Planned & Priveleged Purpose

Introduction

This week we are going to talk about something so important for all of us to grasp in our walk with the Lord when we make the difference between unity in Christ and uniformity. So many times when we talk about unity in Christ we get this picture in our heads that all of our lives are supposed to look the same. We all obey. We all sin sometimes. We all are supposed to be doing the same thing and that’s glorifying God. And that sounds so boring when you think about it. If we have that idea in our heads that we are just robots mindlessly doing the same thing we have the wrong idea. That sounds so boring, and the life with God is so much more than that. We all have a purpose, we all have different talents, we are all uniquely made and created, God uses each of us in different ways to reach different people, glorify Him differently but for the same purpose. You are anything but a number, you are far from just a butt in the seat, you are made for great things.

We are unified in Christ but not in gifting. (v. 7-10)

We are all insufficient…that’s why we need each other. God in all his wisdom made us dependent on others. No member of the body of Christ has been given perfection so that you don’t need assistance of others. -Calvin. All of us have been given different gifts for the benefit of others. Paul uses the word GRACE…the privilege of a special calling in the service of God. We HAVE to change the way we say things. Now this isn’t some push for the power of positive thinking, but the way that we choose to say things changes the way that we view things. When you constantly see everything that you do for God as an obligation instead of a privilege you will quickly do nothing for Him. Nobody has all the gifts; and also it is true that no member of the body is without some spiritual task and spiritual gift for it.

Satan loves a spiritual couch potato.

Because Jesus has conquered over death, hell, and the grave and all of his enemies, he has received gifts that he can give freely. Because of the resurrection and the ascension of Christ the outpouring of the Spirit has been made possible.

What does it mean that Christ has descended to the lowest parts of earth and ascended to the highest parts of heaven? I think the apostle is making two different points…First, it is Christ’s will and purpose for everything to be pervaded with his presence. He might fill all things since he descended and ascended. He is supreme over all the powers of heaven and earth. There is nothing that is not subject to him, no place or order of existence where his presence may not be known and felt. BOTH JESUS’ DESCENT AND ASCENT HAVE ITS PURPOSE. The ascension of Jesus meant not a Christ-deserted, but a Christ filled world. Second, we are to realize that the ascended Lord whom the church now worships is the same as he who came down and lived among us, sharing our sorrows, trials and temptations, and therefore he feels those of his people today.

We are the gifts God gives to the church.

The gifts that God gives is His Spirit into His people. Therefore He works by His Spirit through His people. That means that His people and their work through the Holy Spirit ARE the gifts to the church. All of God’s people, in their particular ministries are God’s gift to the church. I don’t mean that we are just extremely special and God NEEDS us…but that GOD WANTS us to bless His people through the different ways that He has gifted us. And it’s extremely important to note that without the Spirit, our work is valueless. Without the Spirit we are not working for God we are working for ourselves. I love this quote “The gifts of the Spirit are not for the enrichment of oneself but for the enrichment of the Church.”

Apostles

Prophets

Evangelists

Pastors & Teachers

You need to use your gifts. The church needs what God has given to you.

Process--->Goal

The ministry of the church is to equip the saints…perfecting what is lacking in the faith of Christians…the church is bringing saints to a place of fit “ness” for deploying them to do the function in the Body. Raising up believers to be deployed means that there is a purpose for believers as they are being equipped! To be fit to do the work of the ministry. WHAT IS DONE FOR THE SAINTS AND BY THE SAINTS IS FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. The church is increased and built up, and its members are being sharpened, as each member uses his or her particular gifts as the Lord of the church ordains, and gives spiritual service to other members and to Christ.

All of this is a process intended for a destination (Use analogy of a traveler and their destination) The end of the church’s journey is described in three ways

Unity of the faith

Unity in the knowledge of the Son of God

Knowing Him is experiencing Him.

Ultimately maturity in Christ.

The christian should be pressing forward with no less ambition than to be LIKE CHRIST.

Maturity allows the capacity to emulate different forms of teaching and DISCERNING what is true and false. Mature Christians that can do this hold onto truth tightly for the spiritual benefit not only for themselves but for OTHERS.

Spiritual immaturity brings instability and unsteadiness…spiritual maturity brings growth in stability in the faith. (ingrown toenail---> grow into Christ)