Devotional on Ephesians 4:7-16 [NIV]
“Sifted and Gifted”
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As
shared by pastor-evangelist, Rev. Don Schink
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Sonlight
Ministries of New Mexico
7But to
each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This
is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." 9(What
does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower,
earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended
higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It
was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until
we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning
and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead,
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the
Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part
does its work.
By
Grace We Are Gifted. Paul was a great motivational speaker, in a very sincere and
heartfelt manner! Imprisoned for his
own stand for Christ, Paul had every right as a human being to wallow in
discouragement and depression. Yet we
do not see as much as a sign of such a thing.
No. What we do see is Paul’s
reaching out as he writes to the Ephesians, reminding them of the gracious
gifts that Jesus Christ, Himself, gave His church after His ascension up to
heaven.
By
Grace We Are Given The Description. There is no need for confusion. Paul told the Ephesians outright what the
gifts are. The offices of apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were specifically designed to equip
the saints for ministry. They were also
designed to bring the body of Christ, His Church, to maturity. This divine design prevents the body
from being misled by false doctrine.
Therefore, we, as witnesses of Christ, can speak the truth in love,
growing and maturing as we do so.
By
Grace We Are Sifted and Gifted.
We are sifted and gifted as one.
Years ago, when I first started baking, we always sifted our flour before
using it to bake breads, cakes, pies or cookies with. Pre-sifted flour didn’t exist in the stores. The sifting process was necessary to sift
out any lumps and to bring it to the consistency required for successful
baking. If I were to decide to bypass
the sifting process and simply measure the flour and dump it in the recipe, the
finished product would have been far from superior.
We,
as Christians are sifted and gifted.
We can’t shortcut the process.
It is a process that continues throughout our lifetimes, as individuals,
as well as the unified and truly Christian church. We are to be constantly maturing, enabling us to recognize that
which is right and truly of God, avoiding being improperly influenced by false
teachings and improper methods. As
such, we go forward steady and true. We
are unwavering in what we know is the right course of action. We are called to serve in various offices in
the body of Christ. We have many
different gifts in the body of Christ.
We have many different talents in the body of Christ. Interestingly enough, God’s divine design is
to bring all of our offices, all of our gifts, and all of our talents, unified
as one true Church of Jesus Christ, effectively reaching out to a lost world as
we grow and mature in His love, constantly reaching out to others redemptively.
As
we pray today:
1.
What
truths have touched your heart in today’s study?
2.
How can
you apply them in your own heart and lifestyle?
3.
What
are the most effective ways that you can share these truths with others in your
circle of influence of those around you?
Please note:
You are welcome to share this daily devotional in your local churches, but I suggest that you personalize it. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results you may get from this!
With Warm Sincerity in Jesus’ Love,
Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist
Sonlight Ministries
Tijeras, NM
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