Graced to be Used
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Prayer: Father thank you for this gathering, let our hearts be filled with grace as we read and listen to scripture for your glory amen.
After climbing an enormous theological hill, Paul continues to shift gears in Romans 12. The first eleven chapters provided a basis for our belief, but from chapter twelve to the end of the book, the apostle supplies a basis for our behavior.
*First doctrine then duty*
In verse 1 & 2 Paul pleads with the church based on God’s mercy, to lovingly surrender themselves to the Lord.
Today I want to make a gospel plea to you. Will you surrender yourself to the Lord?
For the remainder of the book of Roman’s you will see an overview of God’s righteousness in a believer's everyday lifestyle... It is the gift of God’s saving righteousness that leads you to a new life.
Verse 1&2 summarize our response to God’s grace and serve as the introduction for the remainder of this letter to the Romans and to every believer today.
Are you living a lifestyle that pleases God?
We are all giving this opportunity to live a lifestyle pleasing to God because of the mercy of God...
Mercy defined, is Gods withholding punishment for what we actually deserve... displaying God’s compassion towards us.
Paul urges the church to respond in the text:
Point #1 Be honest and keep it real...
Verse 3
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Paul outright acknowledges the grace that God has given him according to Roman’s 1:5 where he state’s “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,” Paul is calling those who are in Christ to stay and be honest and keep it real... as you live a sacrificial life.
God has granted and assigned a different measure of faith to each one of us. So, it is imperative that we be realistic with how we think about our lives, that enables us to accurately reflect the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”” Ephesians 4:7-8 ESV
Point #2 We are one in Christ and one of another.
Verse 4-5
For as in one body, we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
*DIVERSITY*
Paul has been graced to share the gospel to all nations. The diversity and unity of the church is compared to our human body. Just as the human body is one with many members literally, limbs, hands, ears, eyes, etc.... The church is united although it is composed of many members. Look around...We form the body of Christ His church.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 ESV
“From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:16 ESV
As a local church this speaks to us and for us as we hold to one of our core values of biblical diversity... All nations... Working properly... healthy... Love...
“We are one in Christ and one of another”
With this understanding we are all still different... Point #3 Use your gifts
Verse 6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
We are all gifted by God. God has given His church a variety of gifts. Here lays the evidence. We are brokers of gifts, talents, and resources. Paul encourages the church to discover, develop, and distribute... in other words use your gifts for His glory.
Every believer is a steward of God's grace given to him or her. We are empowered to utilize our gifts at gathering’s, home, work, communities...
God gifted you to serve his people not to be a spiritual hoarder. Point #4 Glorify God with our gifts
Verse 7-8
(if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; )
if service, in our serving;
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Paul gives us a list of 7 gifts, by far this is not an exhaustive list, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see or hear one of your gifts because there are more...
1- Gift of Prophecy
To challenge others by declaring God’s truth and calling for action.
2- Gift of Service or Ministry
To serve others and meet their needs.
3- Gift of Teaching
To explain the truth so that others can understand and apply it.
4- Gift of Exhortation
To encourage, strengthen, and inspire others to be their best.
5- Gift of Giving
To generously share what God has given.
6- Gift of Leadership
To govern and oversee others so that the group moves forward.
7- Gift of Mercy
To empathize with cheer and show compassion to those who hurt.
All of these gifts mean nothing and will come to naught without your acceptance and atonement of Christ and how he sacrificed His life for you.
Communion:
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV