1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,080 Well we come today to the last in our short series as to how we respond to the 2 00:00:05,080 –> 00:00:11,000 Gospel, and it almost strikes me that Palm Sunday tells us how not to do that. 3 00:00:11,000 –> 00:00:15,860 You know what I mean? A lot of exuberance, a lot of enthusiasm, and it peeters out 4 00:00:15,860 –> 00:00:21,520 within a week, and that is not the response to the Gospel. What is, we’ve 5 00:00:21,520 –> 00:00:26,219 been learning it from Romans chapter twelve. In the light of what God has done 6 00:00:26,219 –> 00:00:32,580 for us in Jesus Christ, the only reasonable thing for the church to do is 7 00:00:32,580 –> 00:00:38,220 for us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God, that is to move beyond 8 00:00:38,220 –> 00:00:44,240 a religion of convenience and of comfort and to stretch ourselves out on the 9 00:00:44,240 –> 00:00:49,259 altar of God. And the question we’ve been facing from the Bible that’s open in 10 00:00:49,259 –> 00:00:56,160 front of us is simply this, are we ready for that? And we’ve seen that when we 11 00:00:56,180 –> 00:01:02,619 are, we need to know what it is that God wants us to do. Willingness needs wisdom 12 00:01:02,619 –> 00:01:06,860 and we saw that God promises that wisdom, that we will be able to test 13 00:01:06,860 –> 00:01:12,900 and approve what God’s will is, you will be able to discern and to delight in 14 00:01:12,900 –> 00:01:18,540 what God wants you to do as your mind is transformed by the gospel. Now that’s 15 00:01:18,540 –> 00:01:23,300 where we came to the end of last week, and when we come to that point we are at 16 00:01:23,540 –> 00:01:29,860 the place where we may become really useful in the advance of Christ’s 17 00:01:29,860 –> 00:01:37,099 Kingdom, which is where we want to be. Now we’re going to focus in on verses 3 to 18 00:01:37,099 –> 00:01:41,279 8 in the time that we share together this morning and we’re going to approach 19 00:01:41,279 –> 00:01:47,379 these verses in a slightly unusual manner, that is we will start at the end 20 00:01:48,339 –> 00:01:53,220 and we will work backwards to the beginning and let me explain why. As I 21 00:01:53,220 –> 00:01:57,760 wrestled with this passage and tried to understand what Paul was saying here 22 00:01:57,760 –> 00:02:03,680 through this week, I found that I didn’t understand the beginning until I got to 23 00:02:03,680 –> 00:02:06,660 the end. So logically it seems to me that if this 24 00:02:06,660 –> 00:02:10,660 morning we start at the end, we may have some hope by the end of our 25 00:02:10,660 –> 00:02:14,699 time together of having a good understanding of the beginning. I trust 26 00:02:14,779 –> 00:02:18,899 that makes sense. Let me give you a simple outline and then we’ll proceed. The 27 00:02:18,899 –> 00:02:25,899 question before us is how can we effectively fulfill the purpose that God 28 00:02:25,899 –> 00:02:31,639 has given and I want to offer three answers from these verses. One, know your 29 00:02:31,639 –> 00:02:42,179 gifts. Two, find your place and Three, use your faith. Let’s proceed together. The 30 00:02:42,179 –> 00:02:48,440 first, know your gifts, and we’re looking at verses six to eight. Verse six, Paul 31 00:02:48,440 –> 00:02:55,500 says, we have different gifts according to the grace given us. That is a great 32 00:02:55,500 –> 00:03:03,500 statement to begin with isn’t it? We have different gifts. Now this is a definite 33 00:03:03,500 –> 00:03:08,059 statement. He doesn’t say we ought to have different gifts, he doesn’t say we 34 00:03:08,059 –> 00:03:11,699 all wish we had different gifts, he doesn’t say that other people have 35 00:03:11,820 –> 00:03:16,660 different gifts, he says we have them, we’ve got them. It’s a definitive 36 00:03:16,660 –> 00:03:21,899 statement. In other words, God has equipped every believer and every church 37 00:03:22,199 –> 00:03:28,479 with gifts for ministry. And Paul tells us that these gifts that we have are 38 00:03:28,479 –> 00:03:35,500 different and he gives us seven examples. Now, there are other gifts, of course, 39 00:03:35,500 –> 00:03:39,320 that are mentioned in the New Testament besides the ones here in Romans 12, 40 00:03:39,500 –> 00:03:44,559 but this is the passage before us today, and I want us to focus on the seven 41 00:03:44,559 –> 00:03:51,600 gifts of Romans and chapter 12, we’re going to walk through them briefly. And 42 00:03:51,600 –> 00:03:59,240 as we do I want to encourage you to pick two, we’re going to have seven… I want 43 00:03:59,240 –> 00:04:08,460 you to pick two that describe best what you think God has given to you. Now, some 44 00:04:08,479 –> 00:04:11,660 of us may feel that we’ve got a little bit of all of them. Some of us may feel 45 00:04:11,660 –> 00:04:17,779 we haven’t got any of them. I want you to pick two that you think best fit the 46 00:04:17,779 –> 00:04:21,959 way in which you can see God distinctively using you and I want to 47 00:04:21,959 –> 00:04:25,700 encourage you to do that because the scripture that we just read says we have 48 00:04:25,700 –> 00:04:31,859 these gifts, we have them. So as the congregation in Rome first heard this 49 00:04:31,859 –> 00:04:35,339 let’s hear it together and apply it to ourselves. You might want to take a piece 50 00:04:35,380 –> 00:04:38,459 of paper and a pencil as we worked through this. I want to give a simple 51 00:04:38,459 –> 00:04:43,079 description or definition of each gift and I want you to pick two as we go 52 00:04:43,079 –> 00:04:48,220 through these seven. Number one prophesying. if a man’s gift 53 00:04:48,220 –> 00:04:54,700 is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. Now I give a 54 00:04:54,700 –> 00:04:58,579 simple definition of each of these gifts and for prophesying the definition 55 00:04:58,579 –> 00:05:06,359 would be this, a special ability to speak the truth with insight and with 56 00:05:06,359 –> 00:05:11,100 relevance. That’s what he’s speaking about here. A special ability to speak 57 00:05:11,100 –> 00:05:16,019 the truth with insight and with relevance. This is something you would 58 00:05:16,019 –> 00:05:20,359 expect in someone who preaches but of course it is not limited to preaching. 59 00:05:20,359 –> 00:05:23,920 Have you ever been in a meeting where the discussion has gone round and round 60 00:05:23,920 –> 00:05:27,940 in circles for a very long time and then suddenly someone says something quite 61 00:05:28,000 –> 00:05:31,959 simple and everyone says that’s it. That’s what we should do and then 62 00:05:31,959 –> 00:05:36,200 everyone says why didn’t we think of that a half an hour ago? What happened? 63 00:05:36,200 –> 00:05:41,760 Everyone had spoken but in a particular way. Someone spoke with an insight and 64 00:05:41,760 –> 00:05:47,000 relevance that came from the Lord as a gift to us all. Have you ever struggled 65 00:05:47,000 –> 00:05:51,600 with a problem and you’ve spoken to many people about it and then someone said 66 00:05:51,600 –> 00:05:56,799 something that was just as a gift from the Lord to you. It had insight and 67 00:05:56,799 –> 00:06:00,619 gave you a whole new perspective on what you were struggling with. What happened? 68 00:06:00,619 –> 00:06:06,260 Many folks spoke but one person spoke with particular insight and relevance 69 00:06:06,260 –> 00:06:12,700 and it was a gift from the Lord to you. Now some folks have a special gift and 70 00:06:12,700 –> 00:06:17,339 ability in this area and God uses them often in this way to bring wisdom, to 71 00:06:17,339 –> 00:06:22,799 bring truth, to bring insight, to bring understanding, to bring discernment. 72 00:06:23,160 –> 00:06:29,200 These gifts are in this body. 73 00:06:29,859 –> 00:06:35,100 Now here’s the question. Is this the sort of thing that has that’s been briefly 74 00:06:35,100 –> 00:06:43,040 described you can see God doing through you? I want you to mark it down. Yes, no 75 00:06:43,040 –> 00:06:46,839 or maybe. Now we’re going through seven, we’re looking for two so it’s okay to 76 00:06:46,839 –> 00:06:50,660 mark down no and it’s okay to mark down maybe and come back and review which you 77 00:06:50,820 –> 00:06:57,920 most described you but mark it down. Number two, serving. If it is serving Paul 78 00:06:57,920 –> 00:07:03,179 says let him serve. Now here’s the definition of the gift of serving a 79 00:07:03,179 –> 00:07:11,359 special ability to get things done I thank God for this gift. See some folks 80 00:07:11,359 –> 00:07:16,179 just have a special gift for getting things done and let’s face it it’s one 81 00:07:16,179 –> 00:07:22,899 thing to have great ideas it is another thing to actually make things happen. So 82 00:07:22,899 –> 00:07:27,899 if you find yourself quite often saying when something practical needs to be 83 00:07:27,899 –> 00:07:35,160 done and you say oh I could do that you probably have the gift of serving, it’s a 84 00:07:35,160 –> 00:07:39,380 wonderful gift. Folks who have the gift of serving here in the church for 85 00:07:39,380 –> 00:07:43,380 example would include all the greeters folks who arrange the flowers folks who 86 00:07:43,540 –> 00:07:47,239 run the media folks who prepare the coffee folks who organize events folks 87 00:07:47,239 –> 00:07:50,640 who care for the building, you make it happen 88 00:07:50,640 –> 00:07:56,899 these gifts are here in the body. Now is that the sort of thing that you can see 89 00:07:56,899 –> 00:08:06,940 God doing through you? Mark it down yes? No? Maybe. Number three, teaching. If it is 90 00:08:06,940 –> 00:08:12,799 teaching let him teach. Here’s the definition of teaching a special ability 91 00:08:13,359 –> 00:08:20,760 to help others grow in knowledge character and skills. Now of course this 92 00:08:20,760 –> 00:08:26,320 includes teaching a class of children or teaching a class of adults but it also 93 00:08:26,320 –> 00:08:31,480 includes one-on-one teaching we sometimes call that mentoring and it can 94 00:08:31,480 –> 00:08:36,159 happen as much in a workshop as it can happen in a classroom. 95 00:08:36,479 –> 00:08:41,000 Listen to this comment from John Stott he says, 96 00:08:59,119 –> 00:09:02,979 So if you have this gift you need to find a 97 00:09:03,059 –> 00:09:06,900 a place somewhere in the world to use it. 98 00:09:07,960 –> 00:09:10,239 One of the marks of people who have this gift 99 00:09:10,239 –> 00:09:14,679 is that they have a special affection for younger people 100 00:09:14,679 –> 00:09:19,500 that will be one of the signs that you may have this gift. 101 00:09:19,500 –> 00:09:23,359 You see some folks love doing what they do, 102 00:09:23,359 –> 00:09:27,440 other folks love imparting what they do 103 00:09:27,440 –> 00:09:28,960 and they have the joy of seeing 104 00:09:28,960 –> 00:09:32,280 others springing up around them. 105 00:09:32,299 –> 00:09:36,020 Now these gifts are here in this body. 106 00:09:36,020 –> 00:09:40,440 Teachers, mentors, coaches, disciples. 107 00:09:41,900 –> 00:09:45,200 Is that the sort of thing you see God doing through you? 108 00:09:46,219 –> 00:09:47,440 Mark it down. 109 00:09:47,440 –> 00:09:48,780 Yes? 110 00:09:48,780 –> 00:09:50,119 No? 111 00:09:50,119 –> 00:09:51,140 Not sure? 112 00:09:52,159 –> 00:09:54,780 Here’s number four, encouraging. 113 00:09:54,780 –> 00:09:58,500 If it is encouraging, let Him encourage. 114 00:09:59,619 –> 00:10:01,880 Encouraging is really a special ability 115 00:10:02,000 –> 00:10:05,979 to bring strength and comfort to other people. 116 00:10:05,979 –> 00:10:09,099 It is a especially beautiful gift. 117 00:10:09,099 –> 00:10:10,840 Here’s why. 118 00:10:10,840 –> 00:10:13,000 The word that the apostle Paul uses here 119 00:10:13,000 –> 00:10:16,820 is parakaleio, parakaleio. 120 00:10:16,820 –> 00:10:18,159 Which is of course the same word 121 00:10:18,159 –> 00:10:21,039 from which we get paraclete. 122 00:10:21,039 –> 00:10:23,119 Which is the word that Jesus used 123 00:10:23,119 –> 00:10:27,260 to describe the Holy Spirit Himself. 124 00:10:27,260 –> 00:10:31,419 He is the one you see who comes alongside. 125 00:10:32,479 –> 00:10:35,099 And this gift is a particular reflection 126 00:10:35,099 –> 00:10:38,840 of that aspect of His ministry. 127 00:10:39,679 –> 00:10:41,000 The person who has this gift 128 00:10:41,000 –> 00:10:44,799 will be especially sensitive to the lonely. 129 00:10:44,799 –> 00:10:46,880 They will offer friendship. 130 00:10:46,880 –> 00:10:50,059 In conversation they will offer words 131 00:10:50,059 –> 00:10:52,059 that build you up, that encourage, 132 00:10:52,059 –> 00:10:54,080 that give hope, that bring strength, 133 00:10:54,080 –> 00:10:55,840 that help you feel that you could go on 134 00:10:55,840 –> 00:10:57,359 for another day or another week. 135 00:10:57,359 –> 00:10:58,840 They lift you up. 136 00:10:58,840 –> 00:11:01,799 Gifts of encouragement are often associated 137 00:11:01,880 –> 00:11:03,520 with gifts of hospitality. 138 00:11:03,520 –> 00:11:05,599 Not always but often. 139 00:11:05,599 –> 00:11:09,080 And some people are especially good at this. 140 00:11:09,080 –> 00:11:10,820 And if you are, you need to recognize 141 00:11:10,820 –> 00:11:12,880 that this is a gift from God. 142 00:11:12,880 –> 00:11:16,239 Your ministry will keep others in ministry 143 00:11:16,239 –> 00:11:19,340 and it will bring others into ministry as well. 144 00:11:20,719 –> 00:11:22,640 And these gifts are here in this body. 145 00:11:24,159 –> 00:11:25,099 Is that the kind of thing 146 00:11:25,099 –> 00:11:28,179 that you can see God doing through you? 147 00:11:29,059 –> 00:11:30,119 Mark it down. 148 00:11:30,119 –> 00:11:31,479 Yes? 149 00:11:31,479 –> 00:11:33,119 No? 150 00:11:33,119 –> 00:11:33,940 Maybe. 151 00:11:33,940 –> 00:11:34,979 Not sure. 152 00:11:34,979 –> 00:11:36,619 Number five. 153 00:11:36,619 –> 00:11:37,460 Giving. 154 00:11:38,539 –> 00:11:40,900 If it is contributing to the needs of others, 155 00:11:40,900 –> 00:11:44,940 Paul says, let him give generously. 156 00:11:46,179 –> 00:11:50,460 And here the definition would be a special ability 157 00:11:50,460 –> 00:11:53,900 to release what God has given. 158 00:11:53,900 –> 00:11:55,479 See, it’s one thing to be given it, 159 00:11:55,479 –> 00:11:57,780 it’s another thing to release it. 160 00:11:57,780 –> 00:11:58,780 That’s a gift. 161 00:11:59,859 –> 00:12:02,179 So this doesn’t just mean that you have money, 162 00:12:03,059 –> 00:12:06,559 it means that God has given you a vision 163 00:12:06,559 –> 00:12:09,820 for using your money in the advance 164 00:12:09,820 –> 00:12:11,859 of His kingdom, it’s a wonderful thing. 165 00:12:13,080 –> 00:12:15,080 Now, God calls all of us to give, 166 00:12:15,080 –> 00:12:16,919 just as He calls all of us to serve 167 00:12:16,919 –> 00:12:19,380 and to encourage and to show mercy, 168 00:12:19,380 –> 00:12:22,880 but some people do have a special gift in this area. 169 00:12:24,280 –> 00:12:27,159 If God has trusted you with money, 170 00:12:28,020 –> 00:12:31,500 see that as a gift. 171 00:12:31,500 –> 00:12:35,940 Obviously He didn’t give you all this just for yourself, 172 00:12:35,940 –> 00:12:39,179 so how does He want you to use it? 173 00:12:40,679 –> 00:12:42,340 And it is one thing to have it, 174 00:12:42,340 –> 00:12:44,619 it is another thing to release it, 175 00:12:44,619 –> 00:12:47,780 and for that to happen, God has to touch your heart 176 00:12:47,780 –> 00:12:50,299 and to open your eyes and when that happens, 177 00:12:50,299 –> 00:12:53,380 you will have a ministry that opens doors for the gospel. 178 00:12:54,099 –> 00:12:57,739 And then you will need all the discernment in the world 179 00:12:59,739 –> 00:13:02,419 because there are more needs and more opportunities 180 00:13:02,419 –> 00:13:04,979 than can ever be covered by you 181 00:13:04,979 –> 00:13:07,940 and so for you to know the best ways 182 00:13:07,940 –> 00:13:10,520 in which God want you to use 183 00:13:10,520 –> 00:13:13,340 what He has trusted to you for the advance of the gospel, 184 00:13:13,340 –> 00:13:18,059 that can only come as you walk with Him. 185 00:13:18,140 –> 00:13:18,979 Him. 186 00:13:22,340 –> 00:13:24,119 Now these gifts are in this body. 187 00:13:26,099 –> 00:13:28,380 Is this the kind of thing that you can see God 188 00:13:28,380 –> 00:13:29,580 doing through you? 189 00:13:30,539 –> 00:13:31,380 Mark it down. 190 00:13:32,219 –> 00:13:33,260 Yes? 191 00:13:33,260 –> 00:13:34,940 No? 192 00:13:34,940 –> 00:13:35,780 Not sure. 193 00:13:36,859 –> 00:13:39,140 Number six, leading. 194 00:13:39,140 –> 00:13:43,859 If it is leadership, let him govern diligently. 195 00:13:44,840 –> 00:13:46,940 And the definition of leadership would be 196 00:13:46,979 –> 00:13:50,880 a special ability to blaze a trail 197 00:13:50,880 –> 00:13:53,719 that others will follow. 198 00:13:53,719 –> 00:13:56,900 See leaders want to go someplace 199 00:13:56,900 –> 00:13:59,719 but they want to take others with them. 200 00:13:59,719 –> 00:14:01,159 Leaders set direction. 201 00:14:01,159 –> 00:14:02,840 Leaders take initiative. 202 00:14:02,840 –> 00:14:04,700 The mark of a true leader is of course 203 00:14:04,700 –> 00:14:06,400 is that other people are following. 204 00:14:08,460 –> 00:14:11,700 Leadership is one of God’s gifts to the church. 205 00:14:11,700 –> 00:14:12,940 It’s what we learn here. 206 00:14:13,940 –> 00:14:16,380 God has called and gifted and equipped 207 00:14:16,380 –> 00:14:18,200 some people to be leaders. 208 00:14:18,200 –> 00:14:21,200 And it is for the church to recognize 209 00:14:21,200 –> 00:14:24,219 these leaders and then let them lead. 210 00:14:26,020 –> 00:14:29,880 If you’re a leader you will see possibilities 211 00:14:29,880 –> 00:14:31,760 but other people will see problems. 212 00:14:33,219 –> 00:14:34,960 You’ll find that you can’t settle 213 00:14:34,960 –> 00:14:36,679 for what is that something within you 214 00:14:36,679 –> 00:14:40,539 is always reaching out for what can be. 215 00:14:41,580 –> 00:14:42,460 And if you have this gift 216 00:14:42,739 –> 00:14:45,919 you need to find a place where you can lead. 217 00:14:47,340 –> 00:14:48,979 These gifts are in this body. 218 00:14:50,140 –> 00:14:53,460 Is this the kind of thing that you see God doing for you? 219 00:14:53,460 –> 00:14:54,380 Mark it down. 220 00:14:54,380 –> 00:14:55,580 Yes? 221 00:14:55,580 –> 00:14:57,099 No? 222 00:14:57,099 –> 00:14:57,919 Not sure. 223 00:14:58,859 –> 00:14:59,700 Number seven. 224 00:15:00,559 –> 00:15:01,559 Showing mercy. 225 00:15:02,859 –> 00:15:04,840 If it is showing mercy, Paul says, 226 00:15:04,840 –> 00:15:06,900 let him do it cheerfully. 227 00:15:08,460 –> 00:15:11,520 Now mercy is simply a special ability 228 00:15:11,640 –> 00:15:14,960 to help those who are powerless. 229 00:15:14,960 –> 00:15:15,900 That’s what it is. 230 00:15:16,739 –> 00:15:19,479 And in any society, there are some groups of people 231 00:15:19,479 –> 00:15:22,559 who are neglected and therefore in great need. 232 00:15:22,559 –> 00:15:24,200 In the Old Testament, we often read 233 00:15:24,200 –> 00:15:26,299 about the foreigner, 234 00:15:26,299 –> 00:15:28,479 the widow, 235 00:15:28,479 –> 00:15:30,479 and the orphan. 236 00:15:30,479 –> 00:15:34,520 In our modern society, we may add to these 237 00:15:34,520 –> 00:15:36,880 the homeless, 238 00:15:36,880 –> 00:15:38,719 the addict, 239 00:15:38,719 –> 00:15:40,719 the imprisoned, 240 00:15:40,739 –> 00:15:42,820 the poor in the inner city. 241 00:15:44,039 –> 00:15:46,880 And God has gifted some people with a special heart 242 00:15:46,880 –> 00:15:48,760 for those in greatest need. 243 00:15:48,760 –> 00:15:52,020 You just have an instinctive sympathy 244 00:15:52,020 –> 00:15:53,760 for those who are most disadvantaged. 245 00:15:53,760 –> 00:15:54,719 You’re drawn to them. 246 00:15:54,719 –> 00:15:57,719 You want to do something about their plight. 247 00:15:59,799 –> 00:16:01,900 And these gifts are in this body. 248 00:16:03,919 –> 00:16:05,320 Is this the kind of thing 249 00:16:05,320 –> 00:16:07,119 that you see God doing through you? 250 00:16:08,359 –> 00:16:09,719 Mark it down. 251 00:16:09,719 –> 00:16:10,559 Yes? 252 00:16:10,840 –> 00:16:12,239 No. 253 00:16:12,239 –> 00:16:13,059 Not sure. 254 00:16:14,460 –> 00:16:16,780 By the way, have you noticed that these gifts 255 00:16:16,780 –> 00:16:21,380 represent a seven-fold reflection of Jesus? 256 00:16:22,440 –> 00:16:25,700 The evidence of His spirit among His people? 257 00:16:27,299 –> 00:16:28,799 He is our prophet. 258 00:16:29,960 –> 00:16:32,739 He took the form of a servant. 259 00:16:32,739 –> 00:16:34,940 He is our teacher. 260 00:16:34,940 –> 00:16:38,000 His spirit is our Paraclete, the encourager. 261 00:16:38,119 –> 00:16:42,500 He gave Himself for us, releasing all. 262 00:16:42,500 –> 00:16:45,960 He is the leader or pioneer of our salvation 263 00:16:45,960 –> 00:16:48,520 and our salvation flows from His great mercy 264 00:16:48,520 –> 00:16:50,760 when he saw our helpless plight 265 00:16:50,760 –> 00:16:53,119 and gave Himself to do something about it. 266 00:16:55,520 –> 00:16:58,520 Now which of these seven reflections of Jesus 267 00:16:59,520 –> 00:17:01,840 is seen most clearly in you? 268 00:17:03,200 –> 00:17:06,560 Where did you find yourself saying, that’s me? 269 00:17:08,160 –> 00:17:10,079 We have these gifts. 270 00:17:10,079 –> 00:17:11,959 Thank God for it. 271 00:17:11,959 –> 00:17:14,160 When you find out the gifts that He has given you, 272 00:17:14,160 –> 00:17:16,920 the particular ways in which He has enabled you 273 00:17:16,920 –> 00:17:20,239 to engage in His great purpose in the world, 274 00:17:20,239 –> 00:17:22,680 the next question for you is obviously simply this, 275 00:17:22,680 –> 00:17:24,439 where then does He want me to use it? 276 00:17:24,439 –> 00:17:29,439 Because every area of ministry needs all of these gifts. 277 00:17:30,640 –> 00:17:32,579 And you know as the church grows, 278 00:17:33,439 –> 00:17:36,099 the needs and the opportunities for using the gifts 279 00:17:36,140 –> 00:17:38,959 that God has placed in the body will multiply. 280 00:17:40,699 –> 00:17:42,160 That’s the first thing. 281 00:17:42,160 –> 00:17:43,300 Know your gifts. 282 00:17:44,500 –> 00:17:46,420 The second is simply this, 283 00:17:46,420 –> 00:17:48,219 and I’ll cover it just very briefly 284 00:17:48,219 –> 00:17:50,180 and then move to the third. 285 00:17:50,180 –> 00:17:52,339 Find your place. 286 00:17:52,339 –> 00:17:54,119 Find your place. 287 00:17:54,119 –> 00:17:58,599 Just as each of us has one body with many members 288 00:17:58,599 –> 00:18:01,800 and these members do not all have the same function, 289 00:18:01,800 –> 00:18:06,800 so in Christ, we who are many form one body 290 00:18:07,339 –> 00:18:10,880 and each member belongs to all the others. 291 00:18:12,599 –> 00:18:14,500 We have different gifts, 292 00:18:15,560 –> 00:18:18,939 but we belong to one body. 293 00:18:18,939 –> 00:18:20,880 That’s the point that Paul is making here 294 00:18:20,880 –> 00:18:22,160 in verses four and five. 295 00:18:22,160 –> 00:18:24,060 It is one body. 296 00:18:25,400 –> 00:18:28,619 That means that every one of us has two responsibilities. 297 00:18:29,540 –> 00:18:31,500 The first is this. 298 00:18:32,459 –> 00:18:37,459 You as a Christian believer have a great responsibility 299 00:18:37,780 –> 00:18:41,219 for your own spiritual health 300 00:18:44,300 –> 00:18:47,640 because an infection in one part of the body 301 00:18:49,339 –> 00:18:53,000 will debilitate the whole of the body. 302 00:18:54,099 –> 00:18:56,619 Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones who was a physician, 303 00:18:56,619 –> 00:19:00,180 became a preacher, really goes to town on this as a doctor 304 00:19:00,180 –> 00:19:01,300 and he makes the point 305 00:19:01,300 –> 00:19:04,640 that if you get an acute infection in your little finger, 306 00:19:04,640 –> 00:19:06,979 you might say, hey, it’s only the little finger, 307 00:19:07,780 –> 00:19:10,560 but he says the blood runs through the little finger 308 00:19:11,459 –> 00:19:15,099 and if you have an acute infection in your little finger, 309 00:19:15,099 –> 00:19:16,540 it won’t be long before you’re sweating. 310 00:19:16,540 –> 00:19:18,979 You can’t think and you may become delirious. 311 00:19:19,959 –> 00:19:22,260 So our first responsibility, 312 00:19:22,260 –> 00:19:24,660 to each other as well as to the Lord, 313 00:19:25,099 –> 00:19:28,500 is to maintain our own spiritual health 314 00:19:29,939 –> 00:19:31,579 and the second responsibility 315 00:19:31,579 –> 00:19:35,520 is that we operate in coordination together. 316 00:19:35,520 –> 00:19:38,219 My son Andrew is a runner 317 00:19:38,219 –> 00:19:39,699 and I love to watch him run. 318 00:19:39,699 –> 00:19:43,979 It takes the whole body to run well, 319 00:19:43,979 –> 00:19:46,780 it’s not just the feet. 320 00:19:46,780 –> 00:19:49,739 It’s the arms, it’s the lungs, it’s the heart, 321 00:19:49,739 –> 00:19:51,520 it’s your whole being 322 00:19:51,520 –> 00:19:53,699 and you know what this is like. 323 00:19:54,719 –> 00:19:56,680 You’re sitting in your lazy boy chair 324 00:19:56,680 –> 00:19:57,800 watching television 325 00:19:57,800 –> 00:20:00,439 and a message goes from your head to your body 326 00:20:00,439 –> 00:20:03,119 that says, body, it really is time 327 00:20:03,119 –> 00:20:05,560 we got up out of this lazy boy chair 328 00:20:05,560 –> 00:20:07,839 and went for a run 329 00:20:07,839 –> 00:20:08,680 and what happens? 330 00:20:08,680 –> 00:20:11,920 Your whole body immediately goes into rebellion. 331 00:20:11,920 –> 00:20:14,880 Your heart says, hey, wait a minute, 332 00:20:14,880 –> 00:20:17,439 that means I’m gonna have to pump faster. 333 00:20:17,439 –> 00:20:18,800 Your lungs say, hey, wait a minute, 334 00:20:18,800 –> 00:20:21,420 that means I’m gonna have to stretch further. 335 00:20:21,420 –> 00:20:23,459 Your knees say, oh, I’m sore today, 336 00:20:23,479 –> 00:20:24,800 we’ve been running before, 337 00:20:24,800 –> 00:20:27,000 I’m not sure I want to be pounding the road again 338 00:20:27,000 –> 00:20:28,920 and your feet agree. 339 00:20:28,920 –> 00:20:29,760 Your feet say. 340 00:20:29,760 –> 00:20:34,699 Running, again, it is especially hard on us. 341 00:20:34,699 –> 00:20:37,599 Can’t we just soak in some water instead? 342 00:20:39,500 –> 00:20:40,920 Now if running is to happen 343 00:20:40,920 –> 00:20:43,000 it has to be a decision of the whole body. 344 00:20:44,099 –> 00:20:46,619 The whole body responding to the head 345 00:20:46,619 –> 00:20:50,660 and saying yes, we are going to run together. 346 00:20:50,660 –> 00:20:52,319 The whole body is involved. 347 00:20:54,459 –> 00:20:58,599 If this body is to run for the gospel, 348 00:21:00,660 –> 00:21:03,079 it will take the participation of every member 349 00:21:03,079 –> 00:21:06,040 functioning in his or her area of giftedness, 350 00:21:06,040 –> 00:21:07,819 energized by the Holy Spirit 351 00:21:07,819 –> 00:21:10,060 and in coordination together. 352 00:21:10,060 –> 00:21:11,219 It’s a wonderful vision. 353 00:21:12,260 –> 00:21:13,380 Here’s the last thing. 354 00:21:14,859 –> 00:21:19,859 Know your gifts, find your place, use your faith. 355 00:21:19,859 –> 00:21:24,819 Here’s the bit at the beginning that I told you 356 00:21:24,819 –> 00:21:27,099 I didn’t understand till the end. 357 00:21:27,099 –> 00:21:28,459 Verse three. 358 00:21:28,459 –> 00:21:32,739 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you 359 00:21:32,739 –> 00:21:36,939 do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. 360 00:21:37,839 –> 00:21:38,680 Now wait a minute. 361 00:21:38,680 –> 00:21:40,319 Why in all the world would any of us 362 00:21:40,319 –> 00:21:44,380 think about ourselves more highly than we ought? 363 00:21:45,819 –> 00:21:47,380 Answer? 364 00:21:47,380 –> 00:21:48,939 Because we’re gifted people. 365 00:21:50,359 –> 00:21:53,939 And it’s easy for us to think too highly, therefore, 366 00:21:53,939 –> 00:21:57,060 of our great teaching or sensitivity to the hurting, 367 00:21:57,060 –> 00:21:59,500 our insightful counsel or generous giving 368 00:21:59,500 –> 00:22:01,099 or our visionary leadership. 369 00:22:03,859 –> 00:22:06,260 Paul is about to teach this principle 370 00:22:06,260 –> 00:22:08,359 of the giftedness of all believers, 371 00:22:08,359 –> 00:22:11,819 but before he does it, he’s got to put in a safety valve. 372 00:22:11,819 –> 00:22:13,760 Otherwise it might go to our heads. 373 00:22:15,380 –> 00:22:17,500 The danger, once you know and grasp 374 00:22:18,160 –> 00:22:21,479 the Bible’s teaching that God has really gifted you, 375 00:22:21,479 –> 00:22:23,420 the danger is it’ll go to your head. 376 00:22:24,859 –> 00:22:27,079 So notice what Paul says, 377 00:22:27,079 –> 00:22:29,560 “‘Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought, 378 00:22:29,560 –> 00:22:31,260 “‘but rather with sober judgment 379 00:22:31,260 –> 00:22:34,859 “‘in accordance with the measure of faith 380 00:22:36,219 –> 00:22:37,880 “‘that God has given to you.’” 381 00:22:39,219 –> 00:22:40,699 Now, what in all the world does he mean 382 00:22:40,699 –> 00:22:43,260 and why does he bring in this theme 383 00:22:43,260 –> 00:22:48,260 of the measure of faith that God has given to you here? 384 00:22:49,560 –> 00:22:50,400 Think about it. 385 00:22:51,660 –> 00:22:55,400 Two women have gifts of encouragement 386 00:22:56,579 –> 00:22:58,420 and they visit folks in the hospital. 387 00:23:00,119 –> 00:23:04,400 One has a greater measure of faith, as she speaks, 388 00:23:05,300 –> 00:23:06,660 who is more useful? 389 00:23:08,780 –> 00:23:10,739 Two leaders are serving on a board, 390 00:23:10,739 –> 00:23:13,540 both have great ability in strategic planning, 391 00:23:13,540 –> 00:23:15,859 organizational development and all the rest of it, 392 00:23:15,859 –> 00:23:18,760 but one of them has a larger measure of faith. 393 00:23:20,380 –> 00:23:21,979 Which of the two is more useful? 394 00:23:23,859 –> 00:23:26,540 Two preachers are teaching from the Bible. 395 00:23:26,540 –> 00:23:28,920 They both say things that are true from the Bible, 396 00:23:28,920 –> 00:23:31,260 but one has an extra measure of faith. 397 00:23:32,780 –> 00:23:34,140 Which one is more useful? 398 00:23:34,959 –> 00:23:36,180 Here’s the principle. 399 00:23:37,280 –> 00:23:40,140 The key to your usefulness 400 00:23:40,140 –> 00:23:44,339 to God, lies not so much in your gifts 401 00:23:44,339 –> 00:23:47,280 as in the faith with which you use them. 402 00:23:49,699 –> 00:23:52,060 You see, even your giftedness 403 00:23:52,060 –> 00:23:54,400 leaves the terrible possibility 404 00:23:54,400 –> 00:23:57,660 that we might use our gifts according to the flesh. 405 00:24:00,219 –> 00:24:02,880 And that all we’re doing is just what we can do. 406 00:24:05,260 –> 00:24:08,180 And Paul says it’s not to be like that in the church. 407 00:24:08,180 –> 00:24:09,819 It doesn’t really matter what gift you have. 408 00:24:09,819 –> 00:24:11,880 We all have different gifts and we need all of them. 409 00:24:11,880 –> 00:24:13,760 There are none more important than the others. 410 00:24:13,760 –> 00:24:17,180 But here’s the key to the gifts that become really useful. 411 00:24:19,540 –> 00:24:22,739 The key to your usefulness will be the measure of faith 412 00:24:22,739 –> 00:24:25,540 with which you use whatever gift 413 00:24:25,540 –> 00:24:27,500 God has given 414 00:24:28,380 –> 00:24:29,219 to you. 415 00:24:30,680 –> 00:24:33,939 So you see, the real need of the church 416 00:24:33,939 –> 00:24:36,060 is not more gifts, 417 00:24:36,060 –> 00:24:37,839 it’s more faith. 418 00:24:37,839 –> 00:24:38,900 Right? 419 00:24:38,959 –> 00:24:40,579 Because we have the gifts, 420 00:24:42,020 –> 00:24:44,819 the question is, what is our measure of faith 421 00:24:44,819 –> 00:24:47,739 to use the gifts that God has given 422 00:24:47,739 –> 00:24:49,099 in this body? 423 00:24:49,099 –> 00:24:50,079 They are here. 424 00:24:52,040 –> 00:24:54,719 But do we have the faith to use them 425 00:24:54,719 –> 00:24:56,319 to the fullest extent 426 00:24:57,219 –> 00:24:58,359 for the advance 427 00:24:59,380 –> 00:25:00,400 of Christ’s kingdom? 428 00:25:01,900 –> 00:25:03,880 Here’s the wonderful principle, 429 00:25:03,880 –> 00:25:06,099 our faith can grow. 430 00:25:06,099 –> 00:25:08,160 Paul talks about the measure of faith 431 00:25:08,160 –> 00:25:09,959 and remember what Jesus said, 432 00:25:09,959 –> 00:25:12,540 The measure you use 433 00:25:12,540 –> 00:25:15,599 is the measure that will be measured to you. 434 00:25:15,599 –> 00:25:17,880 Exercise your faith more, 435 00:25:17,880 –> 00:25:20,140 that faith will grow 436 00:25:20,140 –> 00:25:24,280 and our usefulness to Christ will increase. 437 00:25:27,359 –> 00:25:30,939 So, here’s how to have a sober estimate of yourself, 438 00:25:31,920 –> 00:25:33,880 thank God for the gifts you have, 439 00:25:33,880 –> 00:25:37,660 that will keep you from too low an estimate of yourself. 440 00:25:37,660 –> 00:25:42,660 You are gifted and ask God for the measure of faith 441 00:25:43,400 –> 00:25:46,439 you need to use these gifts, 442 00:25:47,280 –> 00:25:49,920 that’ll keep you from thinking too highly of yourself. 443 00:25:51,900 –> 00:25:56,199 Know your gifts, find your place, 444 00:25:57,780 –> 00:26:01,939 use your faith, let’s pray together. 445 00:26:02,619 –> 00:26:07,619 Father, our simple prayer today is this. 446 00:26:10,359 –> 00:26:15,260 That the whole body will rise and run. 447 00:26:17,420 –> 00:26:20,800 That every one of us might know our place within it. 448 00:26:22,079 –> 00:26:27,079 That with faith we may fulfill the purpose you have for us. 449 00:26:28,699 –> 00:26:31,479 And we ask it in Jesus’ name. 450 00:26:31,939 –> 00:26:34,140 Amen.