LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON NOTES
Read Peter's preaching notes....
“You Get a Gift! You Get a Gift!”
Ephesians 4:7-17
2/16/20
Everything we’ve been looking at in Eph leads to this passage
can’t grasp enormity of it w/out what we’ve learned
pretty sure every book from Roger I read on sabbatical quoted vv. 11-12
moves from talking about unity to the gifts we’ve received in order to gain/maintain unity
how to accomplish “unity of Spirit in bond of peace” from 4:3
how God is working out cosmic plan of 1:10: bring unity to all things under X
bottom line: X gives gifts, out of his grace, to each & every one of us
remember Oprah Winfrey? “you get a car!...everybody gets…” even more lavish
because TV talk-show hosts spending sponsor’s money on giveaways not invented yet,
Paul presents different analogy to help us realize what X does for us
Took Ps 68 & turned it backward
originally, psalm compares Lord’s glory to that of conquering hero after victory
takes captives, receives “gifts,” aka plunder
but by time Paul is done, general doesn’t receive gifts: he gives them away
refers to what Ephs would be familiar w/: Roman triumph: victory parade & celebration
general & troops receive honor, display plunder from victory: captives & treasure
general then doles out the treasure: city-wide banquet, gifts far & wide
massive: Octavian’s after Egypt triggered fall in interest rates, spike in real estate
Point: X has won victory over sin, death, evil
now shares spoils of victory w/ us: salvation, relationship w/ God, new life
but also spiritual gifts: for us all, but specific for each of us
commentary: instead of supply of cloth for all, tailored outfit designed especially for each
designed to fit ≠ what we think fits us: ever want to get outfit that others say “no” to?
out of love & wisdom, exactly the gift that suits us best
Lord gives to the church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
for us maybe pastors, elders, deacons, teachers, choir directors: teachers & leaders
for a purpose: for the equipping/training/καταρτισμός of people
καταρτισμός: be made complete, suitable, capable
only use in NT: elsewhere to set broken bone to prepare for healing
having a broken bone set isn’t fun: can be very painful: anyone have it done?
but necessary: w/out, bone either won’t heal, or will heal improperly
in same way, X’s prep of our lives may not be comfortable, but lines us up right
to equip not just “people” (NIV) but the saints/holy ones
your being equipped is directly related to your new ID in X: as holy
leaders given gifts to equip everyone for use of their gifts
all equipped for purpose: for service/ministry, to imitate & serve X
like him, set aside own self-interest to demonstrate love
all called to loving service for brother/sister and neighbor, in different ways
keeps going: purpose for serving is to build up body of X (church)
but not just healthy congre: X’s presence & work in world
Sets two goals for this work we are doing w/ our gifts
1. That we reach in unity of faith
includes all: no one excluded (pushback last week that unity includes everyone)
unity: theme over and over in Eph, esp last week: but what kind of unity?
not unity based on humankindness: will fail
“let it begin w/ me:” no! w/ X
not on flag or ID marker: necess. excludes others
unity of faith: come together as each draw closer to God
we are working/serving/ministering for purpose that we may all be united in faith
as consider work you do in X’s name: in church & elsewhere, consider this
is it to make you look important? or to follow X’s example of self-giving
does it promote unity through faithfulness to God? ie putting trust, devoting life to
2. That we attain knowledge of Son of God: to know JX: perfect/completed man
by knowing him, know who we are called to be
discover real purpose of being human, goal to which going, what will be fulfilled in us
This is God’s game plan for church: shower us w/ gifts from X’s victory & authority
give gifts to leaders (pastors, elders, deacons, etc) not to do the work, but to equip all
everyone receives tailor-made gifts, to suit who they are, calling God has given
work together as X’s body, each doing our part
use gifts build up church: draw more people into unity of faith
once brought together, strengthen that unity
reach fullness of God’s intention for us as look to X: perfect example
For this to happen: grow up & quit acting like bunch of babies
few things must take place
don’t ride ups & downs of human intrigues: focus on every FB post or cable news report
three synonyms in Gr: there’s a lot of trickery, cunning, craftiness out there
Jesus: innocent as doves but wise as serpents
deceit most dangerous when purports to be faithful to X
that’s what happens when childish: X calls us to grow into maturity
as we come to know fullness of X, lead others there as well
Happens as we speak truth in love: have preached entire sermons on just this phrase!
need both aspects
don’t water down the truth make people feel better
do so in love: remember from beginning of ch: “be completely humble & gentle”
As do so, break down divisions & barriers so all are brought into his household
connected to each other, just as ligaments connect bones together to form body
ends w/ final reminder: love permeates all that we do, like skin over body, air we breath
Ephesians 4:7-17
2/16/20
Everything we’ve been looking at in Eph leads to this passage
can’t grasp enormity of it w/out what we’ve learned
pretty sure every book from Roger I read on sabbatical quoted vv. 11-12
moves from talking about unity to the gifts we’ve received in order to gain/maintain unity
how to accomplish “unity of Spirit in bond of peace” from 4:3
how God is working out cosmic plan of 1:10: bring unity to all things under X
bottom line: X gives gifts, out of his grace, to each & every one of us
remember Oprah Winfrey? “you get a car!...everybody gets…” even more lavish
because TV talk-show hosts spending sponsor’s money on giveaways not invented yet,
Paul presents different analogy to help us realize what X does for us
Took Ps 68 & turned it backward
originally, psalm compares Lord’s glory to that of conquering hero after victory
takes captives, receives “gifts,” aka plunder
but by time Paul is done, general doesn’t receive gifts: he gives them away
refers to what Ephs would be familiar w/: Roman triumph: victory parade & celebration
general & troops receive honor, display plunder from victory: captives & treasure
general then doles out the treasure: city-wide banquet, gifts far & wide
massive: Octavian’s after Egypt triggered fall in interest rates, spike in real estate
Point: X has won victory over sin, death, evil
now shares spoils of victory w/ us: salvation, relationship w/ God, new life
but also spiritual gifts: for us all, but specific for each of us
commentary: instead of supply of cloth for all, tailored outfit designed especially for each
designed to fit ≠ what we think fits us: ever want to get outfit that others say “no” to?
out of love & wisdom, exactly the gift that suits us best
Lord gives to the church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers
for us maybe pastors, elders, deacons, teachers, choir directors: teachers & leaders
for a purpose: for the equipping/training/καταρτισμός of people
καταρτισμός: be made complete, suitable, capable
only use in NT: elsewhere to set broken bone to prepare for healing
having a broken bone set isn’t fun: can be very painful: anyone have it done?
but necessary: w/out, bone either won’t heal, or will heal improperly
in same way, X’s prep of our lives may not be comfortable, but lines us up right
to equip not just “people” (NIV) but the saints/holy ones
your being equipped is directly related to your new ID in X: as holy
leaders given gifts to equip everyone for use of their gifts
all equipped for purpose: for service/ministry, to imitate & serve X
like him, set aside own self-interest to demonstrate love
all called to loving service for brother/sister and neighbor, in different ways
keeps going: purpose for serving is to build up body of X (church)
but not just healthy congre: X’s presence & work in world
Sets two goals for this work we are doing w/ our gifts
1. That we reach in unity of faith
includes all: no one excluded (pushback last week that unity includes everyone)
unity: theme over and over in Eph, esp last week: but what kind of unity?
not unity based on humankindness: will fail
“let it begin w/ me:” no! w/ X
not on flag or ID marker: necess. excludes others
unity of faith: come together as each draw closer to God
we are working/serving/ministering for purpose that we may all be united in faith
as consider work you do in X’s name: in church & elsewhere, consider this
is it to make you look important? or to follow X’s example of self-giving
does it promote unity through faithfulness to God? ie putting trust, devoting life to
2. That we attain knowledge of Son of God: to know JX: perfect/completed man
by knowing him, know who we are called to be
discover real purpose of being human, goal to which going, what will be fulfilled in us
This is God’s game plan for church: shower us w/ gifts from X’s victory & authority
give gifts to leaders (pastors, elders, deacons, etc) not to do the work, but to equip all
everyone receives tailor-made gifts, to suit who they are, calling God has given
work together as X’s body, each doing our part
use gifts build up church: draw more people into unity of faith
once brought together, strengthen that unity
reach fullness of God’s intention for us as look to X: perfect example
For this to happen: grow up & quit acting like bunch of babies
few things must take place
don’t ride ups & downs of human intrigues: focus on every FB post or cable news report
three synonyms in Gr: there’s a lot of trickery, cunning, craftiness out there
Jesus: innocent as doves but wise as serpents
deceit most dangerous when purports to be faithful to X
that’s what happens when childish: X calls us to grow into maturity
as we come to know fullness of X, lead others there as well
Happens as we speak truth in love: have preached entire sermons on just this phrase!
need both aspects
don’t water down the truth make people feel better
do so in love: remember from beginning of ch: “be completely humble & gentle”
As do so, break down divisions & barriers so all are brought into his household
connected to each other, just as ligaments connect bones together to form body
ends w/ final reminder: love permeates all that we do, like skin over body, air we breath
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com