Romans 12:3-8
Notes
Transcript
Big Idea: Let us use the gifts God has given us to bring him glory
Big Idea: Let us use the gifts God has given us to bring him glory
HouseKeeping:
HouseKeeping:
Who am I?
Ascend Update
Series Recap:
Series Recap:
Chapter 1-11: the Gospel
Chapter 12-16: Applying it.
Chapter 12:
You are no longer being conformed by this world
You are being transformed by the renewing of your mind
Picture of a mold:
The more we put on.. the more our mind is being renewed.
Conformed/molded into the image of God.
Today:
Today:
Paul gives us 3 exhortations about our heart posture…. that will prepare us to be people who can heed the following 2.5 chapters of instruction.
exhortations meaning strong encouragement.
in these 8 verses Paul is going to be brief. he wants the reader to hear and apply.
Graham in the car… Dad I need food? to Dad I was angry?
READ/Pray
READ/Pray
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.
exhortation #1
1Do not think of yourself higher than you ought…
1Do not think of yourself higher than you ought…
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.
flip it to a question?
flip it to a question?
1. Sober judgement
1. Sober judgement
- Sober = Judgement not formed without outside influence…
the drunk man’s view of blank
2. The Measure of faith
2. The Measure of faith
Faith = Complete trust or confidence in something
how we get faith?
God gives you faith = God reveals himself to you.
You are being transformed by God… not be conformed by the Pattern of this word… so that you can discern the will of God…
according to the measure of faith = spiritual power given to each Christian for the discharge of his or her special responsibility
How much transformation has taken place in your life?
This is not always linear… While I pray the Older saints have a greater measure of faith that is not guaranteed.
We all know stories of younger Saints who the Lord has given a great measure of faith…. Charles Spurgouns preaching ministry began at 16
Let me Pause: What did those 2 examples just do to your heart? Remember Pauls instruction is to not think more highly of yourself than you ought….
Let me Pause: What did those 2 examples just do to your heart? Remember Pauls instruction is to not think more highly of yourself than you ought….
Older Saints: Did pride and frustration well up with the comments from this young 33 year old preacher.
Younger Saints: did you listen to my example about spurgoun and start to wonder if that was you? (I get it because I have done it…
We have a lot to repent of…
Stay Low
ultimately God desires you to stay humble…
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
God wants the glory… he is not interested in using people who will steal it.
So Pauls first encouragement maintain a proper view of yourself.
God Transformed you
is transforming you
he is growing your faith
We all need God.
Do you recognize your dependence on Jesus?
Transition: So as we as individuals work to maintain a healthy view of our selves. Paul then continues by discussing what this looks like in the context of community!
You have a role in the building up of the church.
You have a role in the building up of the church.
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.
Paul Zooms back out to discuss the church as a whole
Different members = different functions.
God is stirring things in all of your hearts this morning and he is going to do unique things with what he is stiring…
At the end of the day what he does through you is the building up of the church.
When you are asking God to use you, what is your motive? Your personal gain or the building up of the church?
Why did you come to “church this morning”? Listen to a speaker and live a smoother life, someone wanted me to? Jesus is building his church and its through us…
May the primary mission of our lives be to see God do more through the church than just us.
making church about you is following the pattern of this world.
Transiton: for time sake we cant belabor on point 2.
Use the gifts God has given you
Use the gifts God has given you
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.
Paul is going to list gifts but that is not the point.
This is not the spiritual gifts assessment chapter… thats in the letter he wrote to the church in Corinth.
Pauls point = (work it backwards) use the gifts that God has given you, within your church community, in humilty.
Church is not something you simply consume but rather you contribute.
Paul is reformatting our posture
challenge the Christian
20% of the church
How is God going to use you?
if you shift your posture to one of contributer from consumer… there is so much aJoy there.
covid walk with Jaycee.
So do these things… (In faith, for the building up of the church, in humilty)
Prophesy = in proportion to our faith
service = in proportion to our faith
teaching
exhortation
generosity
leading
acts of mercy
Closing: Applying the Word of God in Prayer
Closing: Applying the Word of God in Prayer
Humility (What is my part, and what is Gods)
May I be more about building up of the church than my own blank…
May i use the gifts you have given me to bring you glory.
Housekeeping:
If the Lord stirred something in our heart (prayer room, up front, The register)
You are loved you are sent.
