Gifts From The Lord Series

Ephesians 4:7-11 [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." [9] (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (ESV)

Gift giving has taken a real hit in the era of COVID-19. Business that focus on parties, banquets and events have seen their business evaporate overnight. Even the simplest social gatherings are not so simple these days. As much as we would have desired our region enter into phase 3, allowing more liberty in social gatherings, we did not receive that gift as of yet. As such, what we are permitted to do, continues to be curtailed.

Last week we introduced what God permits and expects. The blessings that we receive from Him, Gifts from the Lord, carry with them expectations from Him. Yet we must make it clear that the essence of the gospel is not in what people should do for God but in what He has done for people. The New Testament, like the Old, contains many commands and requirements, many standards to be met and obligations to be fulfilled. But important as those things are, they are not the heart of Christianity. They are simply what God calls and enables us to do for His glory in response to what He has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Every New Testament book teaches what Christ has done for believers, and every New Testament exhortation is built on that foundation of God’s gracious provision through the Savior. God gave the supreme gift of grace and His children are to respond in faithful obedience (cf. Eph. 2:10).

With such awesome gifts received from God it is easy for us to slip into religion, and try to pay God back. We mistakenly think that if we are just active enough, God will like us more and we'll earn a special place in His heart. Salvation is an unmerited gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9). When we understand this, we can live a life of grateful service and not guilt driven religion. Each member of the body receives from the Sovereign Lord (their) own integral value, place, responsibility, opportunity, and duty. No one should be idle for each one has a place to fill, which no one else can fill (Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2416). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).

Paul begins this section of Ephesians 4:7-11, by referring to what God has done for those who have trusted in His Son. The worthy Christian walk he has just described (Eph. 4:1–6) is carried out through the ministry of the gift He has given us. In verses 7–11 the apostle first assures us that 1) Every believer has been individually gifted (Ephesians 4:7); then he shows us how 2) Christ obtained the right to give gifts (Ephesians 4:8-10); and finally he mentions some of the specially gifted people through whom 3) the Lord blesses the whole church (Ephesians 4:11).

We can celebrate the Good Gifts from the Lord, by seeing:

1) The Gifts of Christ to Individual Believers (Ephesians 4:7)

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

The term but, with which this verse begins could be translated “in spite of that” or “on the other hand,” contrasting the previous subject matter in verses 3–6 of the unity of believers, with what is about to be said, of their individual diversity or distinctiveness. It sets the individual (each one) over against the “all” (v.6) in regard to unity in the Body of Christ. Unity is not uniformity and is perfectly consistent with diversity of gifts. God’s gracious relation to “all” is also a personal relation to each one (cf.1 Cor. 12:7, 11) and a personal ministry through each one. Thus, Paul moves from the unity of believers to the uniqueness of believers. These differences are often an irritation to us. It seems as though the world and the church would be so much better if everyone were more alike. What’s wrong with wanting most persons to be the same … just like us? The apostle deals with this question before he ever begins to describe the differing gifts (Chapell, B. (2009). Ephesians. (R. D. Phillips, P. G. Ryken, & D. M. Doriani, Eds.) (p. 187). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.).

• This should brace us for a warning. We often are most critical of those who are not like us. We tend to distrust them, avoid them and critique them. We do well to pay attention here to God’s warning that we need to give the judgement of charity to, seek to understand and have patience with those who are not like us.