TITLE: How God builds people

TITLE: How God builds people

• TEXT: Ephesians 4:7-17• THEME: You grow to Christlikeness when

you serve and are served.

Giving is at the heart of the Christian faith.

The greatest giver of gifts is God.

James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father

of lights."

John the Baptist

John 3:27"A man can receive nothing unless it has been

given to him from heaven"

Jesus

Luke 11:9

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be

opened to you."

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son."

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What can you do to become more like Christ?

I. Utilize the gifts God has already given to you (7-11)


A. He has given gifts to each of us (7)

Ephesians 4:7

"to each one of us [each believer] grace was given."

Grace and Giving

• The word “grace” in Greek is “charis” the word gift is Greek is “charisma.” They both come from the same root.

Grace and Giving


• Ephesians 4:4-5 teach us that there is "one body," "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism" and "one God and Father of all."

Grace and Giving


• Ephesians 4:4-5 teach us that there is "one body," "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism" and "one God and Father of all."

• Note in verse 6 that the Father is "above all, through all, and in you all."

Note the difference

v. 7. This is not to "all" but to "each one." Paul is now moving from what all Christians have in common to how they differ from one another. Our unity does not necessarily mean uniformity.

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are special abilities for the service of the Lord that you received the moment you accepted Jesus. As the Holy Spirit moved into your life, he brought with him gifts for you to use in ministry.

Warren Wiersbe

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."

I Corinthians 12:4-7

• 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Lists of Gifts

• Romans 12:6-8, • 1 Corinthians12:4-11, • I Corinthians 12:27-31 • Eph.4:11• I Peter 4:10-11.

Alice Bennett:

I have no voice for singing. I cannot make a speech.I have no gift for music. I know I cannot teach. I am no good at leading. I cannot "organize."And anything I write would never win a prize.

Alice Bennett:

But at roll call at meetings, I always answer, "Here."When others are performing, I lend a listening ear. After the program's over, I praise its every part.My words are not to flatter; I mean it from the heart

Alice Bennett:

It seems my only talent is neither big nor rare,Just to listen and encourage and to fill a vacant chair. But all the gifted people could not so brightly shine,Were it not for those who use a talent such as mine.


• A. He has given gifts to each of us (7)


• A. He has given gifts to each of us (7• B. The gifts are the spoils of victory (8-10)

Psalm 68:18

18 When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people,even from the rebellious— that you, LORD God, might dwell there.

Psalm 68:18

• It teaches us how Jesus earned the right to give believers spiritual gifts.

Psalm 68:18

• It teaches us how Jesus earned the right to give believers spiritual gifts.

• Is a hymn of triumph praising God as he ascends up Mount Zion. This was pictured in David's celebration of returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

Psalm 24:7-10.

7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:7-10.

9 Lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.

Descended vs. ascended

• The point is, has the authority to "give gifts to men." He has earned the right to rule over his people and to gift his people "that he might fill all things."

C. He has given gifted men (11)

• Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." An apostle was a divinely appointed messenger or representative.

Apostles

• The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2

Apostles

• The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2).

• Their teaching from the Lord became the foundation upon which the church is built (2:20). Miraculous signs and wonders that authenticated their message often accompanied their teaching

Apostles• The apostles had to be taught personally by the Lord

and be witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor.9:1-2).

• Their teaching from the Lord became the foundation upon which the church is built (2:20). Miraculous signs and wonders that authenticated their message often accompanied their teaching

• We don't find the word used in Acts after 16:4. There is no record of any of them being replaced. Once they laid the foundation, they had fulfilled their task.


• Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission."

• Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God.

Prophets

• During the time before the completion of the New Testament, they were second only in importance to the apostles.

Prophets


• In the Old Testament there were priest and prophets.

Prophets


• In the Old Testament there were priest and prophets.

• Prophets sometimes gave direct revelation from God and sometimes expounded revelation already given.

Warren Wiersbe

"Christians today do not get their spiritual knowledge immediately from the Holy Spirit, but mediately through the Spirit teaching the Word."


• Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission."

• Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God.

• Evangelists. One who is especially spiritually gifted to share the good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Evangelists

• This is an ongoing gift

Evangelists

• This is an ongoing gift. • The proof of an evangelist is that they lead

people to Christ.

Evangelists


people to Christ.• All ministers are called to "do the work of

an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5

Evangelists


people to Christ.• All ministers are called to "do the work of

an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). • All believers are to evangelize, but some

believers are especially gifted as "evangelists."


• Apostles: "one who is sent with a commission." • Prophets. Prophets were not necessarily those

who foretold the future, but those who told forth the truths of the Word of God.

• Evangelists. One who is especially spiritually gifted to share the good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Pastor-teachers. The word pastor is another word for shepherd.

Pastors-teachers

• The local church is like a flock of God

Pastors-teachers

• The local church is like a flock of God. • Acts 20:28, "Therefore take heed to

yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood." 1 Peter 5:2, "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you."

Terms for Pastor

• Episkopos. It means an overseer or guardian. Thus it refers to the pastor's management, leadership, and oversight of the local body.

Terms for Pastor

• Episkopos. It means an overseer or guardian. Thus it refers to the pastor's management, leadership, and oversight of the local body.

• Presbuteros, which basically referred to someone who was aged or gray-haired, someone to be respected.

Pastor-teacher

• Someone who is tender and gentle

Pastor-teacher

• Someone who is tender and gentle • One who can not only defend the sheep

from predators but also lovingly care for them

Pastor-teacher

• Someone who is tender and gentle, • One who can not only defend the sheep

from predators but also lovingly care for them.

• Teachers, so that they may feed the people of God on the Word of God.

I Timothy 5:17

• "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor [literally "labor to the point of exhaustion"] in the word and doctrine

Able to Teach

All gifted teachers of the Word are not pastors, but all pastors must be gifted teachers of the Word. One of the first qualifications for a pastor is that he be "able to teach" (1 Tim.3:2).

II. Understand the nature of true maturity (12-14)

True maturity leads to


True maturity leads to: A. Unity of the faith: Mature people are united because they have the mind of Christ


True maturity leads to: A. Unity of the faith: Mature people are united because they have the mind of Christ.B. Knowledge of Christ: The knowledge of Chris is more than cognitive or information knowledge


True maturity leads to: A. Unity of the faith: Mature people are united because they have the mind of Christ.B. Knowledge of Christ: The knowledge of Chris is more than cognitive or information knowledgeC. Becoming like Christ: As we know Christ in a relational way and grow in maturity we become more like Him.


True maturity leads to: A. Unity of the faith: Mature people are united because they have the mind of Christ.B. Knowledge of Christ: The knowledge of Chris is more than cognitive or information knowledgeC. Becoming like Christ: As we know Christ in a relational way and grow in maturity we become more like Him.D. Spiritual and Emotional Stability: Mature people are stable. We are no longer tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

Telios

The root word is the word from which we get tele-phone or tele-vision. It speaks of that which has reached its desired end. We grow to our desired end when utilize the gifts God has given to us- both the gift he has given us personally and the gifted men he has given to the church.

III. Serve others as you allow them to serve you (15-16)


A. Speak truth to each other in love (15)


A. Speak truth to each other in love (15)B. Help the body to become healthy and Growing (16)

APPLICATION

1. You can’t grow spiritually in isolation. We have worship services and small groups.

APPLICATION

1. You can’t grow spiritually in isolation. We have worship services and small groups. 2. You can’t grow spiritually if you are not serving others. We have many areas for service.

APPLICATION

1. You can’t grow spiritually in isolation. We have worship services and small groups. 2. You can’t grow spiritually if you are not serving others. We have many areas for service. 3. You can’t grow spiritually if you do not allow others to serve you. Need servers.

“IF” by Amy Carmichael

• If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love


• If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


• If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

TITLE: How God builds people

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