Ephesians 4:11
Some of us have been given special ability as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special ability in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Savior; still others have a gift for caring for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God.
Before we begin, I desperately need for you to take a few minutes to read the entire fourth chapter of Ephesians (see footnote **) Done? Now we’re ready!
This text is important for us to discuss, and imperative for us to try and understand. Because, there are times while studying the Word of God that we need divine revelation to even begin comprehending the deep mysteries and eternal glory of the text before us. And then there are other times when the text is clear, concise and instructive. But every now and then, you encounter a passage that is both mysterious and instructive. And at those moments, the breakthrough is more about you and I changing our outlook concerning the text, than the text changing us. That certainly is the case this morning.
Allow me to explain. I’ve been taught, preached to and prophesied from this passage of scripture; but nothing concrete settled in my spirit. There was always a question in my mind as to its fullest meaning. I’m certainly not complaining about the rich information I received, but something within me just wasn’t satisfied. So I began a study of this wonderful passage and discovered that the missing element was me. Yes, I was the problem. And perhaps my testimony will help you too.
I discovered, that the influence of my upbringing, the impact of my culture, and the strength of my allegiance to country, nation and home, unduly colors my concept of the world and the things in it. If I’m not really careful, I find, I don’t read, think or speak independently from my surroundings; instead I tend to try and make what I read fit my narrow view of the world. And sadly, that includes God! I’m just being honest.
As an American, I see everything as a battle to be won. I view every relationship vertically, instead of horizontally. Someone is at the top and someone is at the bottom. The top is good, the bottom bad. It’s just that simple. So I never want to be at the bottom of anything. I want to win. I want to be at the head of every table. After all, I’m an American. So reading Ephesians 4:11 (as an American) all I see is a heavenly hierarchy. I see a few big time titles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) for me to aspire to. But as I reread, study and sit under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, I stand corrected.
First of all, the gifts of God to His servants are not given to elevate us, but to create in each of us a spirit of service. Remember when Jesus was asked, who is the greatest in the Kingdom? What was His reply? In Matthew Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This is a crucial concept for each of us to understand. Christ didn’t sacrifice His life for us to have titles and positions, but instead for all of us, and each of us to discover our predestined area(s) of service. I don’t know about you, but this is truly an epiphany for me!
The greatest callings and titles we have, reduce us to servants. As a pastor, I’m a servant of those in my charge. As a prophet, apostle, teacher or evangelist, we are all servants to those we are elected to serve. Our service is not voluntary, haphazard or capricious. Our calling has been decided by God before the foundation of this world.
And another thing. All of us are duly called! Yes, I have a position and a divine calling. But guess what? So do you! All of us, and each of us has work that must be done. I can’t do your work, and you can’t do mine. And we are both, simply servants, and mentors to those coming behind us. Some of us are gifted as apostles, others operate in the prophetic. Some teach, some evangelize, and some pastor. Irrespective of our individual calling and election, one thing is clear. None of us called ourselves. We were all called, selected, chosen and deployed by God to serve others!
Dear Child of the King, never, ever, allow anyone, or anything to minimize the blessedness of your calling from the Lord. The greatest calling, highest blessing and most important title in your life, is the title you have right now. If you are called to preach, then preach like your life depended on it. If you are called to teach, teach like you’re the only teacher on earth. Administrate, prophecy, shepherd and evangelize according to the power that’s been placed in you. The Kingdom needs you to be the best version of yourself. So, play your position, and play it well.
God Bless
** The Living Bible translation…Ephesians 4:1-15,17,19-32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%204:1-15,17,19-32&version=TLB).
