#1444. The ascended Jesus gives spiritual gifts (3/2/26)
- Matt Beaney
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
From Ephesians 4:8–11, we see that Jesus has ascended as King and Lord, and that He Himself gives spiritual gifts to His church, as He determines.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ’ (Ephesians 4:7-11)
1. He gave gifts to His people
In explaining how spiritual gifts are given by Jesus, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18:
‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’
Paul boldly applies this psalm to Jesus, showing that Jesus is the victorious God celebrated in the Old Testament. Through His descent - His incarnation, suffering, cross, and death - Jesus has won a decisive victory over sin, death, and Satan. Having risen from the grave and ascended to heaven, He now reigns as King and gives the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to His church as the spoils of His victory.
The gifts of the Spirit are not random blessings; they are the gracious generosity of our triumphant Saviour.
2. Christ Himself gave
After quoting the psalm, Paul continues with the striking words: ‘So Christ himself gave…’
It is both humbling and astonishing that Jesus chooses to work through us. He who “fills the whole universe” - who rules over all things and is present everywhere - has chosen to make His people His body, equipping us with gifts in order to serve Him and build His church.
Importantly, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given by Jesus Himself. Paul, in using this wonderful analogy of the body makes it clear that only Jesus is the head of the church and its He who gives each member its function.
We cannot demand particular gifts or callings, nor can we manufacture them by effort. We cannot go to do a course and therefore claim a gifting or calling! The church is full of so-called counsellors and teachers who are not gifted and called!
This is why envy, jealousy, and self-promotion have no place in the church. Christ knows His purposes and lovingly assigns each believer their role.
As Clinton Arnold helpfully writes:
‘Christ does not apportion gifts in a random way, but according to his plan. He is the one who chooses who will receive what gift and determines the amount of the gift that each person will receive… The emphasis here is on Christ’s sovereign distribution and apportionment. There is no room left for good works and merit to earn a better gift or a greater portion of a gift.’(Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
Therefore, we are called to be content - and even joyful - in the gift and the measure of grace that Jesus chooses to give to us.
Response - Jesus gives us the gifts and measure of gifting He thinks best!
Do we truly believe that Jesus descended for us as our loving Saviour, and that He has now ascended and reigns for us and for His church?
Are we resting in the gifts and measure of grace He has given us, refusing jealousy, selfish ambition, pride, or insecurity?
Are we willing to serve faithfully where Christ has placed us?
Today, let us worship our ascended King—who fills and rules over all things—and rest confidently in His wise and loving call on our lives.
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
This week is ’SIV Week’ (Serve, Invest and Invite) so we’ll focus more on our seeking to bring our community to Jesus.
On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.
The message on Sunday was: Gifts Part 1. Gifts to Equip the Church
We began the first part in this section on spiritual gifts - please do use the daily devotions to help you to reflect on this important subject.
Please read Ephesians 4:1-13 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?
What are spiritual gifts and what are they for?
How do we discover our spiritual gifts and what are yours?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
How does a church that understands and uses their gifts become effective in mission?
When we think about our vision to plant a congregation into Roehampton, what are the gifts that are required for this?
Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.
Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?
Let’s Pray Together
Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.
Let’s pray for our mission in SW London - particularly to become better witnesses in Putney and Roehampton.
Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.
Ask God to work through us by His power, so that others may come to know Christ.
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