Lesson 11

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Ephesians

September 21, 2015

Lesson 1

January 18, 2010

Lesson 2

January 18, 2010

RETURN TO THE SYLLABUS

EPHESIANS 4:1-16 — continued
Lesson #11
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

• Memory verse: Eph 4:15

• Read Eph 4:1-16
  • =1= We have discussed the grace of unity in verses 1-3.
  • There are many groups who promote religious unity for the sake of unity without regard to doctrine. We call this movement the “ecumenical movement”. They seek to unite Catholics with protestants, Christians with Buddhists, and Christians with pagans of all persuasions.
    • There are many people who seek to unite others in unity based only on love without regard to what people believe. They say we should forget doctrine and just love each other.
    • However, this was not Paul’s message to the Ephesians. He shows us the basis for unity in the body of Christ in Eph 4:4-6.
      • Paul is concerned that Christians not break the unique unity of the body of Christ by agreeing with false doctrines. (Rom 16:17-20)
      • John was also concerned in 2Joh 6-11.
      • James said God’s wisdom is first pure, then peaceable. (Jam 3:17)

• =2= The ground of unity (4-6)
  • Unity must be based on sound doctrine regarding the basic elements of faith. That is why Paul spent three chapters discussing doctrine before coming to this section about unity.

• Christians may not always agree on every point of doctrine but they must agree on the foundational principles before unity can exist.
  • Notice that the Trinity is mentioned in these verses:
  • The Holy Spirit (4), the Son (5), the Father (6)
    • Discussion: What is the basic doctrine regarding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that the Bible teaches?

• There is a 7-fold unity promoted by the trinity.
  • =1) One body = It is the Holy Spirit that unites people into one body around the doctrine of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • =2) One spirit = Unless the Holy Spirit is living inside of a person, he does not belong to the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit moves to bring unity among believers within the body of Christ.
  • =3) One hope = Believers are united in an eternal perspective in looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ. Because of that one hope, believers will cooperate with each other to promote unity knowing that the time is short and the work is abundant.
  • =4) One lord = There can be no unity without an agreement on who is Jesus Christ and what He came to do. As believers agree on who He is, they must also agree that He is the Master who is in control.

• =5) One faith = It is faith that unites the body of Christ because there can be no entrance into it without faith. (Jude 3 2Tim 2:2)
• =6) One baptism = There are 2 equally important meanings:
• =A=. Water baptism is the symbolic act of identification with Christ. We are buried with Christ in baptism and raised with him to new life. (Rom 6:4) It is this act of identification that solidifies the body of believers.
• =B=. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is when the Hly Spirit fills the believer so that the believer begins to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Unity results when believers are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

• =7). One God and Father = There are many gods in this world calling for our allegiance. Unless we all believe in the one true God, there is no unity.

• “above all, through all, and in you all”
  • The one true God is a God outside of time and space (a transcendent God). The new age religions do not believe this. They make God part of creation.

• =3= The gifts for unity (7-11)
  • To promote unity in the body of Christ, the God-head sends gifts to the individual church. When did Christ prepare these gifts? At the crucifixion (8,9,10)
    • The gifts given by the Holy Trinity that are manifested in the body of Christ:

• =A= Spiritual gifts (pneumatika charismata) =
  • These are supernatural abilities given to individuals at a specific point in time for a specific purpose.
  • These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to individual believers. (1Cor 12:8-10)
• =B= Ministry/positional gifts (diakonia) =
  • These are services or ministry offices or positions.
  • These are gifts given to the church by Jesus Christ. (Eph 4:11=12 1Cor 12:27-28)
• =C= motivational gifts (energamata) =
  • These are natural abilities given to individuals at birth that motivate the individual to outward aspects of power.
  • These gifts are given by God, the Father so as to serve God in a more complete way. (Rom 12:3-8 1Pet 4:10-11)

• What are the ministry or positional gifts mentioned here in Eph 4?
  • These gifts are people sent by Jesus Christ to minister to the body of Christ.
    • =A= Apostles

• There are many Christians who do not believe there are any apostles since the death of John who wrote the book of Revelation. They limit the circle to the 12 disciples and Paul. This does not explain the inclusion of James and Barnabas as apostles or the 70 that Jesus sent out.
• However, because apostles are mentioned along with the others here, with no exception given, I believe apostles exist today.
• What is an apostle?
  • The definition of the word = someone who is sent out for a specific purpose.
    • The word apostle was applied to Jesus, (Heb 3:1).
    • It was applied to many sent out to preach to the Jews (Luk 11:49)
    • It was applied to many sent out by the early church (2Cor 8:23 Phil 2:25).
    • It was applied to the 12 disciples plus Paul.
  • The function of an apostle:
    • These people are commissioned to perform a specific task of witnessing about Christ from place to place so as to establish new churches on sound doctrine.
    • Paul is the example.

• =B= Prophets
  • The function of a prophet:
    • This person has the motivational gift of prophecy. He is called to be God’s messenger and given the position to communicate the revealed will of God to the local church.
    • A prophet tells it like it is. He sometimes predicts the future. Both of these aspects are part of the prophet’s message.
    • John and the Old Testament prophets are the examples.

• =C= Evangelists
  • The function of the evangelist:
    • This is the person who goes out and wins people to the Lord bringing them into the local church body.
    • Barnabas is the example.
• =D= Pastors
  • The meaning of the word = a shepherd
  • The function of the pastor:
    • This is the person who shepherds the sheep. He will see that the believers get fed properly. He will protect them from the enemy. He will love them.
    • James, the brother of Jesus, is the example.
• =C= Teachers
• The function of the teacher:
  • This is someone who has the motivational gift of teaching and is appointed to teach in the local church.
  • Aquilla and Priscilla are the examples.

• The roles of pastor and teacher may be filled by the same person and often are. For that it is often spoken of as Pastor/Teacher.

• =4=. The growth of unity (12-16)
  • The purpose of these gifts of people to the church is to build up the body of Christ (equipping the saints) to make them mature so that they:
    • Avoid false doctrine.
    • Serve Christ more efficiently and effectively.
  • Equipping the saints means:
    • To teach believers sound doctrine.
    • To help believers get their lives straightened out.to enable them to go out and bring others to Christ.
  • The evidence of the presence of these positional gifts in the church:
    • Believers are becoming like Christ.
      • =A= There is the stability of faith that is the result.
      • =B= There is unity that is the gradual by-product.
      • =C=.There is love in action that is the outward demonstration.
      • =D= There is an anointing by the power of God that expands ministry.

• The characteristics of maturity:
  • =A= No more like children = This is someone who has discernment and stability
  • =B= Speaking the truth in love = This is someone who can speak the truth honestly and demonstrate his love for you all at the same time.
  • =C= Growing up into him in all things = This is someone who continually makes Christ the Lord of his life.
  • =D= Fitly joined together = This is someone who is harmoniously united and unselfish in service.

HOMEWORK
Eph 4:17-32
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of eph 4:1-16
  • Which of the 7 Christian graces does your life need more? Circle one:
    • Humility
    • Meekness
    • Longsuffering
    • Forbearance
    • Love
    • Endeavor
    • Peace

• Explain why you chose that one?

• What can you do to change your attitude?

• Which of the 4 areas do you need to work on in your life under “characteristics of maturity”?

• How will you accomplish that?

• Preparation for eph 4:17-32
  • Read Eph 4:17-32
    • What are the characteristics of the “old man”?

• What are the characteristics of the “new man”?

• Memory verse: Eph 4:29 or Eph 4:32