Alba 5-1-2022
DIFFERENT GIFTS – ALL USEFUL
Romans 12:3-8
In December of 2004, Dave Barry, a columnist for the Washington Post, wrote his comments about the typical male in the first week of December.
He wrote, “Your standard man, at this point in the Christmas season, has purchased zero gifts. He has not yet gotten around to purchasing an acceptable gift for his wife for last Christmas.
“He did give her something last year, but he could tell by her reaction to it that she had not been dreaming of getting an auto emergency kit, even though it was the deluxe model with booster cables and an air compressor.
“Clearly this gift violated an important rule, but the man had no idea what this rule was, and his wife was too upset to tell him.”
(Dave Barry, “Your Gift Is in the Male,” Washington Post, December 7, 2004)
Sometimes we get gifts we don’t really appreciate. But there is Someone who knows exactly what we need, and He delights in giving us good gifts. That One, of course, is the Lord.
The greatest gift we can receive is the gift of salvation. It is ours because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
But God's gift giving does not end there. God provides us with gifts that enhance our lives and builds up the body of Christ, the church.
It’s like Oprah giving away cars: “You get a gift, and you get a gift, and you get a gift. Everybody gets a spiritual gift!”. There is a list of some of them in Romans 12:3-8. Lets turn to that text this morning.
“3 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.
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 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; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
While every Christian has been gifted to benefit others, we are not given the same gifts. Nor are we given all the gifts. So this text warns us not to think that we have been short changed if someone else seems to have a better gift.
But also we are warned not to think that we are better than others just because our gift seems to gather more attention or praise. We are all part of one body, working toward one purpose.
In the same way our physical body has many parts that work together for the benefit of the whole, so it is in the spiritual body. That is why there is no need for competition or pettiness.
Every gift is useful for the church, and needed within the church. Think about various parts of your body and how needed they are even if they do not seem to get much notice.
What if the right coronary artery said, “I hate being in this position. I never get any rest. My work never stops. And to make matters worse, nobody pays any attention to me. I quit!” Suddenly we discover that the whole body is in real trouble, all because one artery quit doing his job.
What if the eardrum would say, “All I ever get to do is sit here and get beat on by everything that comes down the canal. I hear everything that’s going on, but I never see anything. I hate this job! No one cares and they are constantly poking at me with something. I’ll show them! I quit!”
What if my thumbs decided they wouldn’t work because I put a ring on this finger, but not on them? I’d be pretty clumsy!
What if my hand would not help my foot when I accidentally dropped something on it because I spent $100 to cover my feet, but only $20 on gloves for my hands?
Every single part of my physical body is essential for me to be a whole and complete person, even though they don’t get equal credit or honor. Well, the church is the body of Christ, and each of us are the various parts of that body and we are all needed.
We should not compare ourselves with other believers and worry about what we don’t have or can't do. Instead, we need find out what gift God has given us, and use it for His glory.
Because no matter who we are, or where we are in the Body of Christ, we are of the same body, working together for the same purpose. And we are all equally called to serve the body, and all equally important for the body.
Ephesians 4:15-16 tells us that we are to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
And Romans 12:6 says that we all have “gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” so that the church will be edified.
Lets take a closer look at this list of gifts in verses 6-8 in Romans 12 that God uses to bless the church. It is not a complete list. There are other places in scripture that include some more gifts God gives to members of the body of Christ. Still this list is fairly inclusive.
First is prophesy. When we think of prophecy, we usually think of foretelling the future. That’s what the prophets of old did. When the word “prophet” is used in the Greek, it meant “one who speaks inspired utterances.” We find that inspiration in the scriptures.
We have people today who explain God’s Word and teach God’s Word --- but the Bible is complete. We don’t have people today who speak God’s word by revelation and inspiration as the apostles and prophets of the first century did.
We dare not add to or subtract from what is in scripture. But there are those who are gifted in, not foretelling, but telling forth God's Word in a way that inspires others to follow God and His way.
Next is ministry or service. Let’s start by defining the term “ministry”. It is not speaking of one person called the minister.
Ministry is serving. For a Christian, it isn’t just helping people, or doing good things. Ministry is serving others for the sake of the gospel. Ministry is serving others in ways that reflect God’s character and advance God’s purposes.
Think about the example in Acts chapter six. The church was growing and the widows among them had needs. The church was told to choose seven men of good reputation to take care of the situation. They would serve the needs of the widows.
As a result the apostles were freed up to use their gifts of teaching and leading. And others were selected who had the gift of service to take care of the widows. That’s how the gift of ministry service works.
The third gift is teaching. This gift is very close to prophecy. As a matter of fact, it is often mentioned together with prophecy in the New Testament Scriptures.
All of us do a certain amount of teaching through our words and example. However, the person who is consistently effective at explaining clearly and applying skillfully the Word of God is definitely a gifted individual.
Up next is the gift of exhortation. Other translations have the word encouragement. The reason for the difference is that the Greek word translated “exhort” is also often translated “encourage,” “comfort.” “console,” and “counsel.”
In its noun form it is a proper name or title for both the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus. In John 14:16 the Holy Spirit is called the “Comforter,” “Counselor,” “Helper;” while in I John 2:1 Jesus is called our “Advocate” or “Counselor.”
You often hear the word transliterated as Paraclete. It is a word for one who is called alongside to offer help, assistance, or advice.
In scripture, Barnabas was called the “Son of Encouragement”. He was constantly helping others. He sold his property to donate to the needs of the church. And he was the one who took the apostle Paul under his wing when others were wary of this persecutor turned Christian.
Therefore the exhorter is one who majors in a ministry of encouragement to others, one who has the ability to come alongside another and help.
The next gift is giving. While all of us are commanded to give generously and faithfully, the gift of giving is a God-given ability, perhaps to earn, certainly to manage wisely, and give money for the progress of God’s work.
Paul says that the person with the gift of giving should give “liberally.” That word can be translated many ways. Literally it means “without folds,” as a piece of cloth unfolded -- and it is rendered “simplicity,” “singleness of mind,” or “without pretense.”
When one gives with such openness of heart, it is done “freely,” “with delight,” and “generously.” Jesus gave the example of the widow who, though she only gave two small coins, gave more than any others because it was all that she had. What a gift of giving!
The next gift in this list is leading. The church will always need diligent leaders who are gifted in areas of wise management and administration.
Christian leadership is never dogmatic, and it is not dictatorial, just telling other what they must do. Rather, spiritual authority expresses itself in wisdom, tact, example, humility, and service.
The leader is one who has the God-given ability to see where others can be used, to analyze situations, and establish a plan of action by which the work can be accomplished.
The Bible is filled with examples of those with the gift of leadership. Like Noah, leaders do the right thing even when they are the only one. Like Abraham, leaders leave their comfort zone to follow God.
Like Joseph, leaders will overcome their circumstances. Like Moses, leaders will protect those in their care. Like Joshua, leaders will lead by example. Like David, leaders will not run from the giants.
Like Isaiah, leaders will look for opportunities to lead. Like Daniel, leaders will remain steadfast in their resolve. Like John the Baptist, leaders will confront sin.
Like Jesus, leaders will have a servant’s heart. Like Peter, leaders will not allow themselves to stay defeated. Like Paul, leaders will lead with passion.
Leaders will manage and direct. They will devote themselves to those they are called to lead. People will follow them with a sense of security and assurance.
The final gift mentioned here is showing mercy with cheerfulness.
The verb “show mercy” may be translated “to pity,” “to commiserate,” or “to have compassion on.”
The one with the gift of mercy is the most sensitive of all individuals. This gift makes one very conscious of the feelings of other people, with the uncanny ability to know how someone else feels without a word being spoken.
The one with the gift of mercy has the Spirit-guided ability to show practical, compassionate, cheerful love toward suffering members of the body of Christ.
But at the same time, this gift will enable its possessor to decide whether to help directly or indirectly. Sometimes, it may be more merciful not to give a person a direct handout.
The gift of mercy will help to discern when we are really helping someone by providing them food and lodging, or if we are hurting them by letting them take advantage of our benevolence.
In any case, mercy is certainly one of the best gifts within the church. And there is a return benefit. Remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
The list of gifts here in Romans chapter twelve are abilities for ministry, given by the Holy Spirit. In other words, they are “spiritual gifts”.
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to each and every believer, so they can serve His church to do all kinds of ministry.
The key word there is “all”. Because James 1:17 tells us that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
This list in Romans twelve is fairly inclusive of what God gives to accomplish His purposes. It may be that you can see where God has gifted you with one or more of these beneficial gifts. If so, scripture says “use them”. They are useful.
But if in some way you don't see yourself there, instead of asking, “Which of the spiritual gifts on this list do I have?” Ask yourself a more open-ended question: “What is it can I do?” “What abilities do I have to minister to people?”
Many of us are older now, and we may not have the ability to do what we once did. But it is still good to ask, “In what way can I serve people for the sake of the gospel, to serve people in ways that reflect God’s character and advance God’s purposes?”
The answer to that question will inform you of your spiritual gifts.
Whatever your gift, whatever your ability, whatever your talent, God has a purpose in giving it to you.
We all have different gifts, but each one is useful. God calls us to use our gifts, and to serve Him with all our hearts.
CONCLUSION:
In 17th century Italy, in the town of Cremona, lived a young boy named Antonio. Antonio was often sad because he lived in a town that was famous for its music, but he could neither sing nor play.
Antonio’s voice was high and squeaky, so he was not welcome in the Cremona Boys’ Choir. When he took violin lessons, the neighbors persuaded his parents to make him stop. Yet Antonio still wanted to make music.
Antonio’s friends kidded him because it seemed that his only talent was whittling, but he did not give up. One day the boy learned that a world-famous violinmaker named Amati lived in Cremona. The next morning Antonio went to visit Amati and begged to serve as his apprentice.
For many years he studied and worked. Antonio’s knack for whittling grew into a skill of carving; his hobby became his craft. Patiently he fashioned many violins, striving to make each one better and more beautiful than the one before.
When Antonio died, he left over 1500 violins, each one bearing a label that said “Antonio Stradivarius.” Today they are the most sought after violins in all the world. The clarity of tone and careful craftsmanship remain untouched by the centuries.
Today Antonio’s violins sell for more than $100,000. Antonio Stradivarius could neither sing nor play, but he did what he could, and now, over 300 years later, his violins are still making beautiful music.
Christians are sometimes concerned because they cannot sing or play or preach or teach. However, the important thing is not what our gifts are, but whether we are using the gifts we have. A song in the heart will surely find expression through some phase of the dedicated Christian’s life.
