Christ's Gifts for Unity and Maturity

Ephesians 4:7-12 Christ’s Gifts for Unity and Maturity I. Christ’s grace demonstrated in gift giving (v. 7) A. Grace to accompany gifts (v. 7a) B. Gifts to accompany grace (v. 7b) II. Christ’s victory demonstrated in gift giving (vv. 8-10) A. Victory demonstrated in the OT (v. 8) [Psalm 68:18] B. Victory demonstrated in the NT (vv. 9-10) 1. Christ’s humiliation (v. 9) 2. Christ’s exaltation (v. 10a) 3. Christ’s glorification (v. 10b) III. Christ’s wisdom demonstrated in gift giving (vv. 11-12) A. Wisdom demonstrated in variety (v. 11) 1. Those gifted to deal with situations a. Those equipped to guide the infant church in ways it ought to go (apostles) b. Those equipped to guard the infant church in what it ought to know (prophets) 2. Those gifted to deal with sinners (evangelists) 3. Those gifted to deal with saints a. Those called to tend the flock of God (pastors) b. Those called to teach the flock of God (teachers) B. Wisdom demonstrated in structure (v. 11) C. Wisdom demonstrated in accomplishment (v. 12) 1. The perfecting of the saints… 2. For the work of the ministry… 3. For the building up of the body of Christ. IV. Christ’s purpose in gift giving (vv. 13-16) Maturity 1