Service Through Gifts

Service Through Gifts

Romans 12:3-8

Introduction

From the beginning we must understand that Paul is talking to us about living the Christian life in Romans 12

As we have looked at over the last couple of weeks, we have seen Paul encourage us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices

He has also encouraged us to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed into the image of Christ

One of the main ways that takes place is by renewing our mind

This morning, Paul tells us that truly one of the main ways we can present our bodies as living sacrifices is by Serving one another Through the Gifts we’ve been given

Read Romans 12:3-8 / Pray

Trans: The first thing Paul does is give us a warning about…

1. Spiritual Pride

Read Vs 3

NLT “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us”

We hear a lot about low self-esteem, and I know it is a real problem suffered by some

But the Bible says that man’s main problem is not thinking too low of himself, but too highly

In other words – PRIDE – not just in the world but it is also in the church

Paul says in vs 3 “Don’t go thinking that you are something; that you are better than someone else”

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”

How many times in our lives have we had those thoughts about thinking we are better than someone else?

Listen, I know I have had them – Can I get a witness?

We often times think we are better or more important because of our status at work; or even work our status at church

Depending on what we do, if we are not careful, we can allow spiritual pride to creep in and affect our walk with God and in our service to others

Remember the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:10-14 (turn there)

The key is to live in the town called Humbleville – true humility will help you avoid thinking more highly of yourself than you should

What can happen if pride rules your life?

2 Chron 26:16 “But after Uzziah became powerful, his PRIDE led to his downfall…”

Psalm 105:36 (NLT) “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride”

Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) “Pride leads to disgrace but with humility comes wisdom”

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”

God draws close to those who have humility but is far from the proud of heart

Trans: But then the question is asked, what can cause me to have spiritual pride in the church? Mainly because of

2. Spiritual Gifts

Read vs. 4-8

Paul says that we have many members and not all of the members have the same function

We form one body but all have different functions or gifts and each of us belong to each other

Listen, there are no lone rangers in the Kingdom of God

You and I need each other in order to function properly as a body of Christ

Depending on the gift you’ve been given, you can easily get caught up in Spiritual Pride

“Well, I have the gift to teach Sunday school or I can preach or I can evangelize”

And how many think that these are the more superior gifts? It’s those that fall into the trap of Spiritual Pride

Besides, you and I have nothing to do with the gift or gifts we have

Paul says in 1 Cor 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”

Vs 11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one JUST AS HE DETERMINES”

The gift we have is given to us by the Spirit for the manifestation of the Spirit through our gifts

Why can’t I pick my gift? Because everyone would want what they THINK is the greater gifts

Turn to 1 Cor 12:21-22

Look what Paul tells us in 1 Cor 12:18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, everyone of them, just as He wanted them to be”

Listen, it’s not by coincidence that you are here today as a member of this body called Trinity Baptist

Why? Because God has placed you here in order to operate in your gift so that the Spirit can be manifested through you in this place

ILLUSTRATION: If I am working on a project car and fixing it up – and in order to complete it, I need two doors, a driver side and passenger side