09-22-2019 – Gifted for Service

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9.22.19 ~ Ephesians 4:7-13, Gifted for Service

Ephesians 4:7-8… God’s gift of grace in Christ, is likened to a warrior king (cf. Psalm 68:12, 18, 32-34) returning victoriously, parading the spoils of war and the captives, now freed by their king.
See 2Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 2:15…
Jesus defeated sin, death, and judgment, for all who trust in Him, forever set free from sin’s penalty.
See Galatians 3:22-26; 1Corinthians 15:55-57…,
Ephesians 4:9-10… Jesus left heaven to suffer death on our behalf, only to ascend back to heaven victoriously..
See Philippians 2:5-11
God provides all we need to know and to grow in our relationship with Him, and to enjoy our life on this earth, as we wait to be brought into heaven with Him.
The gifts given by Christ to individual believers, are for the mutual edification and common good of all believers.
Ephesians 4:11… Jesus gave gifted men to His church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers."
Are there any apostles or prophets today...NO!
Evangelists are now in place to proclaim the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Pastor-Teachers are now in place to teach God’s Word, in order to prepare God’s people for works of service.
In 1Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28 these men are referred to as: elders, overseers, shepherds.
Elder [presbuteros] Who the man is.
Overseer [episkopos] What the man does.
Pastor or Shepherd [poimen] How the man serves.
Their qualifications given 1Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9
Ephesians 4:12-13… Elders are to equip and exhort Christians to represent God on earth, and growing in our faith, we encourage one another to honor God.

Jesus Christ came from heaven, put on flesh [bled and died for us], conquering sin, death and judgment, forever.
Jesus provided every spiritual gift, that we might know, trust, and serve Him on this earth.
1Corinthians 12:4-7, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Colossians 2:6-10, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
God loves you, but He is holy and just and therefore must punish sin; the only way to avoid punishment is to trust in God’s Salvation.
2Corinthians 6:1-2, “[I] urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation.’”
If you aren’t sure that you are right with God, seek forgiveness right now, for God turns no one away.
Acts 2:21, “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord [for the forgiveness of sins] will be saved.”