Read: Ephesians 4:11-16
We cannot talk about spiritual gifts without talking in detail about the purpose for which God has given spiritual gifts to His people. Paul talks about spiritual gifts in a number of places in the New Testament. We have already looked this week at Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Here in Ephesians 4 Paul gives a very clear explanation for why believers are to use their spiritual gifts to encourage and build one another up.
Paul has just been talking about unity in the body of Christ and has reminded us of Jesus position of authority over all things. He then explains to the Ephesian believers that it was Jesus who gave different gifts within the church and equipped people to use these gifts within the church. We see here another list of gifts that Paul gives us to remind us of the diversity of gifts amongst God’s people.
Then, in vs 12, Paul gives us the reason for these gifts: “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”. Paul spells out in plain language the purpose and reason for God giving gifts to His people. It is not so that they might advance in their career, or work their way up a social hierarchy, or use their gifts to make much of themselves. The gifts were given to prepare God’s people for works of service and for the ultimate purpose of building up the body of Christ. Those who are using their gifts within the church should be building others up and enabling them to do greater works of service in order to build up the church.
This process is to continue until “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure
We could sum up the ultimate purpose of the gifts like this: to help each other to grow to be more like Christ. This is what it means to be mature, to be united in the faith, to grow in the knowledge of the Son of God and to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Everything we do in service of one another is towards this aim and goal. We are seeking to encourage one another and grow each other to be more like Him as we look forward to the day when finally we shall be glorified and shall be like Him forever. This means that until that day we continue using our gifts and continue to encourage and grow one another. This is the purpose for which God has given each of us His gifts. Let us grow together to be more like Him.
Prayer:
Use the Bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Thank God that He has provided gifts to us and to other believer in order to grow His body and grow us all to be more like Christ. Pray that God would help you to use your gifts to grow and encourage the body of Christ and to help other believers to become more like Jesus.
¥ Pray for the gathering of God’s people at your church tomorrow. Pray that God would be with the preacher and that God’s word would be faithfully taught. Pray that God would be working in the hearts and minds of all those who attend that they might grow through the preaching and grow to be more like Christ. Pray that every aspect of the service would bring glory and honour to God alone.
In verse 14 Paul tells us that as we grow in maturity and Christ-likeness we are able to distinguish false teaching and stand firm on the truth. Let us strive to encourage one another and help each to grow in our understanding of the Word and to reject false teaching.
1. How do you think you could use your gifts to help other believers grow to be more like Christ?
2. What could other believers do to help you grow to be more like Christ?
Intro: God is working to help, encourage and grow His church. He uses all sorts of people and all sorts of things to do this.
Share: What sort of things do you think God uses to grow His church?
Read: Ephesians 4:11-12. Paul tells us that God gave people gifts and skills to grow His church. What are the gifts for in verse 12? What does it mean to prepare for works of service? What does it mean to build up the body of Christ? God helps us to be involved in that too. How could you encourage other Christians tomorrow?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help you to encourage and help others.
Intro: God is working to help, encourage and grow His church. He uses all sorts of people and all sorts of things to do this.
Share: What sort of things do you think God uses to grow His church?
Read: Ephesians 4:11-12. Paul tells us that God gave people gifts and skills to grow His church. What are the gifts for in verse 12? What does it mean to prepare for works of service? What does it mean to build up the body of Christ? God helps us to be involved in that too. How could you encourage other Christians tomorrow?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help you to encourage and help others.
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