You Have What It Takes

Romans 12:3 CSB

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

INTRO—

You ever get called on to lead a team at work?…called on to participate in & lead in a school project? [OBU Congressional Simulation Class]…thought about participating in a ministry/ministry event?… AND THOUGHT — I’m not sure I can do this.

I believe we see Paul addressing that very ‘concern’ with the believers in the church in Rome. In verses 3-9 he assures, reassures, and challenges them to be able to have the same mindset David expressed in the Psalms when he said...

Psalm 23:1 CSB

The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.

THE answer to our concern in living as living sacrifices as believers (Christ followers) IS...

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES...! (You’ve got this…You can do it!)

[What Paul is going to say is motivated by God’s gracious gift through the Holy Spirit…(Romans 12.3a; Romans 5.1; Romans 15.15)]

To Know Yourself [Romans 12.3]

For who you are…and who God created you to be. [Knowing who you are (namely in Christ), brings significant assurance for how…and that…we should live…]

Right/critical evaluation...

Context example = Gentiles’ attitude toward Jews

Romans 11:20 CSB

True enough; they were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but beware,

To realize we have what it takes—and be blessed and a blessing, we must have a handle on who we are…those who were dead now alive for the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:4–5 CSB

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

…now, having this kind of thinking going on in our minds, Paul has a very important context in mind into which we must bring this thinking...

To Connect Completely [Romans 12.4-5]

“…to each one. Now…we who are many are one body in Christ...” [to connect completely in spite of the challenges!]

“As we have many parts in one body…in the same way...”

One—all the parts and all the functions!

1 Corinthians 12:14–16 CSB

Indeed, the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body.

Two—all the diversity and all the harmony!

1 Corinthians 12:12–14 CSB

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many.

Synergy…others/brothers...

Philippians 2:1–4 CSB

1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

To Function Faithfully [Romans 12.6-8]

‘Bottom Line’: “According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts...”

**Theology grammar nerd..hopefully very helpful…moment...

So, as I was putting this message together I went looking for the main (indicative in this case) verb in these (12.6-8) verses—& there’s not one. The main verb(s) giving context for these verses is/are found in verse 5, and verse 4… [12.5]“we…are one body in Christ...”—& [12.4]”…we have many parts in one body...”.

So, the primary (tempted to say sole, but that’s not 100%) reason for and ‘arena’ in which to understand spiritual gifts is within the local church (the body of Christ)!

God’s grace gifts= χαρίσματα [charismata] (so, we’re all charismatics!)

spiritual gift categories (1 Corinthians 12.4-6)

MOTIVATIONAL - Romans 12.6-8

1 Corinthians 12:4 CSB

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

…enablings...

…one grace enablement that enables our component in our life together as the people of God, especially the local church.

MINISTERIAL - 1 Corinthians 12.27-28; Ephesians 4.11; 1 Peter 4.9-11

1 Corinthians 12:5 CSB

There are different ministries, but the same Lord.

…executive...

…at least one ministry which connects us to the over-all life together of the local church…(representative but not complete lists).

MANIFESTATIONAL - 1 Corinthians 12.7-11

1 Corinthians 12:6 CSB

And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.

…activities, effects, results...

...confirming the over-arching role of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our life together as His church.

The Seven Motivational Spiritual Gifts:

Prophecy (προφητεία) - desire to boldly proclaim the word of God, explain the absolute truth of God, and expose sin in the midst of all the people, especially those inside the church.

Service (διακονία) - rendering practical service in the church. He is moved to meet the ‘temporal’ needs of people in order to free others within the church to minister to the spiritual needs of the body.

Teaching (διδάσκω) - researching and explaining the truth of the Bible. He always seeks to clarify the truth.

Exhorting (παρακαλέω) - encourages personal progress in others. They seek to stimulate other people’s faith and promote their spiritual growth.

Giving (μεταδίδωμι) - the ability to earn money which he gives to worthwhile ministries to further God’s kingdom purposes on earth.

Leading (προΐστημι) - equip other believers giving direction to the ministry of a local church. He is one who plans ahead and works to complete tasks quickly.

Mercy (ἐλεάω) - provides personal and emotional support to the members of the body of Christ. He also desires to remove distress from their lives and share their burdens.

CONCL—

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to live your life as a Christ-follower, faithfully connected to a local church…& beyond!

Our Lord has SHAPEd you for this:

Spiritual gifts (specific grace)

Heart (desires)

Abilities (talents)

Preferences (personality type, et al.)

Experiences (life)

Another ‘Bottom Line’:

1 Peter 4:10 CSB

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Romans 12:8 CSB

if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.