Joining God’s Mission in Christ’s Body
Ephesians 4:7-13 (NASB)
Christ’s purpose is to build us into one body, mature in faith and service
- Christ Gives Gifts to His Church
Ephesians 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
Who gave the gifts? Jesus Christ.
To whom? Each one of us.
Ephesians 4:9 Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.
Doctrinal section: Where did this Giver come from and go to? Far above the heavens.
- The Gifts Christ Gives
Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
What are the gifts mentioned here?
Some as apostles
Some as prophets
Some as evangelists
Some as pastor teachers
- The Purpose for Christ’s Gifts
Ephesians 4:12 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.
Why were the gifts given?
For the equipping of the saints
For the work of service
To the building up of the body of Christ
Until “we all” attain to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God
To a mature man (note the singular “a man” made up of “we all”)
To the measure of the fullness of Christ