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.
The number 1 area we should target for Growth is our thinking.
If you are going to grow in the Christian life you have to start with your thinking.
As a man thinks so is he.
"And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
5. The enemy knows you want to grow so he will often suggest you start by targeting less important areas to grow in.
6.The only way lasting growth can be achieved is by targeting and changing your thinking
7. You grow in the area of your thinking by using the measure of faith God has given you.
“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.
God has given everyone a measure of faith
You apply the measure of faith God has given to you to your thinking
FAITH = Fights Attacks In The Head
The Battlefield is in the Mind!
7.How big of a measure of faith has God given us?
THE WORD OF GOD
Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God
It is written
8.YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR THINKING WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE WORD OF GOD
You should read the word of God
•to challenge your thinking
•to correct your thinking
•to change your thinking
9.Change your thinking and everything else will change
WORD 3: GROUP.
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.
“And each member belongs to all the others.” NIV
1.The Christian life works in cooperation with a local body of believers
2.Eve was to Adam what the local church is to individual believers
It is not good for man to be alone
3.We all need a local church to belong to.
“And each member belongs to all the others.” NIV
Illustration: a soccer player
What team do you belong too.
4.If a Christian does not belong to a local church the Christian life is not going to work for them
Believe
Become
Belong
5. SEE THE ONE ANOTHER COMMANDS IN THE BIBLE.
6. I CAN NOT function WITHOUT A LOCAL BODY OF BELIEVERS!
4. WORD 4 Gifts
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.”.
1. The gifts mentioned here are all Spiritual Gifts
2. Spiritual gifts are given to us along with GRACE
3. Every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
4. Every believer does not have the same spiritual gift.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
5.Romans 12:3-8 is not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts
6.The purpose of the Spiritual gifts versus natural talent
Gives glory to God
Strengthens the local church
Bears fruit in others.
7.Did you bring your spiritual gift today
8.How to discover your spiritual gift?
If a man’s gift is teaching let him teach…
Let him teach in order to discover if teaching is his spiritual gift
In proportion to your faith
5. WORD 5 GIVE
“Let us use them…
It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Paul gave away to others everything that God gave him.
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you. 1 Cor 11:23
We are saved to serve!
We receive from the Lord in order to give it on to others
