Diverse Service: Diverse Service: Implications forImplications forEvery ChristianEvery Christian

Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16

Transition in the LetterTransition in the Letter

• He turns from conception to implementationHe turns from conception to implementation

• He moves from concept to concrete livingHe moves from concept to concrete living

• v. 1—we come to the second command in v. 1—we come to the second command in the letter (2:11)the letter (2:11)

Transition in the LetterTransition in the Letter

• ““Walk worthy of the calling with which you Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called”have been called”

• The command is then fleshed out with The command is then fleshed out with participles and prepositions participles and prepositions

• The rest of the letter calls the church to focus The rest of the letter calls the church to focus on UNITY AND HOLINESSon UNITY AND HOLINESS

Transition in the LetterTransition in the Letter

• vv. 1-16 focus upon UNITYvv. 1-16 focus upon UNITY

• vv. 9-16 teach us that while there is to be vv. 9-16 teach us that while there is to be unity, there will be diversity withinunity, there will be diversity within

• The diversity is related to our serviceThe diversity is related to our service

The Glorious Giftings The Glorious Giftings of Christof Christ

• The Lord has insured that His new creation—The Lord has insured that His new creation—the church—will be a growing reality among the church—will be a growing reality among the nationsthe nations

• In His exaltation, He gave gifts (abilities) to In His exaltation, He gave gifts (abilities) to His people to continue the work of His people to continue the work of redemption under His direction (His headshipredemption under His direction (His headship—vv. 16)—vv. 16)

The Glorious Giftings The Glorious Giftings of Christof Christ

• These are often referred to as “charismatic These are often referred to as “charismatic gifts”gifts”

• 1 Cor. 12:1 (cf. Romans 12:3ff; 1 Peter 4:7 ff)1 Cor. 12:1 (cf. Romans 12:3ff; 1 Peter 4:7 ff)

• The word grace is The word grace is charis; charis; the word for gifts or the word for gifts or giftings is giftings is charismata ; charismata ; All true churches then All true churches then are “charismatic”are “charismatic”

The Implications toThe Implications toConsiderConsider

• Jesus has a task or tasks for me to perform Jesus has a task or tasks for me to perform (v. 12)(v. 12)

• While some gifts are more public in nature, While some gifts are more public in nature, all gifts are important (Romans 12:6-7)all gifts are important (Romans 12:6-7)

• God has meaningful work with eternal God has meaningful work with eternal consequences for each of us to do; we are to consequences for each of us to do; we are to be leadersbe leaders

The Implications toThe Implications toConsiderConsider

• Jesus Has A Church With Which I Am To UniteJesus Has A Church With Which I Am To Unite

• The basis of “membership” is not secular like The basis of “membership” is not secular like being a part of a clubbeing a part of a club

• Membership is rooted in each of us being a Membership is rooted in each of us being a part of a body (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:12 KJV)part of a body (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:12 KJV)

The Implications toThe Implications toConsiderConsider

• The Wise Church Will Play To Her StrengthsThe Wise Church Will Play To Her Strengths

• The church must order her life or construct The church must order her life or construct her life around the giftsher life around the gifts

• Our goal is to begin that process in earnestOur goal is to begin that process in earnest

The Implications toThe Implications toConsiderConsider

• We must be humble enough to find our place We must be humble enough to find our place or courageous enough in some casesor courageous enough in some cases

• We must be willing to serve within the We must be willing to serve within the design God has given in how He has gifted usdesign God has given in how He has gifted us

• With every member doing his or her God With every member doing his or her God intended part, the church will grow in a intended part, the church will grow in a Biblical fashionBiblical fashion