Bible Study - All In (4) - Committed to HIS Church - Romans 12:3-16 - November 8, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (4) – Committed to HIS Church – November 8, 2020

This lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Romans 12:3-16.

Commitment to CHRIST includes a commitment to HIS body, the church.

 

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. 

What is grace? From GOD’S perspective, grace is undeserved or unmerited favor. No human can earn GOD’S Grace. GOD’S Grace comes as the result of a person accepting JESUS CHRIST as his or her Savior. As Spirit-born Christians, GOD’S Grace is sufficient to satisfy GOD’S wrath toward all of our sins; past, present and future. That does not mean we escape the consequence of our sin.

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15:

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

The Apostle Paul was passing onto the Christians in Rome what GOD had taught him. GOD gives to every Christian a measure of grace as we build upon the foundation of faith in JESUS. Our personality can get us ahead of given grace.

What am I talking about? In my early days of walking with my LORD, I believed HE could do all things and HE can. But my zeal got me ahead of HIS will and purpose e.g. GOD heals therefore everyone will be healed, which when carried to the end is very true. But it was the last option that I had a problem. GOD can heal miraculously, through physicians, medicine, and death. To me death was not an option because it did not show the power of GOD’S Hand. It took me a long time to accept death as an option. I liked the miracle of GOD healing. My ego got in the way. GOD led me to those who had the gift of healing. My wife and I visited Miss Bertha Smith told us that her sister had the gift of healing. When people came to her sister and requested prayer for healing, she told them that she had to pray about it. After praying she would come back into the room and tell the person one of two things (1) Yes The LORD has given me permission to pray for your healing or (2) No, The LORD has not given me permission to pray for your healing but HE has given me permission to pray for your comfort as you go through this time in your life.

The key is to listen to what GOD reveals to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

There are many Spiritual gifts in GOD’S quiver. As I recall there are at least 29 gifts revealed in GOD’S Word but that is just the tip.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11:

Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

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 works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: 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 spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he (GOD) wills.

Pay special attention to verse 11. Spirit-born Christians can desire certain Spiritual Gifts but it is GOD Who gives them. When a Spirit-born person goes outside of GOD’S will and purpose in seeking a certain Spiritual gift, it often leads to trouble. Satan can counterfeit a gift and the gift becomes enslaving. Keep in mind that GOD gives the gift. Those Spirit-born can seek but GOD gives at the right time when we are ready to receive it and use it according to HIS will and purpose.

Paul tells us there are many Spiritual Gifts but one Spiritual body.

When GOD gives HIS Children a Spiritual Gift or Gifts, HE also directs how and when to use it or them. HE establishes the moment and circumstances. It may be a quiet moment or more visible. The use of a Spiritual Gift or Gifts is to minister to the body of believers in JESUS.

I believe we will witness a resurgence of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as we approach the second coming of JESUS.

Christians are you ready for GOD to use you to reach out to a world of people lost to sin?

We read about the unity and diversity of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Indeed, the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. ²³ And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, ²⁴ which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^[d] 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 tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

Unity and harmony are essential as Spirit-born people function in the unified body of CHRIST, which is often housed within a manmade structure. The true church is invisible but revealed by the unity and love of those who manifest the presence of JESUS in their lives and functions as part of the Spiritual body.

Keep in mind “GOD gives to whom HE chooses!”

The Apostle Paul continues teaching and revealing -----

Let’s read Romans 12:6-8:

⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

There is diversity of Spiritual Gifts within the Spiritual Body. There are many parts to the human body that are vital to its functioning in unity and harmony. The same is true of the Spiritual Body JESUS established when HE gave HIS life and was resurrected from the physically dead to be eternally alive. The resurrection is proof that HE conquered eternal death for all who place their faith in HIM. Faith in the LORD JESUS is ground zero for the salvation of ANY PERSON.

Christian Ethics

Let’s read Romans 12:9-16:

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. ¹¹ Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;^[c] 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. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 

Paul instructs Christians about having a check list. As a Spirit-born person does your walk match your talk? Do you detest evil? Do you cling to what is good? Do you deeply love your brothers and sisters in JESUS? Reach out to each other in love and compassion as needed with zeal and fervency. Now is our time upon earth to reach out and make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others. We have the greatest news of all times; we must share it.

What else:

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. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 

As Spirit-born people, we must rejoice in the hope that JESUS has given to those who have placed their faith in HIM and that is available to all the world.

Prayer is essential. GOD calls HIS Children to prayer for themselves, others, institutions, governments and the world.

Reach out to those called to both home and world mission fields. GOD equips HIS Children with resources to minister in various ways via Spiritual Gifts e.g. money, prayer, administration, organizational skills, encouraging, etc.

Empathy for others in their circumstances, cheering up, weeping with tears of joy or tears of sorrow.

Live in harmony. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 

Every human is that human and we will all die physically one day. In the meantime, realize that life is a gift from GOD and all that we have comes from GOD and HIS Grace. Therefore, use the blessings GOD has given to you to reach out and minister to others.

GOD’S Grace is sufficient and HIS love is eternal. Rejoice and again rejoice in HIS Goodness!!!

Blessings!!!