Use What You've Been Given
Romans: Unashamed - Building the Church through the Gospel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Imagine a group of musicians coming together to form an orchestra. Each musician has a different instrument and a unique set of skills and talents. The cellist has a deep, resonant tone that anchors the melody, while the violinist's nimble fingers bring a light, airy quality to the music. The percussionist keeps the rhythm steady with a steady beat, and the flutist adds a playful, whimsical tone. Alone, each musician is talented, but together, they create a beautiful symphony that brings joy and delight to all who hear it.
In the same way, Paul reminds us in Romans 12:5-8 that each of us has a unique set of gifts and talents that can be used to serve the body of Christ. Just as each musician in the orchestra has a specific role to play in creating beautiful music, each of us has a specific role to play in building up the church. Some of us may have the gift of teaching, while others have the gift of serving or encouraging. Some of us may have the gift of leadership, while others have the gift of generosity or hospitality. Alone, our gifts may be impressive, but together, they can create a powerful force for good, bringing hope, healing, and love to a world in need.
Believer, God has entrusted you with a gift! What will you do with it?
Main Idea: The Church Body Must Know and Use Her Gifts
Interrogative:
Transition:
God Decides Your Gift - You Should Decide to Use it (vs. 6a)
Romans 12:6 (ESV)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
Christian, by the grace of God we enjoy redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead.
We know that salvation is nothing that we could ever accomplish by our own strength. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone.
A good way to summarize this good news is to biblically unpack the words God, Humanity, Christ, Response.
God. God is the creator of all things (Gen. 1:1). He is perfectly holy, worthy of all worship, and will punish sin (1 John 1:5, Rev. 4:11, Rom. 2:5-8).
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Humanity. All people, though created good, have become sinful by nature (Gen. 1:26-28, Ps. 51:5, Rom. 3:23). From birth, all people are alienated from God, hostile to God, and subject to the wrath of God (Eph. 2:1-3).
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Christ. Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to bear God’s wrath in the place of all who would believe in him, and rose from the grave in order to give his people eternal life (John 1:1, 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 7:26, Rom. 3:21-26, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Cor. 15:20-22).
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Response. God calls everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and trust in Christ in order to be saved (Mark 1:15, Acts 20:21, Rom. 10:9-10).
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
And if you have, in fact, responded to God’s glorious gospel, you are not only redeemed, but you have the Spirit of God dwelling within you.
And if you have the Spirit of God dwelling within you, then you have received a gift from God himself.
What is a gift from the Holy Spirit?
“Spiritual gifts are abilities given to individual believers by the Holy Spirit in order to equip God’s people for ministry, both for the edification of the church and for God’s salvific mission to the world.” - Susanne Calhoun, “Spiritual Gifts in the Church,” in Lexham Survey of Theology, ed. Mark Ward et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018).
And it is in passages like Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Eph 4.
These lists are very helpful in understand the kinds of Gifts God gives. We’ll look specifically at the ones in this chapter in a few minutes.
But I do want us to understand clearly from this text that not only does every Christian receive a gift, Christians receive different gifts. And the decision behind the gift you receive is God’s and God’s alone.
The implication of this reality is that if the all-knowing and wise God gives you a Spiritual Gift for the purpose equipping people for ministry and for the building up and strengthening of the church for the salvation of the world, then we can assume that He is wise enough to give you the best gift fit specifically for you.
Now, I want to give you a mind blowing thought - Their are specific gifts listed as I mentioned. And every Christians receives at least one gift, possibly more. And when that gift is mixed with your unique personality, God has created a unique, never to be duplicated version of that gift! Isn’t that amazing!
I’ll give you an example. Bob Curtis and Bill Amstutz both have the gift of teaching. Bob is a great teacher! I love sitting under his instruction! Bill is a great teacher as well. Bob and Bill have the Spiritual gift of teaching, but Bob does not teach like Bill and Bill does not teach like Bob. Their personalities transform their gift of teaching to be unique and unreproducible.
The point? Your gift mingled with your personality makes you uniquely helpful to this congregation specifically.
Think about it. God Sovereignly brought you to this congregation to serve in it. The Spiritual gift He gave you, mingled with your personality is designed by Him to make you specifically useful in His local Church - Allendale Baptist Church.
Simply stated God brought you here to accomplish the work of the ministry through you!
What does Paul say in verse 6a?
Romans 12:6 (ESV)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
LET US USE THEM! It is interesting to note that these words are not found in the original Greek.
The CSB translates it without the phrase.
6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith;
The point? Most translators thought it was important to know that this phrase, “Let us use them” is implied in the text that we should use the gifts God has given us for His glory and maturation and furtherance of the Body of Christ.
Illustration - Spilling Coffee in the auditorium...
Argumentation - Friends, God has decided to give you a Spiritual Gift that is just for you to use you powerfully for the ministry
Remember what Paul says in Ephesians 4?
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Application - As I mentioned last week, one of the best ways to discover your spiritual gifting is to start serving in the church. As you serve you will fin
Review - The Church Body Must Know and Use Her Gifts
God Decides Your Gift - You Should Decide to Use it
2. How are YOU Gifted? How Should You Use Your Gift? (vs. 6b-8)
Explanation - Paul now gives a list of specific gifts to help those in Rome understand how the Spirit manifests His gifts in the lives of His followers. Why do you suppose Paul identifies specific gifts like he does here? To demonstrate unity amongst diversity. Remeinicent of 1 Coriinthians 12, not all are an eye, not all are an ear, not all are a nose. The body of Christ is a diverse group of people that have differing thoughts and characteristic but they are unified by their love for the Savior.
So, what are the gifts? Let’s get specific!
Are you gifted in Prophecy? Be faithful (6b)
Romans 12:6 (ESV)
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
What is prophecy? προφητείαν / πίστεως
“Speaking forth” while some in the New Testament did predict the future
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
Most of the time this word is used in the New Testament is has to do with speaking or “Speaking forth” the word of God.
So in this sense, anytime the word of God is preached, it is being “spoken forth.”
Paul says here to those that have this gift - do this “in proportion to your faith.” In other words, the more faith you have the more you will comfortably speak forth!
So, be faithful in preaching the same message that the Apostles preached.
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Are you gifted in Service? Serve well (7a)
Romans 12:7 (ESV)
if service, in our serving;
What is service? διακονίαν / διακονίᾳ,
Interestingly, this word is the same word used for deacon and deaconess in the New Testament. This refers to those who serve in the church. So, our deacons are not a deacon board. The word “board” connotes authority. Deacons were originally called in Acts 6 to serve. In fact the heading in my Bible over Acts 6:1-7 says “Seven Chosen to Serve.” Our Deacons are the Chief servants among us setting the example of selfless service taking some of the pressure off the elders so they can be given to the ministry of Prayer and the Word.
This gift of serving has a broad application as well and is closely related to the gift of “Helps.”
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
In a very real sense, all of us should be helping and serving one another. No Christian gets a pass from serving. After all, this was a main characteristic of our Lord.
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus served amazingly well, and so should you!
Are you gifted in Teaching? Open the text (7b)
Romans 12:7 (ESV)
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
What is teaching? διδάσκων / διδασκαλίᾳ,
It is where we get our english word, didactic from...
“The term "didactic" refers to something that is intended to teach or instruct.” - A.I.
“The ability to interpret, clarify, systematize, and explain God’s truth clearly.” - MSB
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
The Pastor / Elder must have the capability to open the Word of God and teach it.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
However, the gift of teaching is not limited to the office of Elder, godly laypeople can also teach the word.
There is a difference between prophecy (preaching) and teaching...
Are you gifted in Exhortation? Come alongside people (8a)
Romans 12:8 (ESV)
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
What is exhortation? παρακαλῶν / παρακλήσει,
This is a gift from the Holy Spirit that enables the Christian to effectively call other believers to not only listen to God, but to obey Him.
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
The greek word is para-kalon - to come alongside and call. The implication is to call out for change.
Why do you and I need to have people with this gift?
Because we need to be called back to God and His holiness. Sometimes this calling is positive and sometimes this calling is negative.
In either case, it is needed in the body of Christ.
If you have this gift, be humble.
If you are the recipient of this gift, be thankful.
Are you gifted in Giving? Be Generous (8b)
Romans 12:8 (ESV)
the one who contributes, in generosity;
What is giving? μεταδιδοὺς / ἁπλότητι,
Giving is sharing one’s resources/stuff willingly and generously with the goal of helping others meet their needs.
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
How are those with this gift to give? Generously, liberally, sacrificially!
By the way, this gift is very important in the life of the church. Generous giving INSPIRES generous giving. God can use you to start a chain reaction for giving within the church.
Those of you that have the gift of giving, give generously because it is glorifying to God, but it also pushes other people to give as well.
Are you gifted in Leadership? Do it with passion (8c)
Romans 12:8 (ESV)
the one who leads, with zeal;
What is leadership? προϊστάμενος / σπουδῇ,
This word means to “Stand before” This gift can also be called the gift of administration.
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
This word also means “to guide,” “to pilot,” “to steer a ship.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
This includes leadership in the home.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
This gift is not limited to the pastor/elder role.
Lead with zeal (eagerness)
Are you gifted in Mercy? Show it with a big smile! (8d)
Romans 12:8 (ESV)
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
What are acts of mercy? ἐλεῶν / ἱλαρότητι.
This gift shows up in someone who has a big heart and desires to eliminate the suffering of those who are hurting and in pain. They are willing to share of their time, resources, and life to help alleviate someone’s affliction.
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Christian, you are gifted and you should use your gift in the church.
In a very real, non prideful sense, you are God’s gift to the church because He has gifted you to be.
Illustration - Stan Miller - gifted in exhorting to a young pastor...
Argumentation - Why is Paul bringing this to the attention to those in Rome?
I don’t think many realize the important of the individual to the corporate whole of the church.
Some people think atheism is the biggest threat to the church of Jesus Christ. I do not agree and neither does Kyle Idleman....
“The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.”
― Kyle Idleman, Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus
You, being passive in your Christianity will keep Christianity from impacting this church and consequently the culture around us.
To what do you attribute the startling statistic that 70-80% of churches like our are in decline and closing? Is it possible that one contributing factor is that the people of the church have become fans instead of followers? I do!
Application - Paul has listed off seven gifts in this passage. Which one sounds like it might be a fit for you?
If there is one that fits, what are you doing about it?
Here is what you need to do:
Identify your spiritual gift:
Seek opportunities to serve:
Get involved in a ministry:
Attend training or workshops:
Find a mentor:
Practice, practice, practice:
The more you use your spiritual gift, the more confident and effective you will become. Look for opportunities to practice and refine your skills, whether it's through teaching a small group, serving in a ministry, or leading a project.
Stay humble and open to feedback:
Remember that your spiritual gift is a gift from God and that you are using it to serve others in the church. Stay humble and open to feedback, and be willing to learn from others as you continue to grow in your effectiveness
Review - The Church Body Must Know and Use Her Gifts
God Decides Your Gift - You Should Decide to Use it
How are YOU Gifted? How Should You Use Your Gift?
Conclusion
As we wrap up this passage of Scripture, I want to encourage you to take specific action steps to put into practice the teachings of Romans 12:5-8 and to help us become the church that God has called us to be.
First, take some time to identify your unique gifts and talents. What are you passionate about? What do you excel at? How can you use your gifts to serve others in the church and in the community?
Second, seek out opportunities to serve. Talk to your pastor or church leaders and ask where your gifts and talents could be used. Look for ways to serve in your community and to meet the practical needs of those around you.
Third, be intentional about encouraging others that are trying to use their gifts. Look for ways to lift up and support those who are working at it, and offer words of kindness and affirmation to them. (e.g. Jeremy, Braydon, etc)
And finally, pray for the church. Pray that we would be a community of believers who are united in our love for Christ and our commitment to serving one another. Pray that our gifts and talents would be used to bring glory to God and to further His kingdom here on earth.
Friends, I get pretty pumped thinking about what could be.
What could God do with a group of people determined to find and use their Spiritual Gifts for God?
Wow! I think revival would be inevitable!
Connection Group Reflection Questions
Where are the Spiritual Gifts located in the New Testament?
Which gift resonates with you the most?
What have you done to discover and cultivate your gifting?
What do you do for others to encourage the use of their gifting?