Equipped for Unity: Living Out Our Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored Ephesians 4:11-16, focusing on God's purpose for His gifts to the church. We began by acknowledging the distinction Frederick Douglass made between the Christianity of Christ and the Christianity practiced in his time, a distinction that remains relevant today. This disparity often leaves the church vulnerable to demonic attacks because we fail to fully understand God's call on our lives. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reassures us that God has equipped us with everything we need to serve His kingdom effectively. We are not alone; God has provided apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip His people for works of service, building up the body of Christ.
The moment we place our trust in Christ, God identifies us as His own, distinguishing us from the world. However, demonic forces often blur this distinction, making it difficult for us to live out our faith authentically. Despite the challenges, God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, empowering us to live as His children. This empowerment is crucial because the enemy will not relent in his attacks against those who belong to Christ.
We also discussed the importance of spiritual unity and maturity. The gifts given to the church are meant to build us up until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature and attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. This maturity helps us stand firm against false teachings and deceitful schemes. We are called to speak the truth in love, growing in every way to become more like Christ, who is the head of the church.
Finally, we emphasized the need for each member of the body to do their part. Just as the human body compensates when one part is injured, the church must function as a unified body, with each member contributing to its health and growth. This involves worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. By doing so, we fulfill God's purpose for us, bringing glory to Him and expanding His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Equips Us for His Work: God has not left us unequipped in a hostile environment. He has provided apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare us for works of service, building up the body of Christ. This divine provision ensures that we are never alone in our mission to serve His kingdom. [42:55]
2. The Holy Spirit as Our Guarantee: The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee of our inheritance. This assurance empowers us to live as His children, regardless of the circumstances we face. It is a reminder that our identity in Christ is secure, and no external situation can change that. [50:22]
3. Spiritual Unity and Maturity: The gifts given to the church are meant to build us up until we reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This unity and maturity help us stand firm against false teachings and deceitful schemes, enabling us to grow more like Christ. [01:04:06]
4. The Importance of Each Member: Just as the human body compensates when one part is injured, the church must function as a unified body, with each member contributing to its health and growth. This involves worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. [01:27:03]
5. Living Out Our Faith Authentically: We must strive to live out our faith authentically, despite the challenges posed by demonic forces. This involves trusting in God's promises, standing firm in our identity in Christ, and allowing His love to be experienced through us by all who encounter us. [01:18:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:53] - Opening Prayer
[40:48] - Frederick Douglass' Observation
[42:32] - God's Provision for His People
[45:09] - God's Purpose for His Gifts
[47:12] - Believing in Christ
[50:22] - The Holy Spirit as Our Guarantee
[52:14] - Knowing Who You Are in Christ
[55:03] - Comfort in God's Presence
[56:08] - The Holy Spirit's Gifts
[59:00] - Equipping the Gifted
[01:04:06] - Spiritual Unity and Maturity
[01:10:35] - Community and Congregation
[01:13:42] - Trusting in the Lord
[01:20:32] - Immaturity and False Teachings
[01:26:38] - Functioning as One Body
[01:30:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:11-16
#### Observation Questions
1. What roles does Paul mention in Ephesians 4:11 that God has provided to the church? How are these roles meant to serve the church? [44:38]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit being described as a "guarantee" of our inheritance? [50:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of demonic forces on the distinction between those who belong to Christ and those who are still in the world? [48:24]
4. What are the five key areas of church life mentioned in the sermon that each member should contribute to? [11:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual unity and maturity in Ephesians 4:13 help believers stand firm against false teachings and deceitful schemes? [01:04:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church functions like a human body, especially when one part is injured? [01:27:03]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live out their faith authentically? [50:22]
4. What does it mean to "speak the truth in love" as described in Ephesians 4:15, and how does this contribute to the growth of the church? [01:20:56]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. Which role do you feel most aligns with your gifts, and how can you use it to serve the church more effectively? [44:38]
2. The sermon emphasizes the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. How does this assurance impact your daily life and decisions? [50:22]
3. Considering the challenges posed by demonic forces, what practical steps can you take to maintain a clear distinction between your life in Christ and worldly influences? [48:24]
4. Spiritual unity and maturity are crucial for the church. What specific actions can you take to promote unity and maturity within your small group or church community? [01:04:06]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of each member contributing to the church's health and growth. Identify one area (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, or evangelism) where you can increase your involvement. [11:52]
6. How can you practice "speaking the truth in love" in your interactions this week, especially in difficult conversations? [01:20:56]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out your faith authentically. How can you seek more of this empowerment in your current circumstances? [50:22]
Devotional
Day 1: God Equips Us for His Work
God has not left us unequipped in a hostile environment. He has provided apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare us for works of service, building up the body of Christ. This divine provision ensures that we are never alone in our mission to serve His kingdom. The moment we place our trust in Christ, God identifies us as His own, distinguishing us from the world. However, demonic forces often blur this distinction, making it difficult for us to live out our faith authentically. Despite the challenges, God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, empowering us to live as His children. This empowerment is crucial because the enemy will not relent in his attacks against those who belong to Christ. [42:55]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: How can you use the gifts God has given you to serve and build up your local church community this week?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit as Our Guarantee
The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee of our inheritance. This assurance empowers us to live as His children, regardless of the circumstances we face. It is a reminder that our identity in Christ is secure, and no external situation can change that. The moment we place our trust in Christ, God identifies us as His own, distinguishing us from the world. However, demonic forces often blur this distinction, making it difficult for us to live out our faith authentically. Despite the challenges, God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, empowering us to live as His children. This empowerment is crucial because the enemy will not relent in his attacks against those who belong to Christ. [50:22]
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of the Holy Spirit's presence and assurance in your life?
Day 3: Spiritual Unity and Maturity
The gifts given to the church are meant to build us up until we reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This unity and maturity help us stand firm against false teachings and deceitful schemes, enabling us to grow more like Christ. We are called to speak the truth in love, growing in every way to become more like Christ, who is the head of the church. This maturity helps us stand firm against false teachings and deceitful schemes. We are called to speak the truth in love, growing in every way to become more like Christ, who is the head of the church. [01:04:06]
Ephesians 4:13-14 (ESV): "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual unity and maturity of your church community?
Day 4: The Importance of Each Member
Just as the human body compensates when one part is injured, the church must function as a unified body, with each member contributing to its health and growth. This involves worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. By doing so, we fulfill God's purpose for us, bringing glory to Him and expanding His kingdom. Each member of the body has a unique role to play, and when one part is not functioning properly, the whole body suffers. Therefore, it is crucial for each member to recognize their role and actively participate in the life of the church. [01:27:03]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: What specific role or service can you commit to in your church to help it function as a healthy, unified body?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith Authentically
We must strive to live out our faith authentically, despite the challenges posed by demonic forces. This involves trusting in God's promises, standing firm in our identity in Christ, and allowing His love to be experienced through us by all who encounter us. The moment we place our trust in Christ, God identifies us as His own, distinguishing us from the world. However, demonic forces often blur this distinction, making it difficult for us to live out our faith authentically. Despite the challenges, God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, empowering us to live as His children. This empowerment is crucial because the enemy will not relent in his attacks against those who belong to Christ. [01:18:50]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your faith is lived out authentically in your daily interactions and decisions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The moment you place your trust in Christ, God identifies you as His own. Did you hear what I said? You hear this good news about the redemptive work of God in Jesus Christ. You believe in Christ and the redemptive work that He has already completed on your behalf. And the moment you believe, God identifies you as someone who belongs to Him." [47:12] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, all the hatred they poured out on Jesus while He was redeeming us, they now turn around and begin to pour out on every individual who identifies with Christ. It is not a cakewalk. It is not an even walk. So you gotta know who you are and know whose you are in order to walk that walk because life can get tough." [51:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The church was never intended to win souls. The church was intended to make disciples. Did you hear me? And too many of us have never become disciples. And because we've never become a disciple, we don't know how to disciple." [02:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The purpose of all of this is so that we might function in spiritual unity as God the Holy Spirit works in us to give us the mind of Christ. Paul says to the saints at Galatians in chapter 2, 'My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me.'" [13:42] (580 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus' love for us moved Him to give Himself for us. Paul says to the saints at Corinth, 'For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him? But we understand these things for we have the mind of Christ.' So the whole movement of the Holy Spirit is to develop the mind of Christ in us." [14:13] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Too many of us allow ourselves to be conditioned as saints in Christ by the circumstances that we find ourselves facing on a daily basis. You gotta know that when you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become the mortal enemy of the power of darkness." [51:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you find yourself feeling like you're on an island all by yourself and life is beating everything out of you, you gotta be able to stand up and say, 'Lord, I'm trusting you. I can't see what you're doing and I ain't even feeling what you're doing right now, but Lord, I'm trusting you that you know what you're doing.'" [53:04] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The gifts to the gifted that Jesus Christ has given to us Himself are necessary gifts. So all the folk who say, 'That's true unless you are saying to me that I gave gifts to you as a gifted believer, and because you are a gifted believer, you don't need the gifts I gave in order to become everything I have ordained you to become.'" [57:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The purpose is to build up, to edify the assembly over which Jesus makes that which was broken and mended back together. No matter who you are in this life, when you came to Jesus, you were spiritually broken. When you come to happen now, you gotta learn how to live with an alive spirit." [01:00:09] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The text says that we are to seek His will in all you do. And He will show you which path to take. See, and what happens is when we go off on our own, Sister Rebecca, you know how we can do now. And all of us do it. Get a little warm and decide the path He wants to lead us down ain't the path we want to go." [22:39] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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