Romans 12:1-8
Introduction
In the Detroit News, there was a humorous little story about an aged mother that illustrates how useless gifts are unless they are used. She had been raised in poverty, and the family had very little money as her children were growing up. As a result, she never had modern conveniences and had gotten accustomed to doing things the hard way. When the children were old enough to get jobs, they often gave their mother appliances as Christmas gifts to make her life easier. But she wouldn’t use them.
After a while, she had two or three toasters. But she left them in their boxes and put them on top of the refrigerator. At breakfast she would still do the toast in the oven. If the boys protested, she would say, “Leave them on the refrigerator. I’m used to doing it the old way.”
What gifts were you given by God?
Thesis: God gives each Christian spiritual gifts to bless and enhance the Church.
Conflicting Views of Church Life
A. The Worldly Pattern of Operating a Church
- Church is an activity to attend and watch.
- “Religious George” does the work of the ministry.
- The members come, sit, watch the show, and pay the bills.
B. The Godly Pattern of Church Life.
- Church is a fellowship of people.
- The pastor equips the saints for ministry and models ministry.
- Every member is a minister.
C. Illustration
Dick Halverson, the chaplain of the US Senate, offered this rule of thumb: “The measure of a great church is not how many people there are on Sunday morning, but what is happening when the church is scattered.”
D. Application
Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart department stores, led his new associates in the “Sam Pledge”:
From this day forward, every customer that comes within ten feet of me, regardless of what I’m doing, in this house, I’m going to look him in the eye, I’m going to smile, I’m going to greet him with a ‘Good Morning’ or a ‘Good Afternoon’ or ‘What can I do for you?’–so help me God!
God’s Church Gifts
A. God gives the Church administrative leaders.
B. God gives the Church merciful and giving encouragers.
C. God gives the Church servant helpers.
D. God gives the Church hospitable servants.
E. God gives the Church evangelistic teachers.
God Authorizes Us to Minister, but Warns Us against Pride
A. God’s Permission, vv. 6-8
B. God’s Warning, v. 3
C. Illustration
“This Is My Church . . . It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service if I who make what it is, am filled with these. Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be. –Ohio Union Reminder