SERVE GOD AS MEMBERS OF ONE BODY (12:3-8)

Introduction

We saw from last week that because all of redemption is of and from God from start to finish, our response is to present our bodies as living sacrifices, which, because of the mercies of God, is holy and acceptable. As a result, we will not conform to this world, but be transformed by having our minds renewed by the Holy Spirit’s work through his word. This affords us the abiblity to know the good, acceptble, and perfect will or God.

But what do we do with that knowledge? Is our existence as a transformed child of God to remain in a static state of awareness or is there something more dynamic going on as an outcome of who we are? This morning’s lesson answer these questions as we, Serve God As Members of One Body.

Text: Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:3–8 ESV

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. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 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.

A. WITH HUMILITY (3)

1. In all seriousness (3a)

not think of yourself more highly (huperphroneo ) than you ought to think - not to over-estimate himself, or to think more of himself than he ought to

but - in contrast

think with sober judgment (eis sophroneo) - to think so as to act soberly or wisely, self judging.

2. For what we are comes from God (3b)

each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned

each - denotes the comprehensiveness of the entire body

according to - like, as

the measure [metron - something that is quantifiable] of faith [pistis] - there is a measured amount of faith that has been given to each believer that expresses itself in workable gifts.

that God has assigned [verb: aor, act, ind - to give out as one’s portion to share] - God is the one responsible for the distribution of gifts.

B. WITH APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY (4-5)

For - let me explain to you why, the reason (4)

1. Members do not have the same function (4)

Function (praxis) - a thing to be done, business

2. But we are one, members of one another (5)

Many (polus)…one (heis) – those who are numerous as individuals united together, constituting one society or one people, mutually dependent, and having the same great interests at heart, though to be prompted by us according to our peculiar talents and opportunities

C. WITH ZEAL, NO MATTER WHAT OUR GIFTS (6-8)

1. Different (diaphoros) Gifts - different, varying in kind; excellent, surpassing (cf.: 1Cor 12-14; Eph 4:11, 12)

Note that as we go through this list that there are two commonalities:

every one of these gifts are used to build up the body

they are to be done with zeal and joy

Prophesy (propheteia) - a discourse (both foretelling and forthtelling) emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God (early church received divine revelation, today we forth-tell from the completed cannon of scripture.

Serving (diakonia) - service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others

Teaching (didasko) - to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses

Exhortation (parakaleo) - to call to one’s side, call for, summon

Contributing or giving (metadidomi) - to impart generously with a hint of ananimity

Leadership (proistemi) - to be over, to superintend, preside over

Acts of mercy (eleeo) - to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched