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Pt 12 He Gave Gifts
He Gave Gifts Unto Men
Ephesians 4:11–16
We gave consideration last week in the introduction to personal ministry, learning and knowing that there must be in us a state of the heart that completely trusts in the Lord to attend unto the work of God in our lives.
A recognition that he is the one who supplies all our needs. That we are in want for nothing when we are willing to trust him for everything. And there is no inconsistency in our work, in our employments to make provision in this regard, for the Bible calls us to attend to all that we do as Unto Christ”, but there is certainly an understanding that we OUGHT not to fret for the loss of anything that is needed;
Luke 12:30–31
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The heart prepared, the question now comes to mind as it did to the apostle Paul on that Damascus road;
Acts 9:6
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? …
How long has it been that you have asked the question? Many may have presumed they know the answer, but many have also yet to ask the question first.
Some believe it is their natural ‘talents’ that give an indication of that which God would have them to do. This is not necessarily so. Perhaps like Paul who’s craft was Tent making, your talents and abilities are only there to help support your work.
What is seen for the passage here in Ephesians, is that the gifts that are given to men are POST Salvation.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Yes perhaps, their present abilities may have value in supporting the work, just as the education of Paul helped his ability to preach the Gospel, yet it was Jesus that had him set aside; “… saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47
Beloved the work that is to be attained in you is the work of the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes. When will it come?
As mentioned last week, it will not come while you are “a man of unclean lips and dwelling among a people of unclean lips” (Isa 6:6), but when first your “iniquity is taken away and your sin purged” (v7), and if your heart be ready, that you are willing to trust the Lord with all that is in you, then and ONLY then might you hear that voice in your heart saying;
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us” (v8)
Perhaps then, when that burden to attend to good works rises up in you and you have placed your trust completely in him, you will answer as did Isaiah, “here am I; send me”.
In this passage I aim to first demonstrate that;
Each of us who have been saved by the Lord have been given gifts since we have been saved. (V7-8)
“Some” are very specific callings (v11)
All are for the corporate benefit of the Church as a body and its ministry (v12)
The time of the exercise of these gifts is limited (v13)
“He Gave Gifts Unto Men”.
❖
Gifts For All
Ephesians 4:7–8
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
There are none who have been saved by Christ that are NOT SAVED unto the ministry of Christ.
That is a bold statement, and yet it is even here presented to you and I.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Every single person who has been saved by the Lord has been given a gift to fulfil the very purpose of their lives.
We understand, simply in the fact that all people have been created, we have come into this world and have come for a purpose. We are not ‘accidental man’, we are purposeful creatures created for the pleasure of God and to share in his communion with us.
Sin had broken that relationship. And in breaking of the relationship between man and God, there is no longer a desire in man to fulfil any purpose other than that which man has set for himself. Rather than God being the centre of his life, man is the centre of man.
The book of Judges lays it all out so perfectly in the last verse;
Judges 21:25
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
There is no God in the heart of fallen man, the natural inclination of man is to do “that which is right in his own eyes”, he has no inclination to attend to that for which he has been created. Man does all he can even to remove himself from the very thought that he is a created being, by denying the creator himself.
Romans 1:21–22
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Not so those who have had this blessed relationship restored. You now have a purpose, a purpose that has been established by none other than God, your creator.
There is reason for your life, there is purpose for your life. And, as incredible as it may seem, it is the highest purpose that can man can ever have because it was purposed in the heart of the living God.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Beloved, I can assure you of one thing that is true. When you are attending to the “good works” God has ordained that you should walk in, when you understand that you are his “workmanship”, “fearfully and wonderfully made” as the Psalmist wrote (Ps139:14), even a “vessel unto…honour” (2 Tim 2:20), you are living a life that is being fulfilled each and every day. Even though you go through the trials of life, and some of those trials are indeed a part of the gift God has given you, you can still attend unto your work with Joy.
2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Beloved, far too many Christians today are living mediocre lives, living for themselves rather than living for the Lord who has crafted them to be fulfilled ONLY when they attend to his work which he “hath before ordained that YOU would walk in them”.
They flash their mediocre lives on instagram to tell the world that they are not interested in the work God has called them to attend to, they are living life on their own terms, fake Hollywood smile and all.
And if they continue to live their lives all their days their way, Frank Sinatra will get another play at the grave.
Beloved, both joy in life and reward in heaven is attained, not when we do it our way, but when we attend to the gift Jesus has given us when “he led captivity captive”
Turn to
1 Peter 4:10
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Every man” says Peter, there are gifts for all of mankind that are given for mankind to fufill the purpose for his life.
We can talk a little more about how to know what your is, but before we do so we need to deal with the objection that comes to think God has not given you ANYTHING. That there is NO PURPOSE to your life, or the question as to what that purpose might be.
Though you, no matter what state of life you are in, do not beleive you have a purpose for your life, it is denied by the eternal, infinite truth of Gods words.
1 Peter 4:10
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Whatever it is that you think or feel, must be subordinate to what God says.
If you are willing first to accept this as true, then and only then are you in the position to search for it.
Many years ago when we left an unbiblical Church, I had almost given up thinking there were biblical churches out there, until the scripture came to my mind that “the gates of hell will not prevail against my Church”. It was my belief that this text gave me assurance that there simply still must be biblical churches out there, that set me searching.
Decide first to believe Gods word that you have a very peculiar and special calling, a gift given directly by God that NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD CAN ACCOMPLISH BUT YOU.
Then, begin your journey!
❖
Peculiar Calling
Ephesians 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Everyone is given a peculiar calling, some of them are listed in the Bible.
Here we see that he gave “Some” to be apostles; and “Some” to be prophets, and “Some” evangelists, and “SOME” pastors and teachers.
Beloved, if “every man received the Gift”, and “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Are “ALL” apostles? “All” prophets? “All” Evangelists, pastors and teachers?
All indeed do receive a peculiar Gift, but not all share in the same gifts.
Apostles particularly no longer exist. The description of an apostle is those who have seen the risen Christ in the flesh, and were directly ordained by him to preach to the world. The false apostles of today will give their account to Jesus at Judgement.
Some of those gifts are listed, and many more are listed in the scriptures, but all have the same ultimate purpose that you will need to consider as we go through this study.
In the early Church, God had ordained very specific roles for people that would not continue, we see this is 1 Corinthians 12 to 14, these were known as “Revelatory Gifts”. At that time the word of God was incomplete, and we give diligent consideration that the verse; “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” in 1 Cor 13:10 can only refer to the Word of God in writing, and not the Word incarnate. It cannot refer to Christ, because he had already come, but this is looking yet future to that which has not yet been.
Certain gifts, such as the gift of Tongues, Knowledge and prophecy were revelatory gifts, they were there temporarily to affirm the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews through the signs ordained by God from the beginning, even to Moses on the mount.
Remember, the gospel was to go to the Jew first. Jesus came to the children of God FIRST. You recall the woman of Canaan who called after Jesus respecting the devil in her daughter, and his response to her in
Matthew 15:24–28
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Three times Paul affirmed that the Gospel was to go to the “Jew first” Romans 1:16, 2:9 & 2:10, we see the same pattern all through the New testament, but what we know more about is that “the Jews REQUIRE a sign” (1 Cor 1:22).
The signs gifts would be done away when that which is perfect is come.
Turn to
Romans 12:1–8
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Has your heart changed? Have you first presented your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”?
God will not place on you that which your heart does not desire. This is why the heart was the first itme we spoke of last week. This is why we dealt through this entire series with those things from the most difficult to the simple. Do you trust him?
Proverbs 3:5–6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Are you being conformed to this world, or are you being transformed by the renewing of your minds? Are you spending more time reading your Bible and in prayer than you are distracted by that which will pass away?
Do you still love the world, or is you eye for Christ alone?
Do you think of yourself more highly that you ought to think? Are you a man like Diotrephes in the scriptures, a man who likes to have the preeminence among men? Do you exalt yourself or abase yourself? Beloved, whatever you do to yourself, God will do the opposite to you.
Be sure not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Remember that you are a part of the body of Christ, and this is the key respecting whatever it is that the Lord has given you as a gift.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The gift given you is PECULIAR to you.
There truly is never going to be another person that will do what you are called to do. If there were, God would never have made YOU!
You are unique to him, set aside for his peculiar purpose.
The ONLY way you will know how valuable you are is to realise that the work you are called to do, is for God. Your purpose has INFINITE WORTH.
So what are you doing to prepare for it?
❖
Corporate Gift
Ephesians 4:11–16
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
This is where the rubber meets the road.
The gift in which you are called, the “good works” you have been given the grace to attend to, is directed in a direction that God had ordained for the blessing of the world;
It is 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Turn To;
Matthew 25:14–30
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is interesting to me that the word Talent is interchangeable to purpose and ability and here we have this parallel story that is likened to Jesus having left his Church in the hands of the members of his body.
He expects a return on what he has given us, for the benefit of his body, the Church.
❖
Time Is Short
Ephesians 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
One of the great “Until’s” of the Bible.
This is the time when opportunity to attend to our ministry comes to a close. A time we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”
When we come to realise the infinite value of the work we have attended to, when we see how God had multiplied even the little effort we had done, when we come to realise how much more we could have done.
It is interesting to me how quickly we think in the flesh. All of us have this desire to do some great thing for God and we often measure it the way the world measures fame. We think that if we are well known by man, we should be well known by God. If man has put us on a pedastool and all these people “follow us”, then we must be something in deed.
But that is not at all how the Lord measures the value of that which he has given us.
We saw something interesting in the parable of the talents that Jesus was speaking of. Each had received the talent and each had received the reward for exercising that which was given him to the fullest extent.
They do not boast, they know that what they have they have been given.
Those that have been given much, are expected to attend to that which they have been given to the fullest extent. Those that have been given but one gift ought to do likewise. Both are measured in the extent to which they ahve applied what they have been given, WITHOUT BOASTING!
Isaiah 10:15
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
The time however to excersise those gifts is comeing to a close. Each and every day that goes by is closer to us going to him or he coming for us.
And there will be a reward for those who have faithfully attended to his work.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
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He Gave Gifts Unto Men
Ephesians 4:11–16
We gave consideration last week in the introduction to personal ministry, learning and knowing that there must be in us a state of the heart that completely trusts in the Lord to attend unto the work of God in our lives.
A recognition that he is the one who supplies all our needs. That we are in want for nothing when we are willing to trust him for everything. And there is no inconsistency in our work, in our employments to make provision in this regard, for the Bible calls us to attend to all that we do as Unto Christ”, but there is certainly an understanding that we OUGHT not to fret for the loss of anything that is needed;
Luke 12:30–31
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The heart prepared, the question now comes to mind as it did to the apostle Paul on that Damascus road;
Acts 9:6
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? …
How long has it been that you have asked the question? Many may have presumed they know the answer, but many have also yet to ask the question first.
Some believe it is their natural ‘talents’ that give an indication of that which God would have them to do. This is not necessarily so. Perhaps like Paul who’s craft was Tent making, your talents and abilities are only there to help support your work.
What is seen for the passage here in Ephesians, is that the gifts that are given to men are POST Salvation.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Yes perhaps, their present abilities may have value in supporting the work, just as the education of Paul helped his ability to preach the Gospel, yet it was Jesus that had him set aside; “… saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47
Beloved the work that is to be attained in you is the work of the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes. When will it come?
As mentioned last week, it will not come while you are “a man of unclean lips and dwelling among a people of unclean lips” (Isa 6:6), but when first your “iniquity is taken away and your sin purged” (v7), and if your heart be ready, that you are willing to trust the Lord with all that is in you, then and ONLY then might you hear that voice in your heart saying;
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us” (v8)
Perhaps then, when that burden to attend to good works rises up in you and you have placed your trust completely in him, you will answer as did Isaiah, “here am I; send me”.
In this passage I aim to first demonstrate that;
Each of us who have been saved by the Lord have been given gifts since we have been saved. (V7-8)
“Some” are very specific callings (v11)
All are for the corporate benefit of the Church as a body and its ministry (v12)
The time of the exercise of these gifts is limited (v13)
“He Gave Gifts Unto Men”.
❖
Gifts For All
Ephesians 4:7–8
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
There are none who have been saved by Christ that are NOT SAVED unto the ministry of Christ.
That is a bold statement, and yet it is even here presented to you and I.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Every single person who has been saved by the Lord has been given a gift to fulfil the very purpose of their lives.
We understand, simply in the fact that all people have been created, we have come into this world and have come for a purpose. We are not ‘accidental man’, we are purposeful creatures created for the pleasure of God and to share in his communion with us.
Sin had broken that relationship. And in breaking of the relationship between man and God, there is no longer a desire in man to fulfil any purpose other than that which man has set for himself. Rather than God being the centre of his life, man is the centre of man.
The book of Judges lays it all out so perfectly in the last verse;
Judges 21:25
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
There is no God in the heart of fallen man, the natural inclination of man is to do “that which is right in his own eyes”, he has no inclination to attend to that for which he has been created. Man does all he can even to remove himself from the very thought that he is a created being, by denying the creator himself.
Romans 1:21–22
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Not so those who have had this blessed relationship restored. You now have a purpose, a purpose that has been established by none other than God, your creator.
There is reason for your life, there is purpose for your life. And, as incredible as it may seem, it is the highest purpose that can man can ever have because it was purposed in the heart of the living God.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Beloved, I can assure you of one thing that is true. When you are attending to the “good works” God has ordained that you should walk in, when you understand that you are his “workmanship”, “fearfully and wonderfully made” as the Psalmist wrote (Ps139:14), even a “vessel unto…honour” (2 Tim 2:20), you are living a life that is being fulfilled each and every day. Even though you go through the trials of life, and some of those trials are indeed a part of the gift God has given you, you can still attend unto your work with Joy.
2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Beloved, far too many Christians today are living mediocre lives, living for themselves rather than living for the Lord who has crafted them to be fulfilled ONLY when they attend to his work which he “hath before ordained that YOU would walk in them”.
They flash their mediocre lives on instagram to tell the world that they are not interested in the work God has called them to attend to, they are living life on their own terms, fake Hollywood smile and all.
And if they continue to live their lives all their days their way, Frank Sinatra will get another play at the grave.
Beloved, both joy in life and reward in heaven is attained, not when we do it our way, but when we attend to the gift Jesus has given us when “he led captivity captive”
Turn to
1 Peter 4:10
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Every man” says Peter, there are gifts for all of mankind that are given for mankind to fufill the purpose for his life.
We can talk a little more about how to know what your is, but before we do so we need to deal with the objection that comes to think God has not given you ANYTHING. That there is NO PURPOSE to your life, or the question as to what that purpose might be.
Though you, no matter what state of life you are in, do not beleive you have a purpose for your life, it is denied by the eternal, infinite truth of Gods words.
1 Peter 4:10
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Whatever it is that you think or feel, must be subordinate to what God says.
If you are willing first to accept this as true, then and only then are you in the position to search for it.
Many years ago when we left an unbiblical Church, I had almost given up thinking there were biblical churches out there, until the scripture came to my mind that “the gates of hell will not prevail against my Church”. It was my belief that this text gave me assurance that there simply still must be biblical churches out there, that set me searching.
Decide first to believe Gods word that you have a very peculiar and special calling, a gift given directly by God that NO ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD CAN ACCOMPLISH BUT YOU.
Then, begin your journey!
❖
Peculiar Calling
Ephesians 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Everyone is given a peculiar calling, some of them are listed in the Bible.
Here we see that he gave “Some” to be apostles; and “Some” to be prophets, and “Some” evangelists, and “SOME” pastors and teachers.
Beloved, if “every man received the Gift”, and “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Are “ALL” apostles? “All” prophets? “All” Evangelists, pastors and teachers?
All indeed do receive a peculiar Gift, but not all share in the same gifts.
Apostles particularly no longer exist. The description of an apostle is those who have seen the risen Christ in the flesh, and were directly ordained by him to preach to the world. The false apostles of today will give their account to Jesus at Judgement.
Some of those gifts are listed, and many more are listed in the scriptures, but all have the same ultimate purpose that you will need to consider as we go through this study.
In the early Church, God had ordained very specific roles for people that would not continue, we see this is 1 Corinthians 12 to 14, these were known as “Revelatory Gifts”. At that time the word of God was incomplete, and we give diligent consideration that the verse; “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” in 1 Cor 13:10 can only refer to the Word of God in writing, and not the Word incarnate. It cannot refer to Christ, because he had already come, but this is looking yet future to that which has not yet been.
Certain gifts, such as the gift of Tongues, Knowledge and prophecy were revelatory gifts, they were there temporarily to affirm the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews through the signs ordained by God from the beginning, even to Moses on the mount.
Remember, the gospel was to go to the Jew first. Jesus came to the children of God FIRST. You recall the woman of Canaan who called after Jesus respecting the devil in her daughter, and his response to her in
Matthew 15:24–28
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Three times Paul affirmed that the Gospel was to go to the “Jew first” Romans 1:16, 2:9 & 2:10, we see the same pattern all through the New testament, but what we know more about is that “the Jews REQUIRE a sign” (1 Cor 1:22).
The signs gifts would be done away when that which is perfect is come.
Turn to
Romans 12:1–8
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Has your heart changed? Have you first presented your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”?
God will not place on you that which your heart does not desire. This is why the heart was the first itme we spoke of last week. This is why we dealt through this entire series with those things from the most difficult to the simple. Do you trust him?
Proverbs 3:5–6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Are you being conformed to this world, or are you being transformed by the renewing of your minds? Are you spending more time reading your Bible and in prayer than you are distracted by that which will pass away?
Do you still love the world, or is you eye for Christ alone?
Do you think of yourself more highly that you ought to think? Are you a man like Diotrephes in the scriptures, a man who likes to have the preeminence among men? Do you exalt yourself or abase yourself? Beloved, whatever you do to yourself, God will do the opposite to you.
Be sure not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Remember that you are a part of the body of Christ, and this is the key respecting whatever it is that the Lord has given you as a gift.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The gift given you is PECULIAR to you.
There truly is never going to be another person that will do what you are called to do. If there were, God would never have made YOU!
You are unique to him, set aside for his peculiar purpose.
The ONLY way you will know how valuable you are is to realise that the work you are called to do, is for God. Your purpose has INFINITE WORTH.
So what are you doing to prepare for it?
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Corporate Gift
Ephesians 4:11–16
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
This is where the rubber meets the road.
The gift in which you are called, the “good works” you have been given the grace to attend to, is directed in a direction that God had ordained for the blessing of the world;
It is 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Turn To;
Matthew 25:14–30
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is interesting to me that the word Talent is interchangeable to purpose and ability and here we have this parallel story that is likened to Jesus having left his Church in the hands of the members of his body.
He expects a return on what he has given us, for the benefit of his body, the Church.
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Time Is Short
Ephesians 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
One of the great “Until’s” of the Bible.
This is the time when opportunity to attend to our ministry comes to a close. A time we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”
When we come to realise the infinite value of the work we have attended to, when we see how God had multiplied even the little effort we had done, when we come to realise how much more we could have done.
It is interesting to me how quickly we think in the flesh. All of us have this desire to do some great thing for God and we often measure it the way the world measures fame. We think that if we are well known by man, we should be well known by God. If man has put us on a pedastool and all these people “follow us”, then we must be something in deed.
But that is not at all how the Lord measures the value of that which he has given us.
We saw something interesting in the parable of the talents that Jesus was speaking of. Each had received the talent and each had received the reward for exercising that which was given him to the fullest extent.
They do not boast, they know that what they have they have been given.
Those that have been given much, are expected to attend to that which they have been given to the fullest extent. Those that have been given but one gift ought to do likewise. Both are measured in the extent to which they ahve applied what they have been given, WITHOUT BOASTING!
Isaiah 10:15
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
The time however to excersise those gifts is comeing to a close. Each and every day that goes by is closer to us going to him or he coming for us.
And there will be a reward for those who have faithfully attended to his work.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
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