Ephesians 4:7-16 The Gifts of the Spirit

• Main Theme.
• We are all given different gifts for the work of ministry in the church, the Body of Christ.
• We all have a unique gift through Christ
• The different gifts we have makes diversity into unity as we all work together in Christ through Christ.

• We all are born into the fullness of Christ when we become Christians.
• We need to become involved to discover our gift(s).
• By using our gift(s) we are meeting needs of others that are not being met.
• We are learning to carry others even though we may need to be carried sometimes as well.
• It takes all kinds of nuts to make a Fruit Cake.
• The Spiritual Gifts came with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost..
• Overview.
• Spiritual Gifts.
• They are an act of God that brings us together so that we do not have to walk alone.   
• When we are walking in the Spirit, we are not walking alone.
• They are not a natural talent that we may have. (mechanical, artistic, athletic)
• It is the spiritual capability to do the work of God.  It can be an interface between the talent and the gift.    

• Voice and Encouragement.
• Visionary and Faith.
• Speaking and Evangelism.
• Moses stuttered but was still a great leader.
• God gives us a spiritual gift, and God gives his gifted people to the church.
• Unity brings about diversity amongst Christians.
• Building up the Body of Christ requires:
• Unity - to function smoothly.   The brain controls 10 million units within our body to make everything work in unity.   Jesus is the head of the Church Body.
• Maturity - become perfect, growing up.  Until we become like Christ, we have much growing up to do.
• Stability - to grow in maturity so that we do not become gullible or susceptible.   The average age of a person attending church is 55 years old while the average age of a human is 25 years old.
• Verse 4:7 (The One and Only Replaceable You).
• Spiritual Gifts are a gift from God, who is the creator of the universe.  They are custom made as God has measured it and tailor made it for us as well.   The wisdom of God has gifted us with what we are to be gifted in.  We need to discover that gift.
• Paul has emphasized Spiritual Gifts 3 times in his letters.
• Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and I Corinthians 12 - 14.
• Some people may possess the same spiritual gift but be effective in using it in different ways than others.   (I Corinthians 12:7-11).
• They can differ in style, ability, emphasis, and area of expertise.  Some can excel in teaching adults and others in adolescents, and yet other children.  Some, like Billy Graham was an effective Evangelist in a large group setting, while there are others who are more effective in a One on One situation.
• Notice in Verse 7 it says ‘Each one of us’, instead of some of us.
• Jesus has taken into account our personality, intellect, temperament, education, life experiences, and the people who surround us.
• Every Christian is irreplaceable.   God could choose others to fulfill our tasks.   If we do not use or gift, what does God think?  Do we do harm to the Body of Christ?   God’s work can be hindered if we do not use our gifts.   A healthy body needs all its members to be working together.
• Verse 4:8-10   (The Spoils of the Victory)
• Quoted from Psalm 68:18: David’s victory over the Jebusites.
• David had just conquered the Jebusites in a valiant battle and he has just returned home with the spoils of the victory.   David led the procession with a host of captives (officers and soldiers of David who were taken captive by the enemy in previous battles by the enemy).   He also paraded the valuables and plunder taken from the enemy.  David then distributed the plunder to his victorious soldiers as a reward for their faithful service.
• Since Adam and Eve, Satan has held us captives and enemies to sin.  We had been in slavery and bondage to Satan.
• Jesus is our King and Victor, who has conquered the Kingdom of Satan and the dominion of his strongholds over us.  Jesus came to earth, he lived with us, he died here, and then he was raised from the dead.
• Descended:   (I Peter 3:18)
• Jesus came to earth and was born here.
• Physically died on the cross and he became alive in the Spirit, where he went to Hades to the Demons where he made a proclamation that the demons no longer had reign and hold on mankind and that the Sacrifice had been completed.  Jesus then let the Old Testament Saints free from Sheol.
• Verse 4:11-13   (Purposeful Gifts)
• Jesus came from the heights of heaven to earth so that we could receive a Spiritual Gift.   God is then able to use our gifts to bless other people and to carry out his eternal plan.
• The principle of tithing.    God uses the 10% and puts it to good use, the other 90% he uses to bless us and to meet our needs.   God can also use the 90% to bless us in his own ways.
• God will bless us if we use our gifts.   He will multiply our efforts and abilities.  God can bless us abundantly beyond what we can imagine.  
• Paul uses Ephesians to explain the leadership gifts which are the foundation of the Church.   We can possess some of these gifts in different varying degrees.   Even though God’s word commands us to evangelize, some people are better than others in these areas.
• The ability to Prophesy means to apply God’s word to specific situations.  We can say from the Bible, ‘Thus says the Lord’.
• God has given us these foundational spiritual gifts to equip us (‘help make us whole’) for the taking of the Gospel of Wholeness to a broken and fallen world.
• God gave us gifts for the work of service to God, the church, and to others.   They are not given to us so that we can build our ego.   They are intended to be used in a humble way and committed to Christian service.
• God gave us gifts to edify (Build up) others, to encourage others, and to lift up one another.   In order to edify others, we need to be involved with others and with the church.
• Verse 4:14-16   (Running After every Religious Circus)
• God gave us spiritual gifts so that we would not remain spiritually immature.   By exercising our spiritual gifts we become more mature and acquire discernment.
• Paul warns us not to chase the latest fads to grow in our maturity and fulfillment, but to turn to the Word of God instead.
• We should ask God ‘How can we us our gifts to serve and edify other Christians’.
• By not using our gifts we hamper the effectiveness of the body of Christ, we slow its progress.
• By using our gifts we help the body of Christ grow and complete the body of Christ by building up God’s people in Christian Love..
• Conclusion.
• Does our walk reflect a Christ like life?   Are we worthy in our walk and are we accountable?   Do we help each other?   What is our role in our local church?  Do we walk by faith instead of sight?
• It is not wise to isolate ourselves and not use our gifts.  We need to walk together with the body of Christ (Church).
• Makes us accountable to others.
• If you love God you will love people.
• We all have a mix of gifts that God wants us to use.  If we do not use them, we could be robbing others of what they need if we are not involved.
• Not using your gifts can be compared to:
• A soldier with no Army to serve.
• A football player with no team to play for.
• A tuba player without a band to play in.
• The receiving of Spiritual Gifts can be compared to receiving a Christmas Gift and what we do with it.
• Open the Gift and place it on a shelf, to never use it.   
• Throw the Gift in the trash.   
• Exchange the Gift for something else we may find useful.   
• Refuse the Gift entirely.

• fts that God wants us to use.  If we do not use them, we could be robbing others of what they need if we are not involved.
• Not using your gifts can be compared to:
• A soldier with no Army to serve.
• A football player with no team to play for.
• A tuba player without a band to play in.
• The receiving of Spiritual Gifts can be compared to receiving a Christmas Gift and what we do with it.
• Open the Gift and place it on a shelf, to never use it.   
• Throw the Gift in the trash.   
• Exchange the Gift for something else we may find useful.   
• Refuse the Gift entirely.