This week, we continued our Growing Roots and Bearing Fruit series in Ephesians, looking at chapter 4:1–16. Paul’s words here are a powerful reminder that every believer has been called by God—not just into salvation, but into service.
Our First Calling: Out of Darkness and Into Light
Paul begins this passage with a “therefore.” And whenever we see a therefore in the Bible, we should ask: what’s it there for?
Chapters 1–3 of Ephesians lay the foundation of the gospel—God has chosen us, redeemed us through Christ’s blood, forgiven us, and sealed us with His Spirit. We were once dead in sin, but by grace we’ve been made alive. Jews and Gentiles alike are now one body, one church, one family.
Therefore, Paul says, live a life worthy of that calling.
Our first and universal calling is this: to step out of darkness and into God’s glorious light. That’s true of every Christian everywhere.
Our Second Calling: To Serve
Alongside that universal call, each one of us is given a personal calling. God has placed unique gifts in every believer—not just leaders, not just pastors or worship teams, but every single one of us.
Your gift may be encouragement, teaching, generosity, serving, kindness, hospitality, leadership, or something else. It might be visible in church on Sundays, or it might be lived out at home, at work, or in your community. Wherever it is, it’s God’s gift in you, given to build up others and bring Him glory.
Serving with Humility, Gentleness, and Patience
Paul urges us to serve one another with humility, gentleness, and patience.
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Humility isn’t about putting ourselves down—it’s about putting God first.
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Gentleness reflects the heart of Jesus, who welcomed the vulnerable and showed kindness even to those who rejected Him.
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Patience is love in action, a willingness to forgive and endure without complaining.
When we serve this way, we reflect Christ and help others see what God is like.
Unity in the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4 reminds us: “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
The Christian life isn’t about “me” or “I,” it’s about us. Unity is so powerful that Psalm 133 says God commands a blessing where His people live in harmony.
But unity doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when each of us plays our part. Just as a body suffers when one part isn’t working, so the church suffers when someone holds back their gift.
Finding Your Place to Serve
Maybe you’re already serving and you’ve found joy in using your gift. Maybe you’ve stepped back for a season. Or maybe you feel nervous, unsure of what your gift is, or afraid of what God might ask you to do.
The truth is, you don’t need a title or a paycheck to serve. You just need a willing heart. As Peter writes, “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10).
Serving isn’t optional for believers—it’s part of our identity. It’s how we grow into maturity, how we become more like Jesus, and how the church stays strong and steady.
The Question for Us
So the question isn’t, “Do I have a gift?”—because you do.
The real question is: “Am I using it?”
And if not, why not?
God has given each of us something unique to contribute. When we all play our part, the whole body grows, becomes healthy, and is filled with love.