The Book of Ephesians Part 7: Worthy of Your Call
The Book of Ephesians Part 7 - Worthy of Your Call
Ephesians 4:1-16
What Are You Doing Here? Understanding Your Purpose in God's Kingdom
Have you ever walked into church and wondered, "What am I actually doing here?" It's a question that goes deeper than just showing up on Sunday morning. In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul challenges us to understand not just why we're here, but what we're called to do as part of God's family.
The Call to Unity: Working Together as One Body
Paul begins this passage with an urgent plea: "Therefore, I, a prisoner serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling." This isn't a gentle suggestion - it's a passionate appeal for believers to come together in unity.
What Does Unity Actually Look Like?
Unity in the church requires three foundational qualities:
Humility - This doesn't mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. As C.S. Lewis famously said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." It means celebrating others' gifts before celebrating your own.
Gentleness - This isn't weakness, but strength under control. Like an athlete who learns to control their power so they don't knock the ball out of bounds, gentleness means treating people with kindness instead of hostility and showing compassion instead of force.
Patience - Being slow to rebuke and quick to endure, recognizing that spiritual growth takes time. We're not microwaves - we're crock pots. Growth happens slowly, and we need patience with new believers who are still learning.
Why Unity Matters
Think of the church like a symphony orchestra. When everyone plays their part in harmony, beautiful music results. But imagine if the guitar player decided to play drums, or the pianist tried to sing lead vocals without any training. The result would be chaos and confusion.
When we work together in love, patience, and trust, we can accomplish incredible things for God's kingdom. But when we let small frustrations divide us, we miss out on the joy and peace that comes from true fellowship.
Your Unique Gift: Everyone Has a Role to Play
One of the most encouraging truths in this passage is found in verse 7: "However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ." Notice the word "each" - not some, not a few, but every single believer has been given something special.
How Are These Gifts Given?
These gifts aren't earned through hard work or good behavior. They're given by God's grace - both saving grace and ministry grace. You didn't spin a wheel to randomly receive your calling. God thoughtfully and intentionally equipped you with exactly what you need for the role He has planned for you.
The Bible tells us that even while you were in your mother's womb, God was forming you and preparing you for your unique purpose. He looked at you before you were even born and said, "I have prepared you to do this, and you're going to do great things."
What Kinds of Gifts Are There?
Paul mentions several leadership gifts - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But the gifts extend far beyond these roles:
- Hospitality - Some people have the amazing ability to make everyone feel welcomed, fed, and loved
- Encouragement - Others can sense when someone is struggling and know exactly what to say
- Service - Some find joy in the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly
- Prayer - Prayer warriors who lift up the church and community in intercession
Your gift might seem small or insignificant to you, but it's crucial to God's plan. Maybe you're the person who walks through neighborhoods distributing flyers, or cuts out stars for VBS, or simply opens doors for people. These "small" acts of service are how God reaches hundreds of people and builds His kingdom.
Christ's Victory Means Our Freedom
Paul uses powerful imagery when he writes about Christ ascending "to the heights" and leading "a crowd of captives." Picture Jesus as a victorious champion, walking with His chest out and head held high, leading us home and declaring, "We won! We took the keys of death and we won!"
What Does This Victory Mean for You?
Jesus didn't just win the battle against sin and death - He shared that victory with all of us. Whatever used to hold you down - fear, guilt, shame, addiction, past mistakes - no longer has power over you. When the temple veil tore, Jesus declared, "You are free. I have set you free."
This freedom isn't just personal; it's meant to be shared. Jesus gives us gifts so we can help each other remember this truth and encourage one another in our freedom.
Growing Up: Moving Beyond Spiritual Infancy
Paul warns against remaining "immature like children" who are "tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching." Spiritual maturity means being anchored in God's Word so firmly that you can recognize false teaching and stand strong in truth.
What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?
- Knowing Scripture well enough to recognize lies - When someone comes to your door with twisted theology, you can respond with love and truth
- Living off your own faith, not borrowed faith - You can't coast on your parents' or spouse's relationship with God forever
- Allowing God to change you - When Christ enters your life, you can't stay the same. Your interests, habits, and priorities will shift as His Spirit draws you closer
Growth Requires Intentionality
Growth doesn't happen automatically. It requires discipline, intentional pursuit of God's Word, prayer, and obedience. As Hebrews 5:12 challenges us: "You have been believers for so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's Word."
Don't settle for surface-level belief. You need more than just Sunday morning faith to carry you through life's challenges.
The Body Needs Every Part
Paul uses the beautiful image of the church as a body where "each part does its own special work" and "helps the other parts grow." When one part doesn't function, the whole body suffers. When each part does its work, the body grows healthy and full of love.
You're Not Extra - You're Essential
You have a part in this church, in God's kingdom, and in His mission for this world. Your gift matters, whether it's:
- Serving quietly behind the scenes
- Encouraging friends who are struggling
- Leading worship or teaching
- Being a prayer warrior who lifts up the church
Your faithfulness and obedience don't just affect you - they impact future generations. What you do today affects your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Your obedience to God's calling helps shape what happens to the generations that follow.
Life Application
It's time to stop being a spectator in God's kingdom and start actively participating in His mission. This week, challenge yourself to take one concrete step:
- Identify your calling - If you don't know what your spiritual gifts are, ask someone to help you discern them through prayer and conversation
- Commit to serve - Find one way to use your gifts in your church or community this week
- Encourage someone - Reach out to a friend who's been on your heart and let them know you're praying for them
- Grow in maturity - Spend time in God's Word beyond Sunday morning
Ask yourself these questions:
- What truth from Scripture do I need to hold onto when life gets shaky?
- What gift or role has God given me that I can use this week to help someone?
- Am I resisting Christ's direction in any area of my life?
- How can I move from being a spectator to being an active participant in God's kingdom?
Remember, your part in the church matters. Your part in the kingdom matters. Your part in God's plan matters. Christ needs you just as much as you need Him, and the body of Christ needs you to step into the calling He's placed on your life.
