Ephesians 4:11-16
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of 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 a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.—Ephesians 4:11-16
Throughout scripture, God is presented as a loving and generous giver of gifts. The chart below shows how His generosity is extended to us. Look up and read each scripture reference describing these beautiful gifts of God.
We ask, “What is your gift?” but that’s missing the point in many ways! Today, we learn that we are God’s gift to His church. In this passage and others, we see the church as Christ’s body, which we all serve in a specifically equipped way. Separate from our vocation, which is how we earn a living, our calling is to live out the purpose for which we were specifically created.
We see that people are one of His gifts, and Paul opens our passage today with some examples of the various ways God equips us to serve Him and His church.
Throughout scripture, God is presented as a loving and generous giver of gifts. The chart below shows how His generosity is extended to us. Look up and read each scripture reference describing these beautiful gifts of God.
We ask, “What is your gift?” but that’s missing the point in many ways! Today, we learn that we are God’s gift to His church. In this passage and others, we see the church as Christ’s body, which we all serve in a specifically equipped way. Separate from our vocation, which is how we earn a living, our calling is to live out the purpose for which we were specifically created.
We see that people are one of His gifts, and Paul opens our passage today with some examples of the various ways God equips us to serve Him and His church.
Focus on Unity and Growth
- Building Up: Verse 12 mentions apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. How do these roles work together to “equip the saints for the work of ministry”?
- Unity in Diversity: While individuals have diverse gifts, Ephesians 4:13 emphasizes “unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.” How can we celebrate our differences while maintaining unity in the church?
- Reaching Maturity: Verse 13 discusses reaching “a mature man, the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” What does it mean to grow toward spiritual maturity? How can we help each other grow?
Living Out Our Roles
- Identifying Your Role: Ephesians doesn’t explicitly assign roles. How can you identify your unique contribution to the church community based on your skills, interests, and passions?
- Overcoming Self-Sufficiency: Verse 14 warns against being ” tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” How can we avoid being swayed by worldly influences and stay grounded in biblical truth?
- Using Gifts for Others: How can we move beyond simply possessing gifts to actively using them to serve others and build up the church? Share practical examples.
Personal Impact and Application
- Personal Challenges: Do you feel you have opportunities to contribute your gifts within the church? If not, what obstacles might be preventing you?
- Growing Together: Verse 16 emphasizes how each part contributes to the growth of the “whole body.” How can we create an environment where everyone can effectively use their gifts and contribute to the community?
- Practical Steps: What concrete steps can you take this week to use your gifts?
- Prayer and Support: Share prayer requests for discovering and using your gifts. Offer encouragement and support to fellow group members in their journeys.
Posted in Sermon Notes