A LIVING UNION WITH A WORKING REALIZATION (14 OF 24)
by Wayne Hinson
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16
This content is part of a series.
A Living Union with a Working Realization (14 of 24)
Chapter Four - God's Combining of A Living Union ….. The Brotherhood
Series: That Glorious Union....Ephesians
Wayne Hinson
Ephesians 4: 11 thru 16
I. REALIZED BECAUSE OF THE GIFTS THAT ARE GIVEN
(vs 11-12)
A) Notice the Description of these gifts
(verse 11)
Note that these are not gifts given to individuals, but are gifted individuals that are given to the church. We will totally miss the emphasis of these gifts and gifted individuals if we fail to recognize the interweaving of all the members of the Body of Christ. We need each other. This interweaving is not based upon tradition, style or personality, but is solidly based on the activity of the Holy Spirit in our midst. If you have a gift, then it is God's will that you spread that treasure within the Body of Christ, as if you were a millionaire trying to go broke. Gifts are God-given, while self conceit is self given, therefore we must be careful. Your gifts are not given to you for your sake, but for the sake of others. We can take an example from the apple tree, It bears fruit, not for it's own consumption, but the the consumption by others. If one gifted member of the brotherhood fails to function, then the whole brotherhood is deprived of a ministry it needs to function properly.
B) Notice the Detailing of these gifts
(verse 12)
The gifts mentioned in verse 12 are the equipping gifts of the church. God has ordained this to be the means whereby the church is strengthened, stabilized and matured. This is further described as:
1) Perfecting of the Saints
(vs 12a "for the perfecting of the saints")
The word "perfecting" means "a strengthening of the soul and implies training, disciplining and instruction. This word carries overtones that are similar to an army which is in basic training. When all the gifts are functioning and all the gift holders are in formation, then the church is likened to a ...
Chapter Four - God's Combining of A Living Union ….. The Brotherhood
Series: That Glorious Union....Ephesians
Wayne Hinson
Ephesians 4: 11 thru 16
I. REALIZED BECAUSE OF THE GIFTS THAT ARE GIVEN
(vs 11-12)
A) Notice the Description of these gifts
(verse 11)
Note that these are not gifts given to individuals, but are gifted individuals that are given to the church. We will totally miss the emphasis of these gifts and gifted individuals if we fail to recognize the interweaving of all the members of the Body of Christ. We need each other. This interweaving is not based upon tradition, style or personality, but is solidly based on the activity of the Holy Spirit in our midst. If you have a gift, then it is God's will that you spread that treasure within the Body of Christ, as if you were a millionaire trying to go broke. Gifts are God-given, while self conceit is self given, therefore we must be careful. Your gifts are not given to you for your sake, but for the sake of others. We can take an example from the apple tree, It bears fruit, not for it's own consumption, but the the consumption by others. If one gifted member of the brotherhood fails to function, then the whole brotherhood is deprived of a ministry it needs to function properly.
B) Notice the Detailing of these gifts
(verse 12)
The gifts mentioned in verse 12 are the equipping gifts of the church. God has ordained this to be the means whereby the church is strengthened, stabilized and matured. This is further described as:
1) Perfecting of the Saints
(vs 12a "for the perfecting of the saints")
The word "perfecting" means "a strengthening of the soul and implies training, disciplining and instruction. This word carries overtones that are similar to an army which is in basic training. When all the gifts are functioning and all the gift holders are in formation, then the church is likened to a ...
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