Our study here in the fourth chapter of Ephesians has taught us four things thus far: (1) In order to live the Christian life you must first have a real relationship with Christ; a genuine call. (2) As Christians—we are united through one Lord, one faith and one baptism; a family. (3) We’ve been given all the grace necessary to accomplish what the Lord has assigned for each of us to do. (4) It’s our responsibility to represent the kingdom of God everyday…everywhere.

That being the case—today, we need to continue to look at the blueprints Paul has laid out for us here in this passage. As we look at verses 11-13—we’ll discover how we are going to be equipped as the saints of God to more effectively represent God. The good news for us is this—God hasn’t called us to do something that He will not equip us for. Phil. 4:13

God has not called us to just talk about stuff. He has a plan and a purpose for the people of this world and it will involve you and me being prepared, trained, and equipped for that task of communicating His plan. Therefore—as His representatives, God is equipping the Church for works of service in three ways:

1. The people involved in equipping. [4:11]

Notice first of all at the beginning of verse 11—Paul says, “It was He who gave” these people to the church. Who is Paul talking about here? A) The victorious ruler we read about back in verse 8…Jesus. (He gave gifts to men.) These gifts include the people who have the responsibility for equipping the church.

God didn’t send His Son from heaven to earth to die on a cross for our sins…and then just hope that some people would feel led to start talking about Christian stuff. His plan involved equipping people to equip others to carry out the Great Commission as His kingdom representatives. Spread the gospel.

Paul mentions at least 4 groups of people that have been given the gift of great responsibility by Christ: apostles – prophets – evangelists – pastors and teachers. One thing we need to remember—Paul‘s writing this letter in NT times. Therefore—the first two groups he talks about here are apostles and prophets.  The two groups that Paul says, “are the foundation” of the church in Eph. 2:20. This foundation is not to be confused with the chief cornerstone which is what the church ultimately stands on…and that cornerstone is Jesus (1 Pet 2:4-5).(So these two groups are no longer needed)

The next group Paul mentions is evangelists. People gifted by the Lord to share the gospel in a unique way. Then we read about pastors and teachers. People used in a different role…yet vital to the equipping of the church for works of service. (shepherding)

2. The purpose of equipping.

The Bible says certain people are gifted with the responsibility of preparing God’s people for works of service. This responsibility should never be taken lightly either by the trainer or the one who’s to be trained. The purpose of equipping is spiritual maturity. It’s growing in the grace that Christ has given to us through the increased knowledge God and His Word.

This is what Jesus was asking His Father to do in John 17 when prayed, “Father sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth.” Jesus knew that the truth would protect His people in a world under the influence of the evil one.

Notice in verse 13 the equipping is for all of God’s people…until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This means you can’t opt out of preparation or neither should you be excluded from being equipped for any reason. If there are 10 players on a basketball team and only 5 can play at one time…would it be right to only prepare 5 for the game? “NO” because everyone has to be equally prepared in order for a team to function at its very best.

Paul is talking about being complete—or whole. He’s saying that the whole body needs to be built up…attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. The fullness of Christ is not something reserved just for the leadership…it’s for everyone…Amen.

3. The process of equipping the saints.

Let’s talk for just a moment about some ways our Lord proceeds in equipping us. Through His Word. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Unless we’re equipped through God’s Word there’s a chance we would not know how to respond if someone were to stand –up and say, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were the first church in the South-end to have an openly gay, practicing homosexual on our staff? It’s the Word of God that teaches us to say  ”NO”  in love…”No” because God does not approve of that kind of behavior. Never has…never will.

We’re equipped through prayer. The Bible teaches us to pray about everything at all times and for each other. Intercessory prayer is more effective than we will ever know. Listen to what Paul says about Epaphras, a brother in Christ, “he is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured.” We’re equipped when we pray, when we pray for others and…others pray for us.

We’re equipped through trials and suffering. No one wants to be equipped through this process…yet it happens according to James (1). But—the good news is this…when it’s over you’ll be more mature, complete and not lacking in anything (v4). This is the same thing Paul’s talking about.

God’s plan for equipping the saints is really pretty simple when you think about it. It’s His people, staying true to His purpose, submitting to His process, that ultimately produces praise for His Son. Taking into consideration all that Paul has just said—let me ask all a few questions to help us evaluate where we are in God’s process of being spiritually equipped.

Do we view our staff as people hired to do things for us or in light of what Paul is saying here…people given great responsibility to help us grow in our walk with Christ? Do we view Spiritual maturity as something essential to our walk with Christ, or something optional? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to become better equipped as the saints of God?