This morning we're looking at the subject of spiritual gifts, especially in Ephesians 4:1-16. We're continuing with our series on what the Bible teaches about the church. And this morning we're asking the question, "Who does what in the church?"
In Ephesians 4:1-16, then, Paul is giving some very practical instructions. He tells the Ephesian Christians firstly about unity. In v1-3, he tells them that they must work at being united because unity is unnatural. In v4-6, he shows how much Christians have in common so that as a result unity is natural! Unity is unnatural. But unity is natural!
In v7, Paul starts to show that unity does not mean that all Christians have to be the same. There is diversity within the unity of the church. We are all different; and yet we are all to be united. This is true when it comes to spiritual gifts. The Lord gives different gifts to different people so that they can serve him in different ways. But all the time, those different gifts are there to promote the unity and the maturity of the church as a whole.
i Magnanimous gifts
v7-8 and Romans 12:6 show that the spiritual gifts we have are an example of the Lord's grace to us. Spiritual gifts are just that: spiritual gifts! Paul was well aware of that in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; he could scarcely believe how kind the Lord had been to him in giving him the gift of apostleship. And we all have spiritual gifts; all of us. What you need to realise is that they are good gifts from a magnanimous Saviour. If you use your gifts grudgingly, or if you think you have no gifts, you need to realign your thinking.
What gifts might you have, then?
ii Multicoloured gifts
In v11, Paul mentions four spiritual gifts: those gifted to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. This is not a full list of all gifts, though. Romans 12:6-8 notes seven gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 notes nine. The lists are quite different.
The Bible gives us no complete list of spiritual gifts because there's no need. 1 Peter 4:10-11 puts it most simply. The gifts which the Lord Jesus Christ gives to the church by His Spirit are many and varied: literally, multicoloured. Any ability or strength which the Lord gives you is really a spiritual gift to you. It's an example of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ! And that's great! It's great because it brings a great deal of colour to the church. For example, Romans 12:8 speaks about the spiritual gift of sharing. Isn't that lovely?
So Christian, any ability or strength which the Lord gives you is a spiritual gift to you. If you're good with children, if you're good with music, if you're good with flowers, if you're good at visiting, if you're good at repairing things for people, if you're good with sound systems, if you're good at leading A&P Groups, if you're good at anything, then you've got a spiritual gift to use for the Lord. That's why it's a shame that when people talk about spiritual gifts, they tend to be thinking about things like gifts of healing or prophesy or tongues. Spiritual gifts are much richer and greater than that!
What is vitally important is that you use the gifts which God has given you...
iii Maturing gifts
The spiritual gifts mentioned in v11 are all to do with word-ministry. What is the point of having gifted pastor-teachers? v12 explains. They are to prepare God's people for works of service. They are to help every member of the church to use their gifts to the full. The task of a pastor-teacher is to understand, to teach, to preach, to explain, to apply, the word of God so that everyone in the church is better equipped to serve the Lord.
And what happens when Christians use their gifts to the full? v12 tells us that too. The body of Christ is built up. The church is built up. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promises to build His church. And this is how He does it! When His people serve Him and use their gifts to the full, the church is built up. And what happens then? v13 says that this leads to unity and maturity in the church as a whole.
Follow Paul's logic. Jesus gives pastors to the church (v11) so that all the Christians in the church are better able to use their gifts to serve Him (v12) so that the church is built up (v12) so that the church as a whole becomes more united and mature (v13). The Lord Jesus Christ wants every Christian in the church to use his/her spiritual gifts because then the church as a whole becomes mature.
Maturity is very important, as v14 teaches. Churches are not to be childish. If they are, they will be blown here and there by every false doctrine which comes along. Every year a wind of heresy blows through the church. Every so often a hurricane blows through. It's only if we're mature that we'll be able to stand. Sadly, so many churches in the UK are perfectly content to be immature. But how can we rest easy when we are less than what our Lord wants us to be? Don't rest unless Carey is growing up! Do what you can to promote the health and growth of the church.
In v16, Paul tells us again where the growth of the church comes from. Firstly, it comes from the energising, invigorating, strengthening, fortifying, presence of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the church grows up "as each part does its work". The way to growth is when we all use the gifts and abilities which the Lord has given us to serve him as we should. Christ's gifts are maturing gifts. He does not give you gifts to build your self-esteem or so that you can use them for your own ends. He gives you them so that you can serve him and so that the church will grow up and mature.
Therefore use the gifts God has given you! Use them to the full! That will bring blessing to you and to the whole church. Healthy growth takes place only when we all serve together. Are you using your gifts for the good of this fellowship?
What should you do if you don't know where your gifts lie? Speak to Christian friends. Ask the elders if you can try various different things in the church. Pray for wisdom. And when you do know where your gifts are, use them! Who knows what blessing might be the result if we all serve our Lord in the ways he has appointed for us?