Review

Last Sunday we ended in Acts 28.

Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
chained to a Roman soldier
waiting for a verdict from Caesar
uncertain about his earthly future

Yet Luke says Paul lived there “with all confidence.”

Paul’s confidence was not based on circumstances.
It was rooted in the mission Christ had given him.

Acts ends with Paul preaching Christ with all confidence because the church belongs to Jesus. (verse on screen)

He is the rightful owner of the church, and when Christ builds His church, He intends for every believer to play a part in strengthening the body.
Another thing stands out when you read Paul’s letters written during this time.
Paul had a deep love and wonder for the local church.
Even while chained to a Roman guard, Paul wrote letters explaining how the church should function.

From that rented house he helped shape the future of the church.

In those letters he describes things like:

• Ephesians 2 — Christ is the cornerstone that holds the church together • Colossians 1 — Christ is the head who rules and directs the church • Philippians 2 — humility preserves unity within the church • Colossians 3 — the gospel reshapes how the church lives together • Philippians 1 — the church advances the gospel through partnership

Paul believed Christ was building something powerful through ordinary congregations of believers.

One of the things he explains clearly is how believers are gifted to serve one anther.

That leads to a very important question.

Question: How should a healthy church function?

Ephesians 4:7–16 (KJV)

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

At Vision Baptist Church we believe every believer has a role in strengthening the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4 teaches that Christ gives gifts to every believer so that the whole church can grow stronger together.

This is not simply a church program or philosophy. It is the pattern Christ designed for His church.

As we look toward the next twenty years of ministry, our prayer is simple:

Every believer would discover and use the gift Christ has given them to strengthen His church. SLIDE

Sermon Introduction

I remember very vividly my first volunteer role in the church.

My first job in church was putting stamps on envelopes.

It is good to be involved in church.

We are thankful for people who serve.

Illustration: David Rackley recent testimony

But when the Bible talks about grace given to believers, it is describing something deeper than volunteering.

It is more than a lanyard you pick up at church.
We are more than greeters, stamp application experts, and singers.
As a teenager I think I had a narrow view of how God could gift people and use them. Life has taught me their is a diversity of gifts and expressions of those gift and they are all needed. (Slide of shapes)
Christ has given every believer a grace and ability to strengthen the body.

Many people assume ministry belongs to pastors.

But the New Testament shows something very different.

Ministry is not for the “some” but for the saints”

The church is not a performance where a few people serve while everyone else watches.

It is a body where every member functions.

And Ephesians 4 explains how that works.

1. A healthy church does not grow because a few people are gifted; it thrives because Christ gives every believer a gift to serve the body.

Ephesians 4:7

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

A. Christ gives grace to every believer.

“Unto every one of us” means every believer is included.
This verse removes the idea that ministry belongs only to leaders.
Every believer receives grace from Christ.

The word grace here refers to the ability Christ gives believers to serve.

Romans 12:6

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.”

• Grace is the source • Spiritual gifts are the expression

“Grace here is not saving grace but serving grace — the grace that equips believers for ministry.” John Stott

B. Christ distributes gifts because He won the victory.

Ephesians 4:8

“When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

Paul quotes Psalm 68.

The picture is of a victorious king returning from battle and distributing spoils.

Christ descended to accomplish redemption.
Christ defeated sin and death through the cross and resurrection.
Christ now distributes gifts to His people.

The gifts believers receive come from the victory of Christ.

C. Christ fills His church with His authority and power.

Ephesians 4:9–10 “9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”

Christ descended to earth in the incarnation.
Christ rose and ascended above the heavens.
Christ now fills His church with His authority and power.

Transition: If Christ gives every believer a gift, then the next question becomes clear.

How do believers discover and develop those gifts?

Paul answers that next.

2. Healthy churches have servant leaders who help believers discover and develop their gifts for ministry.

A. Christ gives leaders to serve the church.

Ephesians 4:11 (KJV)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Apostles and prophets helped establish the early church.
Evangelists proclaim the gospel and reach the lost.
Pastors and teachers shepherd and instruct the church.

Leadership in the church is not man-made.

Christ gives leaders to His church as gifts.

Everyone has a gift, but some are given responsibilities to help the whole church use their gifts.

B. Leaders help believers discover and develop their gifts.

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

“For the perfecting of the saints.”

Perfecting means equipping or preparing believers.

The word was used for:

• repairing fishing nets • setting broken bones • restoring something so it functions properly

Leaders help believers discover and develop their gifts.

How many of you like reading instructions? I do not typically unless the project is really important. The church is really, important and love the instructions provided for us.

The pastors are not the ministry. They are to prepares the ministers.

C. The saints do the work of ministry.

“For the work of the ministry.”

Ministry belongs to the saints.
Every believer serves others in the body.
The church grows as believers minister to one another.

“The church is not a place for the exhibition of talent but for the exercise of grace.” Charles Spurgeon

D. The body grows stronger through service.

“For the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Edifying means building up or strengthening.

When believers use their gifts:

• the church grows stronger • believers grow spiritually • Christ is honored

Transition: Paul now explains what happens when this kind of ministry takes place.

The result is spiritual maturity.

3. Spiritual maturity is revealed when believers develop and use their gifts.

A. Maturity produces unity around Christ.

Ephesians 4:13 (KJV)

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Believers grow together in unity.
Growth comes through the knowledge of Christ.
Maturity develops as believers serve together.
The difference between talent and a gift of grace is what it produces in us!!

Sidenote: Value of expositional study. I could move on from v11-12 and find other verses that speak about “every member being a minister” but by staying in the passage we get a fuller view, and see the purpose of the gifts.

B. Christ is the standard of maturity.

“Unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

The goal of spiritual growth is Christlikeness.
The measure of maturity is the character of Christ.
Healthy churches help believers grow into the likeness of Jesus.
Healthy churches are filled with members using their abilities to help one another know Christ.

C. Immaturity leads to instability.

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Immature believers are easily influenced.
False teaching can mislead unstable believers.
Spiritual maturity protects the church.

“An immature church is easily impressed and easily deceived.”

Transition: Paul finishes by explaining how this maturity actually happens inside the church.

4. Healthy churches grow strong when every member contributes under Christ’s leadership.

A. Truth spoken in love helps believers grow.

Ephesians 4:15 (KJV)

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Truth protects the church from error.
Love protects the church from division.
Together they produce growth.

B. Christ directs the growth of the church.

“Which is the head, even Christ.”

Christ leads the church.
Christ directs the body.
Christ is the source of growth.

Talents in submission to Christ can become a gift to others. Talents used for self promotion is unloving and does not edify the church.

C. Every believer strengthens the body.

Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Christ joins the body together.
Every joint supplies something necessary.
The body grows when every part works.

“The church is not made up of spectators. It is made up of participators.” Adrian Rogers

Conclusion and Consideration

Ask yourself:

• Do I see myself as a necessary part of the body? • What gifts has Christ given me? • Am I developing and using them? • Who am I helping grow spiritually?

You were not saved to spectate.

You were saved to serve.

Review

Healthy churches are not built by a few gifted people.

They thrive when every believer discovers and uses the gift Christ has given them.

1 Corinthians 12:1

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

Tonight at 5:00 PM we will open the Scriptures and study what the Bible teaches about spiritual gifts.

Because if Christ has gifted every believer,

every believer should understand those gifts

and use them for the good of the body

and the glory of Christ.