Living in God’s Will

13 October 2013 AM – Romans 12:3-8 – Romans – Scott Childs

Introduction: Following Ro 12:1-2, Paul is speaking to those who have surrendered, submitted, and sought for God’s will for service. God’s will involves work that he gives us to do. He now gives us instructions on living in God’s will.

Transition: In our text this morning, God gives us three instructions to help us live properly in His will.

I.  Remember, You Have No Reason or Right to Brag

A.     We often think too highly of ourselves (3)

1.      Paul addressed this to every man among them. He knew that pride was a common fault of our sinful flesh.

2.      The expression Paul used means to think highly of ourselves beyond what is necessary to think. Our self-esteem must be Biblically balanced.

a)      We were all ungodly sinners (Isa 64:6), but once saved we are children of the King of kings (Ro 8:16).

b)      All that we are and do that is good is a result of our relationship with Christ. (see Philippians 3:9)

3.      Since the gifts and abilities we have are all from God, it is sinful for us to brag about them.

B.     We ought to think soberly (3)

1.      Our opinion of ourselves ought to be sober or moderate, within the proper bounds of thinking.

2.      The reason is that God dealt to every man the measure of faith that He wanted each to have.

a)      The word “dealt” does not imply blind chance as when one deals out ONO cards. Instead, it means to “divide” or “distribute” according to God’s wisdom.

b)      The “measure” was an instrument of exact measurement. God gave each of us the exact amount and kind of gift according to each one’s measure or amount of faith. “Faith” here is the ability to view and use a gift God gives.

So, we have no reason or right to brag about our spiritual gift because it is not our ability but God’s ability in us.

II.  Become a Church Member and Do Your Part

A.     We learn about members from our body (4)

1.      We learned back in Romans 6-7 that our members are our body parts like hands, feet, eyes, ears, mouth and so on. Paul uses that same illustration here.

2.      Obviously each member of our body has a different office or business. Our hands grip, touch, and carry. Our eyes see. Our nose smells. Our ears hear.

B.     A local church has members like a physical body (5)

1.      A church has many church members, but they all form just one church body.

a)      Today we live in the “Church Age”. God is doing His work through local churches.

b)      Every Christian ought to be a member of a biblical local church where he can get involved. If you are a Christian, God wants you to do more than attend church. He wants you to become a member and get involved.

Briefly, here is what you must do to become a member of our church: (1) You must have a clear testimony that you are truly saved. (2) You must complete a brief Bible study that covers Christian life and membership issues. (3) You must be biblically baptised by immersion after your salvation. (4) You must agree to abide by our church’s doctrinal statement and constitution. (5) You must share your testimony with the church and be voted in as a member.

2.      All of our church members make up our church body, not just one member. Each church member is to work in harmony with the others so the church works like a healthy body.

III.  Accept that Your Gift Differs According to God’s Grace

A.     God gives gifts according to his grace (6)

1.      Grace is a divine enablement or a God-given ability to serve Him. I believe this divine enabling is the Person of the Holy Spirit received at salvation.

2.      That Grace (the Holy Spirit) gives a different grace-empowered gift to each church member so he can be a blessing and help to the local church.

3.      Romans 12:6-8 gives a brief list of some grace-empowered gifts. We find other partial lists in, 1Co 12:8-10, 28, Eph 4:11, 1Pe 4:9-11. It is very likely that many others exist that the Bible does not list.

B.     Each gift has a specific work (6-8)

Note that every Christian can and should do the tasks included in these gifts. However, the Holy Spirit gives special power to some to do the tasks more effectively.

1.      Prophecy

a)      Prophecy is either revealing something that has not yet happened or preaching what God has already said. The new revealing prophecy ended when the Bible was complete (1Co 13:8-10). Today we only have preaching type prophecy.

b)      Those with this gift must use it according to the measure of ability God has given.

I cannot preach like the apostle Paul. I must preach according to the ability God gave me.

2.      Ministry

a)      The word translated “ministry” refers to service. Every church member should serve in the local church, but God gives some a special ability to serve more effectively.

b)      Those with the gift of service ought to focus their greater attention on serving.

3.      Teaching

a)      God has given some church members the gift to teach the Scriptures. While preaching exposes and explains what God said and challenges the listener to action, teaching presents facts and principles from God’s Word.

b)      Those with a teaching gift ought to use their God-given ability to instruct others.

4.      Exhorting

a)      The word translated “exhort” means to call or beg someone to come near so you can give them help by way of encouragement, counsel, warning, or comfort.

b)      Those with the gift of exhorting should keep their main focus on exhortation.

5.      Giving

a)      The word translated “giving” is not referring to giving your tithe and offering to God. Every Christian ought to do that. This word means to impart or to share with those in need.

b)      Every church member ought to share but God gives some a special ability to sense the needs of others and to share with them.

c)      These persons are to share with simplicity. The word simplicity means without faking it. His giving must be from the heart with no self-seeking motive.

6.      Ruling

a)      This has the idea of supervising.

b)      Those with a supervising gift must do it with diligence or literally carefulness.

7.      Showing mercy

a)      This is the grace-empowered gift to help those who are in need.

b)      Those with this gift are to do it cheerfully. Helping the needy is not always pleasant, but God wants it done with a cheerful heart.

Conclusion: We have looked at three instructions for living in God’s will. 1) We must not brag about the abilities God gives us. 2) We must become church members so we can do our part. 3) The Holy Spirit gives to each church member the abilities that He wants them to use. Each gift must be used to one’s fullest ability and with a godly attitude and motive.

If you are not a member of our church, that is where you must begin so you can use your abilities for the Lord.

If you are not sure what God has for you to do, go back and study Romans 12:1-2. I believe that part of finding God’s will is finding the gift he has for you to use in our local church.

Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388