Our Service in the Church - II

Our Service in the Church - II

Romans 12:4-8

Introduction

• God has called us to be living, active, serving members.
• Every Christian ought to function like a member of the body (cf. vv.4-5).
• The Church is Christ’s body. We, the members of the church, though diverse in our abilities function in unity.
• A non-serving member weakens the Church, as its members remain dysfunctional.

Basis for Our Service in the Church

• The basis is God’s gracious bestowing of spiritual gifts.
• Romans 12:6a - "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.”
• “having then gifts”- All true believers are bestowed with “gifts” to equip them to serve.
• Those gifts are given “according to the grace that is given to us.”
• We can/must serve in the church because God has given us “gifts” to enable us to serve.
  – While speaking of the gifts, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
  – 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
  – We ought to be “stewards” or faithful servants in managing God-given gifts by using it appropriately and promptly.
  – Because God has bestowed all Christians, every one who claims to be a Christian is without excuse for not serving the Lord actively in His church.
• The Greek word for “gift” (charismata) speaks of God’s grace in blessing us with spiritual abilities.
  – God is the giver of the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). He has graciously given us the gifts.
  – The Spiritual gifts are not cultivated or earned by oneself, but “received” from God’s hands.
  – So spiritual gifts do not reflect a person's greatness, but the greatness of God who gave the gift.
  – Since we are enabled by His grace, none of us should be proud of our gifts and service.
  – We must serve in the church with thankfulness, humility, willingness and vigour.
  – Not to serve God is to neglect the grace and gift of God. (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).

Use of Gifts in Our Service

• Seven spiritual gifts are mentioned in verses 6-8.
• (i) Prophecy (v.6), (ii) Ministry, (iii) Teaching (v.7) (iv) Exhortation, (v) Giving, (vi) Ruling (Administration), and (vii) Mercy (v.8).
  – Only one of this is a “sign-gift”
  – In the Scripture, there are about 18 catgegories gifts are mentioned.

i) Prophecy (v.6):

“let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith”

• Purpose of prophesying—communicating God’s message, to strengthen, encourage, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3).
• One’s “prophesying” ought to be proportionate to the (not his) faith.” (tes pisteos).
• It is to be in right relationship to the body of truth already revealed (“faith” as doctrine in Gal. 1:23; Jude 3, 20).

ii) Ministry (v.7):

“Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering”

• Ministry (diakonia): All kinds of services, let us be occupied with it.

iii) Teaching (v.7):

“he that teacheth, on teaching”

• Acts 13:1; 1Corinthains 12:28
• Pastors ought to be good teachers. There is no such thing as “music-pastor”.
• Only diligent students of God’s Word can be teachers. God equips some for the feeding of the flock by giving them the gift of teaching; and they should labour in the word (1 Timothy 5:17).

iv) Exhortation (v.8):

“he that exhorteth, on exhortation”

• The gift of exhortation is about comforting, encouraging, and consoling fellow brethren (paraklesis).
• This does not necessarily involve public teaching. It is calling along side an individual to admonish, correct, guide, comfort and strengthen in the Christian walk.

v) Giving (v.8):

“he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity”

• When we give we must give with sincerity, without hypocrisy, (simplicity –Greek – haplotes).
• We should not seek self-promotion. No fanfare, when it comes to generosity.

vi) Ruling (v.8):

“he that ruleth, with diligence”

• The gift of ruling refers to leadership administration. The Greek word for rule” (proistemi) means “to be over,” “to superintend,” or “preside over.”
• This gift is to be carried with “diligence,” which in Greek(spoude), means “haste,” “forwardness” “earnestness,” etc.
• Every leader (elder) must fulfil the duty of his office with great earnestness. He must strive after in accomplishing the leadership roles.
• Leadership is not a promotion given, but a call to duty, which must be diligently fulfilled.

vii) Mercy (v.8):

“he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

• Showing mercy (eleeo) is about having compassion to the needy and the troubled. This is a believer being efficient in helping the afflicted or seeking aid, or one’s ability to bring help to the wretched.
• This gift ought to be done with “cheerfulness” (hilarotes). It is impossible to show mercy with a grumpy spirit. Showing mercy is often a very demanding and exhausting work. So those with this gift need not only patience but also “cheerfulness”.
• A ready and joyful heart must characterize those who are called by the Spirit to the ministries of compassion and mercy.

May God bless us abundantly by His grace through His blessed Spirit to carry out each of our gifts that our church may be edified and strengthened for His glory.