How The Christian Life Works

Text: Romans 12:3-8 Title: How the Christian Life Works

Introduction

If you want to make the best of life it helps to know how things work! And here in Ireland- how things work can be very different from how things work in other countries.

Then as Christians we are not only living here in Ireland- We are also living in the Kingdom of God.

So you are not only figuring out how things work in Ireland- You are also figuring out how things work in the Kingdom of God.

Title: How the Christian Life works.

When we know how the Christian life works;

•The Christian life is BETTER –

•The Christian life is EASIER –

•The Christian life is MORE ENJOYABLE –

•The Christian life is TEACHABLE-

Text: Romans 12:3-8

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we , being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Using Romans 12:3-8 we can summarize how the Christian life works from beginning to end in 5 words.

Word 1 is GRACE

“For I say through the grace given to me...

1.God’s work in every believer is done through Grace. No exceptions!

Romans 1:7 Grace to you…

1 Cor 1:3 Grace to you

2 Cor 1:2 Grace to you

Galatians 1:3 Grace to you

Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you

Phil 1:2 Grace to you

Colossians 1:2 Grace to you

1 Thess 1:1 Grace to you

2 Thess 1:2 Grace to you

1 Tim 1:2 Grace

2 Tim 1:2 Grace

Titus 1:4 Grace

Philemon v3 Grace

2.Grace is God’s unmerited favor

GRACE= God's riches at Christ's expense.

3.The Grace of God is not earned or deserved. Instead it is always Given

“For I say through the grace given to me...

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble

“For God so loved the world that He gave….

4.There is Grace for every need and situation

If you need Salvation there is a Grace that Saves!

It is by grace we are saved through faith and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

If you need Strength there is a Grace that Strengthens!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9

If you need to get back on track there is a grace that does that!

“Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb 12:28

If someone asks you how does the Christian life work- let your answer be…It works…through the grace given to me...

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found; was blind but now I see.

C.S. Lewis was asked the question; what is the biggest difference between Christianity and every other religion?

He responded GRACE!

…Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

Before we go on to word 2 are we all clear THAT word 1 HAS TO BE GRACE.

WORD 2. GROWTH

“For I say through the grace given to me to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1.When the Christian life is working you will GROW

You will bear fruit!

•When the Christian life is not working you stop growing

John Maxwell – Happiness is GROWTH!

2. We have received the Grace of God in order that we would GROW

“For I say through the grace given to me to everyone who is among you means to everyone who has received the grace of God

3.Growth is not meant to be optional. Growth is not meant to be enjoyed by only a few

Growth is meant to be experienced by everyone who has received the GRACE OF GOD

4.In Romans 12:3 Paul gives us a clue to the number 1 area we should target for Growth

“For I say through the grace given to me to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.