You were not born for your pleasure. You were born for God’s purpose. We are taking the next ten weeks to explore the book of Ephesians. I’m asking you to read this book every week. One chapter a day gets you there.
Ephesus was a city in Asia, minor Ephesus is found in the book of Acts. It's acts 19. It's a fascinating chapter. What Paul experienced in the city could be a movie. It was wild. Artemis was the god of the city. It was a central place for people to worship this goddess and Paul began preaching. A move of God was so powerful that the blacksmiths, who were designing these pieces people would buy for worship started losing business and losing money. There is an uproar and they attempt to kill Paul and some of his associates.
God was doing such extra ordinary miracles through the hands of Paul that his handkerchief was actually healing people in Ephesus. Demons were fleeing to the extent that Jewish priests were hearing about the power moving through Paul that they were attempting to cast out demons in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches. And the demons would look at these men, and they go, Jesus, we know and Paul, we don't. We don't know who you are. And they would pick up those attempting to perform these exorcisms in the name of Jesus, although they didn't have a relationship with Jesus.
So Paul's writing to these people, those who are faithful in Christ. There are two sections of this letter. Chapters 1-3 are the first section of encouragement to these believers and then there is a connection between these first three chapters and the final three chapters with the word “therefore”. Chapters 4-6 give practical instruction and we’re going to read every word in all six chapters on Sunday morning as we walk through this book
The church has become so biblically illiterate. We want to challenge you to read this book. Don’t treat it like a dictionary, only reading it when you need a quick answer. Read it like a love story. Read it like family history.
Meditate on this book. Let it shape your inner most thoughts and desires.
The Bible says we are to study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and that we should eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1). In Ephesians we find Paul encouraging these believers to understand how uniquely gifted and divinely blessed they truly are.
Ephesians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
You are not an accident or an experiment. You are a purposed assignment from God to your world!
Something God wanted done makes you necessary! You are divinely purposed and uniquely gifted by God!
Kings, Priests and Prophets reveal three categories of gifts we see functioning in the body of Christ. Kings are gifted with administrative abilities and love business, etc. Priests are gifted with compassion and carry the ability to pastor and shepherd people well. Prophets are gifted to bring clarity and explanations of things God is desiring to reveal. All three are very different and all three are very necessary.
In the Bible we find three sets of gifts explained. There are ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4 speaking of offices to equip us all for the work of the ministry. There are motivational gifts in Romans 12 that speak of the things that drive us at the core of our existence. Then there are manifestation gifts explained in 1 Corinthians 12 and these are gifts used for supernatural demonstrations of God’s power and presence. Take some time with these portions of scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your understanding of how God has uniquely gifted you to cooperate with your God-given design.
There is a great online test I suggest you take as well to help give you a better understanding of how God has gifted you specifically. www.freeshapetest.com
Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
GP2RL: Read the book of Ephesians this week and continue to Invite people into your life, your love and your faith journey as the Holy Spirit directs.
MORE ON GIFTS:
The Bible is very clear that we are to “follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). Gifts are God’s avenues to supernaturally empower God’s people to become a true expression of God’s Kingdom in the earth.
There is rowboat Christianity and there is sailboat Christianity. You can strain at the oars for every inch of advancement, or you can put up those sails that are down right now and be empowered to take off in dimensions you never even knew existed.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son and then for God so loved those who said yes to his son that he sent his Holy Spirit. No matter what you’ve been taught or allowed yourself to believe up to this point I want to ask you to prayerfully consider looking into God’s Word on these important matters.
Ephesians 4:11-16 speaks of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The purpose of these gifts to inspire and awaken God’s people to understand their call to the work of the ministry in their everyday lives.
1 Corinthians 12:1-13 speaks of these manifestations or demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power through God’s people: 1. Wisdom, 2. Word of Knowledge, 3. Faith,
4. Healing, 5. Miraculous Powers, 6. Prophecy, 7. Discerning of Spirits, 8. Tongues, 9. Interpretation.
There is a difference between tongues and interpretation and a personal prayer language of tongues that is for the purpose of self-edification – Jude 1:20.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. NIV
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. NIV
Depending on your church background you might focus on one these two portions of scripture or the other to make what seems to be a contradicting point. Paul says we are to speak in tongues, but Paul also says pray in your intelligible language. Paul is saying there is an appropriate context for both in the believer’s life and we should be eager to explore these gifts God has made available to us.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. NIV
Article: University of Penn researchers conducted brain scans on people who would speak in tongues. The frontal lobes, responsible for conscious thinking, and language centers were inactive compared to normal activity! The research has shown that the description given for speaking in tongues is quite accurate to what is taking place in the brain at that time. Mental illness is rare in people who speak in tongues, contrary to popular thought. Another study shows that people who practice spkg in tongues = more emotionally healthy than those who do not http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/health/07brain.html
Jude 1:20 build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. NAS
7 MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS
Romans 12: 3-8
UNDERSTANDING YOU AND YOUR MOTIVATIONAL GIFT. http://mintools.com/spiritual-gifts-test.htm
The motivational gifts are deeply seeded within us as a driving force to help us advance God’s Kingdom and to better understand who God has made us to be.
1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
THE MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS DEFINED
1. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: PROPHECY
To speak with forthrightness and insight, especially when enabled by the Spirit of God (Joel 2:28).
To demonstrate moral boldness and uncompromising commitment to worthy values.
To influence others in one's arena of influence with a positive spirit of social or spiritual righteousness.
2. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: SERVING
To minister and render loving, general service to meet the needs of others.
Illustrated in the work and office of the deacon (Matt. 20:26).
3. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: TEACHING
The supernatural ability to explain and apply the truths received from God for the church.
Presupposes study and the Spirit's illumination providing the ability to make divine truth clear to the people of God.
Considered distinct from the work of the prophet who speaks as the direct mouthpiece of God.
4. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: EXHORTATION
Literally means to call aside for the purpose of making an appeal.
In a broader sense it means to entreat, comfort, or instruct (Acts 4:36; Heb. 10:25).
5. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: GIVING
The essential meaning is to give out of a spirit of generosity.
In a more technical sense it refers to those with resources aiding those without such resources (2 Cor. 8:2; 9:11-13).
This gift is to be exercised without outward show or pride and with liberality. (2. Cor. 1:12; 8:2; 9:11, 13)
6. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: LEADERSHIP
Refers to the one "standing in front."
Involves the exercise of the Holy Spirit in modeling, superintending, and developing the body of Christ.
Leadership is to be exercised with diligence.
7. MOTIVATIONAL GIFT: MERCY
To feel sympathy with the misery of another.
To relate to others in empathy, respect, and honesty.
To be effective, this gift is to be exercised with kindness and cheerfulness-not as a matter of duty.