Introduction: This scripture implores the reader to consider the fact that any grace that they have been given has been given to them by God. It tells us not to think too highly of ourselves. If you have an obvious gift from the Lord, it's not because you're extra spiritual. As a matter of fact, the scripture we read today tells us that we have all have a gift. Some are loud and some are subtle. But we all have them. And we are to give from them. For any gift to fulfill its purpose it is to be three things. And until these three things are understood, the gift ceases to have the effect that it is intended to have.
1. Romans 12:3-8
2. Gifts are nice to get. But they are not purposeless trinkets that nobody else wanted. That's not a gift. A gift is meant to bless the giver and the receiver. Today there are three things God's gifts are that we to recognize. The first one is that they are given...
Point 1: Given
This may seem obvious. Of course, gifts are given. But that is the point we often take for granted. Take notice of the first words used in this portion of scripture. Paul states, "by the grace given to me, I say to you." Immediately we are provided with insight as to where any spiritual gifts come from. There are multiple instances in this passage that describe that lavish style of giving God does in this regard. We see the "faith that God has distributed to each of you," and, "according to the grace given to each of us." It is from God's grace that he gives us spiritual gifts. Our spiritual gifting and empowerment aren't found at the doorstep, through the laying of hands or taught by someone else. Although a good teacher can improve on certain skills, an anointing can only come from God.
God's grace is the sole source of all the blessing we encounter in our lives. Musical ability, leadership, hospitality, prophecy, tongues, encouraging, teaching, praying, healing, and any other power is something given to us, by his grace and grace alone. And to who? Notice how many times it says EACH of you or every one of you. Every believer is presumed to have one according to scripture.
Illustration: Imagine that on Christmas Day you wake up and run to the table to grab a hot Cinnabon roll and some milk. You take a bite and as the cream cheese drips down your face you make your way to the tree. You look under this gloriously decorated monstrosity and there is nothing there. You spin around to see if the presents have been misplaced, but the empty tree is all you have. Disappointed, the family gets dressed and you begin to notice that the items on your wish list are sitting in their places. A hand-sculpted statue of Jeff Bridges on your desk. A six-speaker stereo now sits on your bed stand. A new tie collection lines your closet or there is a new car is in the garage.
Application: What reference would you have for any of those things? None! No one to thank. No one to share the experience of the gifting with. Just a curious blessing in your house. That's not how scripture describes the spiritual gifts. They are explicitly given by your Creator to each of us.
Transition to next Point: You gotta understand that your spiritual gift is given to you by God. And not all gifts are the same. For a gift to be a good gift, it will be different.
Point 2: Received
Explanation: In Verse 6, Paul shares with the readers that "We have different gifts (v. 6)." You have a gift. In order for a gift to fulfill its potential, it must be received. "Most of ancient Judaism regarded prophecy as supernatural in a way different from other gifts that Paul lists here. God could use the other gifts here, but most of ancient Judaism saw them as activities one did for God and, whereas they thought prophecy as a divine "possession" that was very rare in their own day. That Paul regards all these gifts as divine empowerments and prophecy as one among many suggests how thoroughly he expects the God who worked miracles in the OT to continue to work regularly in the life of the church.
I want you to know that you have been gifted something in-order to be useful to the Kingdom of God. Perhaps you were given it before you came to Christ or your conversion lead to something new, but if you are saved, then you have a gift. You’ve got to claim that in your life, ask God what it is. Practice what you know and step out in faith to see what God can do with your faithfulness. What are you good at, what are you passionate about? What’s on your heart. Grab a friend and pray about it together.
Illustration: In illustrating the interdependence of one another's spiritual gifts in a local church, Gary Inrig, in Life in His Body shared the following story: Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest-ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other. After their graduation, they planned to practice law together.
Application: You might not think that being blind or missing a limb would qualify you as useful in the kingdom, but to these two men, the gifts were obvious. And to us, we receive the gift of encouragement knowing that it doesn’t matter what you’re missing in this world, you can succeed and be a blessing to someone.
Transition to next Point: Besides the fact that a gift must be both given and received, this story also exhibits that this gifting must be shared among one another.
Point 3: Shared
Explanation: The will of God, concerning which Paul has just spoken, is identical for all believers in respect to holiness in life and completeness of dedication. But what that will involves for each one with respect to special service in the church may be considerably diverse." (Harrison, 1976) Paul tells us that 'We all have different gifts" (v. 6). Not everyone is going to be able to do the same thing, or even want to do the same thing. Just as a body is made of many members with different abilities and appeals, as is the body of Christ. We are a made of different pieces cut from different cloths, made to build, complement and supplement one another. Three truths are revealed in this context. "...the unity of the body; the diversity of its members, with the corresponding diversity in function; and the mutuality of the various members--'each member belongs to one another." (Harrison), “…it calls attention to the need of the various parts of the body for each other…each member of the body profits from what the other members contribute to the whole.” Simply, we have to make room to appreciate others’ gifts and be blessed by having own. But more importantly, we need to spend time serving the body with our gifts.
The reason you have been given something to share is that you are expected to share it.
Illustration: The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on the condition that the instrument never is played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.?
Application: If you don’t share the spiritual gifting God has given to you, it loses its meaning.
Conclusion:
1. Summarize all points
A gift must be given. We know today that any grace that we have has been given to us by God for the betterment of his body. And as such it must be received, as a graceful gift with a grateful heart. And we must share it. We should be excited to share what God has placed within us.
2. Apply all points
When you know the giver, you appreciate them. So we worship God and thank him for the gifts that we have been given. When recognize that we are gifted we should begin to exercise them according to our faith, which will build our faith and build the church.
3. Invitation:?I invite you to place yourself at the mercy of God today and plead with Him to speak to you about this matter. You are gifted. You are loved. You are important to the body. Please, come and seek his Holy voice today. .
