Spiritual Gifts Lesson 5 Spiritual Gifts in Ephesians

Spiritual Gifts Lesson 5 Spiritual Gifts in Ephesians

1. I. Introduction A. The church as “The Dream Team” B. Our approach: Gifts in the context of the book where they are taught C. Last two lessons: Spiritual gifts in Romans D. This week: Spiritual gifts in Ephesians

II. Comparing Ephesians to Romans A. It doesn’t take long to see that there is a difference. For example, the term “law”:

B. Matthew compared to John C. Ephesians compared to Romans: 1) Romans begins with man’s inability, and moves to God’s grace 2) Ephesians focuses on God’s salvation

III. The Argument of Ephesians Chapter 1 Salvation is of the Lord God’s salvation: For the Jews (“us, ” “we” – verses 3 - 12) For Gentiles too (“you” – verse 13 ff. ) Prayer for greater grasp of God’s provision for the church, in Christ (verses 15 -23)

Chapter 2 God has reconciled. . . Jews and Gentiles to Himself (vss. 1 -10) Jews and Gentiles to each other as one new man (the church, vss. 11 -22)

Chapter 3 The church as a mystery • God’s eternal plan, but revealed now through Paul and the apostles (vss. 1 -13) • The audience is the celestial powers • Paul’s prayer for knowledge and power to the glory of Christ in the church (vss. 14 -21)

Ephesians 4: 1— 5: 20 Unity in Community Unity and maturity through tolerance, truth, and transformation Tolerance (4: 1 -6) Truth (4: 7 -16) Transformation (4: 17— 5: 20)

Ephesians 5: 22— 6: 9 Unity in Submission In general (5: 21) In marriage (5: 22 -33) In the family (6: 1 -4) Even in slavery (6: 5 -9)

Ephesians 6: 10 -20 Spiritual Warfare Standing strong (6: 10 -17) Standing strong in prayer for others (6: 18 -20)

The unique contribution of Ephesians to spiritual gifts A. The magnitude of what God is doing • in time • in compass • in power • in purpose B. Focusing on four foundational gifts Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors & Teachers

C. Emphasis on the Word of God (truth) D. Emphasis on community E. Emphasis on unity

IV. Conclusion A. The centrality of the church in God’s eternal plan B. The magnitude of God’s purposes for the church C. The magnitude of God’s provisions for the church Tolerance – putting up with one another

D. The centrality of the truth of God’s word E. Unity in Community: What to tolerate What must change

1 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4: 1 -6).

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. 14 And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. 15 Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful (Colossians 3: 12 -15).

Copyright © 2007 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. This is the edited Power. Point Presentation in the Spiritual Gifts series prepared by Bob Deffinbaugh for September 30, 2007. Anyone is at liberty to use this presentation for educational purposes only, with or without credit. The Chapel believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel.