Bible Study - Spiritual Growth - Serve - Romans 12 - September 18, 2011

Bible Study – Spiritual Growth – Serve – September 18, 2011

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Balanced Spiritual Growth.”

Our scripture is Romans 12:3-15.

So far in our series of study we have explored “Connect”, “Grow” and this week “Serve.” Christians, through the miracle of rebirth that only the shed blood CHRIST provides through faith, are connected to GOD by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because GOD is the Spiritual FATHER of all Christians, Christians are connected Spiritually with their brothers and sisters in CHRIST. These connections form the living church of which CHRIST is the head.

The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome. Up to Chapter 12 he had presented the way to salvation. Chapter 12 was a major break from “the way to salvation” to “living” as a Christian. He began chapter 12 by writing about Christians being a living sacrifice in verses 1-2:
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.[1] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

“Therefore” reaches back to all that Paul had written about salvation. The next step was putting their salvation into action. In order to do that, the Christian had to have a new mindset through the renewing or transforming of his/her mind. A sacrifice is destined to die.

Paul considered that he died when JESUS died, was buried with JESUS, resurrected with JESUS, ascended to heaven and returned to earth. He was here on earth to obediently serve GOD through CHRIST. In essence, his home was heaven and this was accomplished through the renewing of his mind.

When you are in right relationship, through the renewing of your mind, you are in perfect harmony with the will of GOD. When you understand your relationship with GOD through the transformation of your mind, you do not get the big head. Because you know that you were a wretched sinner and that the love of GOD, through the shed blood of CHRIST, washed you whiter than snow. Salvation placed your feet upon the solid rock of CHRIST and you obediently serve HIM with humility. Because of this GOD can trust HIS power being manifested through you in the form of Spiritual gifts to minister to others, as HE directs.

Let’s read Romans 12:3-5:
Many Gifts but One Body
3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

The word “for” ties back to verses 1 and 2. Paul understood that GOD’S grace had been given to him. Grace is a gift from GOD at the moment a person accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR. Grace is unmerited favor and cannot be earned. The Greek word for “grace” is “charisma” and means “gift of grace.”

In the New Testament the word “charismatic” referred to all Christians, representing a variety of Spiritual gifts. In today’s society it generally refers to a Christian who speaks in tongues. The Christian community must get beyond the gift of tongues because there are so many more Spiritual gifts. Often, those who receive the gift of tongues think they have arrived Spiritually. Remember it is GOD who distributes the gift or gifts of the Spirit as HE chooses. The Christian who does not have the gift of tongues is no less a Spirit filled Christian than those who do.

Grace cannot be earned. It is a free gift which allows Christians, once
they have confessed their sin and repented, to obediently serve without
getting bogged down in the guilt of sin. It does not excuse sin and does
not eliminate the consequences for sin. But once sin is confessed and
the Christian has repented; he/she is forgiven and restored by GOD’S
grace through CHRIST. Satan will try his best to not allow Christians to
live in the grace that GOD extends to all Christians who have confessed
their sins and repented of them.

Satan’s desire is to defeat every Christian and keep him/her in bondage.
That is why GOD gives to some the gift of tongues as a personal
assurance of HIS acceptance and often for private use and comfort.

Because Christians have been forgiven and live under grace and have been gifted, they should not think more highly of themselves. Paul admonished Christians to understand that GOD has given each a measure of faith to obediently serve HIM. Christians have a unique function in the living body in conjunction with their brothers and sisters in CHRIST, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, to carry out GOD’S plan and purpose.

Just as the human body has many parts, visible and not visible but function in unity and harmony as one, we have one Spiritual living body and one head. GOD’S intent is for the living body, the true church, to function as one with the head being CHRIST. In order to accomplish HIS plan and purpose, HE equips the living body accordingly.

Let’s Romans 12:6-8:
6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard (proportion) of faith; 7 if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
GOD gives Spiritual gifts to whom HE chooses, because HE gives gifts to Christians according to HIS plan and purpose and their function in the living body. Paul lists seven (7) of the Spiritual gifts. Paul lists the gift along with the application of the gift by those who receive the gift.
Prophecy – A calling to declare GOD’S message in ways people can understand and delivered by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The message can be for the present or to the future or both. The message is dependent upon the proportion of faith of the presenter.

Service – JESUS came to earth to serve. The Greek word is “diakonia” and refers to service rendered by a servant. This is where we get the word “deacon” which means to “minister to” or “to assist.” It referred to waiting tables and carries the idea of supplying the necessities of life.

Teaching – Special calling to teach the Scriptures, doctrine and Christian living. It refers to “the one teaching”, which embraces another gift listed in other scripture “speaking.” Teachers give insightful instruction for the application of revealed truth for living. Teachers are more accountable to GOD.

Exhorting – This is encouraging others to do GOD’S will and fight the good fight and cross the finish line. The Greek word carries the idea of persuasion, comfort and support with compassion. It conveys hope to those struggling to live according to GOD’S standard.

Giving – It is sharing what we have with others in need, as led by the Holy Spirit. It is giving of our personal goods or money to meet another’s needs. All Christians are to be generous givers but some are especially gifted with resources. All are to give with a joyful Spirit. We must keep in mind that the widow’s mite glorified GOD. JESUS pointed this out to HIS disciples. It is NOT the size of the gift but the obedience of giving. To some GOD gives the gift of making money for the purpose of giving.

Leading – This is the gift of administration. Those who have this gift seek GOD’S leadership for the church and lead the church accordingly. They lead humbly but with diligence, which means “with haste.” Leaders do not procrastinate but get it done as led by the Holy Spirit. Some believe that since Paul placed “leading” between “giving” and “mercy” that those administering the giving are to do with humble hearts.

Mercy – This gift is two-fold – ready to forgive others or ready to reach out to others in acts of kindness and goodwill. A Christian with this gift is sensitive to those who have faltered or fallen and shows compassion or forgiveness. They know where they came from as sinners saved by grace and the mercy GOD had for them. They in turn extend this same mercy to others. This includes Spiritual needs or physical needs. Those who have addictions may have lost all they had but CHRIST has turned their lives around and they need help to get back on their feet. When Christians have the right relationship, they show mercy with cheerfulness, which carries the idea of hilarity. Mercy is to be expressed eagerly and joyfully and not grudgingly. When we show mercy what does our heart tell us?

These are just a few of the gifts of the Spirit. Here are a few more gifts listed in the Bible. Do you know what your gift is? I know there are tests that can be taken to discover your gift but I find those of little value. Let your Spiritual brothers and sisters tell you what they see in you and often this reveals your gift. But one thing is sure; you have at least one or more Spiritual gifts.

I believe gifts can be added for a specific purpose for a season and others are more permanent. As you obediently serve our LORD, HE equips you according to your Spiritual growth and ability to handle the gift or gifts HE gives you to the proportion of your relationship with HIM. Seek the relationship and these things will be added to you as you need them.

Let’s explore some additional Spiritual gifts:

Celibacy – 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 – 7 I wish that all people were just like me. But each has his own gift from God, one this and another that.
8 I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11:
4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything.[2] 7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: 8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between (Discernment), to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. 11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each one as He wills.

Voluntary Poverty and Martyrdom – 1 Corinthians 13:3 – 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned,[1]but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Ephesians 4:11-16:
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]* into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Hospitality, Speaking and Service – 1 Peter 4:9-11 – 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others,[18] as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, [his speech should be]* like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be]* from the strength God provides,[19] so that in everything God may be glorified[20] through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. • Amen.

Missionary – Ephesians 3:6-8 – 6 the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this [gospel]* by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power. 8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints!—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah,

1 Corinthians 12:28-31:
28 And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages? Do all interpret? 31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

What is the even better way? LOVE

Christians can have all the Spiritual gifts but if they do not have the love of GOD revealed in their lives, it discredits the Spiritual gifts.

Is this loving sin? NO!!! It is loving the sinner but hating the sin.

There are many other gifts from GOD. Seek first your relationship with HIM and the gift or gifts you need to obediently serve HIM will be given to you as HIS son or daughter in CHRIST, as you grow Spiritually.

Let’s read Romans 12:9-15: (Back to our scripture)
Christian Ethics
9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

How can a Christian love without hypocrisy? I believe it is the result of having the right relationship with CHRIST. Loving the unlovely becomes part of the natural process of sanctification. This takes time and the transforming of your mind.

As mentioned earlier, Christians are to love the sinner but hate the sin. Paul stated it as, “detest evil; cling to what is good.”

Show “family affection” to one another with brotherly/sisterly love. In the English language we have one (1) word for love that embraces the various aspects of love. The Greek language has four (4) words for love:

- Family love is related to philo or the love one has for a brother or sister but carries the idea of blood relationships. This is good when we consider that Christians are brothers and sisters through CHRIST with GOD being our FATHER, through the miracle of rebirth.

- Philo is the love we have as the result of friendship. It is a brotherly/sisterly type of love through everyday relationships.

- Agape love is self-giving love that demands nothing in return. A person chooses whether or not to extend agape love to another person. CHRIST extends agape love to us in that while we were sinners HE died for us.

- Eros love is erotic love. It is lust and based upon sensual physical contact. So many people confuse this type of love for true love. But Eros love is temporary and when the physical attraction wears off, and it will, one or both involved in the relationship moves on to another erotic encounter. True love can begin after the Eros wears off but so many like the initial thrill of the moment that they go from one partner to another. The female is more likely to fall in love, I think more so than the male. To the male often the female is a piece of meat for his pleasure and when the pleasure is over, he moves on. The female is left devastated, wounded, scared and fearful of getting involved with another man. Some react differently and think it is cool to jump from one relationship to another not realizing that one day, they will find true love and will have to deal with the consequences of a free lifestyle – abortion, a child, std’s, lack of trust, the desire to sleep around and the list goes on.

Paul continued:

- Love for the right reasons and motives. Men tell women, I love you, when they often really mean I lust for you. They have one motive, to conquer. Paul tells Christians to be honorable.

- Be passionate in serving the LORD with diligence and a fervent Spirit. Serving GOD is exciting.

- Rejoice in hope because GOD can do all things. You are HIS man or woman in the center of HIS will with all of HIS power and wisdom at your disposal. Be patient when you serve GOD because HE has a plan. Trust in that knowledge even though you do not see action because HE is working along beside you to accomplish that plan and purpose.

- During the time of waiting, pray because prayer keeps your mind focused upon HIM. Satan is likely vying for your mind to discourage you. So pray during these times of waiting and in fact pray without ceasing about all things, as led by the Holy Spirit.

- Share what GOD has allowed you to have with your brothers and sisters in CHRIST, as led by the Holy Spirit. How can you share? You can pursue hospitality. Reach out to others in their time of need both physically and Spiritually.

- Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Have empathy for others – rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Put yourself in the place of others.

The Christian life is not for wimps. It is impossible without having the right relationship with CHRIST. HE must live through you to minister to others. You must have HIS strength. You must be connected to the vine, CHRIST, because you are a branch of the true vine, fully equipped to serve GOD as led by and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Paul stated it best in Galatians 2:20 - 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Christians must become a living sacrifice. A sacrifice is designed to die. Christians must die to self and live for CHRIST. This is accomplished by having the right relationship with CHRIST and allowing HIM to transform you by the renewing of your minds. This is the process of sanctification. Relax and yield your bodies to HIM. Here I am LORD, as I am with all my faults, only you can make me into the servant YOU want me to be. So take my life as it is, the good and the bad, and give me the strength to be the Christian you want me to be. Help me to grow Spiritually so that I am qualified to be equipped with any gifts you have for me to use for your glory. Blessings.

SOME SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Romans 12:6-8:

Prophecy
Serving
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy

1 Corinthians 7:7-8:

Celibacy

1 Corinthians 12:8-10:

Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy*
Discernment
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:28:

Apostle
Prophet
Teacher
Miracles*
Healings*
Helps
Administration *
Tongues*

1 Corinthians 13:3:

Voluntary Poverty
Martyrdom

Ephesians 3:6-8:

Missionary

Ephesians 4:11:

Apostle*
Prophet*
Evangelist
Pastor/Teacher

1 Peter 4:9-11:

Hospitality
Speaking
Service

*Repeats