2. 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.)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.”

6. 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.)

7. 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…

8. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly equipped (12a)
for the equipping of the saints…
“equipping” is the process of setting aright someone so that he might serve the purpose or do the work for which he was brought into being.

9. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly effective (12b)
for the work of service…
You were never called to “attend” church; rather you have been called to actively participate with other believers in the worship, service and proclamation of Jesus.

10. Romans 12:6-8
“6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

11. The Benefits of our Diversity (4:12-14)
Diversity of gifts allows us to be properly edified (12c)
to the building up of the body of Christ…
How do we know if we are being built up biblically?

12. Until we all attain [a process]…
To the unity of the faith…
Of the knowledge of the Son of God…

13. Philippians 3:8
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

14. Philippians 3:10
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection…”

15. Until we all attain [a process]…
To the unity of the faith…
Of the knowledge of the Son of God…
To maturity in Christ

16. Romans 8:28-29
“28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…”

17. Considerations
Are you a believer? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ, believing Him to have died on the cross for your sins and by His resurrection power, empowering you to now life for Him? Until you are a follower of Christ, you have no means to experience the blessings and benefits of God’s gifts.

18. Considerations
Are you believer? If so, do you know how God has gifted you? If now, prayerfully seek to know this day, this week how God has gifted you so that you may both be benefited and benefit the church.

19. Considerations
If you know what your spiritual gift(s) is, are you purposely, intentionally seeking to use it, if possible on a daily basis for the building up of the church? You do not need a pulpit or a church building to use your gift, ask God to help you find ways of exercising your gift(s) regularly.