The Common Life of Disciples of Christ

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

Becoming a living sacrifice, Paul uses himself as an example of one whom has sacrificed himself to God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. He has as received a grace-assignment from God, and now is calling the believers in Rome to carry out the assignment in the body of Christ that God has given them.

The Assignment for Ministry

The grace (assignment for ministry) given to the apostle Paul is clear in Scripture.

He was called to be an apostle, to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, starting and nurturing churches in the process.

Put in notes maybe not say

Here are the key verses that reveal the grace that was given to him:

• Romans 1:5: Grace and apostleship to call Gentiles to faith.

• Romans 15:15: Grace given to be a minister of Christ to the Gentiles.

• 1 Corinthians 15:10: The grace of apostleship was at work in him.

• Galatians 2:9: The grace given to him was evident to church leaders.

• Ephesians 3:7: Grace to be a servant of the gospel.

• Ephesians 4:7: Grace that was apportioned to him by Christ.

It is by the grace given to [him] that he writes authoritatively to the church in Rome concerning the grace given to them.

Don’t Think To Highly of Your Self

He is speaking as an apostle. No one knows better than Paul how irrelevant the question of “status” is in terms of the grace of God. Grace comes by way of mercy, not by merit or by heritage.

Had there been a problem with “status” in the church at Rome? Very possibly, “Yes,” especially in light of what Paul says to the church in chapters 14–15.

But here he says, Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather … with sober judgment.

Perhaps the Jews regarded themselves as special because of their heritage. Perhaps the Gentiles regarded themselves as preferred because of Israel’s status of being hardened by God.

Paul is calling them to see though the renewed mind, and the renewed mind sees everything through mercy-colored glasses. Living sacrifices have no status, especially sacrifices who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

I am reminded of Deuteronomy 9:4-5

Deuteronomy 9:4–5 CSB

4 When the Lord your God drives them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘The Lord brought me in to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.’ Instead, the Lord will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness. 5 You are not going to take possession of their land because of your righteousness or your integrity. Instead, the Lord your God will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness, in order to fulfill the promise he swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It’s not our works but his grace that save us.

One Body Different Gifts

And he has given us Grace according to our faith to accomplish the task set before us. All of us are different

About two years before writing to the church in Rome, Paul had penned his first letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians, about A.D. 55). In that letter, written to a church with many internal problems, rivalries, factions, and sinful practices, he takes two chapters (1 Cor. 12, 14) to cover what he covers here in five verses: the church as a body with many parts, and spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13 is paralleled by Rom. 12:9–21).

The Body is diverse but still one Body. It can only function if the members view themselves in like to there grace assignments, Each believer doing his or her part. With the Gifts God has given.

What is my Gifting?

There four locations that talk about Spiritual Gifts.

Only one of them uses the word for Gifts in the Greek. The others us the words for Service and Workings. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 is an important verse for that decision.

This has lead me to look at this passage as categories. or 7 Motivational Gifts.

From these Primary Gifts flows our services, flows are workings.

I am going to continue in this way of thinking. Not only does it make it easier to get started, but it is also more versatile, because you are not being tied to one ministry but using your gift in all areas of life, becomes possible.

Here we see 7 Primary Spiritual Gifts

Prophecy

Service

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

These are all basic needs and we all do these at some level, Every Church Needs these things happening. So when I say my Primary is Teaching doesn’t mean I don’t serve, But that isn’t my Primary. It is the thing that keeps me from burning out on all the other things I could be doing. and where I am most gifted.

Take a test - YES, NO, Maybe – Don’t think too hard, let it flow I have done this before here

Prophecy – The divine enablement to proclaim God’s truth with power and clarity in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion for correction, repentance, or edification. Ability to reveal God’s Word accurately.

They speak to where the real issues are. They are Persuasive Speakers, Often Opinionated, Read People, Often Like Large groups over one on one.

Problems that can arise. Proud of speaking ability. Depending on speaking ability instead of Power of Holy Spirit. Can be insensitive to feelings.

Service – The divine enablement to attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of physical tasks within the Body of Christ. Ability to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs that releases other Christians for direct spiritual ministry.

People with this gift ask: “What can I do to help?”

Type of person that comes over and you have a conversation and then three months later gives you something or does something for you and you say how did you know

Well you mentioned it three months ago when we were together

Dangers

Can be bitter when their needs aren’t met

They tend to be neglected because they are the servers

Teaching – The divine enablement to understand and give detailed explanation of biblical truth. Ability to search out and validate truth which has been presented.

People with this gift ask: “What is truth? Where did you get that? Why?”

This is the type of person that is constantly going while I teach

What about that

I heard this

Where did you get that

Where is the research

Dangers

Get to caught up in details and content instead of application

Proud of knowledge

Exhortation - The divine enablement to come alongside another in need of encouragement to reassure, strengthen, affirm, and challenge those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith. Ability to stimulate the faith of others.

People with this gift ask: “What must be done to fix this? How can we move to wholeness?”

Gifted in counseling

How to be practical in application

Danger

Become discouraged when they don’t see results in people

Giving - The divine enablement to earn money, manage it well, and wisely contribute to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and liberality. Ability to entrust personal assets to others for the furtherance of their ministry.

People with this gift ask: “What can I give to meet the need?”

Generosity

Often shows up in money

See opportunity

Doesn’t have to have money

Don’t have to be rich

Dangers

Pride

Over emphasizing material needs instead of spiritual

Judge others according to their bank account

How much are you giving

Look at people through this lenses

Easy for you to make money

Start saving

Start tithing

Natural to them they want it to be for you too

Leadership - The divine enablement to see what needs to be done, set goals and attract, and lead and motivate people to accomplish the work of the ministry. Ability to coordinate the activities of others for the achievement of common goals.

People with this gift ask: “Where’s the goal?”

Vision and direction

Take charge

Enjoy responsibility

Guy who wants to take the last shot in the game

Irritated when things aren’t moving

See big picture

Danger

Use people to achieve goal

Pushy

Sometimes forget purpose of the project

Mercy - The divine enablement to minister cheerfully and appropriately to people who are suffering or undeserving and to spare them from punishment or consequences justly deserved. Ability to identify with and comfort those who are in distress.

People with this gift ask: “How can I make them feel better?”

Want to withhold justice

Understand hurts of people

Something in heart that wants to help

Detect peoples feelings and are drawn to help

Sensitive to the point of action

Want to help

Danger

Have hard time being firm

Resentment for those without gift

Misunderstand by opposite sex

Get involved in bad relationships because they are trying to help instead of finding another of same sex to help them

Next Steps

What of these seven do you resonate with. You are a workmanship and God has given you different gifts so that we can work together for His glory.

Where do you fit in with the wonderful design of God?

If you understand your primary spiritual Gift you can prioritize your life and all the ministry opportunities that are out there

Get together with someone else

Trusted

Ask them to see what they think don’t tell them yours first

Talk about it work together

Don’t be just another Christian trying to be good

Discover your gifts and see what God wants you to do

The bottom line of Paul’s move from sacrifice to a healthy body of Christ is, “Do what God has gifted you to do. Sacrifice your own likes, dislikes, preferences, and partisan positions for the sake of the one who had mercy on you.”

Pray

Bibliography

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Chip, Ingram. R12 Living on the Edge Study Guide: Dare to Experience True Spirituality . New York: Howard Books, 2009.

Bruce, F. F. Romans: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 6 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.

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Questions for Further Discussion

What is the believer's response to God's mercy according to the sermon?

What grace-assignment did Apostle Paul receive from God according to the sermon?

Why does the sermon caution against thinking too highly of oneself?

What types of primary spiritual gifts are mentioned in the sermon? List a few examples.

According to the sermon, how can understanding your primary spiritual gift help you prioritize your life and ministry opportunities?