C. Serve IN divine diversity = “according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (v. 7b-9)
i. Psa 68:18 = a loose quotation or allusion from memory
ii. Ps 68 = Pictures God leading His people thru wilderness
into the promised land, taking captives along the way, &
receiving bounty or allegiance from them.
iii. Rabbis = saw a picture of Moses ascending Mt. Sinai,
receiving gift of the Law from God, and giving the gift to God’s
people.
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iv. Paul (v. 8) = sees application to Christ climbing Mt.
Calvary, receiving those captive to sin, and giving gifts to His
people as result of victorious ascension to eternity
v. “lower parts of the earth” (v. 9) = the earth itself (from viewpoint of heavens), not the underworld
vi. V. 9 = reference to Christ’s incarnation, not a descent
into hell; Paul is identifying the risen, ascended Christ with
the earthly Jesus
D. Serve WITH divine gifts (v. 11)
i. Lists some of the NT gifts, or actually gifted persons; Christ is the source of these divine gifts
ii. 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28-30 = the Spirit is the source of these divine gifts
iii. Rom 12:6-8 = God is the source of these divine gifts
iv. In 2:20 and 3:5, apostles and prophets are mentioned as
foundational gifts to the church (church planters; truth tellers)
v. “pastors-teachers” may be the same person by the grammatical construction, but not necessarily
1. ( v. 12) “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service”
2. (v. 12) “to the building up of the body of Christ”
E. Serve FOR / BY / TOWARDS a divine plan / purpose / goal (v. 13)
i. No matter what gifts, all need to grow & develop (not atrophy)
ii. All virtues & gifts develop harmoniously to provide a
properly function body of Christ – there is nothing like the
local church when the local church is fully functioning – it is
the last & best hope of the world
iii. The measure of ministry (v. 13) – “Does it reflect . . . ”
1. unity of faith
2. knowledge of the Son of God
3. mature persons
4. fullness of Christ
iv. The marks of maturity (vv. 14-16)
1. Doctrinal stability (v. 14)
2. Relational healthiness – “truth in love” (v. 15a)
3. Christ-focused growth (vv. 15b-16)
a. Submission TO the Head of the Body (v. 15b) = “grow up . . . Who is the Head, even Christ”
b. Coordination BY the Head of the Body (v. 16a) = “from Whom . . . being fitted and held together”
c. Empowerment FROM the Head of the Body (v. 16b) = “according to the proper working of each part”
d. Expansion THROUGH the Head of the Body (v. 16c) = “causes growth”
e. Acceptance IN the Head of the Body (v. 16c) = “for the
building up in love” (second time “love” is mentioned)
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Sermon brief provided
by: Dennis Phelps, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Cabot,
AR