Ephesians 4:7-14

[Shield]

Shield> lets get started folks:)
Shield> Hello and Welcome everyone
Shield> lets open in prayer
Shield> Dear Lord we thank you for your love....
Shield> and we thank you for your grace...
Shield> Father I ask that you would minister to each of the persons in this room....
Shield> touch their hearts at the point of their need
Shield> may this night be a special one as they continue to look to you for what only you can provide them
Shield> minister to them I pray
Shield> and give us wisdom as we delve into your Word...
Shield> in Jesus name amen
SuzieR> amen
Shield> we shall be looking into Ephesians 4:7-14....
Shield> but before we do I should like to post the first six verses for the sake of context...
Shield> bear in mind three things as we purpose this course....
Shield> the unity to which we are called to inspire....
Shield> the diversity in which that calling expresses itself in terms of giftedness
Shield> and the goal of that duality
Shield> by that I mean...
Shield> the goal of diversity and unity as designed by the Lord God....
Shield> so lets get to it...
Shield> last week we explored to some degree the richness of this text...
Shield> now then...to tonights text
Shield> Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Shield> what is verse 7 saying?
Lil_Timothy> We need lots of grace :)
Shield> yes
Shield> very true
trishha> unmerited favor
Shield> uh huh
Shield> I agree
Shield> what are some other key words or phrases?
Lil_Timothy> Jesus hands out grace
Shield> yez He does....
MrTok> it can have multiple meanings, as it can be related to other verses - it can be referring to that gifts were given to people, and that by grace, or just general grace, or other specific areas
Shield> ok Tok good point....
Ceeg> but hands it out in the measure in which our spiritual maturity can handle
MrTok> grace encompasses all the areas of the Christian walk
Shield> uh huh
Shield> let me ask you this....
Shield> lets go back to the point of Jesus....
Shield> what is the word the author uses?
Shield> starts with an A
Shield> :)
Ceeg> apportioned
Shield> Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Shield> yes
Shield> what does that say about Christ?
Ceeg> just as i said, he hands out what we need in the measure we need it in.
MrTok> it could be said different ways, but one way is like He decides what to give who and how much and at what time
Corky> Christ gives the gift
Shield> MrTok => bingo
Shield> true Ceeg
Shield> very true Corky
Lil_Timothy> Jesus knows intimately each one of us and what areas of our life and time that we need grace
Shield> God is expressing His providence
Shield> and His sovereignty
Shield> in the person of Christ
Shield> in the administration of apportioning the gifts
Shield> lets see how this works itself out in the text
Shield> Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."
Shield> Ephesians 4:9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
Shield> Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Shield> now then I post those verse together so we can see how they relate...
Shield> what are they saying?
Shield> Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Shield> here they are together
Shield> here are some thoughts to get us started...
Ceeg> he went the lowest
Shield> yes...
Shield> what does that mean Ceeg?
Ceeg> He went the lowest so he would know the lowest.
Shield> ok...
Shield> so in plain language how did he do that?
Ceeg> so WE would know that he has been there done that so to speak
Shield> uh huh
* Shield starts singing away in the manger
Ceeg> amen.
Shield> Hehehe
Nerf> became human
Shield> He was born!
Shield> Yes!
Shield> absolutely
Nerf laughs
Nerf> good hint
Shield> he was born of the Virgin as Isaiah predicted
Shield> he lived a sinless life
Shield> he died on the cross for our sins
Shield> and he arose
Shield> and he ascended to heaven
Shield> where he is now preparing a place for us
snapette> :)
MrTok> to the suprise of some, in Peter it says after His crucifixion He descended into hell and preached to certain souls - so that could constitute a connection
Shield> MrTok => that is one single verse that deals with that and I believe that this passage encompasses the broader idea of his incarnation
Shield> but your point is well taken:)
MrTok> so it could take in the whole enchilada
Lil_Timothy> The infinite God, creator of us and all the universe, came down to our level to establish a personal love relationship with us
Shield> yes Lil_Timothy
Shield> yet he ascended and retained His rightful place in glory
Lil_Timothy> Amen
Lil_Timothy> :) \o/
Shield> lets see what happens next
Shield> Ephesians 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,
Shield> now...
Shield> keep in mind that it is Christ Jesus who apportions the administration of gifts according to His will and wisdom
Shield> He gave some to be apostles....
Shield> persons who were sent by special commission of the Lord
Shield> he gave some to be prophets
MrTok> so the grace given can apply even to certain situations predestinated by God, such as Him foreordaining certain ones to be teachers and prechers, and then He installs the necessary abilities in them for that
Shield> oracles of God whom God would use to speak prophetically into the life of the culture and society for God's redemptive purposes
Shield> MrTok => i believe that that would be a fair assessment
Shield> he gave some to be evangelists
Shield> men and women gifted to communicate clearly and compellingly the message of the good news of Jesus Christ
Shield> he gave some to be pastors
Shield> shepherds of the flock
Shield> who lead
Shield> prod
Shield> protect
Shield> discipline
Shield> nurture
Shield> and love those that God has given them for care
Shield> he gave some to be teachers
Shield> training others in the ways of the Lord in doctrine and character and righteousness
Shield> no one person embodies these giftings in their entirety except Jesus Christ Himself
Shield> :)
Shield> Ephesians 4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Shield> now then
Shield> I invite your input here
Shield> why did God give these gifts?
Shield> Ephesians 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,
Hope_away> for the edification of the church
Shield> yes Hope_away
snapette> to edify the church
Shield> lets explore that more deeply for a moment.....
Shield> who is responsible for edifying the church?
Shield> according to the text?
Lil_Timothy> Jesus uses us to do that
Shield> any thoughts?
Nerf> shouldnt we be lifting up Jesus?
Shield> care to elaborate?
MrTok> preachers by the course of their sayings do some teaching, and teachers by the course of their sayings inadvertently end up preaching after a fashion, but nevertheless God made those two different callings - although some people may be both perhaps
Shield> Nerf => indeed we should but in this passage we are talking about helping others grow in faith
Hope_away> Christ does.. but He gives us gifts that it might be accomplished..
Shield> all well said...
Shield> here is what I am getting at....
Lil_Timothy> Jesus is ultimately in control, but uses us to do His work
Shield> let me post the verse again....
Shield> Ephesians 4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Shield> the five gifts to the church....
Shield> that we elaborated on a moment ago...
Shield> are used of the Lord to train up people like you and me
Shield> so that we might be used for works of service
Shield> for the building up of the body of Christ
snapette> to prepare us to do work of the Lord, like preaching, pastoring, teaching, prohpesiing, etc.
Corky> 2 Corinthians 13:9 - For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
Shield> snapette => that may indeed happen...but not all persons are called to those offices listed in verse 11
Shield> some of us are called to be warehousemen in retail floorcovering stores:)
* Shield grins
* Nerf chuckles
MrTok> and of course those are just five categorized gifts - there are other gifts outside of this
Shield> yes indeed MrTok
* snapette thinks even that homemakers work for the Lord
Nerf> like servants and encouragers
Corky> Romans 15:2 - Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification
Shield> snapette => especially homemakers in my judgment...and I know I understand the heart of the Lord in this matter:)
snapette> :)
Shield> amen Corky
Nerf> go the mums and dads!
Shield> Laughing Out Loud
[22:43] <Shield> Yes Aroonie!
Shield> now then....
Shield> lets explore the aim of all of this...
Lil_Timothy> Homemakers are often preparing and raising up our leaders for today and tomorrow
Shield> indeed Lil_Timothy
Shield> Ephesians 4:13 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.
Shield> how do we measure success?
Shield> from God's perspective according to this passage?
J4Him> unity..... maturity
Shield> yes...
snapette> reach unity maturity
Shield> what kind of unity?
Shield> what kind of maturity?
Nerf> and have the fullness of Christ in us?
Lil_Timothy> Lovingly working together
Shield> yes
Shield> Nerf =>i would agree with that...
Nerf> Christ is in you the hope of Glory
Shield> uh huh
MrTok> various aspects, but one thing the verse said is that it's when we have proper faith in the Son of God
Shield> indeed MrTok
Shield> Ephesians 4:13 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.
Lil_Timothy> Laying down our lives for one another, Love one another
Shield> the knowledge of the Son of God
snapette> and attaining in full measure of the fullness of the LOrd
Corky> there is that word measure again
Shield> the next verse is imtimately related.....
Corky> again
snapette> and being Christ-like
Shield> yes indeed Corky
MrTok> which in itself can include various aspects, such as knowing His nature, getting close to Him, and knowing that He is God, not an angel or something
Shield> note this....
Lil_Timothy> amen Snapette
Shield> Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
snapette> there r 7 one's
Shield> this passage is in view as we look at verse 13
mark> eph 2:8-9for by grace are ye saved though faith and that not in your selfs, it is the gift of God.
Shield> the knowledge of the Son of God....
Shield> indeed mark
Shield> Ephesians 4:13 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.
snapette> thus being one in body, spirit, faith
Shield> Ephesians 4:14 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.
Shield> when we come to a maturity in faith....
Shield> in terms of our knowledge....
Shield> our character....
mark> But we might be miserble if we don't accept God's terms.
Shield> our unity with others in the Body of Christ....
MrTok> the term "knowledge OF" could itself be taken two ways - knowledge ABOUT Him, and knowledge FROM Him, i.e., knowledge He imparts to us
Shield> I agree mark
Shield> MrTok => very true
Shield> when we come to that....
Shield> here is where we will find fulfillment of verse 14
Lil_Timothy> We will rightly interpret and defend the faith that we believe in
Shield> Ephesians 4:14 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.
Corky> two contrasts..... that of "the Faith" vs 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. and the contrast of being a mature beleiver and not an infant
Shield> yes indeed
Shield> yes contrast is very much evident to be sure
Corky> the faith..... the one true Truth
Shield> lets end with this thought.....
Shield> God has designed us for a special purpose
Shield> to live in relatinship with Him
Shield> this corporeal life we now experience will soon give way to a new heaven and new earth along with new bodies:)
Shield> Jesus Himself is preparing a place for us
Shield> at the same time he has apportioned to each of us certain gifts
Shield> so that we might fulfill His design in contrinuting to the building up of the Body of Christ
Shield> God wants to use you
Shield> and he will
Shield> If you have not already surrendered your life to Him and you would like to do so now I invite you to pc one of the ops
Shield> or if you are reading this as a log via email at a later time....
Shield> please know that you too may surrender your life to Jesus Christ right now where you are
Shield> lets pray
Shield> Dear Lord we come to you....
Shield> and we thank you for your presence in our homes as we read these words...
Shield> help us Lord to better understand our role in your church
Shield> so that we might continue to grow in your
Shield> and so that we might come to maturity in our knowledge of your Son Jesus
Shield> in Jesus name amen