gifts

My Bible, My Help, My Hope

Romans 12:3–13 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. 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Introduction

Let me start this message out by saying we are not here today because we are perfect.

Far from it.

We are here because we are imperfect.

We are here because we need God.

We are here because we need each other.

We are here because we recognize our Imperfections.

We come together, not because we are the same, but because we are different.

That is why we keep coming “Back 2 Church” each week.

Each one of us, with our unique gifts, talents, and perspectives, contributes to the body of Christ.

We know the only way we will survive is if we stay connected to the house of God.

In other words we have deep roots

The beauty of community is that it's not about uniformity, but unity.

It's not about being the same, but about being one.

It's not about losing our individuality, but about finding our place in the body of Christ.

We are not just a collection of individuals, but a community of believers, each one of us playing a unique and vital role in the body of Christ.

In the book of Romans, Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate this point.

Just as each part of the body has a specific function, so too does each member of the church.

Some are called to prophesy, others to serve, others to teach, and others to encourage.

Each gift is different, but each is equally important.

Each gift contributes to the overall health and function of the body.

We need to recognize that we are valuable to God and we each have unique and individual gifts.

It's easy to compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate or inferior.

But Paul reminds us that each gift is given according to the grace of God.

It's not about being better or worse than others, but about being faithful in using the gifts God has given us.

Paul doesn't just tell us to recognize our gifts, but to use them.

If our gift is prophesying, we should prophesy.

If it's serving, we should serve.

If it's teaching, we should teach.

Our gifts are not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole body.

Paul tells us that love must be sincere, that we should hate what is evil and cling to what is good.

Paul tells us to honor one another above ourselves.

This is not about false humility or self-deprecation, but about genuine respect for others.

It's about recognizing the value and worth of each member of the community, and treating each other with the honor and respect we all deserve.

In the book of Acts, we see the early church living out these principles.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

They shared everything they had, and gave to anyone who had need.

They met together daily, and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

And as a result, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The early church was not a perfect but they strived to live out the principles of unity, mutual respect, sincere love, and shared purpose.

It recognized the value of each member, and worked together for the common good.

It was not just about individual spirituality, but about shared life and shared faith.

In our church today, we are called to live out these same principles.

We are called to be united in our faith, bound by our love, and committed to our shared mission.

We are called to recognize and value our individual gifts, and to use them for the benefit of the the Body of Christ.

We are called to love sincerely, to honor each other above ourselves, and to share our lives and our faith with each other.

This is the core of church.

It's not about buildings or programs or rituals.

It's about people.

It's about us, together, as the body of Christ. It's about us, together, living out our faith in love and unity. It's about us, together, being the church.

Christians United in Imperfection

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides a vivid illustration of the church as a body.

This is not a body in the physical sense, but a spiritual entity, a collective of believers, each with their own unique function and role.

The body is not made up of identical parts, but of diverse members, each contributing to the overall health and function of the whole.

In this body, each member has been endowed with a particular gift, a specific ability or talent that has been given by the grace of God.

These gifts are not distributed arbitrarily, but in accordance with the faith that God has given to each individual.

Some are gifted in prophecy, others in service, others in teaching, and so on.

The diversity of these gifts is a testament to the richness and complexity of the body of Christ.

Yet, these gifts are not given for the benefit of the individual alone.

They are given for the edification of the body, for the building up of the church.

The prophet is to prophesy, the servant is to serve, the teacher is to teach, not for their own glory, but for the glory of God and the good of the community. This is a profound reminder of our interconnectedness, our mutual dependence on one another. We are not isolated individuals, but members of a body, each contributing to the health and vitality of the whole.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of the importance of sincere love within the body of Christ. This is not a superficial or self-serving love, but a genuine and selfless love that seeks the good of others above our own. This love is not passive, but active. It is not merely a feeling, but a decision, a commitment, a way of life. It is a love that hates what is evil and clings to what is good. It is a love that is devoted to one another, that honors one another, that serves the Lord with fervor and zeal.

This love is not a one-way street, but a mutual exchange. We are to honor one another above ourselves, to put the needs and interests of others before our own. This is not a call to self-abnegation, but to self-giving, to generosity, to hospitality. It is a call to share with those in need, to practice hospitality, to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

In the original Greek, the word used for "gifts" in Romans 12:6 is "charismata", which is derived from the word "charis", meaning "grace". This word is used in various forms throughout the New Testament to denote a gift or favor freely given by God. In 1 Corinthians 12:4, Paul uses the same word to describe the spiritual gifts given to each believer by the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 4:7, Paul speaks of the "charis" given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. This underscores the fact that our gifts are not earned or deserved, but are a manifestation of God's grace in our lives.

In addition to recognizing and valuing our individual gifts, and using them for the benefit of the community, we are also called to maintain our spiritual fervor. This is not a sporadic or occasional fervor, but a constant and consistent fervor, a burning passion for the Lord that fuels our service and our love for one another. This fervor is not self-generated, but Spirit-inspired. It is not a product of our own efforts, but a fruit of the Spirit's work in our lives.

Finally, we are called to be patient in affliction. This is not a passive or resigned patience, but an active and hopeful patience, a patience that trusts in the Lord, that waits on His timing, that perseveres in prayer. This patience is not a sign of weakness, but of strength, a testament to our faith in God's goodness and sovereignty. It is a patience that enables us to endure hardship, to face trials, to overcome obstacles, not in our own strength, but in the strength that God provides.

Grace Grounded Gathering

As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing on the solid ground of grace. This grace, freely given by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forms the foundation of our gathering. It is the cornerstone of our community, the bedrock of our belief, the anchor of our assembly. We are, indeed, a Grace Grounded Gathering.

In the context of Back to Church Sunday, this idea of a Grace Grounded Gathering takes on a deeper significance.

It reminds us that the church is not a building, not a place, but a people.

A people brought together, not by shared interests or common hobbies, but by the grace of God. A people who, despite their differences and disagreements, despite their flaws and failings, are united by the love of Christ. A people who, in the words of the apostle Paul, are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

This Grace Grounded Gathering is marked by two key characteristics. First, it is a gathering of the redeemed. We are not here because we are good, but because God is good. We are not here because we are righteous, but because God is righteous. We are not here because we have earned our place, but because Christ has earned it for us. We are here because we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, because we have been bought with a price, because we have been saved by grace through faith. This is not our own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

Second, this Grace Grounded Gathering is a gathering of the forgiven. We are not here because we are sinless, but because we are forgiven. We are not here because we have never fallen, but because we have been lifted up. We are not here because we have never sinned, but because we have been washed clean. We are here because we have been forgiven much, and because we love much (Luke 7:47). As the great Christian writer C.S. Lewis once said, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."

But this Grace Grounded Gathering is not just about what we have received; it is also about what we are called to give. We are called to extend the same grace that we have received. We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven. We are called to love as we have been loved. We are called to serve as we have been served. We are called to give as we have been given. We are called to be a Grace Grounded Gathering, not just in word, but in deed.

So, as we reflect on the idea of a Grace Grounded Gathering, let us remember that we are not just recipients of grace, but also dispensers of grace. Let us remember that we are not just beneficiaries of forgiveness, but also bearers of forgiveness. Let us remember that we are not just partakers of love, but also purveyors of love. Let us remember that we are not just consumers of service, but also contributors of service. Let us remember that we are not just receivers of gifts, but also givers of gifts.

And as we remember these things, let us not just remember them, but live them. Let us not just talk about them, but walk in them. Let us not just preach about them, but practice them. Let us not just hear about them, but heed them. Let us not just learn about them, but live them. Let us be a Grace Grounded Gathering, not just in theory, but in reality. Not just in word, but in deed. Not just in name, but in nature. Not just in profession, but in practice. Not just on Back to Church Sunday, but every day of our lives.

Conclusion

As we conclude our time together today, let's remember that we are a community of believers, united in our imperfections, bound by the grace of God. We're not perfect, and that's okay. Our imperfections remind us of our need for God and for each other. They keep us humble, they keep us grounded, they keep us real.

We're a family, and like any family, we have our differences. We have different gifts, different roles, different functions. But we're all part of the same body, the body of Christ. We're all needed, we're all valued, we're all loved.

So let's continue to love one another, to serve one another, to encourage one another. Let's continue to be devoted to one another, to honor one another, to share with one another. Let's continue to be a community of grace, a community of love, a community of hope.

And let's remember that our unity is not based on our perfection, but on God's perfection. Our unity is not based on our goodness, but on God's goodness. Our unity is not based on our love, but on God's love.

God's love is what binds us together. God's love is what makes us one. God's love is what makes us a community, a family, a church.

So let's continue to love God, to love each other, to love our community. Let's continue to be a church of the Perfect One, a church of grace, a church of love, a church of hope.

Let's pray.