Some years ago, my family went to Washington, DC for vacation. If you ever have the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital, it is an amazing experience. From the new Museum of the Bible to the war memorials it is a moving experience for all ages. Of course, while we were there, we wanted to visit the Washington Monument. The monument is a little more than 555 feet in height. From the lobby to the observation level it is fifty stories. To get to the top you could take the elevator – the easy way up – or you can take the stairs. 896 stairs in all to the top of the monument.
Zig Ziglar tells the story of going to Washington, DC, and visiting the Washington Monument. He said as he approached the Monument there was a line that seemed like it was a mile long. He walked up to the front to hear what the guide was saying, and the guide announced that there would be a two-hour wait to ride the elevator to the top of the Monument. Then with a smile on his face, the guide said, “There’s no one waiting to go to the top if you’re willing to take the stairs.”
Keep your Bibles open to Ephesians 4 with me, will you?
This whole section is about your growth. Ephesians 4:15 says, “we are to grow up in every way…” (Ephesians 4:15b). Ephesians 4:14 says, “so that we may no longer be children” (Ephesians 4:14a). God wants you to grow.
Today, I want to encourage you to serve one another. To get to the top in God’s eyes you’ve got to take the stairs of service.
Spiritual growth is a group project. Say that with me: Spiritual growth is a group project. Each believer is gifted to serve one another. This morning, our message is part two of spiritual gifts and service.
Do you know your gift? Take note of the spiritual gifts inventory listed in the sermon notes.
1. You Are Gifted to Serve
“In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?” (Ephesians 4:9). It’s really important for you to understand the significance of serving your brothers and sisters in the body. Your serving is so important, that Jesus died on a cross, raised on the third day, and ascended to the Father in Heaven above in order to secure your gifts for you to serve others. Christ Conquered Evil itself to Gift You for Service.
1.1 What is a Spiritual Gift?
You may ask, “What is a spiritual gift?” A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church. Let me say that again: A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church.
When a believer serves in his/her spiritual gift, he/she is bringing healing to those in need. Christ, Himself is moving through you and you feel this power surge. And Paul offers a sample of spiritual gifts in verse 11: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers…” (Ephesians 4:11). And there are so many more gifts that what’s listed here (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:11).
A spiritual gift is a God-given spiritual ability for service and ministry. You cannot choose it. And you cannot earn it.
Again, Christ Conquered Evil to Gift You for Service. It’s not a small thing that you serve. It’s a huge thing that you serve. The cross was designed in part so that you would be gifted to serve. The Bible is teaching us that Jesus descended to earth first before ascended back to heaven. Again, Christ conquered evil itself to gift you to serve.
1.2 Ascension Is for Giving
“Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’” (Ephesians 4:8). Paul is quoting from Psalm 68:18 here, he’s quoting the Old Testament. This psalm was originally connected to God’s conquests in Israel in Old Testament times. But Paul connects the passage to Jesus. Jesus is seen as the one conquering here.
Paul specifically mentions the ascension of Jesus. Think of this act as the crowning of Jesus – a public display to show Jesus’ authority. At the birth of Jesus Christ, He was given gifts. But at Easter, at His resurrection and ascension, Jesus gives gifts to us. The whole reason Jesus Christ is able to give out these gifts is because He descended down to battle our enemies, and then He ascended. The cross was designed in part so that you would be gifted to serve.
1.3 Romans Generals
Paul is confusing to us in verse 8: “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’” (Ephesians 4:8). Remember that at this time the Roman Empire is the world’s superpower. Paul is referring to an ancient military tradition where a Roman general would win in battle, he would come back to Rome, the Eternal City for a lavish parade. The general would lead a triumphal parade through the Arch of Triumph in a great victorious display. Like Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago, this was a big event and everyone immediately recognized what Paul was talking about here. They would stain the general’s face with red pigment for the celebration. And he would have all the people that he’d conquered there —perhaps kings or rulers — chained to his chariot. These conquered people would be drug along, chained to his chariot. And he would have wagonloads the spoils of the battle to give to people that he wanted to give to—things that he’d brought back. He had won the victory and now he is leading captivity captive. That’s exactly what Paul is talking about here in this passage of Scripture. The cross was designed in part so that you would be gifted to serve. The Ascension Equips You to Serve.
1.4 What’s the Secret to Greatness?
If you went to Wall Street and asked the question: “What is the secret of greatness?” Wall Street would say: “Money, and lots of it.”
If you were to go to Washington and ask: “What is the secret of greatness?” They would say, “Political clout.”
If you were to go to Hollywood and ask: “What is the secret of greatness?” Hollywood would say: “Fame.”
Yet, the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, had a different answer. He said, “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Success and greatness in the kingdom of God is far different than what it is on planet earth.
In the kingdom of God, there is no easy way; there is no easy elevator to the top. To get to the top in God’s eyes you’ve got to take the stairs of service. The secret to greatness in the kingdom of God is not how many servants you have, but what kind of servant you are. At NRHBC and Cross Church, every member is a minister, and every member should be involved in ministry.
1.5 The Cost of a Gift
Again, Jesus descended to earth, and then He ascended to Heaven. One of the benefits of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension gives His followers spiritual gifts. Now, the cost of a gift matters, wouldn’t you agree? If I gave you a piece of chewing gum, you might say, “Thank you” and go on your way. But what if your child needed an important “lifesaving” surgery that your insurance was going to cover? And what if I came to you and said, “Traci and I have talked it over and we want to cover this medical bill for you. Please allow us to do this so your child’s life could be saved.” My guess is that you would be a little more grateful for this gift than a stick of gum! The cost of a gift matters.
1.5.1 Money in the Casket
Recently, a man had three friends: a pastor, a coworker, and a lawyer, And he wanted his three friends to put the $10,000 into his grave. The man wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by his money forever. At the funeral, each person placed an envelope into the casket. Later that night, the three met up for coffee and started talking. The minister said he needed to confess. He only put $5,000 into the grave and gave the rest to the church. The coworker said she also needed to admit something. She withheld $8,000 for the benefit of several charities. The lawyer couldn't believe the others didn’t follow their friend's last wishes. He was aghast at both of them. Then he told them both with an air of superiority, “I placed a check in the casket for the full $10,000!”
Again, the cost of a gift matters, doesn’t it?
1.5.2 The Cost of Your Spirit Gift
And this goes for your spiritual gift. Jesus Christ went to a lot of effort to give you your spiritual gift, my believing friend. And now you take this precious gift and stick it in a drawer. What is to make of the fact that you refuse to serve even when He’s gone to such a great effort to secure you this spiritual gift?
1.5.3 Refuse Jesus’ Gift
Go back to the story of the lifesaving surgery for your child again. Imagine you give this enormous sum of money for a child to have the surgery and the family refuses it. They simply turn your offer down and let the child die. You would be incredulous! You would fit to be tied! You might even seek to force them to accept the gift through the courts. People don’t refuse such great gifts. And you shouldn’t refuse the spiritual gift by refusing to serve. Jesus secured your spiritual gift at tremendous cost so don’t put your gift in a drawer. Again, the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, said: “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
Success and greatness in the kingdom of God is far different than what it is on planet earth. In the kingdom of God there is no easy way; there is no easy elevator to the top. To get to the top in God’s eyes you’ve got to take the stairs of service. Your serving is so important, that Jesus died on a cross, raised on the third day, and ascended to the Father in Heaven above in order to secure your gifts to serve others.
Christ Conquered Evil to Gift You for Service.
How dare you shrug your shoulders at such a gift!
1. You Are Gifted to Serve
2. You Are Equipped to Serve
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
2.1 You Were Designed to Serve
All these gifts were to given to equip you to serve. You may not have any of these specific gifts but people in the body were given these gifts to equip you for better service: “apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” were given so you would be equipped to serve. Again, ministry and service is part of your very reason for existence. This is your “why.” You were created to build up the body of Christ. Everything created by God was created for a purpose. Birds were created to sing, bees were created to give honey, cows were created to give milk, fish were created to swim, dogs were created to win championships, and you were created for ministry.
We are better together when we serve one another. We are stronger together when we serve one another.
God designed you to make a difference. God made you the way you are so you could do what He wants you to do. The reason why God makes you different is so that you can make a difference.
2.2 First Grade Class
A first-grade teacher asked her class the question: “What do you do to help at home?” One by one the answers came back. One little girl said, “I dry the dishes.” One little boy said, “I feed the dog.” Another child said, “I sweep the floor.” Everybody gave an answer but one little boy sitting in the back. He didn’t say anything. The teacher looked at him and said, “Johnny, what do you do to help out at home?” He said, “I stay out of the way.” That sounds like something I would say to my wife, Traci! We have too many people staying out of the way!
2.3 Five Fingers
“apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” were given so you would be equipped to serve. Often in the church, we only talk about pastors only, but for the church to operate correctly all five of these leadership gifts must be at work. They are like the five fingers on your hand. This is how one pastor taught this way:
The “prophet” guides. Like the index or forefinger, it points.
The “evangelist” gathers. Like the middle finger, it is the furthest reaching.
The “shepherd” guards. Like the ring finger, it shows relationship.
The “teacher” grounds. Like the pinky finger, it gives balance and is used to remove dirt from the eyes.
The “apostle” governs because your New Testament was written by the apostles. Like the thumb, it touches all the others and is used to grip and hold.
All of these were given to enable us to serve. You may not have any of these specific gifts but people in the body were given these gifts to equip you for better service.
2.4 Saved to Serve
Earlier in Ephesians Paul said: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Serving and ministering to others is why you were created. Each and every one of you were called to ministry. The call to salvation and the call to service are identical. Every Christian is gifted: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” (1 Peter 4:10).
Don’t waste your gift.
Why?
2.5 Quick Summary
Jesus went to great effort to secure your gift. Then Jesus sent you apostles, pastors, teachers, and shepherds to equip you to serve. Don’t put your gift in a drawer.
1. You Are Gifted to Serve
2. You Are Equipped to Serve
3. You Are Free to Serve
Here are three excuses when it comes to spiritual gifts to put a bow on this.
3.1 I Don’t Know My Gift
You can discover your gift by seeking to serve in ministry. Yes, there gift inventories and we’ve used those at our church in the past. Find a place to serve and listen to the wisdom of others – they’ll often confirm your giftedness. Find a place to serve – keep searching – and you will just know when you are operating in your gifts.
3.2 Don’t Cop Out
Now, you can see all the New Testament gifts listed for you in the worship guide under sermon notes (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:11). And even that list isn’t complete as it is likely a sample. The church needs gifts that are not listed there.
Pastor Tim Keller told his New York City church something really important. He’s wiser and more experienced than your pastor. So I repeat his counsel to you.
Every single gift is also a duty, as far as I can tell. For example, everybody is supposed to give, but not everybody has the gift of giving. Everybody is supposed to evangelize, the Bible tells us, but not everybody has the gift of evangelism. Everybody is supposed to encourage, but not everybody has the gift of exhortation. Everybody is supposed to have faith, right? You can’t be a Christian without faith, but not everybody has the gift of faith. Everybody should be praying for healing. It doesn’t mean everybody has a gift of healing. What does that mean? It means, on the one hand, you can’t do a gift copout. Gift copout is to say, “What? Share my faith with a friend? Not my gift.” That’s a gift copout, my friend.
Do you see what gift copout is? Gift copout is saying, “Don’t ask me to do that. That’s not my gift. I’m sorry. That’s not my gift.” But it’s your duty.
Don’t Know My Gift
Don’t Cop Out
3.3 Don’t Gift Project
Don’t gift project. What is gift projection? It’s when I take my gift and expect you to do it just like me with the same effectiveness as me. Don’t gift project.
We are better together when we serve one another. We are stronger together when we serve one another.
3.4 Fishlake National Forest
I want to close with by talking about a forest. The Fishlake National Forest in Utah is remarkable. The national forest is known as the trembling giant because it is filled with quaking aspen trees. It an estimated around 47,000 trees and covers around 108 acres. The forest is thought to be 80,000 years old and weighs in at 6,660 tons. All that is interesting but this is what is remarkable. In 1976 a team of scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder discovered that the 47,000 trees were all connected to one massive root system underneath the ground. It is considered the largest single organism in the world. What looks like 47,000 trees is really one giant root system as every single tree is genetically identical to each other. Each tree is a clone of the trees around it. The entire grove of trees grew from one single seed.
We are better together when we serve one another.
We are stronger together when we serve one another.
Conclusion - The Gospel
