Sermon 072797

1Co. 12:31a; Rom. 12:1-13    Earnest Desire Leads to Faithful Service                        7/27/97

Series 23.13                                                                                                                       ABCC

I.     Introduction                                                                                                                      582

The body of Christ (the church), much like the natural body, can have many ailments & problems that require attention & correction – jealousy, gossip, immorality, … competition, indifference & even laziness.  A number of problem also result from the use or misuse of spiritual gifts.  The Holy Spirit through Paul gives instruction to correct this problem:  “Earnestly desire the greater gifts” – to burn with zeal, strive after & exert yourself for the spiritual gifts that edify or build up the church = YOU WERE SAVED TO SERVE!

II.    Spiritual Service of Worship

A.      This is a glorious privilege & duty for each believer (v. 1a) – brethren, by the mercies of God

B.      This requires yielding our bodies for God’s purposes (v. 1b) – to present your bodies…(6:11-13; 1Co. 6:19-20) = Are you serving God with your mouth, hands, feet, facial expressions, etc.?

C.     This is well-pleasing to God (v. 1c) – to know that your actions please God = MOTIVATION

D.     This is spiritual & rational service of worship (v. 1d) – it’s spiritual in nature & understandable

E.      This requires serving God with your mind (v. 2-3) – Pr. 23:7; 16:9; Mk. 12:30

1.      Do not be conformed to this world – “to fashion oneself”; take up patterns & habits = OUTWARD

- this world is a way of life (Eph. 2:1-2) = evil (Gal. 1:4); spiritual & powerful (Eph. 6:12); hates Christ & Christians (Jn. 15:18); Satan is the ruler (Jn. 12:31)

2.      Be transformed by the renewing of your mind – entire & complete change INWARDLY = “metamorphoo” or metamorphosis (2Co. 5:17)

Earnest Desire Leads to Faithful Service, pg. 2

3.      Prove or discern that the will of God is good, acceptable & perfect (v. 2c)

As we live daily to discern the will of God, obeying & seeing the results of obeying His will for us, we grow in the confession of this passage – we affirm that God’s will is good, acceptable & perfect!  “I delight to do Thy will, O my God” (Ps. 40:8)

4.      Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think (v. 2d)

-No exaggerated views of our worth & abilities resulting from ignorance, arrogance & pride.

5.      Think with sound judgment

q      You have been given grace (v. 3a)

q      You have been allotted a measure of faith (v. 3c)

Well then, my beloved brother or sister, are you thinking this way?  Are you burning with zeal to use you special ability from God for the edifying of the church, the building up of the body of Christ?  How have you been thinking about these matters?  What are you doing with your mouth, hands, mind, feet, eyes, etc.?  Will Christ commend you on that great day of judgment for the way you have used you body & mind?  What are you putting in your mind – periodicals, TV, VCR movies, newspaper?  Are you storing up any treasures for heaven?  Will you surrender to Christ today?  No more excuses, no more procrastination; not tomorrow or next week or next month – NOW!  Can you hear Christ speaking to your heart?  Then obey Him now!