Ephesians 4:7-10 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

Ephesians 4:11-13 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:14-16 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Out of many, one

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

The Basis of our Diversity (4:7-11) Our diversity is on the basis of God’s grace (7) But to each one of us grace was given… GRACE: “a God-given empowerment or enablement to see things as God would have you see them; to do things as God would have you do them; and to change things that God would have you change, all to His glory.”

1 Corinthians 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [grace was given] for the common good.”

1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

The Basis of our Diversity (4:7-11) Our diversity is on the basis Christ’s gift (7-10) 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) Christ’s gift: the daily experience of the gift and power of salvation provided us by the death and resurrection of Christ.

The Basis of our Diversity (4:7-11) Our diversity is on the basis God’s gifts (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers… 1. “apostles” – literally “one who has been sent out.” More formally, an apostle was an ambassador; one sent with credentials to represent another – in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. “prophets” – a forth teller – telling people the truths of God. Prophets were those who received direct revelation from God to communicate with the early church.

The Basis of our Diversity (4:7-11) Our diversity is on the basis God’s gifts (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers… 3. “evangelists” – literally means “a proclaimer of the good word.” We would say, “a preacher of the Gospel.” The gift of evangelism and the work of an evangelist speak of a person who is especially gifted (not solely gifted) at sharing the Gospel, particularly with those who have never heard the truths of Gospel.

The Basis of our Diversity (4:7-11) Our diversity is on the basis God’s gifts (11) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers… 4. “pastor/teachers” – “pastors” translates as “shepherds” and speaks of a person who tends to needs of his flock. The one who has the spiritual gift of “pastor” has a heart for his people, wanting to lead them to the greenest pastures of God’s Word. “teachers” literally means “a doctor, master, or teacher of a subject.” The subject in context here in our text is that of Christ and His church.

Steve Lawson The art of preaching/teaching is - “the man of God opening the Word of God and expounding its truths so that the voice of God may be heard, the glory of God seen, and the will of God obeyed.”

A question you must answer… “Am I effectively using this grace gift God has given me to the wellbeing of the body of Christ and to the glory of God?”

Considerations If you are not saved, come to Jesus Christ; place your faith in what He did on the cross, believing that He died for you so that you might live for Him. If you call out to Him for salvation, He will save you and He will gift you to serve Him and His church.

Considerations If you are saved, but you are unsure of your spiritual gifts, please take this matter to the Lord in prayer. If you will ask Him in faith, He will reveal to you just what it is that He would have you do. You are also welcome to get the counsel of other believers on this.

Considerations If you know what the Lord has gifted you to do, but you haven’t been doing it, come before Him to confess that sin and to ask for His help to get busy for His glory.