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Stones Hill Community Church
Ephesians - Finding Our New Identity
Welcome to an exciting new sermon series on the Book of Ephesians, one of the Apostle Paul’s most profound letters. Paul proposes that we are "in Christ." We have a new identity. In a sense, he encourages us to become what we already are!
Locations & Times
Ligonier, IN
151 W Stones Hill Rd, Ligonier, IN 46767, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
MESSAGE TEXT
Ephesians 4:7-10
*
INTRODUCTION
Pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson has pointed out that one of the New Testament’s most frequent one-word descriptions of the Christian is that he or she is “called” (1 Cor.1:9; Rom.8:30; 2 Thess.2:13-14) After God calls us to Himself (Eph.1-3) and out of our old life and identity, then He calls us to Ministry and Service (Eph.4-6) and this through a new body that we’re a part of. We are called to believe. We are called to belong.
*
PROPOSITION
Every single believer is gifted. You have been given something special by Jesus to make a difference in the world generally and in the church specifically. Ephesians 4:7-10 teaches that Christ has graced you with a gift(s), so you can grace others through your gift or gift-mix in a way that is unique to you.
*
OUTLINE
Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6) In these verses, Paul has repeatedly used the word “one” to talk about the unity that all believers share in the gospel.
*
Diversity (Ephesians 4:7-10) But now, while Paul still uses the same word “one”, he also adds the word “each”: grace is given to “each one” of us. He’s saying that within the common bond of unity we share in Jesus, there is also a diversity of grace and gifts (Windsor).
*
Maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16) A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other people in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified. All the gifts build up the Lord’s body and mature it.
*
APPLICATION
The phrase “strength in diversity” points to the idea that differences among people—whether in background, culture, perspective, abilities, or experiences—actually make a group stronger, not weaker. Here’s how:
*
1. Different Perspectives produce Better Solutions
When people with varied backgrounds come together, they see problems from different angles. This variety of viewpoints can lead to more creative solutions and innovation. This is your elder board! Individually, you may think “What do they have to offer?” But collectively, I have witnessed how God’s will surfaces out of the group.
*
2. Complementary Strengths
Not everyone is good at the same thing. One person’s weakness is often another person’s strength. A diverse group can cover more ground and handle more challenges effectively. There’s a point that I make in some wedding ceremonies that I do. You may not be good at the same things and this is okay. God put’s male and female together with designed deficits that only the other can compliment. We need maleness and femaleness to balance our perspective.
*
3. Resilience and Adaptability
Diversity means flexibility. A group with multiple skill sets, cultural insights, and problem-solving approaches can adapt more easily when facing change or crisis. Christ wants us to need each other. God has configured the body in such a way that none of us can fully perceive the extent or the grace of our own gifts. Other people can see what we can’t see. Has anyone ever told you something that you do really well and yet you don’t see it? “You were made to do this.”
*
4. Learning and Growth
Being around people different from you stretches your perspective. It teaches humility, empathy, and wisdom—qualities that strengthen both individuals and communities. John Maxwell tells the story about a basketball coach who wanted to teach his team about everyone playing in their best position and making the overall team stronger. To illustrate it in practice, he had the varsity players to play out of position. The center had to play point guard. The post player had to play the wing and shoot 3 pointers. The guards had to play down low and try to rebound. The jv team hammered the varsity squad in practice because the varsity team was out-of-position. It humbled them and taught them to appreciate the role that everyone plays.
*
5. Unity with Depth
Diversity doesn’t just mean “being different,” but bringing those differences together toward a common goal. When united, a diverse group can accomplish more than a uniform one, because its unity is tested and proven through differences.
*
Think of it like an orchestra: if every instrument played the same note, it would be flat and boring. But when violins, trumpets, drums, and flutes all play their unique parts together, the result is powerful and beautiful. I’ll circle back to one of my favorite orchestra stories to wrap up this message in a moment.
*
CONCLUSION
Spurgeon makes this point in his sermon on this passage: Did you notice in the sixty-eighth Psalm the words: “He received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also”? When the Lord went back to his throne he had thoughts of love towards rebels still. The spiritual gifts of the church are for the good of the rebels as well as for the building up of those who are reconciled. Sinner, every true minister exists for thy good, and all the workers of the church have an eye to you. Come to Christ today!
Spurgeon, C. H. “The Ascension of Christ.”The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons. Vol. 17. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1871. 180. Print.
Ephesians 4:7-10
*
INTRODUCTION
Pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson has pointed out that one of the New Testament’s most frequent one-word descriptions of the Christian is that he or she is “called” (1 Cor.1:9; Rom.8:30; 2 Thess.2:13-14) After God calls us to Himself (Eph.1-3) and out of our old life and identity, then He calls us to Ministry and Service (Eph.4-6) and this through a new body that we’re a part of. We are called to believe. We are called to belong.
*
PROPOSITION
Every single believer is gifted. You have been given something special by Jesus to make a difference in the world generally and in the church specifically. Ephesians 4:7-10 teaches that Christ has graced you with a gift(s), so you can grace others through your gift or gift-mix in a way that is unique to you.
*
OUTLINE
Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6) In these verses, Paul has repeatedly used the word “one” to talk about the unity that all believers share in the gospel.
*
Diversity (Ephesians 4:7-10) But now, while Paul still uses the same word “one”, he also adds the word “each”: grace is given to “each one” of us. He’s saying that within the common bond of unity we share in Jesus, there is also a diversity of grace and gifts (Windsor).
*
Maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16) A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other people in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified. All the gifts build up the Lord’s body and mature it.
*
APPLICATION
The phrase “strength in diversity” points to the idea that differences among people—whether in background, culture, perspective, abilities, or experiences—actually make a group stronger, not weaker. Here’s how:
*
1. Different Perspectives produce Better Solutions
When people with varied backgrounds come together, they see problems from different angles. This variety of viewpoints can lead to more creative solutions and innovation. This is your elder board! Individually, you may think “What do they have to offer?” But collectively, I have witnessed how God’s will surfaces out of the group.
*
2. Complementary Strengths
Not everyone is good at the same thing. One person’s weakness is often another person’s strength. A diverse group can cover more ground and handle more challenges effectively. There’s a point that I make in some wedding ceremonies that I do. You may not be good at the same things and this is okay. God put’s male and female together with designed deficits that only the other can compliment. We need maleness and femaleness to balance our perspective.
*
3. Resilience and Adaptability
Diversity means flexibility. A group with multiple skill sets, cultural insights, and problem-solving approaches can adapt more easily when facing change or crisis. Christ wants us to need each other. God has configured the body in such a way that none of us can fully perceive the extent or the grace of our own gifts. Other people can see what we can’t see. Has anyone ever told you something that you do really well and yet you don’t see it? “You were made to do this.”
*
4. Learning and Growth
Being around people different from you stretches your perspective. It teaches humility, empathy, and wisdom—qualities that strengthen both individuals and communities. John Maxwell tells the story about a basketball coach who wanted to teach his team about everyone playing in their best position and making the overall team stronger. To illustrate it in practice, he had the varsity players to play out of position. The center had to play point guard. The post player had to play the wing and shoot 3 pointers. The guards had to play down low and try to rebound. The jv team hammered the varsity squad in practice because the varsity team was out-of-position. It humbled them and taught them to appreciate the role that everyone plays.
*
5. Unity with Depth
Diversity doesn’t just mean “being different,” but bringing those differences together toward a common goal. When united, a diverse group can accomplish more than a uniform one, because its unity is tested and proven through differences.
*
Think of it like an orchestra: if every instrument played the same note, it would be flat and boring. But when violins, trumpets, drums, and flutes all play their unique parts together, the result is powerful and beautiful. I’ll circle back to one of my favorite orchestra stories to wrap up this message in a moment.
*
CONCLUSION
Spurgeon makes this point in his sermon on this passage: Did you notice in the sixty-eighth Psalm the words: “He received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also”? When the Lord went back to his throne he had thoughts of love towards rebels still. The spiritual gifts of the church are for the good of the rebels as well as for the building up of those who are reconciled. Sinner, every true minister exists for thy good, and all the workers of the church have an eye to you. Come to Christ today!
Spurgeon, C. H. “The Ascension of Christ.”The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons. Vol. 17. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1871. 180. Print.