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Ephesians 4:7-11 Where Are We Going? (2) Gifts
Where Are We Going? (2)
Christ Gave Gifts
Introduction: As we introduced in the previous lesson, 4:1-16 gives a concentrated picture of the inner workings and purpose of a local church. By always keeping this text before us we will avoid deviating from God’s reason for creating us as his people.
Please begin with comparing verse 3 with verse 13, and then also verse 16. You will notice that unity goes beyond personal interactions with one another (humility, gentleness, patience, etc.). A church may get along great and enjoy one another completely, but there is also to be a “unity of the faith” and a use of one’s gifts cohesively with “each part working properly.” It sounds very much like a sports team – there could be a lot of talented players who like each other, but without practicing together and learning to function as a team, they will fail in the game.
Therefore, in this lesson we will begin talking about gifts as is recorded in verse 7: “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
- Grace Given to Each One of Us
- Notice that Christ is the gift-giver. He has measured out certain gifts so that we fulfill God’s purpose. Every Christian is given certain gifts; none are left out. So here is the deal: you have certain gifts given to you by the Lord.
- This should remind us of 1 Corinthians 12:11 when Paul spoke of the purpose of the miraculous gifts: “All these are empowered by the one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” Just as in this text, Christ gives these gifts as he chooses. He knows us. He knows our varying personalities, and he makes the perfect choice of gifts for us. Consider the implications of this:
- Gifts are a special expression of the love of the giver. Unlike us, Jesus is the perfect gift giver. Therefore, it is important that we cherish and use our gifts to his glory.
- We can’t say, “There’s nothing I can do; I’m not gifted in any way.” Not true. You may not have developed the gift or looked for ways to use your gift, but you are gifted. The Lord has given you gifts. In fact, you use your abilities every day, but not necessarily in service to the Lord.
- Gifts also correspond to seasons of life. As a mom and dad of young children, you will utilize your gifts differently at this stage of life than you will once the children are older. Your concerns will focus more on the spiritual maturity of your children and nurturing your marriage (which prepare you for church leadership), your knowledge of God & relationship with God. In other words, you are sharpening your gifts (being equipped). You will want to practice and explore various gifts in your early years and develop good character.
- All gifts are needed and cannot be used in isolation! To say otherwise would suggest that our bodies can function just fine with one member amputated. Your gift is needed!
- We will be called into account for whether or not we use our gifts. Even as in the parable of the talents, we do not want to be the one talent man who buried his gift and did not use it to God’s glory.
- Each gift is extremely valuable. A “Talent” was worth 20 years wages for a laboring man. The was the lowest amount in the parable. So no matter how little you may value your gift, God does not see it that way. As in 1 Corinthians 12, each gift is of great value.
- Usually, we are not immediately aware of the gifts God has given. All gifts need to be developed. As in the parable of the talents, each man invested his talents in order to produce more. We must invest ourselves in learning about the Lord and the Lord’s work in order to find where we can be effective. Discovering gifts comes from (1) study of the word to learn of needs in the Lord’s work, (2) stretching yourself and trying to do things you have not done before, and (3) learning from other more mature Christians how to do certain areas of the work. Mostly, (4) it takes involvement to see the need and then trusting in God’s help from the greatness of His power toward you.
- If you do not discover your gift or use your gift, how can you be “to the praise of His glory?” How can you be a part of His purpose toward you? This exposes the spiritual danger of being a Christian who simply attends a period of worship, but does not connect, has no involvement, and never uses or develops their Christ-given gift to “build up the body of Christ” (4:12, 16).
- Verses 8-11 are a quotation and comments based on Psalm 68. The Psalm corresponds to Paul’s central theme in Ephesians, that of conquering His enemies and glorifying His name. This conquering includes deliverance of His people – using the conquering of Egypt, leading His people through the wilderness and going from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion to dwell, but rejecting the great mountains of Bashan (9000 feet high), thus rejecting idols and the proud. As God conquers with His chariots of thousands of thousands, He ascends on high (coming into Zion), leads His captives in a victorious parade, and gives gifts to His people. In the end (vs. 28-35), God gives strength to His people (vs. 35) so that they can withstand their enemies to the point that these same enemies “submit themselves with pieces of silver” and “come quickly to stretch out her hands to God” (30-31).
- “Ascending” and “descending” pictures God “descending” to lead His people out of captivity and then “ascending” to His throne on Mt. Zion. The ultimate fulfillment was God in Christ descending to deliver us from Satan’s bondage and then ascending to reign in heaven, the true Mt. Zion, where we reign with Him (2:6).
- The “gifts” Christ gives the church are to equip His people so that the kingdom can be built up (bringing the enemies into submission from Egypt and Ethiopia – Psalm 68:30-31). All of this so that His people will be to the praise of His glory.
- Therefore, Paul in Ephesians is explaining the fulfillment of Psalm 68 and God’s ultimate victory of the His enemies in the heavenly places. Look what He has done for us and toward us that He might bring about this great victory, creating us for the purpose of defeating the rulers and powers in the heavenly places. Our gifts make this happen!
- What Are the Gifts?
- That being said, we cannot just say, “Okay, go find your gift!” Each of us wants to know what are the needs and what gifts might I have to supply those needs?
- You will notice in verses 11-16 Paul lays out certain goals these gifts are to accomplish. Work of ministry and building up the body of Christ. Therefore, we want to look for areas of God’s work that serves to build up the body. Building the body strengthens and matures the body in various ways. In fact “maturity” is the key to this part of the text of which we will look in more detail in the next lesson.
- Passages such as Romans 12:4-8 give us more specific help in finding our gifts.
- Prophecy would reference the revelation of the word by those inspired. This is a first century gift and is mirrored by most of the miraculous gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12 – most of which have to do with revealing and confirming the word in one way or another.
- Service is as generic as “ministry” in our text. Paul doesn’t need to get specific here because the ways we all need one another’s help from time to time are too numerous to list. It is sufficient to know that we must look out for one another, and some are more gifted in that than others.
- Teaching: we make a mistake if we think only of someone who is a public teacher (Heb. 5:11). Some of the most effective teaching is done “one on one,” and it is not necessary to be “polished,” it is just necessary to have worked on your knowledge. Everyone here has someone they can help who has less knowledge because of less years in the kingdom. As Ephesians 4 shows, equipped people equip others.
- Exhorts/encourages: we all have “low” times in our lives, times in which get discouraged with ourselves, with others, and with our circumstances. Again, as with teaching, good encouragers know their scriptures. Therefore if you have the gift of helping people emotionally, remember that the scriptures are the foundation because all good encouragement comes from God.
- Giving in generosity: I think it fairly rare to find Christians today who are not eager to help when others have fallen on difficult times. It is appropriate that it is included in gifts given to us by God’s grace. Cf. Ephesians 4:28.
- Leading with zeal/diligence: The obvious gift would refer those who lead in the church, but it would also include in the home and so many ways one Christian can help bring another Christian into God’s service. For example, if you are good at being hospitable and making visits on those who need to be encouraged, you could ask another Christian to join you in the effort. Note, this is to be done with zeal. As with the other gifts, whatever we are gifted to do should be done wholeheartedly.
- Acts of mercy with cheerfulness: An act of mercy would especially be applied to people who are helpless to come to their own aid. We should especially think of those who are chronically ill, elderly, or disabled. One of the greatest needs in any church are those who have very little ability to get out in order to socialize with others. Christians who have the time and ability to make regular connections to these people are such a comfort to them.
- One more list of gifts that especially connects to sharing the gospel. The growth of the body is not just inward but also the spreading of the kingdom message to the world. While the gifts of Romans 12 are primarily about growing those already in the body, the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 are primarily about teaching the gospel message. There are many roles that are needed in evangelism that do not include being the primary teacher.
- Be an inviter or one who sets up a class
- Be a “co-teacher”
- Be a “co-learner”
- Greet and connect with those who visit
- Strengthen the weak & new Christians/members
- Care for the sick, especially unbelievers
- Be a baby-sitter
- Pray
Conclusion: So, where are we going? Jesus brought us together into one body, his body, to do the work he would do if he were still on the earth. As you can probably see just by what we have seen in this lesson, we as a brotherhood of believers have often not done very well at fulfilling the purpose of Eph. 4:1-16.
Berry Kercheville