Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

December 4: Ephesians 1-4

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people…11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Observation: Giving gifts has always been associated with Christmas. It is common to think of the magi that came from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Of course the greatest Christmas gift was the baby lying in the manger. God so loved that He gave His Son! Wow! God’s gifts often come packaged as people. The gifts mentioned in verse 11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) are not given to do the work of the church, but to prepare the body of Christ to do the work of the church.

Application: The gifts God has given me—the people God has brought to minister into my life—are to prepare me to be a gift to someone else. I need to ask myself, “What kind of a gift will I be today, and to whom?”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to be a gift that encourages and equips others to be the gift you want them to be. May you receive many expressions of thanks from people who are glad you put this gift in their lives. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!