“Equipped to Serve!”

Introduction: “…use it!”

Romans 12:6–8 CSB

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.

LAST WEEK we asked the QUESTION, “What are we to do with these Spiritual Gifts?”

The ANSWER came TWICE in (vv.6-7), “…use it!”

The Apostle Peter ALSO tells us to, “…use it!”

1 Peter 4:10–11 CSB

10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

BACK TO Romans 12…

Paul includes only SEVEN of the SEVENTEEN spiritual gifts listed in the NT!

Perhaps it is because Paul’s EMPHASIS is for us to USE whatever gift we have been given!

I. PROPHESY - προφητείαν - (v.6b)

(v.6b) - “…If prophesy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith;”

The gift of prophesy was a PROMINENT in the Early Church, both in IMPORTANCE and in FUNCTION!

The ABILITY to prophesy is one of the PROMISES associated with outpouring of the Holy Spirit!

Acts 2:17–18 CSB

17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy.

The PREFERENCE for prophesy (as it relates to other spiritual gifts) in Scripture is CLEAR!

1 Corinthians 12:28 CSB

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:1 CSB

1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:5 CSB

5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:39 CSB

39 So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

WHICH raises at least TWO QUESTIONS:

Q-1: “Why is prophecy seemingly a FAVORITE?”

A-1: Because of WHAT prophecy DOES for the Church!

1 Corinthians 14:3–5 CSB

3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4 The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:31 CSB

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.

The simple truth is that people are strengthened, encouraged, consoled, built up; they learn and are encouraged when they hear from God!

And, BEFORE the completion of the Cannon of the NT, God used prophecy to convey His will to the early Church!

FOR DECADES, no one in church would or could stand up and say, “Turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of John!”

Q-2: “If everyone is prophesying, couldn’t that be problematic?”

“If anyone or everyone is saying, “God told me…”, how do we know who’s telling the truth?”

A-2: “YES!”

Because that was indeed a REAL ISSUE, the gift of prophecy INCLUDED some strict instructions:

1 Corinthians 14:29–32 CSB

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate. 30 But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged. 32 And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets,

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 CSB

19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good.

1 John 4:1 CSB

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

A REVEALED word from God will NEVER CONTRADICT the WRITTEN WORD of God!

John Stott writes, “…we should note that ‘faith’ has the definite article, and we should translate the phrase, ‘in agreement with the faith.’ That is, ‘the prophet is to make sure that his message does not in any way contradict the Christian faith.’”

(LSB/NCV) - “…in agreement with the faith;”

II. SERVICE - διακονίαν - (v.7a)

“Service, or ministry!”

Similar to διάκονος - ‘servant, table-waiter, deacon’, but the former refers to the work, whereas diakonos refers to the person doing the work.

It’s also similar to the spiritual gift of “helps,” but again, not the exact same!

1 Corinthians 12:28 CSB

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.

From ἀντίλημψις - a compound word, anti, ‘instead of,’ and lambano - ‘to take hold of, to support’

I love the picture of a person ‘taking hold of something on behalf of another!’

“What’s the difference?” - Ministry or service is something you COMMIT to doing; you sign up; you show up! Whereas, “helps” is something you do when the need arises!

St. Francis of Assisi - “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words!”

III. TEACHING - διδάσκων - (v.7b)

The task of the TEACHER is to set forth the fundamental truths of the Bible, with a view towards OBEDIENCE and SANCTIFICATION!

Matthew 28:20 CSB

20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Colossians 1:28 CSB

28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

IV. EXHORTING - παρακαλῶν - (v.8a)

Acts 15:32 CSB

32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.

Acts 20:2 CSB

2 And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece

“Do you realize one of the primary REASONS we are to gather as a Church is for EXHORTATION?”

1 Timothy 4:13 CSB

13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Hebrews 10:25 CSB

25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

V. GIVING - μεταδιδοὺς - (v.8b)

“…giving with generosity”

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 CSB

1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.

2 Corinthians 8:12 CSB

12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

VI. LEADING - προϊστάμενος - (v.8c)

“…leading” - from προϊστάμενος - ‘to stand before or over’

Louw-Nida - “to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action—’to guide, to direct, to lead.’”

Used eight times in the NT—four times in 1 Timothy in regard to Elders “ruling”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 CSB

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

But it’s NOT just, “calling the shots!”

TWICE in Titus the word is translated, “…devote themselves to good works.”

Titus 3:8 CSB

8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3:14 CSB

14 Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Leaders are to literally, ‘…in good works to stand before the ones having trusted in God!’

Before you can GUIDE or LEAD OTHERS, you must first DEVOTE YOURSELVES!

1 Chronicles 12:32 CSB

32 From the Issacharites, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their relatives under their command.

“…with diligence” - from σπουδῇ - ‘haste, speed, zeal, effort, earnestness, diligence.’

Translated, “…make every effort” in (2 Peter 1:5)! It speaks to the WAY/MANNER by which they lead!

VII. MERCY - ἐλεῶν - (v.8d)

“…showing mercy”

Paul has already established that we ALL BENEFIT from God’s mercy!

Romans 11:30–32 CSB

30 As you once disobeyed God but now have received mercy through their disobedience, 31 so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you, so that they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may have mercy on all.

AND YET, “mercy” is also a spiritual gift that STRENGTHENS the Church by reminding us all that we need to show the same mercy to others that God has shown to us!

“…with cheerfulness” - from ἱλαρότητι - hilaroteti - we get our English word, “hilarious!”

“How is mercy something that causes cheerfulness?”

Matthew 5:7 CSB

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Conclusion: “Whatever God has gifted you to do, DO!”

Don’t ASSUME everyone else if gifted the same as you!

Further, STOP looking around figuring out what everyone else is supposed to be doing!

Consider for a moment that if you NOTICE a need, perhaps the reason is that God has gifted you to meet that need!

Grumbling and complaining are NOT spiritual gifts—they are SIN!