Gifts from the Risen Messiah
October 18, 2020
Commentary
This passage teaches that while all believers share one faith, not all are given the same gifts (v. 7). Paul describes how Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, triumphed over Satan (vv. 8–10). When we were born into this world, God gave us natural abilities—such as skill in art, mechanics, sports, or music. But in the spiritual realm, every believer also re-ceives at least one spiritual gift for service (vv. 11–13). These gifts are not earned; they are given by grace for the building up of Christ’s body.
Sadly, there is too much human politics in the church today. People are often placed in positions of influence because of social or financial status rather than spiritual maturity. Yet it is Christ—not people—who gives gifts and appoints His servants. Paul warns us not to act like spiritual children, easily deceived or divided (v. 14). Instead, “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (v. 15). Love and truth must always walk together. When each mem-ber does their part, “the whole body grows and builds itself up in love” (v. 16).
Paul also lists four main types of gifted leaders given to the church (v. 11): apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. There are no apos-tles today, for they had to be eyewitnesses of the risen Lord. A prophet is one who proclaims God’s truth. The evangelist’s task is to stir hearts—helping the lost think about eternity and encouraging the saved to care for souls. The pastor-teacher’s responsibility is to lead, feed, and equip the flock so that the church grows in unity, maturity, and Christlikeness.
Application
Have I discovered (unwrapped) and used the spiritual gift(s) God has given me (1PE 4:10)? Every believer has a purpose in the body of Christ. Today I want to serve humbly where He places me and help others grow in faith. How will I volunteer to use my gifts and abilities God has given to me for the body of Christ and for God’s glory?
Ephesians 4:7–16 (NET)
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.” 9 Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth? 10 He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. 11 And he himself gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature. 14 So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. 15 But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. 16 From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body builds itself up in love.
Barna – Statistics on Spiritual Gifts
Some interesting statistics by Barna Research Group, Ltd., Oxard, CA
29% of all adults – and 40% of Baby Buster adults – have never heard of spiritual gifts
69% have heard of spiritual gifts but do not know what their spiritu … Continue