Gift of Grace

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November 2, 2008

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Lesson: Ephesians 4:1-16

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Key Verse: Ephesians 4:7

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Introduction

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Paul writes as a chosen apostle of Jesus Christ to the “saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus.” Paul, towards the end of his second missionary journey, visited Ephesus, choosing Priscilla and Aquila to carry on the work of the gospel (Acts 18:18-21). Paul first settles the question of the need of a sure foundation of the Christian, upon which is built an obedient life which glorifies their Savior. “The apostle’s design is to settle and establish the Ephesians in the truth, and further to acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel, in order to it. In the former part he represents the great privilege of the Ephesians, who, having been in time past idolatrous heathens, were now converted to Christianity and received into covenant with God, which he illustrates from a view of their deplorable state before their conversion” (M. Henry).

Chapters one through three emphasizes the doctrine of the majesty of the Triune God in delivering us from the darkness of our transgressions to the light of our redemption in Christ. The foundation upon which the Body of Christ is built, and thus the foundation of each Christian, one with another, is a sure foundation in the love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: “But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved). And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. … That (the Father) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 2:4-6, 3:16). Chapter four begins the admonition that we grow and act upon that foundation, for “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (4:7). We need the reminder that our growth in Christ, in our witness and worship, in being faithful followers of Christ is never practiced in a vacuum. Faith and practice is not a personal pilgrimage, but the working out of the glory of God in our lives, one with another.

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Walk Worthily in Christ -Eph. 4:1-3

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Scripture disciples us to walk in a worthy manner in Christ, that his name would be honored in what we believe and practice. We ought to have this thought in mind as we are discipled and as we are called to disciple others in Gospel: “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12).

If Christ be in us and we in him, then a certain behavior is required which must be clothed in righteousness and truth. We see Paul, “the prisoner of the Lord,” being made worthy of his Master; possessed by God, called by God, and bearing the seal of Christ. Thus Paul beseeches us, “that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” We have been called as adopted children of God, redeemed with he precious blood of Christ, loved by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; therefore our Christian walk is to be worthy of such a calling.

The worthy walk of the Christian reveals a life which, in obedience to God, acknowledges the grace by which we have been saved. Thereby our first approach to the Father is in humility and faith. The Christian knows the mercy he has received from the Father, which is shown in acts of gentleness and love toward one another, “bearing with one another in love.” This love is defined by the love which God himself as manifested toward us, which is in us as Christ dwells in us: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” (1 Cor. 13:4). Pride is shattered when this unconditional love of God in and through us is practiced.

Paul turns our attention to the nature of ‘unity’ within the Body of Christ. The walk of love encourages the Christian to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Denominational and local churches may reveal disunity in both Spirit and practice, but this does not negate the nature of ‘unity’ within the true universal Church. Disunity in doctrine and practice reveals that there is a war going on against the true faith as revealed in the Word of God. The true Church is not an organization which you join and hold membership. The local gathering of saints should reveal the truth that there is a universal Body of Christ to which we are united by being purchased by with the Blood of Christ. Therefore the outward show of unity is important to Christ and his Body, as revealed in Holy Scriptures. We must endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit” in a bond of peace. “We must live at peace, if we would wish that brotherly kindness should be permanent amongst us” (Calvin).

Discussion: What does the worthy walk of the Christ have to do with unity in church?

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Gracious Gift -Eph. 4:4-11

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Unity is a natural or innate characteristic of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that there is only one body, one Holy Spirit, one hope of our being called children of God. The true Church is united in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, giving praise to the one God and Father of us all, who is “above all, through all, and in all of us.”

This unity is part of the character of the Church revealing a mutual love relationship between one another. We are unable to maintain this unity by our own strength and wisdom. The Spirit teaches us that “to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Each one of God’s children receives a certain measure of the gifts of grace. These gifts measure up to Christ’s gift in quality, bringing honor to our Father in heaven, showing his glory here on earth. They can never be used or be developed independent of another’s gift. The gifts and talents we receive are used most wisely when they are seen as mutually dependent with others in the Body of Christ. They are given for the blessing of the whole Church. “No member of the Body of Christ is endowed with such perfection as to be able, without the assistance of others, to supply his own necessities. A certain proportion is allotted to each; and it is only by communicating with each other, that all enjoy what is sufficient for maintaining their respective places in the Body” (J. Calvin).

Quoting from Psalm 68:18 Paul further illustrates the truth the unity of the Body rests in the person and work of Jehovah: “Thou hast ascended on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.” This is a Psalm of triumph! Christ has led “captivity captive,” having taken the rebellious soul and redeemed us from the punishment we deserved by taking upon his own self our sins and paid the ransom price through his precious blood. Christ has given gifts of grace to his Church. By his mighty rule and authority Christ has sent his Spirit upon the Church, in order that he might fill all things, complete and bring to maturity the Body which he has established through his blood.

Therefore, Christ has established his Church with a form of government by which the ministry of the Word may be accomplished on this earth, giving “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”.

Discussion: Why have various gifts of grace been to members of Christ’s Body, the Church?

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Building of the Body -Eph. 4:12-16

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The gifts of grace are active ingredients for the building of the Body of Christ. They are for the renewing or equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry (from the work diakonia, or deacon, which means to give assistance); Jesus saying, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my father honor” (John 12:26). The gifts of grace are also for the edifying of the body of Christ, through whom the Church is perfected.

Through Word and deed, through worship and fellowship, the saints are being built up “into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” True faith rests upon Christ alone, confining “its view so entirely to Christ, that it neither knows, not desires to know anything else” (J. Calvin). Thus we should no longer be like little children being tossed here and there, following every kind of doctrine, teaching given by trickery of men who seek to deceive us. We are to speak the truth in love, growing up in Christ, “from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying if itself in love.” Each part of the church works together, knowing Christ as the builder of his church, through the love of Christ which abides in each one of us.

Discussion: How and why are we using the gifts of grace within the Body of Christ?

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Dr. Robert LaMay

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2009 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.