March 6, 2016

A Unity to be Attained

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Ephesians 4:7-16, Psalm 68:1-19
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Last week looking at v1-6:
    • A Unity to be Maintained (v1-3)
    • A Unity that Exists (v4-6)
  • Tonight, looking at v7-16: A Unity to be Attained
  • Recap on last week:
    • A Unity to be Maintained (v1-3)
      • Visible unity is not automatic - it needs to be worked at
      • The need for humility
      • Not about organisational structure
      • Christian character and living
      • The need for grace and gentleness
      • The need for love and patience
    • A Unity that Exists (v4-6)
      • Nothing can separate us - we are one in Christ
      • Seven "One"'s
      • United in the Trinity
      • Spiritual unity
    • Sadly the church is not characterised by visible unity
  • Overview:
    • Unity in Diversity (v7)
    • Unity through Teaching Gifts (v8-11)
    • Unity in Service (v12)
    • Unity and Maturity (v13-16)

Unity in Diversity (v7)

  • "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." (v7)
  • Contrast in v6-7
    • From all of commonality (v6) to the each of diversity (v7)
    • From the common to the different
    • We have each been given different graces
  • God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all give Gifts
    • There are at least 20 different spiritual gifts
      • Roman 12
      • 1 Cor 12
    • No one Christian has all these gifts - they are distributed throughout the Church
  • The gifts are given to build up the Church and to encourage one another
    • We have different gifts
      • Rom 12:4-6
    • We are not meant to be clones (like cults)
    • Different people gifted in different ways to complement one another
    • Some may have public gifts, some have private gifts
    • We are not to be jealous of different people's gifts
    • 1 Cor 12:4-6
    • Different gifts enhances the diversity of the Church

Unity through Teaching Gifts (v8-11)

  • Their is a hierarchy of gifts (but they are not on any higher terms in standing in the Lord)
    • They gifts started with the Apostles
      • They wrote the Holy Scriptures (in infallibility)
      • They were specifically chosen - they had to see the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ
      • They were anointed and called by Him
      • They were given special teaching gifts
    • The prophets were to work together with the Apostles
      • They received direct revelation from the Lord and shared it
      • 2:20
    • The evangelists
      • Under studies to the apostles
      • Those who appointed elders
    • Pastors and teachers
      • Those who taught the word of God
  • These gifts are teaching gifts
  • Ps 68:18 referenced in v8
    • The words are changed by the apostle by revelation of God
    • The thought of a king giving gifts to the people from the spoils of war
    • Remember there was a war against Jesus Christ
    • On the cross Jesus overcame all the powers of hell
    • As Jesus ascended He led captivity captive
    • The ascended Lord gives gifts to His church
      • The apostles knew the infilling of the Holy Spirit
  • How do we know there are no more apostles?
    • 1 Cor 15:8 - "one born out of due time"
    • Judas was replaced by Matthias
    • James was not replaced when he was martyred
    • Eph 3:5
  • The gifts of apostles and prophets given for a time
  • Evangelists:
    • Philip in Samaria
    • The usual pattern: The apostles founded the churches and then the evangelists came
    • Titus in Crete
  • Pastors and teachers:
    • Is this two or one offices?
    • Some people have more of a gift in shepherding and others maybe more public gifts in teaching and preaching
    • These gifts are given by God
  • God is a God of order
    • This is the way that God chose in order to establish His Church
    • Let us then value those who preach and teach the word of God
    • Look to God and continue to pray that God would distribute His gifts
      • 1 Cor 1:14
      • 1 Tim 3:1

Unity in Service (v12)

  • "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry"
  • Pastors and teachers are there not to do the work but to
    facilitate the work
    • We should never say there is nothing for me to do
    • There is so much that you can do if you look to the Lord and open your eyes
  • The pastors and teachers are there to equip the saints
  • The local church is built up as we do the work of God
  • 'Show me what you want me to do'

Unity and Maturity (v13-16)

  • We are aware of divisions, though all true Christians unite over the Gospel
    • Eschatology
    • Ecclesiology
    • Gifts of the Spirit
    • Styles of Worship
  • The teaching of God's word is to help people understand truth
    • To be united in the Lord
    • We will be truly unified in heaven
  • We need to know more and more of Jesus Christ
    • God wants us to be like Christ
  • God recognises there are immature believers, but we are not to stay as little children (v14)
    • He wants people to be rooted in the Spirit
    • We are not to be gullible
    • We are to know the word of God well
    • We are to be able to distinguish what is false
  • Speak the truth in love (v15)
    • Quote from John Stott
    • If it is only truth we can become hard and dogmatic
    • If it is only love we become fuzzy and ecumenical
    • Preach the truth in a way that is gracious
  • Grow up into Christ who is the head of the Church (v16)
    • We are to work together in tandem, side-by-side
  • Jesus unites us

Application

  • Value every person
  • Value the teaching gifts
  • Let us serve one another and the community
  • Let us grow together and nobody be left behind
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