May 11, 2015
Evening Service

This morning Paul, in chapter 12 of I Cor., helped us to understand the diversity of the spiritual gifts that are given to the church.  He also made it clear that it is the one Spirt that distributes them.  The purpose of the gifts was stated in verse 7:

I Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirt is given to each one for the profit of all.

He also used the example of the human body to show us the working of the church (the spiritual body of Christ) of which we each are part.

I Cor. 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

·         I am the church.  We must each realize this and accept the responsibility that goes with that statement.  We all do our part that makes up the whole of our ministry here at the Bride.  We need each other to be our best for the profit of all resulting in bringing glory to God.

·         Let’s look at what Paul wrote to the Roman church on this subject of yielding our wills to God’s and embracing being a part of the whole.

Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

·         The beginning of accepting whatever role we have in the church starts with yielding our will to His.  Here Paul calls it “presenting our bodies as living sacrifices,” or a total commitment.  This commitment is referred to as a “reasonable service” towards God or our “act of worship.”  (Matt. 6:33)

·           We all can make ourselves available to God’s call, as we saw with Abraham as God called and he answered, “Here I am.”

·         This comes by not being like everyone else (not conforming).  We are to be different as we change (transform) into what God created us to be.  It is by the “renewing of our mind” that we seek to please God by making His will our own.

 

Rom 12:3 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 set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

·          Paul commands us not to become puffed up or proud of what God has called us to do, inflating our importance.  We must always humbly keep in mind that we are a part of the whole and we are only doing what God has given us to do.

 

Rom 12:4-5  For even as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same function,  (5)  so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.

·         This mirrors exactly what we saw this morning in I Cor. 12.  Each of are members of the same body.  I don’t have to do it all, but I have to do my part and rely on others to do theirs.  He now lists several of the gifts as he did this morning.

 

Rom 12:6-8 Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;  (7)  or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;  (8)  or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who gives, with liberality; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.

·         Prophecy-speaking and declaring the word of the Lord according to your faith.

·         Ministry-service for the Lord.

·         Teacher-explaining the word of God and how to apply it to our lives.

·         Exhort-encourage and stir up others to do their best for the Lord.

·         Giving-sharing liberally what you have with others who are in need

·         Lead-leadership is vital in guiding the church to stick to task and empowering others to fulfill the needed roles in the church this is done with diligence.

·         Mercy-showing compassion to those in distress done cheerfully.

 

It is obvious we cannot all possess and perform the same gift.  We need each other.  Paul now explains that it is not enough to just put our gifts or abilities into action, but it is our attitude in which we do them that is vital. 

 

 Rom 12:9-16 Let love be without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil, clinging to what is good; (10)  in brotherly love to one another, loving fervently, having led one another in honor.  (11)  As to diligence, not slothful, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (12) rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer,  (13)  distributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.  (14)  Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.  (15)  Rejoice with rejoicing ones, and weep with weeping ones; (16) minding the same thing toward one another, not minding high things, but yielding to the lowly. Do not be wise within yourselves.

·         Look at the attitude we are each to have, thus creating the same atmosphere within the church. (Reread verses)  Our fellowship will reflect the attitude of the individuals that attend here; loving, caring, serving, hopeful, patient, prayerful, giving, forgiving, rejoicing, weeping, and humble.  Isn’t that how we want our fellowship to be described?  Isn’t that how we want to represent Christ?

·           Then seek to live a life that displays these things as well.

·         Isn’t that challenging for us?  Am I doing my part well?

·         Paul also wrote to the Colossian church and challenge them with theses commands:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Col 3:12-17  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering,  (13)  forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do.  (14)  And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.  (15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful.  (16)  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  (17)  And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

·         We “are called in one body” to function together as the church (Jesus’ body) in this world, displaying these attributes in our lives and our fellowship.   We are all one body, one spirit, one ministry serving the one true Lord in love.  Doing everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

·         It is the peace of God that is to rule in our hearts, and the Word of Christ that not only dwells within us, but produces these fruits and enables the gifts we are given to be used to their maximum impact in the church.

 

I am the church.  We are the church.  May we be found pleasing in the sight of our Lord and Savior.  May we not be found wanting, but be found faithful in the use of the gifts God has blessed us with.