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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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LIVING
SACRIFICES WITH SPIRITUAL GIFTS (Romans 12:3-8) 9/21/08 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor I.
BELIEVERS ARE
MEMBERS TOGETHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (3-5) A.
Having exhorted
the believers in Rome to present themselves as living sacrifices (vs. 1), Paul
exhorts them to understand they are part of the body of Christ (3-5) and are
to exercise their spiritual gifts within that body (6-8). B.
Paul begins by
mentioning that grace has been given to him. By using the word “grace” (cháris),
Paul is speaking with reference to “spiritual gifts” (chárisma or chárismata
- “grace gifts” i.e. spiritual gifts). The authority by which Paul makes
this appeal is the gift of apostleship (Ro 1:5). 1. He appeals to them not to be “high-minded” (huperphronéō, huper
- above & phroneō - opinion or thinking). Some
believers may be high-minded and think more of themselves
than they should. In light of the context, Gentiles might think they are
better than Jews or visa versa. Or perhaps a
believer may think that he is better than an unbeliever because he has
received salvation. 2. This is not true nor is it a biblical way to think (phronein - present infinitive - continual action).
Rather they were to think biblically correct with sound judgment (sophroneo - sophia - wise & phronéō
- thinking), which was realizing
that God is the One who receives credit for both salvation and spiritual
gifts. 3. In addition, God has allotted (merízō - divide or distribute) spiritual
gifts among believers. A Spiritual gift is a grace gift, which is given by the Holy Spirit at the moment of
salvation (1Co 12:7, 11; Eph 1:13). It is a divine enablement to be used in
ministry to the body of Christ. C.
Believers are
made up of many members within the body of Christ. Credit goes to God who
works through all the members of the body of Christ (4ep). 1. Even though there are many members, there is only
one (heis - numeral) body, that being the body
of Christ (1Co 12:12-14). One member is not better than the other, regardless
of the spiritual gift they possess (1Co 12:15-17). The body needs the
contribution of all the members with their spiritual gifts. 2. All the members have spiritual gifts, but not all
have the same gifts (Ro 12:6) and function (práxis - practice or activity). Spiritual gifts are given to each believer by the
Holy Spirit in order to edify the entire body (1Co 12:11, 18). D.
Furthermore,
since believers are in the same body, they correspond and belong to one
another (t́o kath’ heis allếlōn mélê- “corresponding members of one another”).
In other words, it is the responsibility each believer to look after the
spiritual condition of other members and seek to
edify them with their spiritual gifts (5). II.
BELIEVERS ARE
TO USE THEIR GIFTS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (6-8) A.
Like Paul, all
believers have had grace given to them, in the sense that they all have
spiritual gifts (charísmata - “grace gifts” or gifts given through
grace). These gifts differ (diaphoros - diverse or varying kinds) from one believer to the next, so that the body is
dependent upon the exercise of each member’s gifts. B.
Though the words
“each of us is
to exercise them accordingly (NASB)” are not included in the
original text, it is certainly implied in vs. 6-8. Whatever particular
gift(s) a believer may have, he must be faithful in exercising that gift(s)
in body. C.
Paul gives a
series of 1st class conditions, which suggests the simple condition
of fact. In other words, if a believer has a particular gift … then that
believer is to exercise that particular gift. It is that simple! D.
Paul lists seven of the seventeen spiritual
gifts that are listed in the New Testament (See list below). Gifts differ
from talents (musical, vocational, interests) in that talents are skills that
are learned. But a spiritual gift is a divine gift of grace that enables a
believer to perform certain ministries. This is not to say that gifts are not
to be developed, but they are a result of the Holy Spirit’s enabling. E.
The first gift
Paul mentions is prophecy. Prophecy was a gift in the O.T. that could be
defined as fore-telling and forth-telling. Fore-telling was God communicating
His future plans through the mouthpiece of the prophet. If the prophet was a
true prophet of God, then his prophecy would be 100% accurate. If not, then
the prophet was a false prophet and was to be stoned (De 18:20-22). The
consequences for false prophecy was so severe because God will never
compromise His revelation to man. The prophet would also engage in
forth-telling, that is, he would proclaim God’s truth already revealed in His
word. Since the primary role of the prophet was fore-telling, this gift, like
that of the apostle, is no longer needed today. God has given His complete
revelation to man in His inspired and innerant word
(2Pe 1:20-21). The “proportion of his faith” refers to the measure of
spiritual gifts to which God has given and the believer’s faithful
stewardship in exercising them. Yet no believer has been given all the gifts
and therefore must in humility, be dependent on other believers. F.
“Service” (diakonía - service or ministry) sometimes called “helps” (1Co 12:28), is the
special ability to advance the ministry and aid other believers by serving
behind the scenes (Ro 16:1; 1Co 16:15-18). G.
“Teaching” (didáskō) is the enabling to have a keen interest in the personal study of the Word... [and will] have the capacity to communicate clearly the
truths and applications of the Word so others may learn and profit (McRae,
Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts). Apollos is one
of the greatest examples of the gift of teaching (Act 18:24-28). H. “Exhortation” (parakaléō - one called alongside) is the
enabling to encourage and admonish believers to action and could be included
in teaching. Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement” (Act 4:36 - paráklêsis), had the gift of
“exhortation” (cp. Act 15:35-41; 2Ti 4:11). I.
“Giving” (metadidomi - ) is the
enabling … to give of one’s substance
to the work of the Lord or to the people of God consistently, liberally,
sacrificially, and with such wisdom and cheerfulness that others are
encouraged and blessed (ibid.). Liberality (haplótes)
means that one gives with sincerity and with no strings attached. Barnabas
perhaps had the gift of giving (Act 4:35-37) but Ananias was the antithesis
(Act 5:1-11) of the gift of giving. J.
“Leading” (proístemi)
is the enabling to … organize and
administer with such efficiency and spirituality that not only is the project
brought to a satisfactory conclusion but it is done harmoniously and with
evident blessing (McRae). Titus had this gift (Tit 1:5). K. “Mercy” (eleéō)
is the enabling to see the needs of all
kinds of sickness and afflictions and be internally and externally moved to
compassionate action. Jesus was often moved with compassion (Mt 9:36; 14:14;
15:32). This is done with “cheerfulness” (hilarótês - Eng. “hilarity”) and not drudgery. III.
THE LIST OF GIFTS
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (*exclusive to Romans) A.
Temporary
Spiritual Gifts 1. Apostleship (1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11; Ro 12:3 -
indirectly) 2. Prophet (1Co 12:10, 28; Rom 12:6; Eph
4:11) 3. Word Of Wisdom And Of Knowledge (1Co
12:8) 4. Distinguishing Of Spirits (1Co 12:10) 5. Gifts Of Healing (1Co 12:9, 28) 6. Effecting Of Miracles (1Co 12:10) 7. Various Kinds Of Tongues (1Co 12:10, 28,
30) 8. Interpretation Of Tongues (1Co 12:10,
28, 30) B.
Permanent
Spiritual Gifts 1. Faith (1Co
12:9) 2. Helps Or
Serving (1Co 12:28; Rom 12:7) 3. Administration (1Co 12:28; Rom
12:8) 4. Mercy* (Rom 12:8) 5. Giving* (Rom 12:8) 6. Exhortation* (Rom 12:8) 7. Evangelism
(Eph 4:11) 8. Teaching (Rom 12:7;
1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11) 9. Pastor-Teacher
(Eph 4:11) IV.
OBSERVATIONS
AND APPLICATIONS A.
Do not have a
high-minded opinion of yourself B.
Take responsibility
for the body of Christ C.
Exercise your
talents and gifts in the body |
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