ephesians 4:11-16

EPHESIANS 4:11-16The 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

Compare

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! Listmania! No complete lists of spiritual gifts in

Bible 5 key texts:

Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12a 1 Corinthians 12b Ephesians 4 1 Peter 4

He’s Got ‘em on the List! Romans 12:6-8 – Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation,

Giving, Leadership, Mercy 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 Cor. 12: 28 – Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracles, Kinds of Healings, Helps, Administration, Tongues

Ephesians 4:11 – Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor-Teachers

1 Peter 4: 11 – Speaking, Serving

He’s Got ‘em on the List! God loves variety

'Christian unity is enriched by the diversity of our gifts'. (John Stott)

Natural alongside Supernatural

Ephesians 4 list Eph 4:11:

Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastor/Teachers

Eph 2:20 and 3:5 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.’