1. Diverse Service: Implications for Every Christian Ephesians 4:1-16

3. Transition in the Letter He turns from conception to implementation He turns from conception to implementation He moves from concept to concrete living He moves from concept to concrete living v. 1—we come to the second command in the letter (2:11) v. 1—we come to the second command in the letter (2:11)

4. Transition in the Letter “Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called” “Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called” The command is then fleshed out with participles and prepositions The command is then fleshed out with participles and prepositions The rest of the letter calls the church to focus on UNITY AND HOLINESS The rest of the letter calls the church to focus on UNITY AND HOLINESS

5. Transition in the Letter vv. 1-16 focus upon UNITY vv. 1-16 focus upon UNITY vv. 9-16 teach us that while there is to be unity, there will be diversity within vv. 9-16 teach us that while there is to be unity, there will be diversity within The diversity is related to our service The diversity is related to our service

6. The Glorious Giftings of Christ The Lord has insured that His new creation— the church—will be a growing reality among the nations The Lord has insured that His new creation— the church—will be a growing reality among the nations In His exaltation, He gave gifts (abilities) to His people to continue the work of redemption under His direction (His headship—vv. 16) In His exaltation, He gave gifts (abilities) to His people to continue the work of redemption under His direction (His headship—vv. 16)

7. The Glorious Giftings of Christ These are often referred to as “charismatic gifts” These are often referred to as “charismatic gifts” 1 Cor. 12:1 (cf. Romans 12:3ff; 1 Peter 4:7 ff) 1 Cor. 12:1 (cf. Romans 12:3ff; 1 Peter 4:7 ff) The word grace is charis; the word for gifts or giftings is charismata ; All true churches then are “charismatic” The word grace is charis; the word for gifts or giftings is charismata ; All true churches then are “charismatic”

8. The Implications to Consider Jesus has a task or tasks for me to perform (v. 12) Jesus has a task or tasks for me to perform (v. 12) While some gifts are more public in nature, all gifts are important (Romans 12:6-7) While some gifts are more public in nature, all gifts are important (Romans 12:6-7) God has meaningful work with eternal consequences for each of us to do; we are to be leaders God has meaningful work with eternal consequences for each of us to do; we are to be leaders

9. The Implications to Consider Jesus Has A Church With Which I Am To Unite Jesus Has A Church With Which I Am To Unite The basis of “membership” is not secular like being a part of a club The basis of “membership” is not secular like being a part of a club Membership is rooted in each of us being a part of a body (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:12 KJV) Membership is rooted in each of us being a part of a body (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:12 KJV)

10. The Implications to Consider The Wise Church Will Play To Her Strengths The Wise Church Will Play To Her Strengths The church must order her life or construct her life around the gifts The church must order her life or construct her life around the gifts Our goal is to begin that process in earnest Our goal is to begin that process in earnest

11. The Implications to Consider We must be humble enough to find our place or courageous enough in some cases We must be humble enough to find our place or courageous enough in some cases We must be willing to serve within the design God has given in how He has gifted us We must be willing to serve within the design God has given in how He has gifted us With every member doing his or her God intended part, the church will grow in a Biblical fashion With every member doing his or her God intended part, the church will grow in a Biblical fashion