Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Investing Your Allotment of Grace”
I. Receive the gift of righteousness
II. Apply the Gift of Righteousness
III. Place of Israel in the God’s Plan of Salvation
IV. Live the Gift of Righteousness
A. Dedicate your body and soul to God’s service
1. Dedicate our bodies completely to God
2. Dedicate your soul to continual transformation
a) Resist the world’s attempt to cram you into its mold
b) Submit to continual soul transformation
As you submit to God you will not only discern the wonder of God’s will but you will desire it and discover the depth of its application to all of life. God’s will is beneficial, well pleasing and complete. Paul follows this admonition to renew our thinking with six guiding principles regarding our relationship to the body of Christ useful for keeping our thinking straight. In these few verse we find the most concise yet complete image of the body of Christ any where in Scripture.
B. Think fittingly and serve faithfully in the body. 12:3-8
1. Think fittingly concerning the principles governing the church
a) The principle of Humility
Now Paul focuses on our relationship to others and ourselves. We must first adjust or renew our thinking regarding ourselves. Paul indicated that his instruction is the result of a special grace given to him by God.
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you
In other words, “Listen up because this is something God told me to ell you!” In this context grace refers to a special divine empowering for service and ministry. He addressed his remarks to the whole body. The following instructions applied to EVERYONE!
not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment,
Paul employs a positive/negative approach. Don’t do that, but do this! Don’t think beyond what is right or accurate. “Think” = “To be minded in a certain way, have a certain mindset or pattern of thinking”. In this case, God reminds us not to have a mindset about ourselves that is inflated or beyond what is accurate or corresponds with reality. This refers to one who entertains hyper-thinking about his or her self and their abilities.
“I am better. Look at my contribution. God is fortunate to have me working for Him.”
This is the person who overestimates their value and abilities beyond reality or fails to acknowledge God’s primary part in any talent or gifting. Paul warns the person who thinks they know more than they do or can do more than they are really able or do things better than anyone else.
Paul calls for humble thinking – humility. Thinking that continually recognizes the reality of our inadequacy but rests in God’s grace clears the mind and soul of self focus and becomes useable by God. God resists the proud but measures out grace to or spiritually energizes the humble. (1Pet 5) He who toots his own horn generally plays off key.
Humble thinking embraces reality. Humble thinking sees and evaluates as God would.
Don’t think too highly of ourselves but think soberly or with rational thinking. Someone not thinking soberly or with a distorted mindset was one considered out of their mind or insane. We need to think properly not irrationally regarding yourself. I would add that sound judgment or thinking has also to do with not thinking too low of ourselves either.
God doesn’t want us to entertain thinking that overestimates or underestimates ourselves but views ourselves as God sees and corresponds with what is accurately the case. It is important to be authentic. Don’t try to be what you aren’t. Focus on what God gifts you to do. Only when we have a healthy sense of identity through our relationship with Christ can we face the reality of who we really are and aren’t. We can be honest about both about our achievements and deficiencies; our strength and our non-strengths. We recognize that we can do all things through Christ but without Him we can do nothing of any eternal value.
With this proper thinking, we are able to fill our place in the body of Christ with humility and faithfulness not trying to be someone else or be jealous of the gifts and achievements of others. When we find our true identity in Christ, we have nothing to prove and nothing to lose and nothing to protect. We are at that point surrendered to God and accountable to Him. We are a moldable usable vessel in the hands of the master.
The principle of humility
Don’t think more highly or lowly than you should but think of yourself as God thinks.
b) The Principle of Headship
as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
Anything we have comes ultimately from God so we must not think more highly than we ought to think but keep a proper perspective concerning our relationship to the rest of the body. God is in charge and God allots whatever measure of grace and faith He chooses according to His will NOT our whim.
One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1Cor 12:11
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Cor. 12:18
The husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Ephes. 5:23
Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Col. 2:18-19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Eph 2:19-22
These verses keep us properly focused on who’s the boss.
We are His servants at His disposal and calling. There is no room for inflated thinking about ourselves because everything we have comes from God in the first place. It is God who supplies the measure of ministering grace. It is God who places the individuals and energizes us to carry out His purposes. Not everyone is allotted the same measure of faith. Not everyone will have the same ministry or result. Since God is the one who doles out the assignments and energizes the chosen, the issue is not greatness or breadth of impact but faithfulness to what God calls us to do.
Some Implications
Eliminates envy and jealousy. Guards against competition among believers. Reduces opportunity for pride and power grabbing. It is a strong basis for contentment.
Principle of Headship
Christ is the head of the body and places people where He wants
and gifts people according to His desires.
c) The Principle of Complexity
For just as we have many members in one body
For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Cor. 12:12-14
We are part of a body that consists of many members. We are not alone.
Church is a team effort. This church is not a single-celled organism. The body of Christ consists of many parts tactically placed and spiritually energized by Christ our head. This is true concerning the universal body of Christ as well as a local fellowship.
Some Implications
The church more resembles an organism than an organization. There are many vital; indispensable parts all essential to the health of the church. There is no place for lone rangers. There is use for freeloaders. There are others to share the load. We don’t have to do it all or manifest every function or gift. We are not alone.
Principle of Complexity
We are vital members of a multi-member body.
d) The Principle of Diversity
This principle builds on the complexity principle. You could have complexity in many parts but they could all do the same thing. This principle states that not only do we have many parts but those parts all serve a different function or place in the body.
and all the members do not have the same function,
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? 1 Cor. 12:12-19
Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 1 Cor. 12:27-30
Some Implications
Not all the members do the same thing with the same level of impact so there is less opportunity for envy or jealousy. If we all did the same thing, most would be unnecessary.
It is acceptable to be different. Don‘t try to copy someone else you have a unique contribution to the body. Focus on what God has called YOU to do!
Principle of Diversity
All members of the body do not serve the same function
e) The Principle of Unity
All the parts of the body draw life from a single source and exist for a single purpose.
Just as there are many members in the body, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ
…and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
We are all connected to one head and form one living body.
Some Implications
God places us in the body to function with one purpose and one mind so accept one another and work together as a team. Listen for the instructions from the head and you will be in sync with the rest of the body. We are connected by God and must not reject the other members. Disunity hinders the growth of the kingdom. God underscores the importance of preserving the unity.
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Eph 4:3-6
Principle of Unity
All members belong to the same body.
f) Principle of Mutuality
This principle builds on the principle of complexity, unity and diversity in that not only are there many parts united in one body each member having a different function, all of the members are also interdependent on the other. The parts are inseparable linked so that what affects one affect the all.
We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:5
To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7
There are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 1 Cor. 12:20-21
God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Cor. 12:24-26
Each member is dependent on the other. No member can function as a self-serving member. Each individual member contributes to the health of the whole. Just like the physical body consists of a multitude of parts carrying out diverse functions for the benefit of all the other parts, so the body of Christ is one body and individual members of one another. Since no member can properly function without the other, pay attention to each other and never dishonor someone else’s function in body. It may be the one thing necessary to effectively fulfill your function.
Some Implications
We must not look down on any other member. Failure to do our part affects the whole. We NEED one another and must work at healing the sick rather than exterminating them.
Principle of Mutuality
All members are vitally connected and interdependent.
God allots to each member of the body of Christ a measure of faith to invest in service to Him and His body. Because God is the source and head of the body there is no room for pride. God expects EVERY member to invest their measure of grace and faith in the body.
It is vital that we understand that God builds His church through community. God does not give every member the same measure of faith or function. Each member works for the same purpose to glorify God and build the body.
All the members are organically linked and cannot function without each other.
Humility - Headship – Complexity – Diversity – Unity – Mutuality
Paul doesn’t stop with insisting we think properly concerning our place in the body of Christ. He also insists that we actually serve faithfully for the glory of God and the sake of the body.
2. Serve faithfully for the glory of God and the good of the body
a) Mandate 1 Pet 4
Look first at a general mandate regarding investing your gift in the church.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
How should we understand this allotment of faith and measure of grace given by God to EVERY believer? I think 1 Corinthians 12 offers some insight into the four passages that mention gifts.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 1 Cor. 12:4-6
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: Rom 12:6
b) Motivations Rom 8
if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8
Basically Paul urged the gifted Romans to actually employ their gift for the good of the body of Christ. Since you have been gifted to function in a particular area, use that gift in that area. By the way, anytime a gift focuses on self it is like a cancer and damages the body rather than builds the body. God allots a measure of grace to invest for the sake of others not self.
Prophet focuses on communicating the truth of God – forth-telling
Server focuses on serving the cause by handling physical necessities
Teacher focuses on collecting, organizing and communicating truth
Exhorter focuses on encouraging people and applying truth to more faithful living
Giver focuses on gathering and investing resources for the kingdom
Administrator focuses on motivating people to accomplish objectives
Mercy focuses on connecting with the struggles of others and expressing understanding
c) Ministries Eph 4
Ephesians four mentions four ministers given to the church with specific ministry gifts.
Apostle – Prophet – Evangelist – Pastor/Teacher
d) Manifestations 1 Cor 12
In the exercise of one’s gift in a particular ministry to which they have been placed by God, the Holy Spirit then manifests His presence in any number of ways only some of which are mentioned in the passage. Since God grants a measure of grace to EVERY believer, then it follows that in the course of involvement in the body of Christ you will exhibit that gift whether you know what it is or not. The more you invest yourself in the body of Christ the more obvious your particular gifting becomes first to others and then to you. Most of the time you will experience an energy rush when functioning within your gifting and an energy drain when you try to operate outside your gifting and calling. God strategically places and allots every believer a measure of grace to effectively function in the body of Christ as an indispensable part of the whole.
Think fittingly! Serve faithfully!
Conclusion
What difference does it make?
Why invest your measure of grace?
• Healthy growth of the body depends on maximum participation from the members.
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephes. 4:15-16
• Faithful investments of our measure of grace enable others to fully and faithfully invest theirs.
• How we invest our measure of grace here affects our life both here and hereafter.
Matthew 25:13-30
What are you going to do with your measure of grace?
Blessing
Let all who take refuge in God be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And may God shelter you,
That those who love His name may exult in the Him.
For it is He who blesses the righteous man,
The LORD surrounds him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:11-12
May you think fittingly concerning your place in the body.
May you submit to Christ as the head
May you understand your unique contribution.
May you sense your connection to the body.
May you realize your need for one another.
May you serve faithfully and fully in the body.
Message Outline and Personal Notes
Think fittingly and serve faithfully in the body. 12:3-8
1. Think fittingly concerning the principles governing the church
• The principle of Humility
• The principle of Headship
• The principle of Complexity
• The principle of Diversity
• The principle of Unity
• The principle of Mutuality
What is God saying to me regarding my thinking?
2. Serve faithfully for the glory of God and the good of the body.
• Mandate for ministry
• Motivation in ministry
• Ministries
• Manifestations in ministry
What is God saying to me regarding my service to Him and the body?
