A series of homilies on Ephesians.
A homily is “a short talk on a religious or moral topic; a usually short sermon; a lecture or discourse on or of a biblical theme.”
I am sharing a verse-by-verse series of short messages on Ephesians (as well as other passages of Scripture) specifically targeted at reviving families and encouraging and exhorting husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and children to do what God has commanded them to do, for if the church is to be revived and the country is to be awakened, the family must be revived first.
TEXT: Ephesians 4:7-8:
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
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Mark Cahill said, “If God gave you a thousand dollars every time you shared your faith in Jesus Christ, would you share your faith? Let’s be honest: many of us would quit our day jobs and become full-time evangelists! Every one of us, including me, ought to repent of the fact that we would share Jesus for a measly dollar bill, instead of sharing Him because of the unconditional love that He has for each one of us.”
Leonard Ravenhill said, “I’ve heard a million words, heard many sermons, and read many books. And I’m accountable to God for everything I have learned. I’m accountable for every moment of my time, and every dime of my money.”
In their book, The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever, Elmer Towns and Douglas Porter share with us: “The Cane Ridge Revival of 1800 was described this way: William McGee [a fellow pastor] soon felt such a power come over him that he, not seeming to know what he did, left his seat and sat down on the floor, trembling under a consciousness of the power of God. John McGee [his brother] felt an irresistible urge to preach and the people were eager to hear him. He began, and again the woman shouted and would not be silent. The methods and spirit of that meeting were repeated in other meetings. Pastor Barton W Stone soon ‘learned how to do it’ and organized the Cane Ridge ecumenical communion service. The zeal of that meeting has never been forgotten.”
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In the first few verses of Ephesians 4, we have been talking about the unity that we ought to have in the body of Christ. Unity, however, does not mean we are all robots or clones. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Unity does not mean uniformity.” In verse 7, Paul shifts and begins emphasizing the individual gifts that God has given to the members of the body. By way of introduction to this and the next few verses which focus on this topic, allow me to share with you this overview from the Bible Exposition Commentary:
“Paul moves now from what all Christians have in common to how Christians differ from each other. He is discussing variety and individuality within the unity of the Spirit. God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift. We must make a distinction between ‘spiritual gifts’ and natural abilities. When you were born into this world God gave you certain natural abilities, perhaps in mechanics, art, athletics, or music. In this regard, all men are not created equal, because some are smarter, or stronger, or more talented than others in certain areas. But in the spiritual realm, each believer has at least one spiritual gift no matter what natural abilities he may or may not possess. A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve God and other Christians in such a way that Christ is glorified and believers are edified.”
Verse 7 says that “every one of us is given grace.” If you are saved, you cannot say that you have no spiritual gifts. God has given every member of the Church a gift that they are to use. These gifts are not to be used in opposition to each other, but in complement to each other. The diversity of spiritual gifts exists so that no need in the body of Christ is neglected.
We ought not to treat our spiritual gifts the way we might treat our natural abilities or a college degree. They are not a means to “get ahead” in life. They are the means by which we serve God and others. And, it is through that service that we bring glory to God and maintain unity in the church.
Someone once wrote:
God builds His church with different stones,
He makes each one belong;
All shapes and sizes fit in place
To make the structure strong.
Let’s pray.
Now, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, please keep in mind that the Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Just pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will. I will be sharing more on the matter of salvation in the next segment of our service which starts in about 5 minutes.
Revival Prayer List
PRAY FOR SPECIFIC FAMILIES
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
— Rubbie in Panama City, Florida
give her healing in her mind and body, deliver her from depression
— Lois in Buffalo, New York
meet her urgent financial need
— Theresa
bless her personally, professionally, and in every relationship
take the heart of stone from her heart and grant her a new heart, renew Your Holy Spirit within her
help her to truly value herself, give her wisdom
— Mark in Sorrento, Florida
give him a closer walk with You
— Delores in Virginia
have 100% of her Social Security benefits to be released and all finances (including VA) to be released as soon as possible
provide her with her own place to live
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PRAY FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Paul said in Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
Leaders of the Pentecostal Church
Ellen Moore
Stephen Jones
Kaleigh Bishop
Sherrie Taylor
Lindsey Snider
Jana Delano
Keith Marriner
Ron Fredericks
Joy Beiler
Timothy Yoo
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PRAY FOR GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS
1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Mark Mullet
Sharon Nelson
Steve O’Ban
Mike Padden
Linda Evans Parlette
Kirk Pearson
Jamie Pedersen
Kevin Ranker
Ann Rivers
Pam Roach
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.
He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.
BCNN1 WP 