to give certain gifts to certain people for certain seasons for certain calls, and God is wise in doing. So, so he introduced as this concept here noticed that the contract but but I find it here so I can say more than just the word right eye. But Grace was given to each one of us that you don't see it in our English translation, but in the original language, there's a door there or the article the grace was given to. It means if that particular kind of Grace, it's not a saving grace that got talked about earlier in Ephesians. This is a particular kind of Grace relating to the way that God through Christ has given out his gifts. Right Grace, he remains this special ability, or you might even say that has Supernatural. Ability to perform the task that God calls us to listen to How other passages of scripture speak about spiritual gifts, are there five main passages, in scripture? We are looking at two of them, briefly, Romans 12:3 through it. And I'll tell you, I'm going to read through these quickly to dry all the main points. So we can see this variety of gifts, and then I got to keep moving, I'm going to, I'm going to This could be hard not to preach each one of these texts. I got to keep going, but the process for the great, by the grace. Given to me, I say so by the grace given to me, for Paul's particular calling, I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself, and he oughta, think why? We'll see how I go because God has given us Grace, which is undeserved favor to be able to number one, be his children and number to live for him. Expressing the gifts gifts that he has given us. So think with sober judgment each, according to the measure of faith that God has assigned four as in one body, we have many members in the members, do not all have the same function. So we though many are one body in Christ and men and individually members of one another having gifts that differ, according to the grace given to let us use them. If if prophecy in proportion to our faith, if service in serving, the one who teaches in his teaching on, who exhorts and is exhortation, the one who contributes in generosity. The one who leaves with Zeal, the one who does acts of Mercy with cheerfulness in the same way that are our Salvation should lead to just leaves on top of leaves of humility. So on our gifts that God has given us Lead to humility. Not for private place. Enough for posturing not to be able to be visible in upfront. And I tell you, I am

I'm incredibly thankful for the humility of those who serve the Lord here at Oak Grove Church, sometimes we will. Thank people are all fake people or think people in front of others. Sometimes right now for accolades, but it's good to recognize those who are serving. Because, why, well, at the demonstration of the activity of God at work in a person's life. And and most frequently do we think people even if it's just one, I'm wanting and they just kind of shy bag is in. I don't know, it's not, it's not me, you know, that's exactly right now. It's okay to give. Thanks, it's okay to really what we're doing with your thanking, the Lord in front of that person, for the way that they are living and walking in faith, right? But there's a humility that says it's almost to do this for myself. Sometimes it's just a reality. That humility is a sense of like, you know, if I lean into this too much, I might just like it. But thanks. Attention on me, you know. So there's a genuineness in humility but also maybe you're just an awareness of our own tendency if we're not careful. And that's what Paul is saying. Don't think more highly of yourself then, then you want 1st Corinthians. 12:4 through 14 says now, there are varieties of gifts. But the Same Spirit you notice how this theme of of variety and unity are interwoven throughout their varieties of service, but the same Lord varieties of activities. But it's the same God who empowers Them all in everyone to eat, is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common, good for to one is given the spirit and the utterance of wisdom. I do not know the other ones of knowledge according to the Same Spirit into another Face by The Same Spirit to another gift of healing, by one Spirit to another working of Miracles to another prophecy to another the ability to distinguish between Spirits. When I call that discernment, not to another various kinds of of tongues are languages to another the interpretation of tongues or languages. All these are empowered by one and the Same Spirit who apportions similar to what we read here in a fusion for 708, who measures it out, according to each one individually, as he Wills for just as the one by the body is one. And as many members, all the members of the body though, many are one body. So it is with Christ for in one Spirit. We are all baptized into one, body Jews and Greeks or Gentiles slaves or free. We were all made to drink of one spirit for the body. Does not consist of one member, but of many for the point is this each of us has received this enabling particular Grace in the exact proportion that Christ gave it that you may say, I don't know that, I know what my gifts are but you need to practice what you think your gives might be If you're not practicing your gifts, you don't know what they are.

Maybe you need to be taught to understand or discern, what they might be, but it still get involved practice. And we begin to a firm with that is, or understand what those gifts are. As we practice our gift, and then we see the fruit of the spirit working.

As we go along our way, we see the body of Christ, a firm? Yeah that does seem to be your gift.

Unity isn't the as I was talking about with the sports or music analogy before, it doesn't mean the sameness or a replica of a person or a personality. Right? And that's the challenge for us, we're going to be like this Teacher or Orvis servant or like this church over there or like this other individual that's gifted in that way. But that's not how God designed us. Got called for today, every one of us is here in Oak, Grove Church in Shellsburg Iowa because God is doing something here at Oak, Grove Church, and he's doing wonderful things. Sometimes we see very publicly what they are, sometimes we don't see because they're a lot. There's a lot of discipling going on in the background and God is called each Christian. Each each member or each regular a tender that's should strongly be, considering being a member of our church in mutual accountability and service to one another. But I digress but not too far.

Each Christian committed to Oak Grove Church in the Lord. Jesus Christ is called to exercise their gas. Not to try to be like others but to exercise their gift as God uniquely created. You going to tell you what also goes along with that. exercising your gifts with imperfection where you are in your relationship with Christ because if we wait until we're perfect, well will die first

You see, you serving with your gifts, does not disable the Lord or handcuffed the Lord, when you make a mistake or sin, even in the process of using your gifts. Why will because the Lord is progressively making us a little bit more like Jesus. We call it Progressive, sanctification. all the time and that includes when we strive and we would do, well, I didn't close when we strive and From our perspective, we don't seem to do as well. Or somebody gets on her cage because we did something wrong, according to their perspective, the Lord is using all of this to build us up in the face, our individual Grace of gift has been an incredible incredible origin of. This is a really interesting and quite perplexing passage in verses 8 through 10. But he goes on to say that not only do we have a particular or special Grace, but our individual Grace is have a, an incredible, or a spectacular origin, right? Look at verses 8 through 10. Therefore, it says, so, is referring to the Old Testament. Psalms 68, 18 Richie quotes with a minor change here. He says, when he ascended on high, he led a host of captive and he gave gifts to men and saying he ascended, what does it mean that he got? But that he also descended into the lower regions the Earth. Steve hoody said it is one who also a set of far above the heavens that he might feel all things soaking in verse 7, chapter 68. Is pictured as a as marching in Victoria's Triumph, before all of Israel after The Exodus. After he he freed his people from slavery and so when he comes to Sinai the Earth, shake under his feet verse 8 tells us and then at 11 through 14 Kings and armies are described as those who flee before him while his people sleep piece of peacefully by their Fires at night. Why? Because they're resting in their Victorious, King, who also watches out for his people attended event for the end of verses 16, and 17 from Mount Sinai. God sets his sights on Mount Zion. So he moves from Sinai Old Testament to to Mount Zion and mousse with tens of thousands and thousands of thousands of Chariots up the slopes of Jerusalem in Victory leading captives in his trained as and receiving gifts from men, Paul. I think, I forgot, One thing. So you picture these captives these individuals that were captive to another Nathan Nation, the King has fought the Battle and he is one of them back so his one them back in order to deploy them for his service of his own kingdom that works. That's what has happened in the New Testament. Then Paul has he changes the line from receiving gifts to giving gift? So the Triumph in Christ Jesus. Faithfully living, a perfect life, dying on Calvary, being raised from the dead. Is Victorious. And he came and he walked on the earth and then he ascended. From the Earth.

To be ascended. Victorious, Victorious, lyrics in Christ is getting gifts or has given gifts to men.

So Paul applies, this beautiful imagery in Psalm 68 to Christ Ministry of of giving gifts and and is Incarnation. We think of his virgin birth and his perfect stainless life, sacrificial, death, burial, resurrection, and Ascension. John 3:13 clarifies a bit. He says, no one has ascended into heaven, except he who descended from Heaven. The son of man. Jesus came to Earth. He said he set a side. He set aside everything.

That was his to take full advantage of as God. He was 100% God. So then set aside his identity or who he was his nature, but he did not continually take full advantage of his omnipresence as God. Being always present everywhere. Know he, he he laid it aside for the particular Ministry that he was called to or given to us for. But then he bursts up with exaltation and he feels the whole universe as a, conquering King joyously giving gifts to his children and these gifts come with us an enabling Grace, that means you can't do it on your own, but God through the Holy Spirit that's why they're called spiritual gift or gifts of the Spirit God, through the spirit at work. In you enables you to develop and walk with the fruit of the spirit. No, the fruit of the spirit are different than gifts of the Spirit. By the same idea is true that when were walking with Christ, we're able to deploy and use the gifts that God has given us. Exhibiting fruit. Of being with him.

Exhibiting fruit that testifies to who we are as his children. So we see a list of these. You know, I mention early there, 5 list of it in scripture of spiritual gifts of summary summary, descriptors if you will, but in this passage, Paul smokes is Paul speaks of four in particular. So Christ gave leaders to equip Christians for Ministry. Christ gave leaders to equip Christians for Ministry, verse 11 through 14 says, he gave the apostles, the prophecy, evangelist the Shepherds and teachers to has a purpose statement to equip. The Saints for the work of Ministry. For building up, the body of Christ will why until building of the body of Christ until how do we know when we're built up until we all change to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood, we're striving for maturity not not good enough.

We're not striving for I'm sure somebody else will do, it is plenty of people. There are more important things to do know, we're striving for maturity to the measure of the Statue of the fullness of Christ y. Well, 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 and deceitful schemes, those four types of gift at the Apostle, Paul speaks of your door for the initial building up of the church, and two of the ongoing expansion and building up of the church. He speaks of Apostles and Prophets Prophets. And quickly Apostles and Prophets are foundational gifts to the church, right? We saw earlier in in Ephesians, 2:20 that in chapter three verse five, that the apostles and the, the apostles were the 12. And the prophets were those who preached kind of in in conjunction or complementary to the apostles. We also know about the Old Testament prophets of both of these Rose Apostles and Prophets came from a, a declared Authority from God.

Which is now encapsulated in the word of God and the 27 books of the New Testament. Well, so course in clue what that the 33 books of the Old Testament 66 books of the Bible. So the first of the gifted men in the New Testament, where these Apostles of who Jesus Christ is the first. First and foremost, Apostle, he is the capital, a apostle. It simply means one sent on a mission, but the Bible uses the term Apostle or pasta Lawson in a particular way to help us see that these were men of authority sent to established and initiate the church and its early New Testament times. And so there was some criteria for someone being an apostle. They must have been chosen directly by Christ, which is why Paul is the last, but but he says, no not the least of the Apostles, but the last of the Apostles. Why? Because on the road to get to almost, I get 70 on the road to

Damascus, thank you on the road to Damascus, Jesus himself called, and appointed. Apostle Paul, that's why he opened his letters. I'm an apostle by the will of God. God made me an apostle and so I'm acting under God's Authority under Christ, authority, to declare Christ, message with authority of the Apostles, preached and proclaimed, and taught and lead, and shepherded and disciples and disciplined with the authority of God. Second, they must have been a witness to the resurrection. And Pastor, John MacArthur says, that the apostles were like delegates on a constitutional convention once the convention is over than the positions. Ceases that, when the New Testament was complete the office of the Apostle ceased. So so we don't believe in their ongoing Apostles in an in an in a title or office. Since now, we often speak of since the word Apostle means one who is set up for a particular Mission. We often speak of those who are Apostle like church Planters are often thought of his. Those who are our Apostle. Like if you will their casual terms in the New Testament of the word Apostle to, but the word Apostle, the apostles in the prophets. Had these basic foundations of of laying the foundation for the church receiving and declaring the authority of revelation of God's word, and getting confirmation of that word, through signs, and wonders, and miracles, they were unique neat. Things that happened in the New Testament times. That were these Miracles which were intended to say. I come with the authority of God, and this is how you'll see it as we work these Miracles has God works his miracles through US, Tater. FF Bruce says the apostles at it. As an order of the ministry of the church are not perpetuate it or we're not perpetuate it or carried out beyond the apostolic age, but the functions they discharged don't laps or stop with their departure but they continue to be performed by others. Know the lady of Angelus and pastors teacher. Soak the third and fourth positions that we see our pastors and teachers evangelists and pastors teachers. And that's how I understand that text. Pastors and teachers only before each one of these and you can see it without getting into much of the grammar, write a CV Apostles, the prophet, the Evangelist and D pastors and teachers.

And so this is really like a pastor teacher rule, write evangelist continually speak of the message of Christ's salvation to terms only two times in the New Testament. When Philip bring the message to the area between Jerusalem and Gaza, where he meets Philip the Ethiopian eunuch. And as, as he's kind of trotting along in his Carriage this guy comes and he says, Hey I've heard all these things are very loose paraphraser by the way, I've heard all these things so can you explain it to me says yes, I'll explain. This is why I believe it will keep me from being baptized. They baptize them and then they continue on their way. And as a kind of ministry that Paul exhorted Timothy to perform in 2nd, Timothy 4:5. He says, as for you speaking to Timothy be sober-minded and during suffering, do the work of an evangelist and fulfill your ministry. Some Christians have the gift of evangelism is from them. They can't not talk about Jesus, it's good. They're going to find doors for talking about Jesus Pathways to get in from whatever. The topic is to Jesus, he can play his game with my youth group, kids to help them. See how creative they can be in taking everyday conversation to spiritual thing. You know, we still got like Jesus in 3 or Jesus in fiber, Jesus, and one for the pros in the room, right? It was just like, I'm going to give you a word as like the low-hanging fruit, they're right, or maybe, and you've got to get from this General topic to Jesus. In three pivots. It's kind of a fun getting the point was just to not be that awkward in Life, or I mean that's just kind of could drive people away, but to help us realize that, you know what? When I'm passionate about the things of God, it's actually not that complex. To get from conflict to Jesus.

To get from relationships to Jesus, or they don't like me to Jesus.

It was a fun little challenge that we did. Some of them really struggle, that is something we couldn't quite get there and some of them were just like bam, like everytime like case might be right but that doesn't free us, some of us have I don't have to get to the vandalism. We're still all called to evangelize, they're just some that are uniquely gifted for that particular purpose.

Evangelist would not only preached the gospel but he would. He would help us learn how to do it. Better those who want to grow in our ability to engage others with the truth. He helped us grow into a better. Pastor teacher the word Pastor, it means the shepherd and it's a metaphor for one who is two Shepherd people, one who cares for people, one who helps others, watch their step. One who helps others, guard their steps, so that they don't what, what's that? They don't trip. And fall over our own life, in sin choices. So that I rolled over our own decision to Pastor teachers one, who who comes alongside them to, to help them in that way. This is the only place where that used as an outcast or the rest of the time, as soon as it is used in the term of shepherding, the flock among you. So that idea of being a pastor Shepherd, a pastor teacher, that's how we Shepherd. That's how we care for people by taking God's word, helping other people unfold, it and learn how to put it into practice, in everyday life up. If some people with a wide Can't I just can't live that way, but that's just not true. The Bible says that God, has given us everything that we need for life and godliness through the knowledge, which means that our relationship is by his boy by his Excellency. Remember, he's the reason ascended Victoria's King, who called you who saved you? You don't think you can then equip you. For the thing that he's called you to know what that really means is, I don't care enough about it to want to do it. I doubt there's that the Continuum rights there are times we was strive and we fail. It was dry When we struggle and police say, keep striving work out your salvation with fear and trembling work. It out, me just saved that, work it out. How? Well, according to the ways that God has told us in the word of God, which means to sit under the preaching of God's word week in and week out to be in relationships, with are really kind of has a three or four full relationship there that everybody needs a Paul and everybody needs a Timothy. You need somebody that's further along in the face and you are there might be a genius just for the faith in. You are there have to be on staff at a church just further, along in the faith than you are. and then you need to Timothy

So, I can have a. Timothy will not report. Thanks.

I don't know if I can disciple him or something. Like I beg to differ. First, first first, Peter 5:2 kind of brings all of these three terms together, Peter instructs, the elders, to be good Bishops, as they passed or so. He, he said, so, I exhort the elders. This is a rose among you and as a fellow Elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory, that is going to be revealed Shepherd that the verb form of the name. Pastor pastor, pastor, Pastor Shepherd. This is the verb form of that word Shepherd. The flock of God that is among you exercising, oversight, that the third word, I think I skipped it a minute ago. If it's not under compulsion but willingly as God would have you not for shameful full game but eagerly and Acts 20 verse 17 through the end of the beautiful passage were Paul. for the end of his ministry called the hours, he says, guys come and it is a wonderful charge when you have time to read it. Now, it is a wonderful charge to these Pastor Elder teacher's overseers. How to carry out their Ministry. And why is all of this happening at verse 12 tells us that it is that God's purpose is to equip Christians for Ministry.

We love the noise of children. So I just want you to know that wherever you are, whatever you thinking. Do you know why? Cuz when we gather together as adults or children, grandparents and and parents, and then children and anywhere in between, we grow together, we grow up in Christ together and so we're going to be loved having children here. Where to be equipped for the Saints. I'm sorry. Equipping Christians for Ministry. What pastors and teachers and evangelists are called to do. I thought you might say what? That's my job. it's going to sound a little weird, but I wouldn't quite go this far but you might say, well my job is not to do the work of the ministry. It's to equip you to do work on this tree.

I want to see my, I mean, myself and the other Elders that I serve with.

Now we ought to be, how do we equip you for the work of a miniature by taking you along side of us as we do the work, the Middle Street week with you to do the work of the ministry, we get together, we Fellowship together, we teach you, we teach you what the word says, how to understand your gifts and how to use your gifts. You have the responsibility of faithfully working in service for the Lord. Does it all happened within the context of church organized Ministries? No, not necessarily cuz your neighbor and you got family members, you've got friends and you get to use your gifts and deploy them in service to others. And the point is he goes even further in verses 13 and 14, where to equip the stage for the work of the ministry, for building up of the body of Christ at first 12, until each until we are

You've heard me lay out my amazing Greek skills before right in a Greek. You know, all means, oh,

That means. Everyone. That is a committed member regular tender of Oak, Grove Church. Is the use your gifts? To build up the body of Christ.

Your gifts to practice them in and flush it out and struggle through it. Everyone that means there's not really a lot of feel a little bit. I'm a say this with love because the end goal is that we mature as a body of Christ, but you ought to feel a little uncomfortable if you're here my heart here, if you're coming in, and you're sitting here on Sunday morning and then the next time we see you, or see you engaged in using your gifts to build up, the body of Christ is the next Sunday morning fact, you might not actually be using your gifts for building up. The body of Christ to grow to maturity, because maturity happens when we practice our gifts increasingly a little at a time, God doesn't say meat together once a week. And then dust off your violin next Sunday morning. I'm go to church, actually I wish you okay. God, we're into how God speaks. We would understand the truth of God's word is best as we possibly can. And so when each Christian uses his or her gifts, the church matures

Sometimes case don't have people share with me about what they think about what's going on our church, a different things. And don't just say, how are you serving the church? the goal isn't simply to end the conversation that usually does, but

I'm not trying to be unkind. It's really easy for me to play Monday Morning Quarterback. But guess what, I am in the pros, I don't play on any team. I observe as I sit down on the couch sometimes, and I turn on the TV and I will watch those who are gifted who are professionals, although drop the pit. Fresno professionals Park part for this analogy play the support. Well, It's really easy to sit back and say all that was a terrible call. What a terrible throw. How do you even make it to the NFL, has the worst players in the NFL Are leaves better than all of us. If you're offended by that, you needed to hear that.

Pastors teachers are are they are the coaches? Who say? Okay guys, let's get together. We're in the game actually. We're in a war.

And every one of you have a unique particular Grace that God has given you. It is called you too. And this church this body of Christ which is part of the larger. Capital City Church will be in complete and will be immature unless everyone is doing their part of it's a two-part sermon. We're going to come back next week and flush out more of what that means. I hope everybody shows up equally but I want you to hear. I don't think I have them on the screen here for 14, through 16 13, through 16. Paul says, until we all attain to the unity of the faith, that means we need to have a right understanding of what the gospel is. Why believe in Jesus was so did Satan. He's not going to heaven.

When we say so I can go to heaven. What was just about not going to hell. And you don't you don't love Jesus. You see what the gospel is. So it's the unity of the faith of the knowledge of the two mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Do that, why? So that, we're not children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of Doctrine by human cunning by craftiness and escaped seat. Jeans. Rather speaking the truth in love we're to grow up in every way to him. Who is ahead in the Christ from whom the whole body is eze's body. Imagery joined and held together by every joint. With which it is equipped.

The Victorious, risen ascended Christ has equipped this body with every joint. And there's a lot of pain when we're out of joint.

But there's nothing like having that thing pop back in. I've been paying for that is glorious.

This is what Paul is calling us to bring. This is a wonderful Vision. We saw it this week with 80 years old kids and BBs and fifty plus leaders somewhere up front. He had Caitlin, was on the stage dancing and music. And, and showing everybody, the motions and the instructions we had group leaders. We had folks in the kitchen which really don't want to be seen by others. Were saying, Show me this route so that everybody can see the body of Christ at work. I'm not bringing her this room because it's about you it's about Jesus, everyone that served in the body of Christ, working his teachers in different stages handing out dreams serving with crew leaders, just being extra it available, Is a body of Christ. When we all pitch in, I doesn't mean we all have to do everything but sometimes what happens if some people teach with the best of efforts, we say if you could you teach for the season and what are we off in here?

I don't know why.

Because we all know that not everybody doing their part, we all know that. Not everybody's Who's able to teach as teaching? And they know that if they sign up for it even though it's not our intention, they might be teaching for 15 years.

Exactly. Been there, done that.

This could, this could sound like a really big guilt. Trip is not intended, that way was intended to say is brother and sister. If you're a child of God, you don't know the Beauty and the fullness that often comes with hardship, but that hardship turns into joy, as we see God, fulfilling his promises to teach us to sustain us and make us more like him. you don't know that if you're not using your gifts, it's a joy to be able to use your gifts for building up, the body of Christ. I just want to tell you, you're missing out. I don't want you to miss out. I want you to experience everything that the victoriously Risen, and ascended Christ, intends for you, through the particular Grace of gifts that he's giving you

As we take communion, we have the privilege every week of remembering what Jesus did on the cross. And I want you to ask that question this morning as I, professing believer, if you're, if you're not sure you're a Christian, it's really the time for Christian that we just encourage you to, to remain seated and and pray in your seat or or even as we're moving around because we'll invite you to come forward to either this night. Or this side, we have to serve, it will be in the back. This is a wonderful time to grab somebody else that you know, you can talk during this time and ask somebody. You know, I'm not sure if I'm a Christian, I know a lot about God in the Bible but I'm not positive. I'm a Christian is a very appropriate time for that. You may want to sit in your seat and and just quietly quietly Sombrely. Repent of some sin. Repentance is wonderful worship.

As we do that, recognize that the very bread we eat and and cup, we drink. Was from the Savior who would later ascend.

He bought for you. And for me, the joyous ability to serve the Church of God.

We recognize we go through Seasons. As I just want to ask you two to be asking the Lord Lord in this season of My Life. In this season of my life. Where do you want me to be serving you? and help me to be faithful by your particular Grace in this area, to be doing just that Let's pray together. Heavenly Father. Thank you for this wonderful world that you've given us and Lord, I pray that you would give us your wisdom and insight. It's not like a game of hide-and-seek. You want us to know the ways that you're calling us to serve you and so father we pray you to help us to understand it and be faithful in serving you. We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.

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