Worship God with Your Gifts

Living Sacrifices: Embrace Your Giftedness

Bible Passage: Romans 12:1–8

Introduction

What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received? Looking back on my childhood I remember getting a pair of skis for Christmas one year that were really awesome. Nearly 45 years later I believe their still in our basement, though considerably less useful since they haven’t been touched in years and I have gone skiing in decades. But if I have to point to the one I really declare the most cherised, it would have to be my lovely wife. I still remember our first official date. We went to the lumber yard over on Bedford Road. I can’t remember why, to pick up something for the farm most likely. But it should have been something I paid more attention to in the moment, since most date nights these days end up at Lowes or Walmart at some point. I think we also went and got some food, probably at Wendy’s if I had to guess. I was a fan and it would have been something I could afford. I just remember it was the first time we went somewhere alone together. We had danced together at band camp, but that was the first time I picked her up and we went somewhere together. I’m sure I was overdressed for a trip to the lumber yard. Forty-one years later, there is still no-one I’d rather take to the lumber yard. She has been my best friend and my closest confident for so long, I don’t know what I’d do without her. Like most of us when we get a gift we really love we have a hard time sharing. Sure we can go out to dinner or spend a few evenings with other people and enjoy it. But we just like being together. I honestly can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.

Romans 12:6 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

We’re going to talk about a different kind of gift today though. Specifically, spiritual gifts are given by God to every believer. We’re gifted to enrich the life of the local church. It’s where we learn what our spiritual gifts are. And it’s also where we’re intended to use those gifts for the enrichment of the whole body of Christ.

1. Dedicate Your Life: A Sacred Sacrifice

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Present Your Bodies

Appeal from Paul to believers

Become a living sacrifice (not just ritual and ceremony)

Be holy and acceptable (not simple acting)

For Spiritual Worship

Sacrificial living pours out of God’s mercy (leniency and compassion)

Holy living is Spiritual Worship

Pleasing God is Spiritual Worship

Be Transformed

Do not be conformed

Renewal of your mind

Testing will demonstrate God’s will

A soldier named Desmond Doss served as a medic during World War II. Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist, refused to carry a weapon due to his faith but showed incredible bravery on the battlefield. He risked his life repeatedly to save his fellow soldiers, often running back into gunfire to bring them to safety. Doss epitomized living a sacrificial life, demonstrating that sometimes the greatest act of courage is to serve others, even if it costs us our own comfort or safety.

2. Demure in Humility: Know Your Place

Romans 12:3 ESV

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.

Call to Humility from Grace

Don’t think too much of yourself

Recognize your place in the Body

Value what God gave You

Consider life with Sober Judgement

Don’t think too highly

Give careful consideration

Called to clear view of ourselves

How much Faith did He give you?

God gifted you some amount

Don’t inflate or diminish it

He has a purpose for you

In the game of musical chairs, there's always someone left standing when the music stops. The players are all jostling for a seat but the best strategy is to keep moving rather than trying to look backwards. Calmly moving and waiting for the music to pause and helps to position you wisely. It’s a reminder, knowing our place isn't just about finding a seat; it’s about understanding our role in the grand symphony of God's plan. Just as God has a seat prepared for us, we must trust His timing.

3. Diversity in Unity: Embrace Each Other

Romans 12:4–5 ESV

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.

One body

Church is one body

Body has many functions

Individually one function

Many members

Each has it’s own function

Embrace the diversity

Value all parts

Embrace our functions

Recognize the gifts of others

Encourage one another

Value the other parts

Do you love a good church potluck? Each person brings a dish to share. Often with very little coordination we all bring our unique and favorite dishes. It’s amazing to see the variety—one person’s famous lasagna to another’s experimental salad. Everyone puts their unique gifts on one table, and together they created a feast! Just like in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, where Paul teaches us that there are various gifts, they all complement one another, enriching the church. Let’s embrace our differences and celebrate each other’s contributions, even if there are a few odd nuts on the table!

4. Deploy Your Gifts: Serve Diligently

Romans 12:6–8 ESV

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.

Use our differences

God’s grace unique

Puts us all together

Knows where we fit

Serve diligently

Find your place

Give your time generously

Watch what God does

Don’t overdo it

Volunteering is hard

Easy to get overstretched

No-one wants to be overworked and underappreciated

Have you ever been to a really slow restaurant, where you always wait forever for your food. If the meal is really good, we don’t mind waiting. As we eat, we realize it’s worth the wait! But if the food is lousy, you wonder what the problem is and you probably don’t come back. When we serve diligently, the impact can take time to show. In Hebrews 6:10, God promises that our hard work will not go unnoticed. Serve with joy and watch how hearts are fed over time!