Body Language 01
Part of Body Language
February 1, 2019

Unopened Gifts

Ephesians 4:1-13
Body Language 01 | Kyle Ray | lead pastor | first aired 02.03.18

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. —Ephesians 4:1-6

I. The Holy Spirit equips us to have

in the Church (1-6)

A.

unity (1-3)

Things that hinder unity in the body of Christ

  • Gossip

  • Failure to confront church bullies

  • Lack of prayer

  • Being hypercritical

  • Actions cloaked in darkness —(adapted from Thom Rainer)

B.

unity (4-6)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) —Ephesians 4:7-10

II. Jesus gives us

even though we don’t deserve them (7-10)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until 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. —Ephesians 4:11-13

III. We

and unify the Church as we in our gifts (11-13)

“Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others, just as other people were given gifts for your benefit.” —Rick Warren
“As God’s children, we are not to be observers; we’re to participate actively in the Lord’s work. Spectators sit and watch, but we are called to use our spiritual gifts and serve continually.” —Charles Stanley

Questions to consider:
1. How aware are you of your spiritual gifts?
2. How do you express gratitude to God for your spiritual gifts?
3. How are you using your spiritual gifts to help build up the church?

Thought for the week:
A lack of growth in our spiritual gifts ignores the grace of God and hinders unity in the Church.

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