HoHum:
Austin L. Sorensen once said, "A child is not likely to find a father in God unless he finds something of God in his father."
WBTU:
How do we view ourselves? How we view ourselves makes a profound difference in our lives. We are held back or succeed based on our self perception. Makes a difference.
The correct view of ourselves matters. The way we look at God, the way we see God has a lot to do with how we see ourselves. The Bible also calls us to have a correct view of other people. We see that Jesus had a correct view of people. He did not see people based on their sin, but he saw people who were hurting because of their sin. If we could look inward and see ourselves as God sees us, it will help us to grow. This passage is calling us to look inward. We need to let God make us into what He wants us to be.
Thesis: These Scriptures are calling us to do 3 things.
For instances:
Look at ourselves (Vs. 3-5). Have a correct view of ourselves
1. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Vs. 3
Leads to pride and an inflated ego. Might look around at all that we have and all that we have accomplished and feel proud. From Jack Howard: Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror, cause I get better lookin’ every day. To know me is to love me, I must be a wonderful man. Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, but I’m doin’ the best that I can!
This attitude makes us more dependent upon ourselves than upon God. I don’t need anybody.
Apostle Paul was dependent upon the grace of God. He says this in opening words of verse.
Begin to think that God is so blessed to have them on his team. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3, NIV.
Even Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19.
2. Don’t think too lowly of ourselves. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26, NIV. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins. We are valuable because of that.
3. but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. Without You I am nothing, I am nothing without You, Only You can make something Out of nothing, I am nothing without You. God does make something out of nothing.
4. in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you
Basically, God has given to each Christian a measured ability. When we became a Christian, God forgave us of our sins, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Along with the Holy Spirit, we are given gifts. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10, NIV.
Main points: A) Each Christian has a gift B) These gifts are not all the same C) Each one’s gift has been given to him by God D) One’s gift is no basis for feelings of superiority
Vs. 4-5
No matter how many members a local congregation may have, and no matter how many Christians exist worldwide, we are all one body because we have the same Savior and Lord.
But at the same time, we are not an army of clones. Like the members of the human body, the members of the church do not all have the same “function”. Rather than separating us from one another, the variety of gifts only brings us closer together when we see how much we depend on one another. Each member belongs to all the others. Christians, like the members of a human body, differ from one another but all have an obligation to serve one another, because we all belong together in a single body.
No matter how humble my gift may be, every other member of the body depends on it; and no matter how honorable my gift may be, I am dependent upon and blessed by even the humblest contribution of every other member.
Look at our gifts (Vs. 6-8)
A list of some of the gifts in the body. A representative list, not an exhaustive one.
Prophesying- In the biblical sense this gift is no longer available. The apostles and prophets of the NT age are no more. We have the Word of God, do not add or take away from it. Some understand this as preaching the Word of God but this gift is better included in teaching and encouraging/ exhorting.
Serving- This term is similar to the term from which we get the word Deacon. This describes the deacons ministry but this is probably not talking about an office or position but a function in the body. This can be done by deacons and others who are not deacons. Can refer among many things to meeting the material needs of the less fortunate in the local church, what is described as church benevolence.
Teaching- This gift is the ability to interpret and present God’s truth understandably.
Encouraging/ Exhorting- The work of an exhorter is to encourage and persuade Christians to act upon the knowledge received through teaching. To help Christians talk the talk and walk the walk. One with this gift knows how to touch the heart; able to deliver a stirring appeal to Christians to do their duty. Many times teaching and this gift go together.
Contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously- This is seen as a more private benevolence ministry. The use of personal funds to meet the needs of others. This gift includes the ability to earn or have significant amounts of money, plus a spiritual inclination to give. This is the gift of wanting to help others, not with mixed motives (with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord, in other words not to control them or to control the church), but with the simple thought of meeting needs so that people will praise our Father.
Showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully- This is talking about doing acts of mercy that do not involve giving of money or material goods. Such things as visiting the sick at home or in hospitals, visiting and helping shut ins, comforting the dying and grieving, visiting and corresponding with prisoners, sending cards or calling those especially needing it. Giving of one’s heart in caring and sympathy. Interpersonal, one one one, intimate contacts with people in need. Also the ability to notice when others are in misery and distress, and the desire to alleviate such distress. Do it cheerfully so as to unburden the spirit of those being ministered to. A cheerful spirit makes the mercy giver “a sunbeam penetrating into a sick chamber.”
Look at how to use our gifts
How do I know what my gift is? Can take a spiritual gifts inventory but there is an easier way. Get involved. Have opportunities to serve with VBS, youth fishing tournament, church picnic, need greeters, special music coordinator, many things. Look for areas served in past and enjoyed. Try new areas and see what the Lord can do. Get in the game.
There is nothing here that I can do or there is no way I can serve with my gifts here. Used to tell people that if they cannot serve here need to go to another church and use gifts because we are accountable to God for the gifts we have been given. I don’t know about that. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. There is a place for you, might be different than what accustomed to but God will equip to serve here. God has given you something to use for the common good here.
Davon, skipped one gift. Yes, that is on purpose. Today is Father’s Day. Leadership, let him govern diligently. Can be talking about leadership in many church endeavors, but more specifically talking about the elders. The elders are told to govern diligently with eagerness, earnestness, zeal, and devotion. Elders must not approach their work with idleness and indifference, because the very salvation of those under their care is at stake. Elders and church leaders are to prepare God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12).
What does this have to do with Father’s Day? Leadership positions in the church are for the men. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” 1 Timothy 2:11-15, NIV. This is not a cultural thing because of 2 reasons: 1) Paul is writing to Timothy and not to a specific church 2) Paul links this with creation, Adam was formed first.
Emotions are aroused when brought up. Note: A woman is not forbidden to teach or hold authority. She is only forbidden to teach and hold authority over a man. Why is she allowed to teach and manage other women and children but not men? In creation, God created the man to lead his family (head of the household), to be the initiator, and to plow the way. The woman was created not as a competitor but as a counterpart. She is a unique creation just as the man, and her function is just as important as the man, but her function upon earth is not the same as a man’s. In the plan of God’s creation, men and women support each other, compliment each other, and work with each other in their God created roles. Therefore, within the church the teaching and leadership of the church is to be headed up by men.
Big deal? Men do not take the lead so someone has to do it. That is the problem! There is a misunderstanding of manhood that has produced a nation of sissified men who abdicate their role as spiritually pure leaders, thus forcing women to fill the vacuum. The church will not move forward if men refuse to use their gifts and talents in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
