EPHESIANS 4:11-16 The Church Using Her Gifts

Context  Paul in prison (Vs 1)  A new church in a pagan city  (Temple of Artemis)

Context  Paul’s urge (Vs 1)  Context of humility and loving unity  (Vs 2-3) Compare 1 Corinthians 13  ‘One’ x 7 (Vs 4-6)

Context  Everyone gets a gift (Vs 7)  Who’s this one from?  The descended and ascended Christ (Vs 7-11)

A Wonderful Vision (Vs 14 – 16)  A healthy body (Vs 16)  A healthy church …. going places (Vs 12 )  A) People equipped  B) People serving

A Wonderful Vision  ‘truthing’ in love (Vs 15 a)  Maturity (Vs 13 and 15b)  1 - Developing maturity (‘becoming’)  2 - Not easily deceived (Vs 14)  3 - Knowing more and more of Christ (Vs 13)  A church that points to heaven

He’s Got ‘em on the List! LListmania! NNo complete lists of spiritual gifts in Bible 55 key texts: Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12a 1 Corinthians 12b Ephesians 4 1 Peter 4

RRomans 12:6-8 – Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy 11 Cor. 12: 8-10 – Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healings, Miracles, Prophecy, Distinguishing Between Spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues 11 Cor. 12: 28 – Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracles, Kinds of Healings, Helps, Administration, Tongues EEphesians 4:11 – Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor-Teachers 11 Peter 4: 11 – Speaking, Serving

 God loves variety  'Christian unity is enriched by the diversity of our gifts'. (John Stott)  Natural alongside Supernatural

Ephesians 4 list EEph 4:11: AApostles PProphets EEvangelists PPastor/Teachers EEph 2:20 and 3:5 GGospel foundations

Examples  Joseph (Gen 37-50)  Stephen (Acts 6-7)  Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)

Examples  Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-3)

But Why?  Love languages  Which would you rather receive?  Gifts are for service (Cf. 1 Cor. 12:7 and Vs 12)

But Why?  To Equip and to Build up  (Vs 12)  To develop a mature church

Applications  Remember Remember!  What is your gift?  No Lone Rangers here!  Serve humbly, watch out for pride  Vs 16, ‘as each part does its work.’