Our
Text: Ephesians 4:7-12“God’s Gifts to the Church” |
Preacher: | Pastor John H. West, III |
| Date: | March 7, 1999 | |
| Notes: | Fourth in Series on Unity |
Our
Text: Ephesians 4:7-12But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:7-12)
This morning, I want to launch out into the deep and troubled water. This is not the expected repertoire of the Baptist minister. There is no more controversial subject than the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We all agree on the Holy Spirit's role in salvation. We all agree on the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the operation of the Spirit in the church, there is controversy.
We can't be a house of hope, healing and wholeness without exercising the special gifts of the Holy Spirit. Without the gifts, the church becomes cold, powerless, ignorant and disorganized. It is only through the gifts that the church can operate. It is only through the gifts that the church can win the lost at any cost. It is only through the gifts that the church can let our lights shine before men. It is only through the gifts that people will glorify our Father. It is only through the gifts that the sick can be healed. It is only through the gifts that the lost may be found. It is only through the gifts that the hungry may be fed. It is only through the gifts that the body may be unified. It is only through the gifts that the Name of the Lord may be exalted.
Paul makes four points in our text.
These are not man-made gifts. You can't give them to yourself. They must come from God. A young preacher needs all the education he can get. However, a seminary can't call you into the ministry. You must be called by God.
In verse 7, we see that these gifts come from the Lord. When you got born again, the Holy Spirit came into your life and gave you abilities to make you valuable to the body of Christ. God gives us dynamic, divine talents to minister effectively in His name. Before we decide what should or should not be done in the church, we need to remember that they come from God. You may not have it. You may not like it. But, you should not condemn it. It is from God.
In verse 8, the Person that Paul speaks about is Jesus. He is the only one to come down through 42 generations, born in a stable, raised as a Jew, died on the cross, buried in a tomb, raised up the third day. Death lost its sting. The grave lost its victory. Jesus has all power and rains down blessings and gifts for us.
Not just one gift like the gift of salvation, but many gifts of the Spirit. Some say that there are 19 gifts in the word of God.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (1st Corinthians 12:8-12)
In this scripture, we see nine of the gifts:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
In this scripture, we see another seven gifts:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)
In this scripture, we see another four gifts:
Some people have one gift. Some have several. Nobody has all of the gifts. This is because God gives the body a variety of gifts. What you don't have, I have. What I don't have, you have. Thus, everybody has their needs met.
When you put it all together, the body of Christ is whole.
These gifts are needed within the body so that we may have an impact on the lives of people.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)
Verse 11 of our text causes us to ask ourselves where would the church be without people who possessed these ministry gifts.
An apostle is one who is sent. There were men sent to start churches or to start ministries. Some people today have that gift. They start churches just like the apostle Paul did.
A prophet is one who speaks forth. He speaks for God. Sometimes, he predicts the future. This is not the same as Jeanne Dixon, or the tarot card reader! Those people don't have gifts from the Holy Spirit. A prophet conducts his or her gifts through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In other cases, a prophet proclaims the word of God. He brings forth a message from the Lord.
An evangelist is a herald of good news. This person has the special ability to minister to the unsaved and lead them to Christ. This could be a missionary operating internationally... within the United States... or on the corner.
The pastor is the shepherd of God's people. He is responsible for leading, feeding, protecting, guiding and teaching God's people. He is responsible for making God's people fat. God's people need to be fat on the word of God. They need to waddle out of the church fat on the word of God.
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12)
The gifts are for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry. They are for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.
The gifts equip us to render good service for God. We are not gifted to sit. We are gifted to serve. We are not gifted to satisfy ourselves but to serve one another.
The gifts are to make us one church, one body, one mission to win the lost at any cost.
Do you want to be a prophet? Don't you know that they kill prophets? Don't seek the gift... seek the Giver of the gifts (God).