Service Through Gifts
Romans 12:3-8
Introduction
From the beginning we must understand that Paul is talking to us about living the Christian life in Romans 12
As we have looked at over the last couple of weeks, we have seen Paul encourage us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices
He has also encouraged us to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed into the image of Christ
One of the main ways that takes place is by renewing our mind
This morning, Paul tells us that truly one of the main ways we can present our bodies as living sacrifices is by Serving one another Through the Gifts we’ve been given
Read Romans 12:3-8 / Pray
Trans: The first thing Paul does is give us a warning about…
1. Spiritual Pride
Read Vs 3
NLT “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us”
We hear a lot about low self-esteem, and I know it is a real problem suffered by some
But the Bible says that man’s main problem is not thinking too low of himself, but too highly
In other words – PRIDE – not just in the world but it is also in the church
Paul says in vs 3 “Don’t go thinking that you are something; that you are better than someone else”
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”
How many times in our lives have we had those thoughts about thinking we are better than someone else?
Listen, I know I have had them – Can I get a witness?
We often times think we are better or more important because of our status at work; or even work our status at church
Depending on what we do, if we are not careful, we can allow spiritual pride to creep in and affect our walk with God and in our service to others
Remember the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:10-14 (turn there)
The key is to live in the town called Humbleville – true humility will help you avoid thinking more highly of yourself than you should
What can happen if pride rules your life?
2 Chron 26:16 “But after Uzziah became powerful, his PRIDE led to his downfall…”
Psalm 105:36 (NLT) “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride”
Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) “Pride leads to disgrace but with humility comes wisdom”
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”
God draws close to those who have humility but is far from the proud of heart
Trans: But then the question is asked, what can cause me to have spiritual pride in the church? Mainly because of
2. Spiritual Gifts
Read vs. 4-8
Paul says that we have many members and not all of the members have the same function
We form one body but all have different functions or gifts and each of us belong to each other
Listen, there are no lone rangers in the Kingdom of God
You and I need each other in order to function properly as a body of Christ
Depending on the gift you’ve been given, you can easily get caught up in Spiritual Pride
“Well, I have the gift to teach Sunday school or I can preach or I can evangelize”
And how many think that these are the more superior gifts? It’s those that fall into the trap of Spiritual Pride
Besides, you and I have nothing to do with the gift or gifts we have
Paul says in 1 Cor 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”
Vs 11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one JUST AS HE DETERMINES”
The gift we have is given to us by the Spirit for the manifestation of the Spirit through our gifts
Why can’t I pick my gift? Because everyone would want what they THINK is the greater gifts
Turn to 1 Cor 12:21-22
Look what Paul tells us in 1 Cor 12:18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, everyone of them, just as He wanted them to be”
Listen, it’s not by coincidence that you are here today as a member of this body called Trinity Baptist
Why? Because God has placed you here in order to operate in your gift so that the Spirit can be manifested through you in this place
ILLUSTRATION: If I am working on a project car and fixing it up – and in order to complete it, I need two doors, a driver side and passenger side
Everywhere I go, I can find plenty of driver side doors but no passenger side doors
No matter how many driver side doors I get, my vehicle will never be complete unless I can find a passenger side door
The same is true in God’s Kingdom and spiritual gifts – God has given you a gift and it is made to fit and work just right in this body
God has given us all a gift to be used for His glory – not ours – can I get a witness?
And we all need each other and we all belong to each other
And Paul says in our passage of Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts, according to the GRACE GIVEN US…”
Then he basically says that we are to operate in those gifts
And you will be frustrated trying to be a foot when God has called you to be an ear for His service
Conclusion
Paul says that we are to NOT be conformed but to be transformed into the image of Christ…to have our minds renewed
And we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices
And one way we do that is by serving each other with our gifts
He gives us a warning though against thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to
The road to greatness runs through Humbleville
And Paul says we all have spiritual gifts that have been given to us that the Holy Spirit may be manifested through in our service to each other
Listen, you may be the big toe in the body of Christ, not the eyes or ears, or flowing hair, but we need you
Our equilibrium will be off without you – we will have no balance
So whatever gifts you have use them for the Kingdom of God
And remember, your gift will make room for your but your brokenness or humility makes you fit
Pray
