Using Our Spiritual Gifts

To be Used with Session #2: Stewarding Our Spiritual Gifts

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Connection with Unit Theme: To complement the Bible study “Stewarding Our Spiritual Gifts,” this sermon will expound upon Paul’s teaching to the church at Rome. He provided distinct commands to the church and called them to use the gifts they had been given so that the church would be healthy.

Introduction: What would happen to a person if his liver decided to take the day off? What would happen if the eyes decided they were tired of being eyes and revolted? While we understand that the liver is not allowed a vacation and the eyes cannot revolt, we instantly understand that neither circumstance is acceptable, even for a short period of time. In today’s message, we will study that the body of Christ is just that, a body. As a body, it has individual parts and for the body to be healthy, the parts must function as intended. For this to happen, we must have the right attitude, the right perspective, and the right mindset regarding our use of the spiritual gifts God has given to His children.

1. Having the right attitude (v. 3)
   1. What not to do. It is always helpful to know what to do and what not to do.  Paul starts us off by teaching the church to not think more highly of ourselves. The heart of this command is to set aside arrogance. We can fall into this sinful trap within the context of spiritual gifts by reaching the false conclusion that one gift, and the use thereof, is more important than the next. While some gifts are move visible than others, we need not ever think more highly of ourselves when it comes to using our spiritual gifts.

• What to do. Paul next tells us what we should do. “Instead, we are to think sensibly.” The study of this word shows us that we are to practice sound judgement continually and actively regarding the gifts that we have been given. Sound judgement would lead us to understand that God does not need us, but rather wants to use us. Sound judgement would lead us to understand that there is nothing good within ourselves, apart from Jesus Christ. When we set aside arrogance and embrace sensibility, we are better equipped to have the right perspective and mindset when it comes to using our gifts as God intended.

1. Having the right perspective (vv. 4-5)
   1. We are one body. When an organization or a team is united, it is able to accomplish great things. The team that wins the World Series or the Super Bowl will be unified in purpose and how this purpose is achieved. To be healthy, the body of Christ needs to serve as a unified team. Our purpose is to strive in unity to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Paul defined the church as one body with many parts. If you and your family want to go out to lunch after church today, your entire body needs to agree and serve together to accomplish this goal. In a similar manner, God’s body, the church, is called to fulfill His commands in this world. We too need to be unified in our approach to fulfilling His calling.

• We have many parts. Unity does not mean uniformity. Yes, we are to be unified, but this does not mean we all have the same means of accomplishing the stated goal. As Paul articulated, the body is made up of many parts and these parts do not function in the same way. Some within the body of Christ need to serve as the mouthpiece. Someone else needs to be the eyes, and others needs to serve as the legs or internal organs. For the body to function well, all parts need to function at full capacity in the manner for with they were intended. If someone simply chooses not to operate, then the entire body suffers.

1. Having the right mindset (vv. 6-8)
   1. It is not about us. Paul said that according to the grace given to us, we have different gifts. When we understand that our gifts are a direct result of grace that was given to us, then we are be able to understand that it is not about us. If the gifts were earned, then we could easily make it about ourselves. We could tell ourselves and others that the gifts we have are a direct result of our actions. The truth, however, is that the gifts are given from a gracious Father. Therefore, we are to give Him all of the glory and credit. When we do this, He gets the attention, not us.

• We are called to use our gifts. The phrase “use it” in verse 6 is a command that is to be lived out in the now. This command not only applies to the gift of prophecy, but also carries throughout all the gifts listed in verses 6-8. As a follower of Jesus, we are called to live out the commands God has placed in front of us. He sets the commands in front of us and living within His commands is what yields the abundant life. Once we know what He has called us to be and therefore do, we are responsible for living in obedience. If we truly want to be blessed by God, then let’s be obedient to His commands.

Conclusion: Obedience to today’s sermon, for the follower of Jesus, is found in being a faithful and participating part of the body of Christ. If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we have been given a gift and are called to use this gift for His glory. To not use our gifts is to hurt the overall wellbeing of the Body of Christ. If, however, you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, you cannot serve your way into glory. Before you can receive a spiritual gift, you must first receive the gift of salvation. This too is a grace gift and therefore cannot be earned. This gift is received by confessing your sins, asking Jesus to save you, and submitting to Him as the Lord of your life.