Grace to Grow

Grace to Grow

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16 (NIV)

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men.”

9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I.       Introduction:

II.    Grace is Given To The Church

A.                Gifts Of Grace  Are Given By Christ

1.                  Gifts Are Given To All Believers

a)                  Everyone Receives Gifts of Grace

b)                  Everyone Receives Their Allotted Portion

2.                  Gifts Are Given By A Great Lord

a)                  The Lord Who Is Victorious Over All Enemies

b)                  The Lord Who Ascended To An Exalted Position

B.                 Gifts Of Grace Are Given To The Church

1.                  Providing People To Lead

a)                  Leadership Called By Christ

b)                  Leadership Called To Serve

2.                  Preparing People To Serve

a)                  Serving As Ministers Of The Church

b)                  Serving To Build The Church

III. Growth is Expected of the Church

A.                Growing Out Of Infancy

1.                  No Longer Infants Characterized By Instability

2.                  No Longer Infants Subject To Trickery

B.                 Growing Into Maturity

1.                  A Grown Up Church

2.                  A Built Up Body

IV. Conclusion: