1. An Examination of Ephesians 4:7-16

2. 1. Christ has given His entire “body” gifts that must be used for the edification of every believer. 2. The gifting of being a teacher is not tied to the requirements of being an elder. 3. We lack nothing by being in the body of Christ through faith!

3. Situation in Asia Minor: Fear of angelic beings that controlled one’s fate. Remedy: Ephesians 1:20-21 He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

4. Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 1. Fullness of God (Father) Eph. 3:19 2. He might fill all things (Son) Eph. 4:10 3. Filled by the Spirit (Holy Spirit) Eph. 5:18

5. Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Romans 12:5-6 NET so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith.

6. Romans 12:7-8 NET If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness. 1 Cor. 12:21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

7. Matthew 20:25-26 “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

8. Ephesians 4:8-10 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

9. Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers… Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

10. Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers…  Are all teachers also pastors? (A.S.K.S.)  Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

11. Pastors = Elders = Overseers Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

12. Eph 4:11 Pastor/Teacher Summary Teachers Pastors Remember not to falsely bind!

13. Ephesians 4:12-13 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

14. Ephesians 4:14-16 NET 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. But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. From Him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body grows in love.