My sermon notes for Sunday morning, Jan 5th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. We provide the preaching each week through YouTube by Sunday afternoon. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.
Romans 12:3-8
INTRO
- God’s righteousness in everyday life (LIVING OUT CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS)
- Application of the theological truths from Chapters 1-11
- Verses 1-2 – Last Sunday As we present our bodies as living sacrifices, then our actions and usefulness to God will naturally follow. WE WORSHIP and WE DO.
- The Life lived out
- Our life before the Lord
- Verses 3-8 – Life within the Church.
- The Go and Do of being a Christ follower within His Church
Our Attitude – Humility – v. 3
- Grace GIVEN to me.
- Think with sober judgment – Keep our mind sound.
- THINK RIGHT… We are saved, but all we have is because of Christ. Him everything, me nothing.
- What can I possibly do without my relationship with Christ.
- Measure of faith God has assigned – the exact amount God gives. MEASURE. THERE IS MORE… TO OTHERS
- We are gifted differently. USE YOUR GIFTS
Our Relationships – Unity and diversity – vv. 4-5
- Many members, one body, one function
- WE TOO. MANY, ONE, and ONE PURPOSE
- Our Personal life and Body life
Our Service – Exercising our gifts – vv. 6-8
- This list of gifts for within the body.
- Expounding the Word – gifts 1-4
- Expanding the Work – gifts 5-7
- Gifts – Charisma. Grace – Charis. GRACE GIFTS
- GOD GIVES THEM. BODY CONFIRMS THEM.
- We all have them, but not all of them.
- Talents and Gifts. Born with talents. Gifts are given. Often our talents once given to the Lord open the door for our gifts. Often once saved we are given gifts we could never imagine before.
THE GIFTS
Prophesy
- The proclamation of the Word of God.
- We tend to think of OT prophets. Key is that THE WORD OF GOD was proclaimed.
- Today, we proclaim the Bible. THUS SAITH THE LORD.
- Not, A fresh word from God, but THE WORD from God.
Service/Ministry
- Diakonia – serve. Build up. Word in Acts where we get our understanding of Deacon.
- What can I DO. FOR THE CHURCH FOR OTHERS. Easiest and most practical. DO MINISTRY.
Teaching
- Interpret and explain the Word of God.
- Prophecy could be more the proclaiming of the Word and teaching could be more walking through and explain.
- 1 Timothy 3:2 – able to teach
- 1 Timothy 4:16 – pay close attention to your teaching.
Exhorting
- Parakaleo – Come alongside someone. (this morning. HELPER) pleading, encouraging, warning, strengthening.
- The ability to excite, motivate, advise, encourage, comfort, and warn people.
- Hebrews 10:24-25
- Causes action. KNOW, GROW, GO.
Prophesy proclaims truth
Teaching explains truth
Exhortation calls believers to obey and follow truth.
Giving
- Sharing and imparting that which is one’s own.
- Sincere heart felt giving (opposite is Matthew 6:2 giving. LOOK WHAT I DID)
Leadership
- Standing before
- THE ABILITY TO lead and govern.
- Diligence – earnestness and zeal.
Showing mercy
- Actively demonstrating sympathy, so as to strengthen someone.
- Sensitivity to suffering and needs.
- Feelings that turn to action.
HOW DO WE EXERCISE THESE GIFTS. OUR ATTITUDE
Generosity
- Sincerity and in simplicity.
- Singleness of heart and without show
- Above and beyond
Zeal
- Diligent.
- haste, desire, and concentrated attention.
- There is no room for laziness, complacency, and irresponsibility in the Kingdom of God and His church. The leaders are the ones who are to blaze the path for the flock of God, and they are to do it with zeal, hard work, and iron determination.
Cheerfulness
- People enjoy your presence and ministry within the body.
- Willing to forgiving others.
- Not in a spirit of criticism and rebuke toward the person who needs help.