CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS
Memory Verse:
1 Corinthians 12:4–7 (NKJV) 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–8; Cf. 1Corinthians 12.
Introduction
Luke 22:32; Ephesians 2:1-12;
“The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar.”—Chuck Swindoll
1. We must not have an inflated view of ourselves as we serve God.
Romans 12:3 (NKJV) 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 to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7; Romans 11:18; Proverbs 11:2; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 6:3
“True humility is not to think low of oneself but to think rightly, truthfully of oneself.”—Anonymous author
“The gifts of the Spirit are not merit badges which exalt the individual, but servant towels so that each believer may serve the body of Christ, the church.”-- Dr. Utley Robert James
“It is not wrong for a Christian to recognize gifts in his own life and in the lives of others. What is wrong is the tendency to have a false evaluation of ourselves. Nothing causes more damage in a local church than a believer who overrates himself and tries to perform a ministry that he cannot do”. --Warren W. Wiersbe
A Christian minister once said, “I was never of any use until I found out that God did not intend me to be a great man.”
2. We must Remember that we are interdependent in the body of Christ.
Romans 12:4–5 (NKJV) 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 29–30
“Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play with or weapons to fight with.”--Warren W. Wiersbe
“Unity, however, refers to a oneness of heart, a similarity of purpose, and an agreement on major points of doctrine.”--Chuck Swindoll
3. We must Realize that whatever our function, we must perform our role as someone responsible to God
Romans 12:6–8 (NKJV) 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 28-30; 4:11; 14:3; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 2 Cor. 8:2; 9:11, 13; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:6.
Conclusion
2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV) 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Please, get in the game.
