Gifts from God

In Ephesians 4, Paul speaks of one body, one Spirit, one faith, one God and Father of all. He goes on to say that God has given grace to each one of us, and that God's purpose reigns supreme.

But then the direction seems to change. Paul begins a list of job titles: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (v. 11-12). What is this all about? In context we see that God, the ruling Monarch of the universe, wants to give gifts to people. This is a list of the gifts He has given.

When we think of gifts, we might not think of these particular things. But God gives these gifts for a reason: to prepare God's people for works of service, to build up the body of Christ until we all reach that unity that Paul spoke of in the early verses of the chapter.

Some say that these gifts are no longer in place; that God gave the gifts as the Church was being birthed. The gifts were specifically for that transition period and are no longer needed. After all, we don't see any apostles around, do we?

Others believe, as we do, that God has not taken back His gifts. We still have evangelists; we still have pastors and teachers. What about prophets? A prophet was a person called to speak forth the words of God as God spoke them. We might not see this as frequently as in the days of the Early Church, but we do see these people from time to time.

What about apostles? Are there any apostles in these modern times? The Greek translation of the word is "one who is sent or called." We believe the ministry of an apostle is alive and well, especially in the work of missionaries. Missionaries are those who have been "called" to take God's Word to remote places of the earth.

God's gifts to the Church are still at work today. God has a different form of leadership than we might expect. His ways are not man's ways. God doesn't take a poll or a vote. The Church is not a democratic institute. We must follow what God says to us in the manner He directs. Don't plan what you want to do and then hope that God shows up. Find out what His plans are and then you show up.

For next week, do some study on these four ministries: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher. Also take a look at 1 Corinthians 12.

Prayer Requests

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

• Lamar asks for prayer that his life would change into the life the Lord wants him to have. Also pray that he gets at his p.o. problem.
• Pray that Crystal's job would allow her to get back in church on Sundays.
• John Cavanaugh asks that you would please pray for God's provision and protection from the enemy as they begin a new career.
• Jessica asks you to pray for her to get a job, pray for her family, and pray for David to have a home plan.

Hide & Seek

Children like to play a game of hide and seek. The children hide and one is left to try to find them.

Sometimes we feel like we are playing a game of hide and seek with God. David felt this too, when he said, "Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" (Psalm 10:1)

Have you ever asked God that question? Do you ever feel like God is far off, leaving you to endure trials on your own?

David's psalm is especially interesting in light of other psalms he wrote. In Psalm 9:9 he says, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

So one day he felt that God was a stronghold in times of trouble, and another day he felt that God hid himself in times of trouble. In Psalm 66:10-11 we find part of the answer to this dichotomy. "For you, O God. tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs."

Refined like silver. How is silver refined? It must be put through the crucible...through fire. Just like silver, God often leads us into trials and troubles in order to refine us...through fire.

The Apostle Peter said much the same thing: "Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine" (1 Peter 1:6,7).

Think of it: our faith is more valuable to God than gold. Yet we come from sinful stock—we are fallen, wicked to the core. How, then, can you become transformed to the image of God? Through the refiner's fire. Through trials and troubles.

So then, during those times when God seems "far off"—when it seems like He has hidden himself just at the time when you are suffering trials—remember that those trials come not because God has left you, but because He is testing and refining you...because you are of great value to Him.


Today we also welcomed Jim Dearman to share a word that God put on his heart. His text came from Psalm 37:25-26...

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

Jim also shared several verses that teach how believers, when they lend to other believers, should not charge interest.

Live Worthy of the Calling

One definition of "grace" is giving undeserved help to those in need. Most Christians practice this grace in giving of their time, effort, and finances when they see a need and feel led to respond.

Yet a legitimate question arises: Should we keep giving and giving to those who misuse or abuse what has been given them? Some people are chronic "takers" and become co-dependent on those who give to them. Those who give then become enablers.

Ephesians 4:1 says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." You might call this a "hook." God has placed a "hook" on the grace He's given us. His grace is free, but once we receive it, we must live in a worthy manner. By helping those who abuse grace by living in an unworthy manner, we might be interfering with God's work. These people may need to be left alone in order to call upon God for themselves and experience His grace, His will, and His plan for their lives.

So what is a Christian to do? If you see a legitimate need, don't hesitate to give as the Lord leads you. But do so prayerfully. There may come a time when it is better to withhold so that you do not interfere with the Lord's work.