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TITLE: How God builds people . TEXT: Ephesians 4:7-17 THEME: You grow to Christlikeness when you serve and are served. Giving is at the heart of the Christian faith. The greatest giver of gifts is God. . James 1:17
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TITLE: How God builds people • TEXT: Ephesians 4:7-17 • THEME: You grow to Christlikeness when you serve and are served.
The greatest giver of gifts is God. James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights."
John the Baptist John 3:27 "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven"
Jesus Luke 11:9 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son."
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I. Utilize the gifts God has already given to you (7-11) A. He has given gifts to each of us (7)
Ephesians 4:7 "to each one of us [each believer] grace was given."
Grace and Giving • The word “grace” in Greek is “charis” the word gift is Greek is “charisma.” They both come from the same root.
Grace and Giving • The word “grace” in Greek is “charis” the word gift is Greek is “charisma.” They both come from the same root. • Ephesians 4:4-5 teach us that there is "one body," "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism" and "one God and Father of all."
Grace and Giving • The word “grace” in Greek is “charis” the word gift is Greek is “charisma.” They both come from the same root. • Ephesians 4:4-5 teach us that there is "one body," "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism" and "one God and Father of all." • Note in verse 6 that the Father is "above all, through all, and in you all."
Note the difference v. 7. This is not to "all" but to "each one." Paul is now moving from what all Christians have in common to how they differ from one another. Our unity does not necessarily mean uniformity.
Spiritual Gifts Spiritual gifts are special abilities for the service of the Lord that you received the moment you accepted Jesus. As the Holy Spirit moved into your life, he brought with him gifts for you to use in ministry.
Warren Wiersbe A spiritual gift is, "a God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified."
I Corinthians 12:4-7 • 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Lists of Gifts • Romans 12:6-8, • 1 Corinthians12:4-11, • I Corinthians 12:27-31 • Eph.4:11 • I Peter 4:10-11.
Alice Bennett: I have no voice for singing. I cannot make a speech. I have no gift for music. I know I cannot teach. I am no good at leading. I cannot "organize." And anything I write would never win a prize.
Alice Bennett: But at roll call at meetings, I always answer, "Here." When others are performing, I lend a listening ear. After the program's over, I praise its every part. My words are not to flatter; I mean it from the heart
Alice Bennett: It seems my only talent is neither big nor rare, Just to listen and encourage and to fill a vacant chair. But all the gifted people could not so brightly shine, Were it not for those who use a talent such as mine.
I. Utilize the gifts God has already given to you (7-11) • A. He has given gifts to each of us (7)
I. Utilize the gifts God has already given to you (7-11) • A. He has given gifts to each of us (7 • B. The gifts are the spoils of victory (8-10)
Psalm 68:18 18 When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even fromthe rebellious— that you,LORD God, might dwell there.
Psalm 68:18 • It teaches us how Jesus earned the right to give believers spiritual gifts.
Psalm 68:18 • It teaches us how Jesus earned the right to give believers spiritual gifts. • Is a hymn of triumph praising God as he ascends up Mount Zion. This was pictured in David's celebration of returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
Psalm 24:7-10. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Psalm 24:7-10. 9 Lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.
Descended vs. ascended • The point is, has the authority to "give gifts to men." He has earned the right to rule over his people and to gift his people "that he might fill all things."
C. He has given gifted men (11) • Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." An apostle was a divinely appointed messenger or representative.
Apostles • The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2
Apostles • The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2). • Their teaching from the Lord became the foundation upon which the church is built (2:20). Miraculous signs and wonders that authenticated their message often accompanied their teaching
Apostles • The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2). • Their teaching from the Lord became the foundation upon which the church is built (2:20). Miraculous signs and wonders that authenticated their message often accompanied their teaching • We don't find the word used in Acts after 16:4. There is no record of any of them being replaced. Once they laid the foundation, they had fulfilled their task.
C. He has given gifted men (11) • Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." • Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God.
Prophets • During the time before the completion of the New Testament, they were second only in importance to the apostles.
Prophets • During the time before the completion of the New Testament, they were second only in importance to the apostles. • In the Old Testament there were priest and prophets.
Prophets • During the time before the completion of the New Testament, they were second only in importance to the apostles. • In the Old Testament there were priest and prophets. • Prophets sometimes gave direct revelation from God and sometimes expounded revelation already given.
Warren Wiersbe "Christians today do not get their spiritual knowledge immediately from the Holy Spirit, but mediately through the Spirit teaching the Word."
C. He has given gifted men (11) • Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." • Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God. • Evangelists. One who is especially spiritually gifted to share the good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Evangelists • This is an ongoing gift
Evangelists • This is an ongoing gift. • The proof of an evangelist is that they lead people to Christ.
Evangelists • This is an ongoing gift. • The proof of an evangelist is that they lead people to Christ. • All ministers are called to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5
Evangelists • This is an ongoing gift. • The proof of an evangelist is that they lead people to Christ. • All ministers are called to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). • All believers are to evangelize, but some believers are especially gifted as "evangelists."
C. He has given gifted men (11) • Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." • Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God. • Evangelists. One who is especially spiritually gifted to share the good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. • Pastor-teachers. The word pastor is another word for shepherd.
Pastors-teachers • The local church is like a flock of God
Pastors-teachers • The local church is like a flock of God. • Acts 20:28, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood." 1 Peter 5:2, "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you."