The Different Gifts (4:7-10)
Ephesians: Anatomy of Christ's Glorious Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
As we continue in this glorious work of the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul to the saints at Ephesus, we were reminded last week that the true church will always be a united church since unity is built into its very DNA as a result of being birthed by the triunity of our sovereign God. However, unity does not mean we are exact replicas of one another or Christian clones. The scripture teaches us that we are all one body, but that body is made up of individual parts. Each part has a function that contributes to the overall unity of the body.
This morning, we will begin to look at the function of those individual parts and in particular, the different gifts given to those individual parts so they can function. We will see this morning, where these gifts come from, and next week we will look at their purpose. So with that in mind, lets turn to Ephesians 4:7-10.
Text: Ephesians 4:7-10
Text: Ephesians 4:7-10
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.)
Main Idea: Since the true church is the incarnation of Christ here on earth, in order for it to function as such, it has been gifted by Christ to declare his victory!
Main Idea: Since the true church is the incarnation of Christ here on earth, in order for it to function as such, it has been gifted by Christ to declare his victory!
Paul describes diverse gifts in the church. These come from the ascended Christ.
I. Christ’s Gifts, are a Measure of God’s Grace (7)
I. Christ’s Gifts, are a Measure of God’s Grace (7)
Since we know that God’s grace is unmerited, it is clear that because these gift comes from God’s grace, no one can boast in themselves because they have it.
(7) But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
[But] (de [adversative conjunction] - expresses contrast between the immediate clause and the preceeding one) - The preceeding clause emphasized the unity of the body of Christ
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
grace [was given] (didomai [aor, pas, ind] - to be given into one’s procession) to [each] (hekastos [adj] - every one considered individually) one of us - All Christians share the grace of salvation through faith (2:5, 8), though unified, however, each Christian individually is also given some particular gift of grace to benefit the church (Paul speaks of his own in 3:2, 8).
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
[according to] (kata [preposition of reference]) the [measure] (metron [noun] - quantity, or within the limits God assigned us) of Christ’s gift - a reference is made to the quantity of Christ’s gifts that are metered out individually to each one.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
We see in these verses both the unity and diversity of the true church…same Spirit, same Lord, same God, but varieties of gifts, varieties of service, and varieties of activities.
It seems that in the early church — as also today — there was a twofold danger: a. that those who had received very special endowments might overestimate their importance, give themselves the credit for them, and fail to use them for the benefit of the entire church; and b. that those who had not been so richly endowed might lose courage, thinking that they were of no benefit to the church. Hendrickson
But this is nothing new, this idea of giving gifts by a leader was well known by the people in Paul’s day as it reflects what is taught in the Old Testament, so Paul uses this idea as a metaphor to help us understand what Christ has done.
II. Christ’s Gifts, were Promised in the Old Testament (8)
II. Christ’s Gifts, were Promised in the Old Testament (8)
(8) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
Therefore (dio [inferential conjunction]) - for this reason, Paul is about to show us what the scripture has predicted...
it says - Paul cites Ps. 68:18, Paul sees this as referring to Christ Jesus in his resurrection and ascension as head of the church.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
[he led a host of captives] ((aichmalōteuō [aor, act, ind] - to take captive) ( aichmalōsia [noun] - a large number of captives)) - It was a sign of his victory that the conquering hero would lead captives of the enemy, along with those whom the enemy had captured and are now free, as part of the victory march upon his return. So, in the context of what Christ has done, who are these captives?
The spiritual forces of darkness were defeated at the Cross:
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
They are also those that were freed from the spiritual forces of darkness by Christ’s death and resurrection:
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
gave gifts
The prevailing custom that the victor divides the spoil is recognized also in Scripture. Thus, when Abraham defeated Chedorlaomer and his allies he took booty with the intention of giving it away: to Lot, what he had lost; to Melchizedek, the tithe; to Aner, Eschcol and Mamre, their portion (Gen. 14). David also, after defeating the Amalekites who had taken his wives and the wives of his men in 1 Sam 30, received the spoil in order to give it away (1 Sam. 30:26–31). Israel’s enemies, too, were in the habit of dividing the spoil, first taking it and then distributing it (Judg. 5:30).
While Ps. 68:18 describes the victorious Lord receiving gifts from men, Paul pictures Christ as sharing His tribute with men. Paul may have thought of this psalm because it was associated with Pentecost. This was the day the ascended Christ poured out the Spirit on the church (Acts 2:32–33 )
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
III. Christ’s Gifts, are a Display of Christ’s Victory (9-10)
III. Christ’s Gifts, are a Display of Christ’s Victory (9-10)
In verses 9-10, we see that they are parenthetical, meaning they fill in the details of how Christ was able to conquer so victoriously:
(9) (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? - Christ came to the exalted position He now enjoys through humiliation…for Christ, his ascension assumes that he first descended...
lower regions, the earth - In the incarnation, Christ descended from the highest heavens to the lowest regions (i.e., to the earth), where he suffered, died, and was buried, but where he also defeated death and rose again.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
(10) He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
He then ascended (Acts 1:9) 40 days after his resurrection.
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
To be seated in the highest heavens at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33)
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
far above - Christ is the supreme head of the church who fills all things (see Ephesians 1:23) with his glory, power, and sovereign prerogative to dispense gifts to his people (which we will see next week from 4:11–16). Philippians 2 is a great commentary on Jesus life, from incarnation to ascension:
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So What?
So What?
Do we understand that the church, though one and unified, is also diverse as Jesus Christ has given to each one of us individually a measure of his grace in specific gifts?
Do we understand that when we his church use those gifts, we declare his victory over evil and build his church as a beacon of that victory?