Rooted In Your Wealth 16 - Ephesians 4:7-11
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Jesus, Our Generous Conqueror
Jesus, Our Generous Conqueror
Text: Ephesians 4:7-11
Text: Ephesians 4:7-11
Introduction
Introduction
Illustration: A little boy ran to the kitchen with a big box in his hand and breathlessly told his mother, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about the train set I ordered. I just found one on the top shelf of Dad’s closet.”
Unlike parent hiding gifts during the Christmas season, our heavenly Father hides none of the gifts His church is need of.
We as God’s children don’t have to go snooping through God’s coffers to find the gifts we desperately need to make it through this life as a faithful follower of Jesus.
1) Jesus Our Great Giver
1) Jesus Our Great Giver
Moving from what each believer has in common, to the distinctive difference between believers.
Variety and individuality within the unity of the Spirit.
We all have natural abilities from our physical birth, however, God grants particular spiritual gifts when you are spiritually born.
Q — What is a spiritual gift?
ANS — A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified
Q — How does one discover these gifts?
Through the fellowship of other believers in the local church.
Remember, He knew exactly where He would place you! We need your spiritual gift in action within our body.
When you become hit and miss in worship, you have robbed your church family the blessings from your own spiritual gift.
It is important that you develop your spiritual gift.
An undeveloped skill can develop into a weapon!
This was the problem of the Corinthian church in chapters 12-14.
Christians are NEVER to live in isolation. They are born again to become vital members of a family body.
You can see these gifts beyond our gathering. Wherever and whenever you see these gifts, they should lead you to adore Jesus.
We should develop these because they are used to extend the ministry of Jesus.
2) Jesus Our Great Conqueror
2) Jesus Our Great Conqueror
Paul gives a general summary of Psalm 68.
Psalm 68:18 “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.”
It is a victory hymn!
Historically it was typical to bring back the spoils of war after a king won a significant military victory (Num 31:7–9; 2 Sam 12:29–31; see also Exod 3:19–22). — Exalting Jesus In Ephesians
Jesus triumphed over death, hell and the grave in order to give the church certain gifted people to minister to them.
Jesus’ descension is as important as His ascension!
it consists of several moments of descent:
Virgin birth
Humiliation
no home for himself
rich to poverty
servanthood
Eating with sinners
the accused
the crucified
buried in a borrowed tomb
Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
1 Peter tells us that he descended and preached to those in the heart of the earth — particular demons in prison / saints in paradise.
His ascension is the picture of a military conqueror leading his captives and sharing the spoil with his followers.
What can’t the conqueror of the universe distribute to His followers??!!!
We are to be as generous with the gifts and resources we have received as Jesus was in distribution.
3) Jesus’ Great Gifts
3) Jesus’ Great Gifts
1 Peter 4:10-11 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Each of them has the same value to God, but they share different roles. (Exalting Jesus In Ephesians)
Illustration: Ephesians 4:11–12 ((null)): In baseball pitchers are not known for hitting, and hitters are not known for pitching. In football you usually do not want the nose guard playing quarterback! In basketball you do not want five seven-footers on the floor at one time!
Some have gifts of encouragement, admin, hospitality, etc…
Leader have the purpose of equipping the saints.
Paul mentions some unique leadership roles:
Apostles
one who is sent with a commission.
Jesus selected 12 to be Apostles.
These men had witnessed the risen Christ.
Helped lay the foundation of the Church.
Prophets
A New Testament prophet is one who proclaims the Word of God.
Believers in the New Testament churches did not possess Bibles. The New Testament had yet to be written and completed.
1 Cor. 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
1 Cor. 14:3 “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
We today get out understanding through studying while the Holy Spirit guides us.
Prophets are not needed today. — Eph. 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
Evangelists
Bearers of the Good News.
The evangelist built on the Apostle’s foundation.
There is a larger response from the lost with those who have been given this gift.
However, everyone is called to proclaim the Good News.
Everyone should develop a burden for lost souls and witness to them.
Pastors & Teachers
The gifts to feed and lead God’s people.
This is successfully carried out by use of God’s Word.
God’s Word is the staff by which he guides and disciplines the sheep.
The Word of God is the local church’s protection and provision, and no amount of entertainment, good fellowship, or other religious substitutes can take its place. — Warren Weirsbe
All Pastor are teachers, but not all teachers are Pastors.
We may struggles sometimes with these distinctive positions and gift, we know God has blessed His church throughout history with proclaimers of His Word.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Whether you are a church leader or fellow laborer, you are a gift to this church. You are a sanctifying instrument in the Redeemer’s hands.