Session 2: Our relationship in the Church.
Reading: Romans chapter 12 verse 1-3.
Ill:
• On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas,
• Is a portrait with the following inscription:
“James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.”
In a similar way:
• God wants people to look at us and see his Son!
• People should see Jesus in us;
• Our attitudes – renewing of the mind of Christ.
• Our actions – transformation – not as the world!
• Our relationships – as we demonstrate love for one another.
We noted last session:
• That chapter 12 is a door in this letter that opens up and lets us into a different room,
• There are 3 major hinges on that door, they are found in the first 3 verses of chapter 12.
• Notice each verse relates to a key area of our being:
• Verse 1: Refers to the body - “offer your bodies as living sacrifices”,
• Verse 2: Refers to the mind – “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.
• Verse 3: Refers to the will – “Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
There are 3 Key words to go with each verse:
• Verse 1: Consecration - set apart for God's use.
• Verse 2: Transformation - automatic result of being in the presence of God.
• Verse 3: Evaluation:
• You are a purposeful person (in the Church – vs 3-8 and in the world – vs 9-21)
Verse 3:
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
But rather think of yourself with sober judgement,
In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you".
• When God is “Renewing the mind”
• He will give us a proper estimation of ourselves.
• In fact in verse 3:
• The apostle Paul teaches us three truths in this verse.
(1). Know yourself: “Sound / sober judgement”
• It is rare to find someone who really knows themselves,
• And who really accepts themselves.
We tend to gravitate towards two extremes.
1st: We think more highly then we ought to think.
ill: A little poem:
"Sometime when you’re feeling important,
Sometime when your ego's way up,
Sometime when you take it for granted,
that your the prize winning pup.
Sometime when you feel your absence
will leave an infallible hole,
Just follow these simple instructions
and see how it humbles your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Now pull it out fast, and the hole that remains
is the measure of how you'll be missed.
You may splash all you please as you enter
and stir up the water galore,
But stop and you'll find in a minute
It's right back to where, it was once before".
That's good for some of us to memorise and remember:
• I would rather be a pillar in my local Church,
• Than a caterpillar (creeping in and out).
• But actually only one person is indispensable in this body,
• And that is Christ, the head, He alone is to be pre-eminent.
• And when we realise that the Church didn’t depend on me doing everything,
• We might actually release others to come forward and play their part.
2nd extreme: We think more lowly than we ought to think.
• There are those who think:
• "I can't do anything", "There's no real role or job for me to do",
ill:
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 9:
"Woe to the man who fights with his creator,
Does the pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with him who forms it, saying,
"Stop your doing it all wrong" or "How clumsy your work has no handles".
Personal Question: Does that describe you?
• Sing like?
• Preach like?
• Play piano like?
• Testimony like?
• If only I could...?
• Or if only.....?
• Listen, if that describes you,
• Then you are "a pot" arguing with it's creator.
• Tough question, do you think God got it wrong with you?
• Forgot your handles and made a mistake?
The two extremes in many churches:
• Those with a finger in every pie.
• Those who are not involved in anyway.
• So Paul says: (1). Know yourself:
• “Sound / sober judgement”
(2). Accept yourself (Verse 3):
“In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you".
• You can never give yourself
• Until you have accepted yourself.
ill:
You cannot love your neighbour until you love yourself.
• You might not like your looks or some of your personality.
• But that's you, how God made you, how God loves and accepts you.
• If your good enough for God.
• Your good enough for everyone else!
Verse 3b: "In accordance with the measure of faith God has given you".
• Remember God has not given anyone person everything:
• So he does not expect anyone person to cover all the roles and positions.
• But YOU have not been missed out!
• You are an important part in God’s plan.
(3), Value yourself.
• You have been gifted to do a few things,
• One very well, may be even a few quite well, but you cannot do it all.
• God has given each of us a gift, a role,
• In which were able to play a part.
• And you by faith are to minister in that area, or area's.
• But no one person can do it all! So get a right evaluation!
Quote:
"Too many people make cemeteries of their lives by burying their talents".
Note the words:
• "God has given you" That is every Christian,
• No exceptions, if you are a Christian then you have at least one gift.
Quote:
“God has given each believer a measure of faith with which to serve him.
This expression refers to the spiritual capacity and / or power given to each person to carry out his or her function in the church.
Whatever we have in the way of natural abilities or spiritual gifts-all should be used with humility for building up the body of Christ.
If we are proud, we cannot exercise our faith and gifts to benefit others.
And if we consider ourselves worthless, we also withhold what God intended to deliver to others through us”.
Now with:
• Consecration as a basis.
• And Transformation in the process,
• And with evaluation taking place,
• Paul goes on to describe the out working of those gifts in:
• "The body" - "The church".
Quote:
“God has given gifts to us, his people:
These gifts are not toys to selfishly play with, or weapons to fight with!
They are tools to unselfishly build with.”
Ill:
Contrast between the fruit & the gifts of the Spirit:
• Ill: Fruit of the Spirit is like an apple tree,
• Healthy apple tree will produce healthy fruit.
• You and I as we remain healthy as Christians,
• We will automatically be producing Christ-like characteristics!
• Ill: Gifts of the Spirit is like a Christmas tree.
• God has given us a gift as a present.
• Sometimes they are called ‘grace’ gifts,
• We don’t deserve them, but he has given them to us out of love.
Quote:
“God’s gifts to us are not rewards for good behaviour,
and they are not medals for faithful service,
they are loving gifts from a Father to his children”.
• Having informed his readers that they have been given a spiritual gift from God:
• Paul then goes on to describe the out working of those gifts in:
• "The body" "The church".
• That does not mean, just within a building, the Church is always people never bricks!
Paul goes on to describe the out working of those gifts and he does that in 2 ways:
• Verses 4-5: Give us the theory.
• Verses 6-8: Give us the practice.
In theory (Vs 4-5) two things are true.
(1). THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS.
• The emphasis here is variety; our own bodies are a great illustration of that.
• Our bodies are full of variety, many parts, performing many functions.
Ill:
• Fingers, Hands, arms, legs, feet, toes, torso, neck, ears, eyes, nose, mouth etc.
• Our bodies are full of variety, many parts, performing many functions.
• The emphasis here is variety, our own bodies are a great illustration of that.
• Our bodies are full of variety, many parts, performing many functions.
• Ill: Just look at the diversity of people in this room!
• Ill: I often say to Penny, “I must be weird, everyone one else in our Church is!”
(2). ALL THE MEMBERS ARE INTERRELATED.
• But the parts of the body must work together - As members of the body of Christ;
• We belong to each other, we minister to each other, and we need each other!
Ill:
• In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels,
• Threatening him with her fist if he didn’t.
• Linus. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?”
• Lucy replies; “These five fingers…….
…Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit,
They form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
• Linus replies:
• “Which channel do you want?”
• Then turning away, he looks at his fingers and says;
• “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”
• God wants us his people to be united, in harmony with each other:
• This is so basic and right at the heart of Christianity.
Verse 6 is the start of the practice.
• God has given to his church different gifts,
• Many gifts, there might have been given, hundreds of gifts,
• Some have their definition revealed to us in the Bible,
• But I believe there are many more not mentioned.
Note:
• A spiritual gift is different to a natural talent.
• Some people are born with natural talents:
Ill:
• Ill: Beethoven when it comes to music. (play the piano by ear…..couldn’t use his fingers like the rest of us!)
• Ill: David Beckham when it comes to football.
• Ill: Pavarotti when it comes to singing.
• Ill: Van Gogh when it comes to painting.
There folks in this room who were born with natural talents:
• Artistic, musical,
• Athletic, some have mental abilities.
• These talents were given us at birth,
• Genetically inherited from our parents etc
Now spiritual gifts are different to natural talents:
• They are given at our conversion by God,
• Given us independent of our parents, (you do not inherit spiritual gifts)
• Ill: I may be a preacher, but that does not mean my son Arlo will be!
• He may have a totally different spiritual gifting to me.
Quote:
“Spiritual gifts are a skill or ability that enables each Christian to perform a function in the body of Christ with ease and effectiveness”.
You have at least one:
• May be two, who knows, may be 7 or 8.
• But everybody has at least one.
• Listen! Nobody got missed out!
• They are given by God and he does not make mistakes!
Now when you discover that gift:
• That is your contribution to the body of Christ, the local Church.
• Verse 6: "Let him use it"
• Notice: It is your responsibility to exercise your gift.
• Not to exercise gifts you have not got.
ill:
• Organist was moaning at another Christian
• "That he's been their 20 years and he's never been asked to preach".
• The man said in reply to him,
• "I know how you feel, I've been here 5 years and I've never been asked to play the organ",
• The organist replied, "But you can't play the organ".
• "Exactly" came the reply".
Now not every one has one of the seven mentioned here in vs 6-8.
Gift of Prophecy.
Gift of Serving.
Gift of Teaching.
Gift of Encouraging.
Gift of Giving.
Gift of Leadership.
Gift of Showing mercy.
The term ‘gift’ simply means:
"A skill or ability that enables each Christian to perform a function in the body of Christ with ease and effectiveness".
At least 22 spiritual gifts have their definition revealed to us in the main six Bible passages:
• Romans 12:6-8.
• 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
• 1 Corinthians 12:28.
• 1 Corinthians 12:29:30.
• Ephesians 4:11.
• 1 Peter 4:11.
And they fall into three natural categories:
• Support gifts (e.g. Evangelist, teacher, pastor)
• Foundational gifts that provided direction & leadership for the Church.
• Service gifts (e.g. Administration, giving, helping, serving).
• Work behind the scene building up the body.
• Sign gifts (e.g. Miracles, tongues, word of knowledge).
• Supernatural gifts that manifested the Holy Spirit’s power,
• These gifts could not be mistaken for natural abilities.
• Sadly these are the gifts that have caused so much controversy and even split Churches.
Quote Clive Calver in his book ‘The Holy Spirit’ lists 28 New Testament gifts:
Discerning of spirits,
Word of knowledge,
Word of wisdom,
Tongues,
Prophecy,
Interpretation of tongues,
Healing,
Faith,
Miracles,
Service,
Teaching,
Motivation,
Encouragement,
Giving,
Leadership,
Mercy,
Apostle,
Hospitality,
Celibacy,
Administration,
Exorcisms,
Evangelism,
Pastoral guidance,
Missionary service,
Gift of martyrdom,
Helping,
Intercession.
There may well be many more gifts given that are not mentioned:
• Every Christian has a spiritual gift.
• You have at least one, may be two, who knows, may be 7 or 8.
Note:
• Spiritual gifts are not limiting,
• They are not exclusive to a particular ministry:
• Ill: You may not be an evangelist, but you can still do evangelism.
• Ill: I am not a pastor, but I can still do pastoral work,
• Point: We can all do various tasks,
• But I will do those jobs better, easier, more naturally if I am gifted!!!
Now when you discover that gift, it is your contribution to the body of Christ:
• Verse 6: "Let him use it"
• It is your responsibility to exercise your gift,
• But remember that spiritual gifts, like natural talents often need working at:
• They need to develop, to expand.
• Ill: Preaching (learn, experience, hard work, develops that gift).
• Ill: Visit the sick (mistakes & experience will again teach you in that situation).
Question: How do I discover my gift(s)?
Answer:
• That is a topic that deserves a whole session to itself.
• But I will say 4 things, 4 quick principles:
(1). BE INFORMED.
• Make sure you know what the Bible calls gifts from God.
• Be warned not to have a Supermarket mentality “I’ll have that one & that one”.
• Information helps you to look at the list and your life and ministry and tie them up.
• Also ask other people what they think your gifting might be!
(2). BE OPEN.
• Your gift may be different from what you think or prefer.
• Ill: Les Hardwick (fainted when he preached his first sermon).
• Ill: I often meet people who tell me “I have the gift of????”
• It doesn’t take too long to discover that they do not have that gift.
(3). BE AVAILABLE.
• Get on and serve in as many different ways as you can, see what you like and enjoy.
• This is the best way to discover your gift.
• Be actively involved in the local Church,
• And others will see the gifts that God has or has not given you.
• Get regular invitations to preach (you may have the gift of preacher/teacher);
• If no-one invites you to preach (you may not have the gift of preacher/teacher);
(4). BE SENSITIVE.
• To the feedback you receive from others,
• Pay attention to their responses, talk it through with one or two trusted friends/leaders.
Ill:
Video Clip on guidence.
Quote: F.W. Robeertson.
“It is not the extraordinary gifts that makes extraordinary usefulness.
But the dedication of what we have to the service of God”.
A Look at the 7 gifts mentioned:
(1). Prophecy:
“If a mans gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith”.
Gift of Prophecy (There is a hot potato):
• The New Testament gift of prophecy;
• Is different from Old Testament prophesy.
• According to Jesus in Matthew chapter 12 verse 13.
• John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets.
• And remember that Old Testament prophets got stoned if their prophecy was incorrect.
• That obviously does not happen today. (Deuteronomy chapter 18 verses 19-22).
In my understanding of the Bible (You may well disagree):
• It is only rarely that New Testament prophecy is has to do with "foretelling" the future.
• It usually has to do with "forth-telling" the word of God.
Note:
• Prophecy was a gift essential, especially to the early church
• Especially before the cannon of scripture was completed,
• As there was not a complete Bible,
• Disagreements would take place.
• When men and women disagreed over an important issue;
• They needed to be taught the mind of God on that issue,
• So they needed gifted individuals who could speak with authority:
• Who could share and declare and speak the mind of God into that situation,
Worth noting:
• That the other Christians were not simply to swallow the prophecy ‘hook, line & sinker’:
• The prophets word still needed to be authenticated by others.
• (1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 29).
• “Let two or three prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.”
ill:
• Story: of a girl went to her minister and said:
• "God has given me a prophecy / this song to sing this morning".
• The minister looked at it and it was terrible, immature, sentimental nonsense!
• So he took it and tore it up, and said these words,
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord".
Prophecy:
• Bringing not just a Biblical message,
• But a word ‘from the Lord’ that speaks into a Church or individual’s situation,
• Is so much needed today;
• We need not just to hear the word of the Lord, but also the Lord of the word.
• Not just coming together to hear a sermon about God,
• We need also to be hearing from God!
• We need Bible teachers and encouragers,
• But we also need those individuals who can ‘bring a word from the Lord’.
2nd gift mentioned verse 7:
"If you have the gift of serving then serve".
• In other words; if your gift is serving;
• Don't wear a T. shirt with it written all over "I have the gift of serving" - ill: Asad a greeter
• Just get on and serve,
• Get on and do it!
Don't you find it encouraging?
• That Paul mentions this gift second on the list,
• In other words it is just as important as what are called ‘the more spectacular gifts’
• If your role in the church is not public, ii is still important.
• Ill: Hidden organs are the most important in a body.
3rd gift verse 7: "If your gift is teaching then teach".
• The message of Christ is not only to be proclaimed,
• It also has to be explained, ill: Hence the first 11 chapters of Romans.
Ill:
• Acts chapter 2 verse 42;
• God’s formula for growth to the early Church.
• In Acts chapter 2 the Church is born,
• The cradle is still rocking.
• Question: Why do you suppose teaching is the first item listed in the order of activities?
• Answer: Because no matter where believers are in their spiritual development,
• We ALL need sustenance to grow and keep growing.
• Babies need milk; adults need meat and the Bible supplies both!
Ill:
The apostles considered the ministry of God’s Word to be of primary importance.
• In fact, they thought it was so important that they delegated their other duties;
• So that they could focus only on teaching (see Acts chapter 6 verses 1-6).
• The demands of their fledgling ministry were great,
• But as important as those needs were, their primary task was that of feeding the flock.
4th gift verse 8: "If it is encouraging then encourage".
• A gift so much needed to day.
• Ill: Billy Graham “Gift of criticism”.
Ill:
• Anybody can discourage and destroy,
• Ill: Kathy & Arlo as babies knock over a tower.
• As that they are maturing;
• They instead play build up the highest tower!
ill:
Barnabus & Mark.
• The fact that you Bible contains a gospel called ‘Mark’ is due to Barnabus.
• The New Testament has at least 4 more encouraging references to John Mark!
5th gift verse 8: "Contributing to the needs of others, give generously".
• Sorry folks but this is not a get out clause for giving!
• Every Christian is called to give:
• But some are called to give more than others.
• He may well give you a spirit, or the gift of generosity.
ill:
• C.T. Studd. Inherited 30,000 from his father
• (Today he'd have been a millionaire)
• But he gave it all away.
• He was content with what he had.
Ill:
• Sir John Lang (GSUS LIVE).
• Who set apart what they needed for the year, gave the rest away (invested wisely).
The gift of giving is not just for the wealthy:
• Remember the story of the widows mite.
• Mark chapter 12 verse 42:
“I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. 44For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
6th gift verse 8: "Leadership let him govern diligently".
A gift many want, until they get it:
• Leadership is a responsibility, that eats into you leisure time,
• And cause you numerous headaches, and brings very little earthly reward.
Ill:
• Elder/Pastor friend recently was up in the early hours of the morning:
• His wife came down the stairs and said to him~
• “Who is worrying you”
• NOT “What is worrying you” very insightful.
ILL
• When I crashed my car - Insurance office were not up at night worrying over me.
• My bank manager does stay up at night worrying over my finances!
• My football club, my squash club my????? fill in the blanks don’t worry about me.
• But my leaders, my shepherds at times do and have!!!
• Leadership is a position many want until they get it!
• Note: Leaders must lead and not maintain! Leaders not managers!
7th gift verse 8: "Showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully".
• Paul is implying here that we can forgive,
• Show mercy in an attitude of criticism and contempt.
Ill:
• Joseph when he revealed his true identity to his brothers,
• First he sent the Egyptians out of the room.
• He did not want them to know about his brothers crimes against him.
• That’s real forgiveness!
• As far as he was concerned the issue was no over with,
• He need not share his hardships with other people, So that they would think less of his brothers.
ill:
We need to remember the words of George Whitfield:
• G.W. said, as he saw a criminal walk past him to the gallows.
• "There but for the grace of God go I".
• Real forgiveness is based on love
• And never on superiority.
Final application:
• As you read the New Testament;
• You will notice that there is no gift of prayer and no gift of worship.
• Prayer is a discipline.
• Worship is an act of gratitude.
