Romans 12:1-8

When I was first saved I was so excited and fascinated with what God had done for me, that I wanted to give something back to him in return. I then heard the Christian analogy about signing a blank check for the full value of my life and handing it over to Jesus (worth millions in my own estimation!). However, God sent me back to the bank with that check and I had to cash it all in for dollar bills, and I have since had to give my life to the Lord one dollar at a time. I learned that God did not want a one time gift of myself; he wanted a daily giving of myself. God expects that from every one of his children.

approached him prayerfully as if I had a blank check for my life (worth millions in my own estimation!), and I kept trying to give it all at once to the Lord. I was willing to give all of myself at once! However, God sent me back to the bank with that check and I had to cash it all in for dollar bills, and I have since had to give my life to the Lord one dollar at a time. I learned that God did not want a one time gift of myself; he wanted a daily giving of myself. God expects that from every one of his children.

Did you know that all believers, which means you - if you are saved - have been given a spiritual gift that God expects you to use in the church, and you will stand before the Lord one day and give an account of what you have done with what he has given you?

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

I want you to let that sink in for a moment.

CONTEXT: Paul has laid out God’s redemptive work in his children’s lives, and now he begins to spell out how you are to find and apply your spiritual gifts.

TRANSITION: Don’t you want to know what God’s perfect will is for your life?

Paul gives us 4 practical steps to follow in discovering God’s will for your life.

Paul gives us 4 principles to follow in discovering God’s will for your life.

BODY

I. Surrender to God’s Spirit (1-2)

A. Presentation (1)

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by [lit. “through”] the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual [lit. “logical”] worship.

Regular meetings together of Christians for praise and mutual edification are appropriate and, indeed, commanded in Scripture. And what happens at these meetings is certainly “worship.” But such special times of corporate worship are only one aspect of the continual worship that each of us is to offer the Lord in the sacrifice of our bodies day by day.

Moo, D. J. (1996). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 754). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Next the means by which we can make the presentation.

B. Transformation (2a)

2a Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind [ch. 8 “Set your mind on the Spirit”],

Jesus’ transfiguration

Next the results of the transformation.

C. Realization (2b)

2b that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hint: He’s speaking of realizing your spiritual gift.

Presentation and transformation leads to realization, ie, knowing God’s complete will for your life.

These verses are inscribed in the walls behind this stage. My prayer of November 2008 that led me to pastoring (journal entry 1-3-5).

What hinders you, dear friend, from realizing God’s will for your life?

Presentation?

Conformity over transformation?

TRANSITION: Surrender to God’s Spirit...

II. Soberly Evaluate the Source of Your Faith (3)

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.

Measure your worth by the faith God has given you, which puts us all on a level playing field - we are all of the same faith.

When you are right with God, your mind will be right and there will be no false humility or sinful exaggeration of who you think you are.

A minister, a Boy Scout, and a computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and said that the plane was going down but there were only three parachutes and four people. The pilot added, “I should have one of the parachutes because I have a wife and three small children.” So he took one and jumped.

The computer whiz said, “I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and everyone needs me.” So he took one and jumped.

The minister turned to the Boy Scout and with a sad smile said, “You are young and I have lived a rich life, so you take the remaining parachute, and I’ll go down with the plane.”

The Boy Scout said, “Relax, Reverend, the smartest man in the world just picked up my knapsack and jumped out!”

We are like the smartest guy in the world when we fail to realize that the faith to do God’s work is from the hand of God.

TRANSITION:

(1) Surrender to God’s Spirit;

(2) Soberly evaluate the source of your faith

III. Surrender God’s Gift to the Church (4-5)

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.

After surgery, my knee immobilized; my body was immobilized.

Things you can’t see right now that are making the church service run smoothly: Sound booth, safety team, nursery, preschool class, cooking team!

This doesn’t even include what you don’t think of that happens throughout the week!

But you may be thinking: “You don’t understand, pastor. I have a busy life.” Don’t tell me. Tell Jesus, the one whom died for you.

Are you serving or setting?

There are some of you sitting here right now that need to join the team and get this body mobilized.

TRANSITION:

(1) Surrender to God’s Spirit;

(2) Soberly evaluate the source of your faith

(3) Surrender God’s gift to the church

IV. Serve The Church With God’s Gift (6-8)

6a Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

A. Prophecy

6b if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [speaking for God]

B. Service

7a if service, in our serving; [very broad]

C. Teaching

7b the one who teaches, in his teaching;

D. Exhortation

8a the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;

Serving vs. Setting

E. Giving

8b the one who contributes, in generosity; [we are all to tithe, but some are gifted to give above. They make up for those who lack the basic requirement]

F. Leading

8c the one who leads, with zeal;

G. Mercy

8d the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Things you can’t see right now that are making the church service run smoothly: Sound booth, safety team, nursery, preschool class, cooking team!

This doesn’t even include what you don’t think of that happens throughout the week!

Are you serving or setting?

CONCLUSION

(1) Surrender to God’s Spirit;

(2) Soberly evaluate the source of your faith

(3) Surrender God’s gift to the church

(4) Serve the church with God’s gift

YOU DO THESE THINGS, AND GOD WILL WEAR YOU OUT FOR HIS GLORY. I PROMISE!!

Will you find and apply your gift?

utes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. CONCLUSION

Title:

INTRODUCTION

BODY

A. Presentation (1)

Jesus applied the gift of his life for you?

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by [lit. “through”] the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,

ACCEPTABLE

1b holy and acceptable to God,

2. TOTAL

1c which is your spiritual [lit. “internal & rational”] worship.

It is not only what we can give that God demands; he demands the giver!

Have you received his gift (Gospel)

If you were to stand before God almighty this morning, what evidence could you provide to demonstrate that God has the giver in yourself?

B. Transformation

2 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.

(ESV)

CONCLUSION

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. CONCLUSION

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