The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 4:7-12, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, ‘When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.’

9 (Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…”

Have you ever wondered just why you were born? Oh, you were doubtlessly

the delight of your parents; but why, from the perspective of the LORD, were

you placed on this Earth? To each believer in Christ, the LORD gave a measure

of grace. We’re not all alike, so He calls us to do what He gives us to do.

It works like this: before Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, there were both Old and New Testament people who believed He would come. But many of them died before He came. They went to a place called Paradise. When Jesus arose from the dead, He went back to Heaven and took with Him the righteous people, who were in Paradise. At the same time, He gave “gifts” (responsibilities, with the power to

achieve them) to various believers still living on Earth. (See the attachment and the chart at the end.)

What are the gifts? Apostles (messengers) refers to the Twelve He chose (excluding Judas Iscariot). Prophets (interpreters) are those gifted with the understanding and interpretation of what Scripture teaches. Evangelists (bearers of good news) are itinerant preachers and missionaries. Pastors (shepherds) are those who take care of believers, feeding and helping them to grow spiritually. Teachers are instructors. Some believe they are pastor-teachers, the same person, as they are so closely related in what they do. They all are for “the equipping of the saints for the work of service,” building up the Church, the body of Christ.

Note that the “the saints” (all believers) are to engage in the service of the LORD –not just the prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers! Find your gift (calling) and get to work! This is how the LORD is glorified, and we are all responsible to do that

for which He placed us on this Earth.

We will always love you, and we continue to hold your before the LORD in prayer,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”