Episode 921
Embracing Diversity: Insights from Ephesians 4
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The passage from Ephesians 4:7-16 provides a compelling discourse on the concept of unity amid diversity, a theme that is particularly relevant in today’s society. I examine how the Apostle Paul articulates the idea that each believer is endowed with unique spiritual gifts, bestowed out of Christ's generosity. This notion challenges the common societal expectation of conformity, instead positing that our differences are divinely intended and essential for the health of the faith community. Paul's revolutionary message encourages us to embrace the variety of gifts and perspectives within our congregations, fostering an environment where each individual can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the collective mission of the church.
Additionally, the text invites us to consider the importance of communal growth as a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. Spiritual maturation, as depicted in this passage, is not merely about individual achievement but rather about cultivating a shared journey of love and justice within our communities. The metaphor of the church as Christ's body emphasizes that we grow in relationship with one another, and that true maturity is evidenced by our ability to engage with the complexities of life in a manner that reflects Christ’s love. This communal aspect of growth highlights our interdependence and the necessity of nurturing authentic relationships that support one another in faith.
Finally, the call to speak the truth in love resonates deeply in an era marked by division and discord. The passage emphasizes that communicating truth should be done through the lens of compassion, positioning it as a means of fostering connection rather than conflict. This approach to truth-telling invites us to engage in radical honesty that serves the purpose of healing relationships and building understanding. As we reflect on these profound insights, we are encouraged to identify our unique gifts and perspectives and to share them intentionally, recognizing that our individuality is a vital part of God's design for a flourishing faith community.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the significance of embracing diversity within our faith communities, highlighting that it is divinely ordained rather than merely tolerated.
- A central theme presented is the necessity of collective growth, suggesting that spiritual maturity is inherently communal and thrives in relationships with others.
- The instruction to convey truth through love is particularly pertinent, advocating for wisdom to be shared compassionately rather than as a means of division.
- Listeners are encouraged to identify and share their unique gifts, recognizing that their distinctiveness is a vital aspect of God's design for unity.
- The episode reiterates that spiritual growth requires moving beyond comfort zones to engage with the complexities of life and relationships.
- The podcast concludes with a prayer that seeks guidance for embracing diversity and fostering communities where all individuals can flourish.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Unity in Diversity A Message from Ephesians 4, 7, 16 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily visit with me to the New Testament of the Bible.
Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary Selective reading for this very day.
Speaker A:We're in the Pentecost season.
Speaker A:We made the reading of the New Testament understandable.
Speaker A:We read for the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder and applicable by giving you an action step.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A:Let's get into today's reading from Ephesians 4, 7, 16 reading from the Message but that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Speaker A:Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us has given his own gift.
Speaker A:The text for this is he climbed the high mountain.
Speaker A:He captured the enemy and seized the plunder.
Speaker A:He handed it all out in gifts to the people.
Speaker A:Is it not true that the one who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth?
Speaker A:And the one who climbed down is the one who climbed back up, up to highest heaven.
Speaker A:He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts.
Speaker A:He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist and pastor, teacher to train Christ followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
Speaker A:No prolonged infancy is among us.
Speaker A:Please.
Speaker A:We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators.
Speaker A:God wants us to grow up to know the whole truth and tell it in love like Christ in everything.
Speaker A:We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
Speaker A:He keeps us in step with each other.
Speaker A:His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Speaker A:We have a great reading here about the spiritual gifts, about growth and about community.
Speaker A:So let's dive into some points to ponder in this journey of faith.
Speaker A:The first is about celebrating divine diversity, and this passage really has a profound reminder that we're all not meant to be carbon copies of each other in an era where conformity often feels demanded.
Speaker A:Paul's words are revolutionary.
Speaker A:Each person receives unique gifts from Christ, suggesting that diversity is isn't just tolerated, it's divinely ordained.
Speaker A:This challenges us to resist the impulse to enforce spiritual uniformity and instead embrace the beautiful variety within our faith communities.
Speaker A:A second point is about a collective growth as sacred work.
Speaker A:The text here speaks of growing into fully mature adults in progressive thinking theology.
Speaker A:This maturity isn't about achieving doctrinal perfectionism, but rather developing our capacity for love, justice and authentic relationship with both God and neighbor.
Speaker A:The metaphor of Christ's body suggests that spiritual growth is inherently communal.
Speaker A:We don't mature in isolation, but in relationship with others.
Speaker A:Another point is about truth through love.
Speaker A:The instruction to know the whole truth and tell it in love is particularly relevant today in our polarized world.
Speaker A:This passage suggests that truth telling isn't about wielding facts as weapons, but about sharing wisdom through the lens of compassion and understanding.
Speaker A:It's a call to radical honesty that's always in service of healing and connection.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify one unique gift or perspective that you bring to others and to your community that might seem a little different or unconventional.
Speaker A:And rather than downplaying it or find some other way to dismiss it, find a way to intentionally share this gift and service to others.
Speaker A:Remember your uniqueness.
Speaker A:Your distinctiveness is a part of God's design.
Speaker A:We're going to come back and have a prayer in just a minute.
Speaker A:Always want to let you know we've got a resource for you.
Speaker A:You.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Just head on over to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com it's free to you right there.
Speaker A:Pick it up voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the divine source of all.
Speaker A:We thank you for the beautiful tapestry of gifts you've woven into our communities.
Speaker A:Help us embrace our unique roles while staying connected to to the whole.
Speaker A:When we're tempted to enforce sameness, remind us that your spirit flows through our differences.
Speaker A:Give us courage to grow beyond comfortable spiritual infancy into mature faith that engages with life's complexities.
Speaker A:Guide us in speaking truth with love and help us recognize your presence in unexpected places and people.
Speaker A:Grant us wisdom to see that our differences aren't divisions, but opportunities for deeper understanding.
Speaker A:May we May we move rhythmically and easily with each other, creating communities where all can flourish.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Great to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Look forward to spending more time with you tomorrow.
Speaker A:We're here every day.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am Eastern Time.
Speaker A:You can find it all at at all the at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all the other podcast directories, but particularly go to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com.
Speaker A:subscribe to the podcast so you'll get it in your email box all the time.
Speaker A:Remember, we have our our resource the ABC123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:I'll see you tomorrow, good people.
Speaker A:Until then, Remember, this is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller inviting you to know that God's loyal love doesn't work run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
