The Church as a Means of Grace - Part 2
Good morning, please open your Bibles to the book of Ephesians – chapter 4.
This morning we are continuing our series on the church as a means of grace. Last week we began setting the context of Ephesians 4 by considering Paul’s call to a “worthy walk.” That is, a lifestyle that naturally flows from and is reflective of all the spiritual blessings we’ve received in Christ (chapters 1-3).
Further, we noted that as Paul presented this worthy walk, he was primarily concerned with how we view and treat one another within the community of the church. He urged us to live with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. These are attitudes required if we are to live out practically the unity which God has produced among us, spiritually. That’s why Paul says in verse 3 that we must be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
We spent time considering the seven great “ones” that ground this unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. These are not man-made ideals. They are spiritual realities that the Holy Spirit has already created in the church. And we saw that these truths are not abstract theology - they are meant to shape how we actually live together as the local church.
We were reminded that the local church is not an optional add-on to the Christian life. It is not only itself a means of grace but is also the arena in which the other means of grace are exercised. The local church is essential to our sanctification, or spiritual growth. This is the context in which we are called to grow up into Christ - together, in real relationships, as one spiritual family.
Let’s read verses 1-16 together:
Ephesians 4:1-16 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
That is quite a picture of a well-functioning church, isn’t it? Quite a high calling, and what appears to be a very difficult one. Especially when we consider that the church is made up of imperfect people who are still “under construction.” We still sin. We still disappoint one another. We still struggle with pride, selfishness, and relational friction.
HOW THEN?
So, the question naturally arises: How can we actually do this? How can imperfect people, in a messy local church, live out this worthy walk and maintain the unity of the Spirit in real, committed relationships?
Paul gives the answer in verse 7. He writes:
Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
The “But” is crucial here. After laying out this high calling, Paul does not leave us to try harder in our own strength. We’re not simply told to try really hard to live better lives and get along with one another. Instead, with this expectation of a transformed life lived out in loving, unified relationships in the church comes God’s full equipping. And what is that equipping? “But grace was given…”
When we say grace in this context, we’re talking about a generous, enabling power from God. This is the spiritual ability to carry out His will, via his Holy Spirit.
So, does it sound difficult to live a life worthy our redemption, forgiveness, adoption, and every other spiritual blessing that he’s poured out on us through Christ? Don’t be discouraged – he’s given each of us the grace to do it.
Does it sound impossible to live a life of humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, love, and unity in a community of flawed people, while grappling with your own sin and shortcomings? Don’t fret – God’s given all of us grace fit for the task. By his Holy Spirit, he’s given each of us a generous, enabling power to carry out what he’s commanded.
Does it seem unrealistic to think of yourself as a gift to the church, given to encourage and enable your fellow believers to grow in the faith? Be encouraged - God has equipped you so that when you are exercising your gifts in the church, you help others to flourish.
So, God has given grace to each one of us, individually, but has given this grace to us as individuals so that we might dwell together collectively, as one body. We’ve all been given grace, but we’ve given this grace so that we might exercise it within the context of the church community, for the benefit of the church at large.
It’s here that Paul begins to show us how the church is both a primary means of grace, and the arena in which all other means of grace are exercised. The church is a means of grace because it is within the church that you and I are to put to work the serving grace that God has given us, for the benefit of one another.
For the remainder of our time together this morning, I’d like to consider the nature and purpose of the grace that God intends to be always be at work within this community. The grace that you and I are to be busy serving one another with. The grace that makes the church a means of grace.
First of all, as we consider the church as a means of grace, we should consider:
1. The Recipients of Grace in the Church
Look again at verse 7:
Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
According to Paul, who in the church has received grace from Christ? He says, “each one of us.” There are no exceptions.
Now, you might say, “Well of course this is true, the bible says that we are saved by grace, through faith and not by works, so all believers have received grace from Christ (Eph 2:8-9).” You are correct, but this isn’t primarily saving grace that Paul is talking about here. He’s talking about serving grace. That is, grace for the purpose of serving one another. We’ll delve in a bit deeper later but for now, drop down to verse 12 for a little preview of what the purpose is of this grace. Paul says that leaders in the church are to:
Ephesians 4:12 …equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
That is, leaders in the church are to use the grace God has given them, to equip the saints to use the grace that God has given them, to minister (or serve) to one another, so that the body at large might grow in maturity.
So, who are the recipients of grace? Every believer in the church has received grace from Christ, for the purpose of serving their fellow brothers and sisters. We’ll support this with other scripture later. Let’s go ahead a bit in our current passage so we can borrow a word from verse 8 that will help us further understand this grace. Paul writes:
Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
Here this grace that has been given by Christ to all believers is referred to as “a gift.”
So, at this point we can say that for everyone who has been saved by grace, God has also given them a gift of grace for the purpose of serving (or ministering to), their fellow believers in the church.
This is not for the spiritual elites, or for professional ministers. This is serving grace given to imperfect people, still in process, still working through their own sin and shortcomings by the Holy Spirit. This is grace given to men and women who need to be reminder to be humble, gentle, patient, forbearing, and loving. This is grace given to those with even the most meager of faith. If you are saved this morning, you have been gifted by God so that you might be effective in serving your fellow Christians in the church. There are no exceptions.
So, who are the recipients of this gift of serving grace? “each one of us.” Now, let’s move on from the recipients of this grace, to the “measure of this grace.”
2. The Measure of Serving Grace in the Church
Still in verse 7:
Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
According to Paul, although we all possess the gift of serving grace, we don’t all possess it to the same measure – or degree. Instead, Jesus himself has apportioned this serving grace – giving to each of us a measure which he has deemed appropriate for us.
What does this mean practically? It means that although we’re all called and equipped to serve one another in the church, there is a diversity in this giftedness. A diversity is both the nature, and measure of gifts.
It does not mean that some Christians are more valuable or more loved by Christ. Every genuine believer has been given real, meaningful grace. Rather, it means that Christ sovereignly portions out different capacities and degrees of effectiveness for service. One person may have a greater measure of grace for teaching - they can explain Scripture with unusual clarity, depth, and fruitfulness that builds up many. Another may have a greater measure of grace for mercy - they seem to have an inexhaustible reservoir of compassion and endurance to care for the hurting and the weak. Still another may have a greater measure for practical service - they organize, help, and strengthen the church with remarkable energy and joy.
A greater measure of serving grace simply means a larger capacity to strengthen the body in a particular way. It does not mean that those with a greater measure of serving grace are some how superior to others. Not at all. That’s the point that Paul seeks to make with the body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12.
THE BODY
Just as the body has many members with different functions - the eye can’t say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor the head to the feet, “I have no need of you” (1 Cor 12:21) - so it is with the church. Some parts are more visible and public, others serve quietly behind the scenes, yet every single part is indispensable (1 Cor 12:22). In fact, Paul says the parts that seem weaker are often the most necessary (1 Cor 12:22-24). There is no room in the body of Christ for pride on the one hand or feelings of inferiority on the other.
Whether your measure of serving grace is large or small in the eyes of others, you are exactly where Christ has placed you (1 Cor 12:18), and the church can’t function as God intends without you faithfully exercising that grace.
The crucial thing is not how much you received, but whether you are faithfully stewarding what Christ has given you for the good of His church.
AS STEWARDS
Peter tied all of this together very well in once verse when he wrote in 1 Peter 4:10:
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Peter hits all the points that we’ve already made.
Who are the recipients? Each of us.
What have we received? Grace.
To what degree? Various degrees.
In what form have we received grace? As a gift.
For what purpose? To serve one another.
Notice that he invokes the idea of stewardship. The measure of a good steward is faithfulness. Faithfully utilize what you been entrusted with, to bring the greatest return to the one in charge. Peter says that we are stewards of this serving grace. Since it is “varied” grace, we are all entrusted with a different measure and expression of that grace. The key is that we be faithful with what we’ve been given.
PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
Jesus illustrated this same principle powerfully in the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30). The master gave different amounts to each servant - five talents to one, two to another, and one to still another - “to each according to his ability.” When he returned, he did not commend the servant who started with five more than the one who started with two. He commended both with the same words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21, 23). The crucial thing was not how much they had received, but whether they had been faithful with what they were given. In the same way, Christ has entrusted each of us with a different measure of serving grace. The question on the day of reckoning will not be, “How much did you receive?” but “Were you faithful with what I gave you for the good of My church?”
TO THOSE WITH MUCH
We often make reference to this parable to encourage those who have little to be faithful in stewarding what they have. That’s appropriate. However, I think we also need to address those who have much. Some of you have been given a large measure of serving grace. You are competent, capable, and naturally effective in what you do. Even minimal effort on your part often produces noticeable fruit. Because of that, it can be tempting to coast — to do just enough to look respectable while holding back the full weight of what Christ has entrusted to you. But listen: a greater measure of grace brings a greater expectation of faithfulness.
If God has given you much — in teaching, leadership, mercy, wisdom, or any other capacity — He expects you to invest it fully for the building up of His church. Don’t settle for minimal service simply because it still outpaces others. The body needs the full weight of the gifts Christ has given you. As a steward of your measure of grace, you are called to do as much as you can, with all you’ve been given, for the good of others, and the glory of Christ, while you await his return.
So, we’ve seen the RECIPIENTS OF SERVING GRACE IN THE CHURCH; and the MEASURE OF SERVING GRACE IN THE CHURCH. Now, I want us to consider the SOURCE OF SERVING GRACE IN THE CHURCH.
3. The Source of Serving Grace
Look at verses 7-10:
Ephesians 4:7-10 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
This serving grace is not something we work up in our own strength. It flows directly from the triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul, quoting Psalm 68, pictures a triumphal military procession - the grand celebration given to a conquering general. The victorious commander would ride through the city in splendor, leading a long train of captives behind his chariot. He had defeated his enemies. He had won the battle. And now, from the spoils of victory, he distributed gifts generously to his soldiers and to the people.
That is the picture Paul gives us of Christ. The Lord Jesus descended into the lower regions - He took on flesh, humbled Himself, and went all the way to the cross. There He defeated our greatest enemies: sin, death, Satan, and the powers of darkness. Then, in glorious triumph, He rose from the dead and ascended on high. He led captivity captive. And from the victory of His cross and resurrection, the exalted Christ pours out the spoils of His triumph upon His church.
Crucially, when Christ ascended, He sent the promised Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 16:7). It is the Spirit who takes the victory of Christ and applies it personally to each of us. The Spirit is the One who empowers and distributes these spiritual gifts of serving grace. That is why they are called spiritual gifts - they are gifts of the Spirit flowing from the ascended Christ. Every measure of serving grace you possess is a direct result of Jesus’ finished work and the outpouring of His Spirit.
Listen to how Paul connects these gifts to the Spirit’s work in 1 Corinthians 12:
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
You’ll notice some gifts of grace in there that we believe were active in the early church, especially in the apostolic age, that are extremely rare or no longer in operation today. The point however is that these gifts of serving grace, are actually the product of the Holy Spirit within us. They are empowered by the Spirit, evidence of the Spirit, and, what does it say in verse 11? Apportioned by the Spirit.
That’s interesting since Ephesians 4:7 says it is according to the measure of Christ’s gift, and verse 8 says that Christ gave gifts to men. The fact is, you can’t separate the work of Jesus and the Spirit.
These gifts of serving grace are empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom the risen and exalted Christ has sent, having been given authority by the Father to do so. Now, it is the Spirit who takes the victory of Christ and distributes these spiritual gifts to every believer.
If you are a believer this morning, you are a direct beneficiary of Christ’s victory – not just in your salvation, but in your ability to serve others for their good and the glory of Christ.
GLORY THROUGH THE SPOILS OF VICTORY
Think about how that conquering King, returning from battle receives honour and glory when everyone sees the product of his victory. He comes triumphantly into the city with all the spoils of war, and gives generously to his people. The people in return enjoy the gifts, while glorifying the King who provided them.
Now picture the opposite. The King returns triumphantly after defeating His enemies, leading a great procession and laden with the spoils of victory. One of his citizens receives a generous portion of those spoils, but there is no joy in his heart. He does not rejoice with the rest of the people. He feels no deep sense of gratitude or loyalty to the King who won the victory. Instead, he quietly takes what has been given to him and retreats into his own home, focused only on his own comfort and concerns.
That is what it looks like when a believer receives the gift of serving grace — the direct fruit of Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and Satan — but then fails to joyfully employ it for the good of the church. He enjoys the personal blessings of Christ’s victory, yet contributes little to the strengthening of the body. He keeps the spoils for himself rather than using them for the King’s glory and the building up of His people.
Listen to Peter again in 1 Peter 4:
1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
When we exercising our gifts of serving grace, we bring glory to Jesus, highlighting his victory over sin, death and Satan, and the fact that he has now been given an eternal dominion. Every exercise of spiritual gifts is a celebration of Jesus and what he’s accomplished for us.
So, what is the source of the serving grace that we’ve been given? What is the source of the grace that permeates the church of Jesus Christ? What is the source of the grace that builds you and I up when we live as the church? It’s the triumphal death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus, which resulted in the sending of the Holy Spirit, who is now present and working in every believer.
Thus far we’ve seen the RECIPIENTS OF SERVING GRACE; and the MEASURE OF SERVING GRACE; the SOURCE OF SERVING GRACE. Now, let’s consider the EXERCISE OF SERVING GRACE.
4. The Exercise of Serving Grace in the Church
Look at verses 11-12 of Ephesians 4:
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Now we begin to see the practical expression of the serving grace that Jesus has bestowed upon his church through the Holy Spirit.
Paul begins by listing some of the offices of spiritual leadership – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds (or pastors) and teachers. We learn that those who are called, equipped, and fruitful in these offices are so because they are gifted by the Holy Spirit with grace to serve in these capacities.
This also says something, not just about the exercise of serving grace, but about the arena of serving grace. That is, it reinforces the fact that the church is where this grace is operational, and is therefore a means of grace.
First, Paul mentions the apostles and prophets. Well, a couple chapters earlier he said:
Ephesians 2:19-21 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
The church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets – men gifted by the Holy Spirit, as a product of Christ’s triumphant resurrection, to serve the church. It’s within the church that the apostolic doctrine is taught and lived out. It’s here that the words of the prophets are fulfilled, when we live as the church that they foretold would come. We are all the beneficiaries of the grace given to these men, which they exercised for the good of the church.
But then Paul goes on and mentions a few other expressions of serving grace…
EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, TEACHERS
He writes:
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
While the apostles and prophets laid the once-for-all foundation of the church in the first generation, the ongoing equipping gifts Christ continues to give His church include evangelists and pastor-teachers. There’s some debate as to whether Paul is referring to three offices – evangelist, pastors, and teachers, but the majority understand shepherd-teacher to be referring to the one office of Pastor or Elder.
Evangelists are those gifted to proclaim the gospel clearly and persuasively so that unbelievers come to faith in Christ. Pastor-teachers are those called to shepherd the local flock by feeding them the Word of God, leading, protecting, and nurturing their spiritual growth.
Again, this reinforces our assertion that the church is a means of grace. God has gifted some believers with grace to serve in these leadership positions. And where do they exercise that grace? In the context of the local church. These men preach, and teach, and protect, and correct, and guide whom? Those men and women that God has entrusted to them in their local church.
1 Peter 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
God entrusts a flock to shepherds – a congregation to elders. These elders, pastors, teachers, teach, preach, and exercise spiritual oversight – providing wisdom, counsel, correction, and encouragement. This is the product of the grace that God has given them by his Holy Spirit. The church is where you and I benefit from this grace, for our spiritual growth. This is one of the ways that the church is a means of grace.
EQUIP THE SAINTS
Thankfully, this does not mean that spiritual leadership is the only place where God’s gift of serving grace is found. Not at all. In fact, when we keep reading in Ephesians 4, we discover that we benefit to an even greater degree from the spiritual gifts of our brothers and sisters in the congregation.
Look again at verses 11-12:
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Notice that the gifted spiritual leaders are given to the church for a specific purpose – to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. What is the work of the ministry? It’s whatever results in the whole church being built up to be more like Jesus.
Paul continues:
Ephesians 4:12-15 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
So, the pastors or elders are to exercise their gifts of serving grace to equip the church members, so that the church members can minister to one another. With what goal in mind? That we all might know Jesus better, that we might mature to be more like him; that we become settled in the truth – doctrinally stable and fortified against error, and that we grow in loving unity.
How does this actually happen in everyday church life?
It happens when a brother or sister takes time after the service to ask thoughtful, gospel-centered questions about the sermon, helping someone understand how the text points us to Christ.
It happens when an older woman invites a younger mom into her home to talk about marriage, parenting, or how to fight sin with the promises of Scripture.
It happens when a man notices another brother struggling with discouragement and commits to meet with him regularly for prayer and accountability. These are concrete ways the saints do the work of ministry.
It also happens in smaller, quieter ways: a note of encouragement that speaks the truth in love, a timely word of correction given gently, a meal delivered to a tired young family, or a listening ear given to someone walking through suffering.
Every time you use your measure of grace to help another believer know Christ more deeply, stand firmer in the truth, or love more faithfully, you are doing the work of ministry. You are helping the body grow up into Christ.
The goal of all this mutual ministry is spiritual maturity. The goal is that together we would attain “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). We want to become a church that is no longer tossed about by every new teaching or cultural wind, but a people anchored in the truth, growing more and more like Jesus, and bound together in love.
This is the church functioning as God designed - every member doing their part, equipped by the Word, empowered by the Spirit, and using their grace-given gifts to build one another up. This is how we walk worthy of the calling we have received.
A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING CHURCH
This might sound like a pie-in-the-sky sort of vision for church, but in reality, it’s only when a church functions this way that it is functioning properly. It’s only when every believer in the church is exercising their gifts of serving grace for the spiritual betterment of one another, and the church at large, that it can be said that church is what it is meant to be.
Look at verses 15-16 of our passage:
Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
According to Paul, how does the body of the church grow? How is the church built up in love? He says, “When each part is working properly.” When every “joint with which it is equipped” is working.
It’s only when a church develops a culture in which every member ministers to one another, that it is working properly.
It’s only when church members see their church, not primarily as a place that provides programs and service to consume, but as the arena in which they are to exercise their own gifts of service for others, that it is working properly.
It’s only when every joint, every member, recognizes that they are part of something much bigger – a community of faith collectively called to love and serve one another, contributing what they can, for the glory of Christ and good of one another – that a church can be said to be operating properly.
This is the type of culture that Paul wanted the Corinthian church to develop when he wrote:
1 Corinthians 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
The common good being the spiritual maturity, doctrinal stability, mutual ministry, and loving unity that we mentioned earlier. The Spirit is given to each, so that we might serve one another.
HOW ARE YOU SERVING THE CHURCH?
So, let me ask you, how are you serving the church? How are you building up your brothers and sisters in Christ? How are you using the serving grace that Jesus has given you, through his Spirit to benefit this local body? In what ways are you faithfully stewarding the measure of grace that has been entrusted to you?
As we prepare to close, consider some of the ways that the New Testament writers envision us using our gifts in the church. Listen and ask yourself if you see yourself in any of these:.
Teaching – The ability to clearly explain and apply Scripture so that others grow in understanding and obedience to Christ (Rom 12:7; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11). Teachers help the church become doctrinally stable and mature by opening the Word and showing how it points us to Jesus.
Exhortation / Encouragement – The ability to come alongside others and stir them up to love and good works (Rom 12:8). Encouragers minister by speaking timely words that strengthen weak hands and feeble knees, helping believers persevere in the faith.
Evangelism – The ability to proclaim the gospel with clarity and persuasive power (Eph 4:11). Evangelists minister by helping the church reach the lost and by equipping other believers to share their faith more effectively.
Wisdom / Knowledge – The ability to apply biblical truth to complex life situations with insight and godly counsel (1 Cor 12:8). Those with this gift help others navigate decisions, conflicts, and suffering in ways that honor Christ.
Serving / Helps – The ability to see practical needs and joyfully meet them (Rom 12:7; 1 Cor 12:28). These believers minister by freeing up others to use their gifts, whether through organizing events, setting up rooms, or handling behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the church functioning smoothly.
Mercy – The ability to show genuine compassion and care to those who are hurting, sick, or discouraged (Rom 12:8). People with this gift minister by sitting with the grieving, visiting the lonely, and reminding the suffering of God’s steadfast love.
Hospitality – The ability to warmly welcome people into your home and into the life of the church (1 Pet 4:9). This gift ministers by creating a sense of family, especially for newcomers, visitors, and those who feel out of place.
Giving – The ability to give generously and cheerfully of one’s resources (Rom 12:8). Givers minister by supporting the needs of the church, relieving burdens, and enabling gospel work to advance.
Administration / Leadership – The ability to organize people and resources effectively for the common good (Rom 12:8; 1 Cor 12:28). These believers minister by bringing order, clarity, and direction so that the church can work together efficiently.
Faith – The ability to trust God with bold confidence in difficult situations and to inspire others to do the same (1 Cor 12:9). This gift ministers by strengthening the faith of the whole church during trials.
Discernment – The ability to distinguish between truth and error, and between the promptings of the Spirit and other influences (1 Cor 12:10). Those with discernment minister by protecting the church from false teaching and helping the body walk in wisdom.
Shepherding / Pastoring – The ability to care for the spiritual well-being of a group of believers through teaching, guiding, protecting, and nurturing (Eph 4:11; 1 Pet 5:1-2). Pastor-teachers minister by watching over souls and equipping the saints for maturity in Christ.
This list is not exhaustive and you may possess a mixture of a few of these. There may be an area in which you have clear strengths above the others, and there may not be. The point however is that you have been gifted with a measure of serving grace, and you should be busy exercising it for the common good – for the building up of the body, and primarily within the arena of your local church.
HOW MIGHT WE KNOW OUR SPIRITUAL GIFT(S)?
How might I know what my spiritual gift is? You don’t need a dramatic spiritual experience or a special test to discover your gifts. Here are some practical, biblical ways to discern the measure of serving grace Christ has given you:
Look at what stirs your heart when you’re walking closely with the Lord. What kind of ministry naturally burdens or excites you? What do you find yourself wanting to do for the good of others?
Pay attention to where you see fruit. Where have people been helped, encouraged, strengthened, or matured through your involvement? Where does the Lord seem to bless your efforts with lasting results?
Listen to the honest feedback of the church. Ask mature believers who know you well: “In what ways have you been built up when I’ve served?” Often the body can see your gifts more clearly than you can.
Step out and serve. Gifts usually become clearer in the act of using them. Try serving in different areas - teaching, mercy, helps, encouragement, hospitality - and see where you are both effective and joyful.
Pray and reflect on Scripture. Ask the Lord to reveal how He has gifted you, and study the lists of gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.
The goal is not to find a perfect label for yourself. You don’t need a spiritual gifts test. You don’t need to look at a list of spiritual gifts like they are a personality test, or a spiritual enneagram. Instead, you should simply look for opportunity to do spiritual good for others so that they, and consequently, the church at large, might grow to be more like Jesus.
Then, find joy in exercising your gift of serving grace without comparison to others. Remember that it is the Father, Son and Spirit who have chosen how to apportion these gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
The Father arranges the body as he chooses, the Son determines what measure to give, and the Spirit apportions accordingly. So, when we consider our gifts of serving grace, and those of others, there should never be envy or pride. It’s all of God, and for his glory.
CONCLUSION – HOW IS THE CHURCH A MEANS OF GRACE?
So, how is the local church a means of grace?
It is a means of grace because the ascended Christ, from the spoils of His victory on the cross and his triumphant ascension, has poured out the Holy Spirit and given serving grace to every single believer. This is the grace of Christ, mediated by the Holy Spirit, and delivered through His people. Jesus has chosen to use this community of believers - this local church - as the primary instrument through which He communicates His grace to one another.
So, the church is a means of grace, in part – because you are here. You’ve got the grace, and now you are called to exercise this spiritual gift of serving grace for others.
It is here, through the equipping ministry of pastor-teachers and the faithful exercise of every member’s gifts, Christ continues His sanctifying work. Here we learn Christ better. Here we grow toward maturity. Here we become doctrinally stable, no longer tossed about by every wind of doctrine. And here we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace through humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance.
The church is not an optional add-on to the Christian life. It is God’s appointed arena in which the ascended Christ, by His Spirit, uses ordinary believers to strengthen, encourage, correct, and build up one another in love. When each part is working properly, when every joint supplies what it was designed to supply, the whole body grows and builds itself up in love. This is how we walk worthy of the calling we have received.
So, don’t settle for a privatized faith. Don’t come to church with a consumer mindset, asking, “What programs or services can this church offer me this week?” That kind of thinking misses the whole point. Instead, Christ calls you to ask a different question: “How can I serve my brothers and sisters with the measure of grace He has given me?” The church is not primarily a place where you come to receive for yourself. It is the community through which the ascended Christ, by His Spirit, ministers His grace to others through you - and to you through others. If you are only consuming and not contributing, you are robbing both yourself and the body of the grace Christ intends to give.
May God grant us the grace to walk worthy of our calling - together - as we use the gifts He has given us to help one another become more like Jesus. After all, that is the ultimate GOAL OF SERVING GRACE – that we, according to Paul, might collectively “attain to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
