Living Temple Christian Church

You’re Called: Ephesians 4:1-16 and the Coffee Cart


Listen Later

This week Dave shares a hilariously chaotic playgroup coffee-cart story that turns into something deeper: calling, unity, and grace from Ephesians 4:1–16. Why every person’s contribution matters, how to guard unity, and what the fivefold gifts are for. Communion, community, and a practical invitation to “just do your part.”

Themed Sections

1) Calling Is For Everyone (Not Just “Ministry People”)

  • Universal call to Christ and a specific call for each person.
  • Your vocation can be holy: builders, receptionists, doctors, business owners.
  • Live worthy of the call you’ve received.

2) Humble, Gentle, Patient: The Way We Walk

  • Passion creates friction; love bears with difference.
  • Practical unity habits: pause, pray, slow down before reacting.

3) One Body, One Spirit: Fight for Unity

  • Unity requires effort; rows can feel like “spectator church” but we’re a circle in Christ.
  • Communion reminds us we share one cup and one loaf.

4) Grace Gifts, Not Merit Badges

  • Gifts are grace, not wages.
  • Psalm 68 → Exodus → Christ’s ascension: the presence once in the tabernacle now fills His people.

5) The Fivefold (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers)

  • These are people given to equip the church for works of service.
  • Maturity goal: unity, knowledge of the Son, discernment against hype and half-truths.

6) Just Do Your Part

  • Every part matters; without you, something’s missing.
  • Don’t copy someone else’s gift; bring your own.

Discussion Points (bullet list for listeners/groups)

  • What signs of “calling” have you noticed in your current season?
  • Where do you feel friction with others’ passions? How can you “bear with” in love?
  • Which unity habit (humility, gentleness, patience) is hardest right now?
  • Do you know your primary way of building up the body? What’s one next step?
  • Where are you vulnerable to online spiritual “noise”? How can community help you discern?

Reflection

Calling isn’t a platform; it’s a posture. The cup you hand a tired parent, the quiet prayer you pray, the conversation you risk—these are holy when done in love. Unity isn’t automatic; we fight for it by walking slowly with one another under the headship of Christ.

Key Scriptures

  • Ephesians 4:1–16
  • Psalm 68:18 (background to Paul’s quote)
  • Exodus 33–40 (tabernacle presence as foreshadow)

Timestamped Outline / Chapters

  • 00:00 – Cold open: coffee, chaos, and remembering names
  • 03:16 – Why keep doing it? Calling vs preference
  • 04:10 – Ephesians shifts: from grace received to grace lived (4–6)
  • 05:37 – “Live worthy of the calling” (calling is for everyone)
  • 06:46 – Humble, gentle, patient: practical unity habits
  • 09:23 – Faithfulness over time: the hidden power of showing up
  • 10:46 – Make every effort: fighting for unity
  • 12:57 – Communion: one cup, one loaf, one body
  • 15:04 – Grace gifts: given, not earned
  • 16:16 – Psalm 68 → Exodus → Christ’s ascension (why gifts flow)
  • 18:46 – The fivefold: equipping, not elevating
  • 20:31 – Example: evangelism gift at work
  • 22:06 – Every part matters: stop spectating
  • 23:15 – Maturity and discernment in a noisy age
  • 24:31 – Christ is the head; follow Him first
  • 26:15 – “As each part does its work”: what’s your next step?

Notable Quotes (pull-quotes for socials)

  • “Calling isn’t a platform; it’s a posture.”
  • “Unity is not automatic; it’s fought for.”
  • “Gifts are grace, not wages.”
  • “When you do your part, the whole church grows.”
  • “Christ is the head—we’re the body. Act like it.”
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Living Temple Christian ChurchBy Living Temple