LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for April 21
Spiritual gifts lay foundation for church ministry
___ Ephesians 4:1-16
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___Can you think of anything more important for believers than demonstrating Christian unity? The unbelieving world receives mixed messages from the church when we are known more for our discord than our unity in Christ.
___The other day I witnessed to a young man who said: "If the church was not full of hypocrites, I would probably be a Christian." He also stated, "Church people don't even get along themselves."
___This week's Scripture passages are pregnant with possibilities for helping the church stay focused on our responsibility of maintaining the visible evidence of our unity in the body of Christ. The LifeWay commentator suggests a three-point outline for helping churches achieve, demonstrate and maintain Christian unity.
___Promote church unity
___Ephesians has both theology and ethics. The first three chapters present doctrine, and chapters 4-6 promote Christian practice. Both are important for the church's inreach and outreach. Our theology is irrelevant without ethics. Our walk must match our talk.
___The first point in the outline promotes church unity. Paul begins with an appeal for unity by the recognition that he was "a prisoner for the Lord." It is on this basis that he appeals to the church to "walk worthy of the calling with which you
were called."
___Paul is urging the church "to live a life worthy of the calling." The apostle is not giving an ultimatum. He is simply reminding the church to live a lifestyle based on their calling in the Lord.
___Paul observes of our calling that God's "unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ" (1:5). Then we were "sealed" with the Holy Spirit (1:13). Last, that we may know "the hope to which he has called" believers (1:18).
___There are some basic virtues for Christian calling and church unity: humility and gentleness, patience and forbearance (v. 2). Humility and gentleness have been taken as a sign of weakness, or being a doormat. However, the word "humble" is the joy of putting Christ first, others second and self last. Jesus is the perfect example of humility (Philippians 2:5-11). Christ voluntarily "emptied" himself of the "glory, which he had with the Father before the world began," (John 17:5).
___Gentleness, too, has been loathed in the world. Yet the biblical meaning has to do with power under control. This is the kind of power and strength of an animal that is tamed and trained. The animal has the strength to rip someone apart, but because it is under control it displays gentleness.
___The third virtue, patience, is showing to others what God has shown toward us.
___The last virtue, forbearance, is persisting to the end. Each of these is impossible in our human strength. We must have the love (agape) of Christ ruling in our lives.
___Unity, not uniformity, is the hallmark of the body of Christ. The Bible admonishes the church to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (v. 3). As unity in the physical body is essential for proper functioning of the bodily systems, likewise, unity of spirit is important for the body of Christ to function according to his purpose for the church.
___Recognize spiritual gifts
___The Bible teaches that every believer receives at least one spiritual gift to glorify God, unify and edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:1-12). Paul uses Psalm 68:18 to show that Christ has "given gifts to men."
___As a conquering king returned victoriously from war, he would lead a victory parade with his new subjects acquired, humiliated, chained and following behind the procession. We have been called to join in the Lord's procession. One day we will reign with him, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He has offered and given gifts to each member of the body of Christ.
___Four offices for the church are listed in this passage--apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers. The most important one today is that of pastor-teacher.
___This is one and the same. If the Lord has called someone as pastor, then he also is called to teach. A pastor is a shepherd. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). What higher office could one attain than shepherd of the sheep, caring, feeding and protecting Christ's lambs?
___Use spiritual gifts
___The aim of spiritual gifts is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of the Christ" (v. 12). Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural abilities. Spiritual gifts are never given for us to use for selfish gain or attention. These God-given abilities are solely for the purpose of serving God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and the church is built up. This building up must continue until "we all come to the unity of the faith" (v. 13). They help each one grow into full maturity "becoming more and more in every way like Christ" (v. 15).
___Warren Wiersbe states, "The first evidence of spiritual growth is Christlikeness." This is Christian unity. "They will know we are Christians by our love."
___Questions for discussion
___ How is the local church built up by the spiritual gifts of each believer?
___ How can unity be strengthened in your church?
___ What is your spiritual gift?
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