Spiritual Gifts

Introduction

Ephesians 4:7–16 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.) 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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.

John Piper, wrote a book, “Reading the Bible Supernaturally,” in which he states that every human heart has a template stamped upon it.

What is a template.

A template is a preset mold.

A template is a shaped piece of metal, wood, card, and plastic used for painting, cutting, shaping, or drilling.

This template corresponds directly to the glory of God.

There is a glory shaped template waiting to receive the glory of God in every human being.

There is an expectancy and longing buried deep in every soul.

However, because our hearts are hard, this template is buried beneath lusts, sins, and idols.

There is only one thing that can excavate that template so that it can receive the glory of God - the word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When the Spirit of God illuminates the word of God in our hearts, it burns away the hardness so that we can receive and know God.

The word of God is central to what we do as a church.

BIG IDEA: The ministry of the Word of God is vitally important to the work of God.

Explanation

Ephesians 4:7-10 // Just because the work of God is the first work does not mean that it is the only work.

We have all been given different gifts to serve the church.

When we serve the church with our unique gifting, we help the church to function the way it is supposed to function.

When we refuse to serve the church regularly, the church ceases to function the way it is supposed to function.

We tend to think, “well, I don’t have a very high value role in the church. No one sees what I do, and if I didn’t show up, they would be ok.”

In baseball, the pitcher touches the ball more than anyone on the team. If the pitcher is off, the team is in trouble.

However, the team no more win a ballgame without a left fielder than a pitcher.

Just because one is more visible doesn’t mean that the other isn’t absolutely necessary.

Imagine the center on the basketball team saying, they don’t let me dribble the ball down the court, so I guess I’m not needed.

The value of the gift and role of responsibility comes from the giver.

Scholars have noted that Ephesians 4:8 is very, very similar to Psalm 68:18.

Ephesians 4:8 “Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.””

Psalm 68:18 “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.”

The entirety of Psalm 68 discusses the Lord as a triumphant warrior who delivers his people from their enemies in salvation from death. It is a son of his victorious ascent to dwell among his people.

In Psalm 68:35 “Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!”

Envision with me, the God of the universe, Christ Jesus, ascending into heaven, and granting parting gifts to his people.

They aren’t money or power. They are the gifts of the spirit for the building up of the body. THAT is what you hold when God has given you a gift.

Psalm 68 is a verse that elevates the WORD of God in the worship that His people give Him.

Psalm 68:11 “The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host:”

Psalm 68:32 “O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah”

Ephesians 4:11-13 // Paul establishes the ministry of the word.

The offices of the church

Apostles // The Twelve and Paul

Prophets // Foretelling and Forthtelling

Evangelists // Taking the word of God forward. An anointing to share the message.

Pastors/Shepherds // Pastor, elder, and bishop are used interchangably in the new testament.

Teachers // People who teach the word

Application:

If you go to Sunday School/Lifegroups and not worship, that’s not good. You need to grow in Him. If you go to worship and not SS/LG that’s also not good. You need to grow in Him.

Do you respect and listen to the leaders who teach you the Word of God?

Why does God give us ministers of the word?

Equipping the saints for the work of ministry

We don’t teach so that you can learn.

We teach so that you can grow and do.

Building up the body of Christ

God works in powerful ways through the ministry of the word.

I do a lot of vital things every week, but the sermon is the most important.

We do this until Christ returns and we live with Him.

Unity of faith IN the knowledge of the son of God

Mature manhood TO the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Ephesians 4:14-16 // Why do we teach? The pitfalls of an uninspired and untaught congregation.

You can be led astray.

Children believe whatever someone tells them.

While we think this innocence sweet, it is also dangerous.

Everyone who approaches your child does not want good for your child.

We can grow into divisions.

It is easy, when Christ is not elevated, to devote yourself to someone else.

True, Biblical teaching unifies the body of Christ.

Every part works properly.

Every ministry serves the ministry of the Word.

The ministry of the Word serves every ministry of the church.

Conclusion

Follow Jesus - He is the Word incarnate.

Pay attention to the ministry of the word.