THE WALK OF THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER

B. THE BELIEVER IS TO WALK BY USING HIS GIFTS

-- { Ephesians 4:7-16 }  ⁷ But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ ⁹ (When it says, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. ¹⁴ We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.  -- NRSV

Breath Prayer For The Week (A "breath prayer" is a brief sentence or simple phrase that can be repeated often to Jesus in one breath.)

Jesus, grow me in service.

Dear Friend, grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.  Amen.

This section of Scripture begins with the word “but.”  It is very strong.  As we have seen so far the Church is one body and every member is to strive for peace and unity of the Spirit.  But with this unity also comes diversity.  There are differences between believers.  What are those differences?  They are gifts, special abilities given by God which are to be used to strengthen believers and to reach the world with ministry.  The spiritual gifts given by God are the subject of this portion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  The believer is to walk using the gifts God has given him.

First, every believer is gifted (4:7)  “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

All those whom God calls are given spiritual gifts for life and ministry.  Not one is exempt.  

Another point worth noting is that Jesus gives us the grace to use our gifts.  Grace means the strength, wisdom, courage, motivation, love, concern, care and power – all the blessings of Jesus.  Whatever is needed to use our gifts, Jesus will provide through the Holy Spirit.  St. Paul is saying that we are to discover our gift/s and use them to the glory of God.

Second, every believer’s gift has cost the greatest possible price (4:8-10)  “This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’  (What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”

1. Paul paints a picture of Jesus giving gifts to humankind.  It is a picture of an ancient king who has conquered his enemies.  The king is sitting on his white stallion under the arch of triumph as he enters the city.  Thousands of people shout their admiration and praise.  Following him is his army.  Following them is the enemy, stumbling along in chains, looking defeated.  They had fought the king but now they offer gifts to the great conqueror.  The conquering king receives the gifts and in turn bestows the gifts upon his people.
   
   This picture points us to Jesus who has gone to war on our behalf.  He has conquered all our enemies that try to make life useless and meaningless.  Now He gives the greatest gift of all to humankind – meaning, purpose and significance in life.  He fills life with Himself.

2. Paul notes the great cost Jesus paid to gain the right to gift believers.  He had to die and descend into the lower parts.  Jesus had to die and experience hell for humankind in order to gain the right to gift humankind.  That is an enormous price to pay.  Yet, He paid it willingly.  

3. Paul says that the great value of what Jesus did is glorious.  He died that He might ascend above the heavens and fill all things with His presence.  Jesus, the Christ, is the Sovereign Majesty of the universe.  He rules over all.  He is now able to save and gift those who trust Him.  

Third, every believer’s gift is Christ-centered (4:11)  “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,…”

A person once asked me, in a previous parish, “Why do we need a pastor?”  That is a question for God to answer.  St. Paul answers that question in our Scripture for today.  St. Paul says, “…he who gave…”  It is Christ’s work to gift persons for special ministry.  Paul mentions five gifts.

1. The gift of “apostle.”  The word “apostle” (apostolos) means to send out.  An apostle is a representative, an ambassador, a person who is sent out into one country to represent another country – or in this case Jesus.  

2. The gift of “prophet.”  This is the gift of speaking under the inspiration of God’s Spirit.  It includes both prediction and proclamation.  Even though this gift has been abused and misused, it is a fact that the Spirit of God sometimes gives believers a glimpse into coming events in order to prepare and strengthen them to face the events.
   
   It must be remembered, however, that the major function of prophecy is clearly stated by Scripture - to edify, exhort and comfort.

3. The gift of “evangelist.”  This is the gift of carrying the gospel all over the world.  This gift includes the evangelist and the missionary.

4. The gift of “pastor” (poimenas).  This means shepherd.  This principle comes from Jesus’ commission to Peter to shepherd His sheep, followers, in John 21:16.  The traits of a shepherd can be seen by looking at the references to Jesus as the shepherd of believers.  A pastor is an under-shepherd to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus.

1. The shepherd knows the sheep.  He knows each one by name.  This is said to be a fact among shepherds and their sheep in Jesus’ day.  The pastor knows his people beyond their names.  He looks into their heart and is given some insight, discernment.

2. The shepherd feeds the sheep even if He has to gather them in His arms and carry them to the pasture.  Pastors feed the followers of Jesus’ with the Word of God.

3. The shepherd guides the sheep to the pasture and away from the rough places and cliffs.  A pastor seeks to provide guidance for those under his care and takes this very seriously.

4. The shepherd seeks and saves the sheep who get lost.  A pastor has a deep concern for those who wander away from the fellowship he or she looks over.

5. The shepherd protects the sheep.  He even sacrifices His life for the sheep.  A pastor protects his parish from wolves that would destroy it.

6. The shepherd restores the sheep who go astray and return.  The pastor loves nothing more than to extend mercy to a returning believer.

7. The shepherd rewards the sheep for obedience and faithfulness.

8. The shepherd keeps the sheep separate from the goats.  As Pastor Rick Warren describes in his book “The Purpose Driven Life,” pastors seek to insulate their people from the sinful affects of the world.  Not isolate but insulate them for their own protection.

5.      The gift of a “teacher.”  Some commentators consider teaching to be a part of pastoring – pastor-teacher.  The function of the teacher is to instruct believers in the truth of God through the Bible.  The gift of teaching bears one of the largest responsibilities given by God.  Therefore, the teacher will be required to give an account to God for his faithfulness in using his gift.

Fourth, every believer’s gift has a threefold purpose (4:12-16)  “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

The five gifts above involve speech or proclamation.  These are the gifts usually looked upon as being the official or professional gifts of the Church.  They are not given in full measure to every believer although every believer should be…

1. There is an immediate purpose for the professional, “called,” minister in the Church and among God’s people.  It is to equip believers to do the work of the ministry – equip others for service.  The office bearer is not to be the only one going around doing the works of ministry.  He is to help all to become ministers.  

2. There is an eternal purpose for the office-bearing or professional gifts.  

3. There is the personal purpose for the professional or office-bearing gifts.  This involves three parts:

   1. That we no longer be children and immature, being led astray by false teaching.  The office-bearing gifts are to protect believers from all that can toss and turn them from the truth.  To protect from deceivers and crafty ones who have their own agenda.

   2. That we grow up in all things in Christ.  The only way this can happen is for the Word of God to be proclaimed and heard.

   3. That we do our part in building up the Church.  Paul says that, “every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up.”  Every believer builds the Church of Jesus Christ.  Jesus fits them together.  

What greater challenge could be given to a believer?  We must give all we are and have to get the job done.  Much is at stake for each of us.  

We have a responsibility to grow up in our Lord Jesus.  We have a responsibility to mature as a follower of His.  

Are you taking advantage of every opportunity to grow closer to Jesus through the ministries of St. Mark’s?  Are you taking advantage of those professional or office-bearing gifts that are placed before you “to prepare you for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up?”

Heavenly Father, our lifetimes are a time of continual growing up.  Help us mature into the followers of Jesus that You would have us be.