God's Servants

Sermon Text

Ephesians 4:1-16

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Spiritual Gifts

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

• Every Christian is called to serve. The office of deacon gives particular leadership in service, but ministry belongs to the whole body of Christ.
• Christian service begins with the character of Christ: humility, gentleness, patience, loving forbearance, and an eager commitment to preserve the Spirit-given unity of the church.
• The ascended Christ gives leaders to equip the saints, not to replace them. Pastors and teachers prepare God's people to build one another up toward unity, maturity, and knowledge of Christ.
• The church grows as every part does its share, speaking truth in love and offering practical care that helps protect believers from isolation, division, and deceptive teaching.
• Deacons should be tested, trustworthy, sound in faith, disciplined in life, and already known for humble mercy. They lead the congregation in practical care without seeking attention or selfish gain.

• How do humility, gentleness, patience, and love make ordinary relationships in the church a genuine ministry?
• Where are you tempted to tolerate another believer with resentment instead of bearing with that person in love?
• What shared gospel truths in Ephesians 4:4–6 should matter more than the preferences that can divide a church?
• Do your words usually build other believers up, or do sarcasm and criticism pull them down?
• What gift, opportunity, or relationship has Christ given you for serving his body?
• How can practical love and hospitality help guard someone from isolation or deceptive teaching?
• Which qualities in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 should a congregation look for in a prospective deacon?
• What quiet work of mercy could you begin without waiting for an officer or public recognition?

Ministry

Service offered in Christ's name for the good of others. In Ephesians 4, the saints—not only church officers—are equipped for this work.

Deacon

A servant set apart to lead the church in practical mercy and administration. The sermon connects the office with the Greek word family diakonos and diakoneō, meaning servant and to serve.

Unity of the Spirit

The real oneness Christ gives his people through one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one Father. Believers are commanded to preserve this unity in peace.

Edification

Building up the body of Christ so that believers become stronger, more mature, and more useful in faithful service.

Saints

All those God has set apart as his holy people through Christ, not a special class of unusually holy Christians. Every saint has a place in the church's ministry.

Speaking the truth in love

Communicating what is true for another person's good, with Christlike love rather than sarcasm, manipulation, or the desire to win.

Mystery of the faith

The gospel once promised and now revealed in Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Savior and King. A deacon must hold this faith sincerely and with a clear conscience.