July 11, 2020 - Diversity of Gifts

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.) 11 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, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

So PAUL here - having come out of last week REALLY PUSHING the UNITY all believers have in the Spirit...

THE ONENESS we all have in Christ!!

To NOW - Paul - this week - making sure that EACH member of the church, whether Jew or Greek -

KNOWS that they are NEEDED!

That they have a PART to PLAY

So Paul moves - from UNITY (the last several weeks) - to now today - DIVERSITY

See - one thing the Bible does not advocate for in the church is - UNIFORMITY!

Where everyone has to TALK the same, look the same, or DO the same...

There’s diversity in the church - WHILE AT the SAME time - there being UNITY!

And that’s a GREAT thing!!

How boring would it be if every year, EVERYONE got the same thing for their birthday?

If everyone had to drive the same car?

Use the same phone?

Eat the same food?

Work at the same company?

THINK the same… (oh wait)

YIKES!!

Not so within the church...

SLIDE: One in Christ: Yet Uniquely Gifted by Christ

One in Christ

*You ever show up for something (event, a workday, to help someone) and after arriving, you realized that there were sooo many people there that you weren’t needed?

All the spots were filled?

That is an IMPOSSIBILITY when it comes to the church!

If your thought is - WELL - i don’t think I could ever be USED by God… you’re…wrong

God is in the business of taking that which is weak - and defeating the strong

God is in the business of taking that which is simple - and confounding the wise

There is ALWAYS room for - YOU!

And the great thing about THESE gifts - from Christ - is that - they’re FROM Christ!!

Ephesians 4:7–8 ESV

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.”

These gifts aren’t - MAN-inspired!

EVERY talent/skill that you have - is FROM God...

no matter what it is

If you are GOOD at something - whatever it is - the reason is - GOD

BUT - in God’s economy…what you’re BAD at today - could VERY WELL be - your GIFTING tomorrow

And ALL that it will take for you to realize it - - is FAITH

Maybe you’ve said NO WAY - to that thing - in the past...

That’s SO EASY!

It’s SO EASY to say - NO, I’m not GOOD at that - THEREFORE i won’t do it...

That’s SO EASY - but that’s NOT Christianity!

There’s such a LACK of FAITH there...

But if you can STEP OUT - onto the thin ice and say - YEAH let’s go…it’s THIN ENOUGH for crossing...

THAT’S where you’ll find your GIFTING...

You HAVE ONE (maybe 2, maybe 3)…you have a GIFT - FROM Christ...

And these gifts are used IN A VARIETY of WAYS…but all for the same purpose...

Let’s look at the variety first

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

11 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,

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers...

GIVEN by God to equip the saints for the work of the ministry

That people would USE their giftings for - the WORK of the ministry...

Now in Romans, Paul describes in more detail some of these giftings...

Romans 12:6–8 ESV

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

So here we have different giftings… and Paul calling us to LIVE THEM OUT in our lives...

And in our text today - Paul describes this variety as - the WORK of the ministry

How many different types of ministries are out there…?

Music

Food

singles

couples

College age

Kid

After School

Special Needs

It doesn’t end…countless

And Paul sums up ALL of them in = the WORK of the ministry

Now we know that there are a BILLION ways to live this out...

And so the QUESTION may be - HOW does God keep this thing - IN LINE?

Is there SOME COMMONALITY amongst these BILLION different ministries? - - that keeps this mission ON the RIGHT PATH?

I think we all know that if you take a LARGE group of people - and you just let them DO WHATEVER they want..

let them run wild - it will get pretty chaotic rather quickly - no?

What does Paul say?

Ephesians 4:11–15 ESV

11 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, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Here we see what keeps this thing on the RIGHT PATH!

Yes there are a BILLION different WAYS to live out - the WORK of the ministry...

BUT there’s ONLY ONE FOUNDATION!!

The only thing that KEEPS this thing on the RIGHT PATH - is THE TRUTH!

SLIDE: (Being) One in Christ: Many Gifts, Yet Grounded in The Truth

One in Christ

What did v13 say?

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Paul is calling for us to MATURE in the faith!!

And maturity has EVERYTHING to do with - TRUTH...

Paul WANTS THIS - for us...

He wants us GROUNDED in TRUTH...

But what happens when we’re NOT grounded in the truth?

v14 tells us...

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

When we’re not grounded in TRUTH - we will be like - a LEAF in the wind...

We will be tossed to and fro...

Now - the hard thing is - IN THE MOMENT - we won’t KNOW if we’re being tossed to and fro...

And that’s why it’s so important to pursue the UNITY of the Spirit...

To stay CONNECTED - we HELP each other in this...

TRUTH is the backbone of Christian Unity...

As Jesus is - THE TRUTH!

And so we should know - that ANY MINISTRY - whatever it is...

If IT IS TO GLORIFY GOD - MUST be grounded in TRUTH

John 1:17 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

So the Spirit of God here - WORKING in us…to guide us...

AS WE - make choices in life to PURSUE unity with each other...

FOR the edification of the church - those in the Body of Christ…!

THIS is how we MATURE in the faith!!

AND when we KNOW TRUTH - we can SPEAK truth!!

back to our text...

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

NOW - watch how interconnected we are - THOSE IN the Body of Christ!!

We’re going to see how DEPENDENT we are ON EACH OTHER!!

SLIDE: One in Christ: The Body Builds Itself Up in Love

One in Christ

Back to v15

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

next verse...

Ephesians 4:16 ESV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

IT builds ITSELF up in LOVE...

BUT ONLY when each part is working properly!

**Have you ever tried to work out when you’re hurt?

2 weeks ago I had a PULLED muscle in my shoulder and neck - and so it just wouldn’t get better...

**TENLEY on shoulders

What I want us to look at now - is WHY - YOU are important…in THE Body of Christ...

Let’s go to what Paul said in Romans to flesh this out..

Romans 12:3–5 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

THIS - is - HUGE!

What is this saying?

Paul's saying that each individual member of the whole, each individual is part

of another member.

He's saying: I am part of you...

You are part of me.

I am like your eye, or your ear, or your hand, or your foot

You are like my eye, or my ear, or my hand, or my foot.

That each individual is part of the other individuals in the body.

AND So THAT’S HUGE - because that means - my individuality...

My individual identity before God...who God created me to be....with certain

gifts...

...cannot be known except in serving you and with you as I rely on Christ.

And yours (individual IDENTITY before GOD) - cannot be known except in serving others WHILE in reliance on Christ.

That's what eyes, and ears, and hands, and feet do.

They serve the body...

And so the Bible TELLS me - that I AM like - your Mouth - maybe i’m like YOUR foot.

Maybe God created me to be - YOUR mouth -

That next time we go knocking on doors - I need to SHOW UP THAT DAY - and SPEAK FOR YOU...

As you LISTEN and GROW

- - SO THAT the next time after that - YOU’RE MY MOUTH! speaking for me

Young people - Maybe God created you to be - THE MUSCLE for an older person in this room...

Maybe God has called you to STAND - and go minister to that person who can’t cut their grass anymore...

Maybe you’re called to be their MUSCLE!!

Whoever you are - maybe God has called you to be someone’s eyes in a given situation...

maybe they need to see something from a new perspective…and you’re called to help them

But maybe you’re called to be someone else’s FEET in another situation...

maybe they need encouragement to ACT…and you’re called to HELP them!

Whatever it is...

- Your IDENTITY in Christ - won’t be FULLY KNOWN until you SERVE others in these ways!

This is why we have Spiritual gifts…for the EDIFICATION of the church!!

Ephesians 4:16 ESV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

For the BUILDING up of the BODY of Christ!

If we were to look at a list of some of these gifts we’d see...

Leadership: encouraging and helping others to build the kingdom of God (Romans 12:8 NIV)

Administration: helping with long term goals and remaining on task ( 1 Cor. 12:28 NIV)

Teaching: instructing in truths and doctrines of God’s Word

Knowledge: teaching and discipleship. The ability to learn, know and explain God’s Word

Wisdom: the ability to discern works of the Holy Spirit and apply teaching and actions

Prophecy: proclaiming the Word of God with boldness (Romans 12:6 NIV)

Discernment: being able to recognize the truth about a situation

Exhortation: being able to motivate others in the things of God

Shepherding: looking out for the spiritual welfare of others

Faith: trusting God to fulfill His plan. People with this gift are encouragers

Evangelism: the building up of the church so others will be led to Christ

Service/Helps: helping those in need of practical assistance (Romans 12:7 NIV)

Mercy: The person with this gift shows acts of compassion

Giving: People with this gift will give freely and with joy to further His kingdom

Hospitality: Making people feel welcome, appreciated, and wanted (1 Peter 4:9 NIV)

And listen - we all know of those ASSESSMENTS you can take to try and figure out what your gifting is...

I personally don’t think it needs to be that complicated...

AND - i think those things can mislead you...

• ...think about this...

• Those questionnaires will ask you -

• I am skilled at organizing people to accomplish many different tasks (Rate Yourself)

• I can clearly and effectively communicate the gospel to others

• NOW - what if Moses had taken this test?

• I can clearly and effectively communicate the gospel to others...

• UHH....nope

• If Moses had taken this test, would he had ever ended up standing before Pharaoh?

• Listen- God is going to EQUIP you

The GIFT itself is the VEHICLE...

The Holy Spirit is the FUEL TO that vehicle...

And the WORD of God (His truth) is the ROAD we’ll drive on...

See - Our gifts MUST be fueled BY the Holy Spirit...

• How would your Spiritual Gift NOT be fueled by the Spirit?

• With your gift, are you seeking the praise of man?

• If so, then you've taken the Gift that God has given you for HIS glory, and now you're basically committing HOLY FRAUD...

• Taking CREDIT for that which belongs to, and came from, the LORD...!

• And so this thing MUST be fueled by the Spirit...

• Well what does that mean for us??

Galatians 5:25–26 ESV

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

• SO if we're using our Spiritual gift correctly, then that gift will PLAY WITHIN the bounds of - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...

• Once our gift falls outside of these fruits...we've now HIJACKED that gift for our evil desires...

May it NOT be so...

SUMMARY:

One in Christ

Yet Uniquely Gifted by Christ

Many Gifts, Yet Grounded in the Truth

The Body Builds Itself Up in Love

Let’s pray

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