Bible Study (5) - Serving in CHRIST (5) - Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 - May 12, 2024

 

Bible Study (5) – Serving in CHRIST (5) – Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 – May 12, 2024

We are to minister to one another alongside one another.

Iron sharpens iron and burning embers burn longer when united.

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16.

The Apostle Paul had been under arrest in Caesarea for 2 years before arriving in Rome to be under house arrest.

Paul saw and comprehended the redemptive plan that GOD put into effect through the passion of GOD’S only SON, JESUS.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:1-7:

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope^[a] at your calling— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Paul acknowledged that he was in prison but not for wrongdoing but for serving the LORD. Once Paul received and experienced the knowledge of the truth of GOD’S redemptive plan, through faith in JESUS, that is all that mattered to him. He was compelled to share this Good News with others. Christians today should have that same faith and commitment to share eternal truth with others.

Once Paul experienced GOD’S grace through faith in JESUS, his life went from squelching those who were becoming followers of JESUS to becoming an ardent follower and proclaimer of salvation through faith in JESUS.

Paul’s life was changed instantly when he encountered JESUS on the road to Damascus. Paul’s plan was to stop this new religious group called “The Way.”

The Way were followers of JESUS and threatened the Jewish religion. Paul was well trained in Judaism, being taught by the famous Jewish Rabbi Gamaliel.

Paul was approaching the end of his earthly life and ministry, but he was eagerly serving JESUS by telling others the Good News of forgiveness for sin and receiving eternal life through faith in JESUS.

Paul saw salvation through faith in JESUS as GOD’S eternal gift to all who place their faith in JESUS. Paul understood that JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, the sin debt for each person individually. Sin is an individual matter and has to be reconciled with GOD individually. How is that possible? Judaism was established on observing the Law. The law is stern and unforgiving, but it demanded a blood sacrifice to temporarily atone for sin. JESUS came to earth to fulfill the law and bring eternal grace to all who place their faith in HIM.

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

When he ascended on high,
he took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people.^[b]

Paul knew the scripture and he knew that when JESUS ascended on high, JESUS had defeated all the forces that could hold HIM back. JESUS is and always will be the Victor over Satan and his minions. JESUS not only defeated Satan and his minions but took captives and HE opened the path for those who place their faith in HIM to receive salvation and THE Holy Spirit.

Do you know that as a Spirit-born person, you have the Holy Spirit in you? As such, GOD equips each Spirit-born person with at least one or more Spiritual Gifts, to be used as directed by GOD.

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[c] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^[d] 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. 

JESUS, GOD’S only SON, physically conceived by The Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, willingly came to earth to live a 100% human life, yet GOD. HE was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin. When GOD’s redemptive plan had been fulfilled, JESUS ascended back into Heaven. He took HIS seat at the righthand of GOD, HIS FATHER.

JESUS is our advocate to GOD our FATHER. Why? Because Satan is our accuser in Heaven when a Christian sins. JESUS is our advocate because born-again Christians have been eternally born into GOD’S eternal Family.

The Holy Spirit dwelling within every Spirit-born person gives direct and immediate access to GOD 24/7.

Folks, as Spirit-born Christians, we have been fully equipped to do all GOD calls us to do according to HIS purpose and plan. So, why don’t we use with which GOD has equipped us? Our humanness holds us back.

JESUS and HIS disciples had just fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, plus collecting 12 baskets of leftover food.

You may recall the event when JESUS was walking upon the water, Peter wanted to get out of the boat and walk with JESUS. JESUS told Peter to get out of the boat, which he did, and he walked on the water until he changed his focus from JESUS to the angry waves. Peter began to sink. He called out to JESUS and JESUS reached out to Peter and restored HIS walk upon the water. JESUS does the same for us today. HE desires for us to reach out to HIM as we walk with HIM.

Notice, Peter asked JESUS first and JESUS told him to get out of the boat. Often, we get out of our safe zone on our own to test GOD and when we do, we may sink, or JESUS can use it to teach us to wait upon HIM. JESUS still teaches HIS Children today. This was a definite teaching moment for JESUS disciples. JESUS made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of HIM.

This event is recorded in Matthew 14: ²² Immediately he^[f] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. ²⁴ Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance^[g] from land,^[h] battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. ²⁵ Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.^[I] 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.

²⁷ Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

(In a study of this scripture in the original scripture it gives the idea “JESUS appeared as if HE was going to walk past them.” I about lost it. JESUS has a sense of humor. I can envision HIM walking upon water and telling HIS disciples something like, “Gee guys, I think I will walk to the shore. I am making better time walking than you are rowing.”)

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ He said, “Come.”

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind,^[j] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Paul continued to identify some of the Spiritual Gifts. There are many gifts given to those who GOD calls to serve in HIS Kingdom as revealed in our next scripture ----

Yes, every Spirit-born person has at least one or more Spiritual Gifts. The Passion of JESUS changed the Jewish worship system from observing the Law to Grace through faith in JESUS. Some of the Jews still cling to the law and are waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah. However, there are Messianic Jews today who acknowledge that JESUS did come as recorded in the New Testament scripture.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:11-13:

¹¹ And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 

Some Spirit-born Christians are “called” by GOD to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the purpose of equipping, building up the body until we ALL reach unity in faith, knowledge, and Spiritual maturity, as determined by “CHRIST’S fullness.”

WOW! This is a calling that GOD issues to those HE has chosen to fulfill these specific purposes. These are some of the Spiritual Gifts but there are more as Paul recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:1- Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers, and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he (GOD) determines.

These are a few of the Spiritual Gift’s GOD gives to those HE chooses to serve in HIS Kingdom upon earth. Keep in mind verse 11, above. We can desire a gift or gifts, but GOD is the giver. Very important!!!

Let’s Read Ephesians 4:14-16:

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

What do we need in most churches? We need to grow up Spiritually! We need to know and apply what GOD’S Word reveals to us.

GOD desires to equip those who are Spirit-born with gifts of the Spirit. Are we afraid of receiving one or more of the Spiritual Gifts to minister in GOD’S Kingdom?

If we are, then we need to confess it to our LORD and ask HIM to create within us an obedient heart to serve HIM as HE directs.

Folks, GOD is calling all who have been born-again to step up and be counted to serve HIM through faith in JESUS. HE will direct our paths and HE gives the increase!!!

Folks as we approach the second coming of JESUS, we, as Spirit-born people, must know the scripture and be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, fully equipped to march forward into the Spiritual battle that will take place. We must keep our eyes focused upon JESUS as we walk with HIM, lest we sink! But if we do, we can cry out to JESUS and HE reaches out with HIS power to lift us up.

Blessings!!!