Called to Serve - Week 1 - Use Your Gifts

Romans 12:1-8 calls us to a life of true worship—not through ritual offerings, but by offering our very selves as living sacrifices to God. This is not about earning God’s favor or trying to manipulate Him, but a response to the mercy and grace we have already received through Christ. In a world that prizes personal freedom, comfort, social acceptance, pragmatism, and the pursuit of happiness, we are invited to a radically different way of living. Rather than conforming to the patterns of our culture, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can discern and live out God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.

This transformation is not just internal; it expresses itself in the way we relate to one another as the body of Christ. Each of us has been uniquely gifted by God, not for our own benefit, but for the building up of the community. The gifts we have—whether they are spiritual, practical, or even seemingly ordinary—are given by God’s grace and are meant to be used in service to others. Paul’s list in Romans is not exhaustive, but illustrative: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, generosity, leadership, mercy. The point is that everyone has something to offer, and the health of the whole body depends on each member playing their part.

It’s easy to let the values of our culture shape our priorities and choices, often without even realizing it. But God calls us to a deeper belonging—not just fitting in, but being part of a community where humility, connection, and mutual service are central. Faithfulness, not just effectiveness, is what matters in God’s economy. And true joy is found not in chasing our own happiness, but in building others up and serving with grace. The invitation is to reflect on how God has shaped and gifted each of us, and to seek ways to use those gifts for His glory and the good of others. This is our true and proper worship.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Living Sacrifice as True Worship Offering ourselves as living sacrifices is not about appeasing God or earning His favor, but a response to the mercy and grace already given to us in Christ. This daily act of surrender is the highest form of worship, calling us to give our whole selves—body, mind, and actions—to God. It is a living, ongoing offering, not a one-time ritual or a dead sacrifice. [08:43]
• 2. Transformation Over Conformity The world’s patterns—personal autonomy, comfort, social acceptance, pragmatism, and self-focused happiness—are powerful influences. Yet, God calls us to resist these patterns and instead be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation enables us to discern God’s will and live in a way that reflects His values, not just those of our surrounding culture. [18:32]
• 3. Gifts Given for the Good of the Body Every believer is uniquely gifted by God, and these gifts are not for personal status or fulfillment, but for the building up of the church and blessing the community. The diversity of gifts—spiritual, practical, or even seemingly mundane—reflects God’s wisdom and creativity. Our calling is to discover, develop, and use these gifts faithfully, knowing that the health of the whole body depends on each member’s contribution. [22:21]
• 4. Faithfulness Over Effectiveness God’s call is not primarily about what is efficient or impressive in the world’s eyes, but about being faithful with what we have been given. Faithfulness in using our gifts, even in small or unseen ways, is more important than outward success or recognition. In God’s kingdom, the measure is not effectiveness, but obedience and service rooted in grace. [19:45]
• 5. Joy in Other-Centered Service True fulfillment and joy are found not in pursuing our own happiness, but in serving others with the gifts God has given us. As we encourage, serve, give, lead, or show mercy, we participate in God’s work of building up the community. Happiness is not the goal, but the byproduct of a life poured out for others in love. [20:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-8
• [01:53] - Series Introduction: Called to Serve
• [03:44] - Reflections from Bali: Offerings and Worship
• [05:37] - Christian Offering vs. Cultural Offerings
• [06:48] - Context: God’s Mercy and Our Response
• [08:43] - Living Sacrifice: A New Kind of Worship
• [10:41] - The Patterns of Our World
• [12:41] - Five Cultural Influences in Australia
• [18:32] - God’s Alternative: Transformation and Belonging
• [21:04] - The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
• [22:21] - Everyone Has a Gift
• [23:37] - Broad Definition of Spiritual Gifts
• [24:19] - Reflecting on Your Gifts
• [28:08] - Listening for God’s Guidance
• [30:14] - Praying for Wisdom and Faithfulness
• [32:02] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Romans 12:1-8 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Romans 12:1, what is the reason we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices?
2. What are some of the specific gifts Paul lists in Romans 12:6-8, and how does he say they should be used?
3. In the sermon, what are some of the main cultural values in Australia today that can influence how we live?
4. How does Paul describe the relationship between individual believers and the larger body of Christ?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that offering ourselves as living sacrifices is a response to God’s mercy, not a way to earn His favor. Why is this distinction important for how we approach worship and service?
2. The world’s patterns—like personal freedom, comfort, and the pursuit of happiness—are described as powerful influences. In what ways might these values conflict with the call to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?
3. The sermon mentions that every believer is uniquely gifted, and that these gifts are for the good of the community, not just for personal fulfillment. How does this challenge the way we often think about our talents and passions?
4. The idea of faithfulness being more important than effectiveness is highlighted. What does it mean to be faithful with our gifts, even if our efforts seem small or unnoticed?

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to offer our whole selves—body, mind, and actions—to God as a daily act of worship. What is one area of your life where you find it hard to surrender to God? What would it look like to offer that area to Him this week?
2. Think about the five cultural influences mentioned (personal freedom, comfort, social acceptance, pragmatism, and happiness). Which of these do you find most shapes your decisions or priorities? How might God be inviting you to resist that pattern and be transformed?
3. The sermon encourages us to reflect on our gifts, even those that seem ordinary (like making jam, driving, or being organized). What is one gift or passion you have that you haven’t thought of as a way to serve others? How could you use it to bless someone in your church or community?
4. Paul says that everyone has something to offer, and the health of the whole body depends on each member playing their part. Is there a way you could step out and use your gifts more intentionally in the church? What’s one small step you could take this month?
5. The sermon says that true joy is found not in chasing our own happiness, but in building others up and serving with grace. Can you share a time when serving someone else brought you unexpected joy? How might you look for opportunities to serve this week?
6. The idea of faithfulness over effectiveness can be freeing, but also challenging. Are there ways you’ve been discouraged because your service didn’t seem “successful” or recognized? How does the call to faithfulness change your perspective?
7. The sermon included a time of listening for God’s guidance about your gifts. Take a moment now—what do you sense God might be highlighting for you to do, or to offer, in this season?