The Gifts of Christ to the Church (Ephesians 4)
This sermon unpacks the foundational purpose of leadership within the church, as described in Ephesians 4. It invites listeners to understand how spiritual gifts are meant to foster growth, unity, and active participation among all believers.
Christ gave specific gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—to the church. Their purpose is to equip believers for ministry, fostering unity and maturity within the body of Christ.
Overview
The sermon delves into Ephesians chapter 4, exploring the gifts Jesus Christ gave to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. It emphasizes that these are God-called, God-designated men, not chosen based on human experience or merit. Each gift is defined, with a particular focus on the distinction between revelation, inspiration, and illumination in understanding prophecy.
The preacher explains that apostles and prophets were temporary gifts, as the canon of scripture is now complete, providing all necessary revelation. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers, however, represent permanent gifts dedicated to proclaiming the gospel and shepherding the flock. The term 'pastor' is highlighted as a shepherd who cares for, directs, and instructs the congregation.
A central theme of the sermon is the purpose of these gifts: 'for the equipping of the saints unto the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.' The sermon strongly argues that leaders are to train and equip believers, not so they can merely sit in pews, but so they can actively carry out God's ministry in their communities. This equipping applies to all believers, regardless of age or background.
The sermon concludes by outlining the outcomes of a properly equipped and functioning body: unity of faith, growth in the knowledge of the Son of God, spiritual maturity, stability against false doctrine, speaking truth in love, and balanced spiritual growth. Every individual is encouraged to contribute to the body's growth, leading to God's glorification and a stronger, more effective church witness in the world.
Key points
- God designates men as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as gifts to the church.
- Apostles were divinely appointed authorities, and prophets both foretold the future and spoke forth God's word.
- The sermon distinguishes between revelation (God-given truth), inspiration (Holy Spirit's work in writers), and illumination (Holy Spirit's work in believers' understanding).
- Apostles and prophets are identified as temporary gifts, while evangelists, pastors, and teachers are considered permanent.
- The primary purpose of these gifts is to equip believers for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ.
- Every believer, regardless of age or experience, has a responsibility to be equipped and to carry out God's work.
- Signs of a healthy, built-up body include unity of faith, growing knowledge of Christ, spiritual maturity, and resistance to false teaching.
In Charles Stanley's words
“God is not going to give any more divine revelation than is given in this book. This is all we need.”
“One of the primary problems in the church of Jesus Christ today is that people have the wrong concept about the men and their responsibility which God has given to the church.”
“There's no such thing in the Bible as a pew sitter.”
Outline
- I. The Gifts of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Church (Ephesians 4:11)
- A. Apostles: One who is sent; divinely appointed authority
- B. Prophets: Telling forth the word of God, and foretelling the future
- 1. Distinction between Revelation, Inspiration, and Illumination
- a. Revelation: Truth given by God, unknowable otherwise
- b. Inspiration: Holy Spirit's work in writers of scripture
- c. Illumination: Holy Spirit's work in believers' understanding
- 2. All divine revelation is in the written Word of God.
- C. Evangelists: Proclaiming the gospel, seeing people saved
- D. Pastors and Teachers: Shepherding, caring for, directing, governing, guarding, building up, feeding, instructing, and reproving the flock
- 1. Apostles and prophets were temporary gifts.
- 2. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers are considered permanent gifts.
- II. The Purpose of These Gifts (Ephesians 4:12-16)
- A. For the Equipping of the Saints unto the Work of Service
- 1. The responsibility of gifted men is to train, teach, and build up believers.
- 2. The responsibility of believers is to carry out the work of the ministry.
- 3. There is no such thing as a passive "pew sitter" in the Bible.
- 4. Age, experience, education, or position do not exempt believers from ministry.
- B. For the Building Up of the Body of Christ
- 1. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith.
- 2. And of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man.
- 3. To the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (spiritual maturity).
- 4. No longer to be children tossed by waves and every wind of doctrine.
- 5. Speaking the truth in love, growing up in all aspects (balanced life).
- 6. The whole body being fitted and held together, every joint supplying.
- 7. Causing the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
- III. Call to Obedience and Involvement
Scripture references
- Ephesians 4
- Ephesians 4:11
- Luke 2
- Mark 16
- Ephesians 4:12
- Ephesians 4:12-16
- Ephesians 4:13
- Ephesians 4:14
- Ephesians 4:15
- Ephesians 4:16
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
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:
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.
Insights
Divine calling is a sovereign act, not based on human merit or experience.
All essential truth about God is already found within the scriptures.
Equipping believers is not the end goal; it prepares them for active service.
Questions & answers
What are the specific gifts of Christ to the church mentioned in this sermon?
The sermon identifies the specific gifts as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers. These are God-called men given to the church for a specific purpose.
What is the difference between revelation, inspiration, and illumination?
Revelation is truth given by God that cannot be known otherwise. Inspiration is the Holy Spirit's work guiding biblical writers. Illumination is the Holy Spirit's work enabling believers to understand that divine revelation.
Does the sermon believe there are still apostles and prophets today?
The sermon states that apostles and prophets were temporary gifts. With the completion of the canon of scripture, all necessary divine revelation has been given, meaning we don't have new prophets who foretell unknown future events or new divine revelation today.
What is the primary purpose of pastors and teachers according to the sermon?
Pastors and teachers are to shepherd, care for, direct, and instruct the flock. Their main responsibility is to equip believers so that they can carry out the work of ministry themselves.
What does the sermon mean by 'no such thing in the Bible as a pew sitter'?
This phrase emphasizes that all believers are called to be actively involved in ministry. God equips people through church leaders so that every individual can contribute to God's work and the building up of the body, rather than just passively attending services.
What are the characteristics of a spiritually mature body of Christ?
A mature body moves toward unity of faith, grows in the knowledge of the Son of God, is not easily swayed by false doctrines, speaks truth in love, and exhibits balanced growth in all aspects of life, with every member contributing.
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