Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.
Title: Why gifts?
Theme: To show the importance of the gifts in the church.
Text: Eph 4:7-17
7 But unto every one of us is given grace
God gives every one his own part and value, his place and responsibility, his opportunity and duty. There is not a one person as a child of God who should stand idle.
Pr 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
God gives gifts. They are given as a part of the body. All are equal and should not be despised. There are given according to Christ. He is the head he administers the gifts and organizes.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {captivity...: or, a multitude of captives}
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. {for men: Heb. in the man} (Psalms 68:18 AV)
He received the gifts. Came among us and the gives them out by the Holy Spirit.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Christ ascended and he descended
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfill}
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Apostles:
As the original apostles there was one major requirement to be one. They had to have seen Christ. The other requirement was to be commissioned by him. This was noticed when the disciples had to chose a new disciple they said they had to have seen Jesus.
Application: We all have seen Jesus. We all should all have a testimony of see Christ.
Prophets:
Foretellers and forth tellers. Received a message from God and give it to man. Under the power of the Holy Spirit. They have a part of maybe looking for Gods direction.
Application: We all should be close enough to search for God's direction. We should be close enough to know him and to either agree or speak for his direction.
Evangelists:
Missionaries who preached the gospel to the unconverted, mainly in new areas. Acts 21:8
Application: We all have the call to be a witness and preach the gospel to the lost.
Pastors and teachers:
Usually together. One who is a shepherd in leading and teaching.
Application: We all have people that we shepherd or lead. We
12 1) For the perfecting of the saints, 2) for the work of the ministry, 3) for the edifying of the body of Christ:
What is the purpose of the gifts? "for the perfecting of the saints", probably in the growth of the Lord personally but also in the ministry growth of the Lord. To have a ministry that is perfect in the Lord. Will this happen? good question, but Christ said this is the purpose.
Also for the "work of the ministry" Not just to perfect the people but the work as said earlier.
Also to edify and lift up lthe body.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
When will it stop and not be needed when we have totally unity o the faith. And all knowledge of the Son of God. This is our goal. Not self pleasure but the unity of one another and total dedication to Christ.
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 AV)
Results of no unity:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
no more children-we are no longer fed with milk but with meat of the word.
tossed to and fro
carried about with wind of doctrine
Every new doctrine that comes men obey it. Especially if it benefits them. We have seen that lately and guaranteed to see more before Christ returns.
sleight of men hand: trickery. Story of man who had anointing oil up his sleeve. Deception
cunning craftiness: finding cunning ways to distort scripture. New revelations and secret knowledge.
lie in wait to deceive.
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:10 AV)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 AV)
How to avoid it
15 But speaking the truth in love,
No matter what the truth may be.
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Everyone has a part in the body of Chist. If one is lacking then the body is lacking.
