Embracing Spiritual Gifts for Church Unity and Love
Summary
In our study of Romans 12:6, we delve into the practical application of the Apostle Paul's teachings on spiritual gifts. Paul transitions from doctrine to practice, urging us to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, transforming our minds to discern His perfect will. This transformation involves renouncing self-centeredness and embracing our roles within the body of Christ. Paul emphasizes that our gifts are not self-determined but are distributed by God according to His grace. This understanding is crucial to maintaining unity within the church, as it prevents the pride and division that can arise from misunderstanding our roles and gifts.
Paul uses the metaphor of the body to illustrate the church's unity and diversity. Each member has a unique function, and the health of the body depends on each part working in harmony. This principle is vital for understanding how to exercise our spiritual gifts. Paul warns against the dangers of ambition and self-glorification, urging us to desire gifts that edify the church rather than seeking personal prominence. Love is the guiding principle in the exercise of gifts, ensuring that they are used for the benefit of the whole body.
The Apostle also addresses the tension between the sovereignty of the Spirit in distributing gifts and our desire to earnestly seek them. He reconciles this by encouraging us to desire gifts within the framework of love and the church's unity. This desire should be accompanied by contentment with the gifts we receive, recognizing that each gift, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is vital to the church's mission.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Diversity: The church is a body with many members, each with unique gifts. Our gifts are given by God and should be used to promote unity and edification within the church. This understanding prevents pride and division, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. [03:09]
2. The Role of Love: Love is the foundation for exercising spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most spectacular gifts are meaningless. Love ensures that our gifts are used for the benefit of others, aligning our desires with God's purpose for the church. [19:44]
3. Desiring Gifts: While the Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts, we are encouraged to earnestly desire those that edify the church. This desire should be rooted in love and a commitment to the church's unity, avoiding personal ambition and self-glorification. [22:06]
4. Contentment with Our Gifts: We must be content with the gifts we receive, recognizing their importance in God's plan. Each gift, no matter how small, contributes to the church's mission. This contentment reflects trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. [28:56]
5. Avoiding Unsanctioned Practices: We must avoid practices that attempt to manipulate or produce spiritual gifts, as these undermine the Spirit's sovereignty. True gifts are given by the Spirit and should not be artificially induced or claimed. [36:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 12:6
- [00:32] - Transition from Doctrine to Practice
- [01:06] - Living Sacrifices and Renewed Minds
- [01:54] - Humility in the Church
- [02:40] - God's Sovereignty in Gifts
- [03:09] - Unity of the Church Body
- [04:24] - Exercising Spiritual Gifts
- [05:28] - Summary of Doctrine
- [06:13] - Misinterpretations and Prejudices
- [07:15] - Spiritual vs. Natural Gifts
- [08:34] - The Spirit's Role in Distributing Gifts
- [09:58] - Reconciling Desire and Sovereignty
- [12:50] - Misinterpretations of 1 Corinthians 12:31
- [19:44] - Love as the Path to Gifts
- [22:06] - Earnestly Desiring Gifts
- [28:56] - Contentment with Our Gifts
- [36:52] - Avoiding Unsanctioned Practices
- [46:24] - Equal Importance of All Roles
- [49:36] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:6 - "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
3. 1 Corinthians 14:1 - "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:6 suggest about the source and purpose of spiritual gifts? How does this relate to the concept of unity within the church? [00:32]
2. According to the sermon, how does Paul use the metaphor of the body to explain the diversity and unity of spiritual gifts within the church? [03:09]
3. In 1 Corinthians 12:11, what role does the Holy Spirit play in the distribution of spiritual gifts, and how does this affect our understanding of individual roles within the church? [09:38]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between love and the exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly in the context of 1 Corinthians 14:1? [19:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:6 challenge the way believers view their roles and gifts within the church? [01:06]
2. What are the potential dangers of ambition and self-glorification in the exercise of spiritual gifts, as discussed in the sermon? How can love mitigate these dangers? [25:22]
3. How does the sermon reconcile the tension between the sovereignty of the Spirit in distributing gifts and the encouragement to desire spiritual gifts? [22:06]
4. In what ways does contentment with our spiritual gifts reflect trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, according to the sermon? [28:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you use them to promote unity and edification within your church community? [03:09]
2. Consider a time when ambition or self-glorification may have influenced your actions within the church. How can you ensure that love remains the guiding principle in your service? [25:22]
3. How can you cultivate a desire for spiritual gifts that is rooted in love and a commitment to the church's unity, rather than personal ambition? [22:06]
4. Think about a gift you have received that you may have considered insignificant. How can you embrace and utilize this gift for the benefit of the church's mission? [28:56]
5. Are there any practices or attitudes you need to avoid that might undermine the Spirit's sovereignty in your life or the life of your church? How can you align your actions with the Spirit's leading? [36:52]
6. How can you encourage others in your church to recognize and appreciate the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ? [03:09]
7. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate love in the exercise of your spiritual gifts this week. How will this action benefit the church community? [19:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
The church is a body with many members, each with unique gifts. Our gifts are given by God and should be used to promote unity and edification within the church. This understanding prevents pride and division, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the body to illustrate the church's unity and diversity. Each member has a unique function, and the health of the body depends on each part working in harmony. This principle is vital for understanding how to exercise our spiritual gifts. Paul warns against the dangers of ambition and self-glorification, urging us to desire gifts that edify the church rather than seeking personal prominence. [03:09]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to promote unity and cooperation within your church community today?
Day 2: The Role of Love
Love is the foundation for exercising spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most spectacular gifts are meaningless. Love ensures that our gifts are used for the benefit of others, aligning our desires with God's purpose for the church. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that love is the guiding principle in the exercise of gifts, ensuring that they are used for the benefit of the whole body. This love-driven approach prevents the pride and division that can arise from misunderstanding our roles and gifts. [19:44]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:8-10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate love through your spiritual gifts to serve others in your community today?
Day 3: Desiring Gifts
While the Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts, we are encouraged to earnestly desire those that edify the church. This desire should be rooted in love and a commitment to the church's unity, avoiding personal ambition and self-glorification. The Apostle Paul addresses the tension between the sovereignty of the Spirit in distributing gifts and our desire to earnestly seek them. He reconciles this by encouraging us to desire gifts within the framework of love and the church's unity. [22:06]
"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 14:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you feel led to desire for the edification of your church, and how can you pursue it with a heart of love and unity?
Day 4: Contentment with Our Gifts
We must be content with the gifts we receive, recognizing their importance in God's plan. Each gift, no matter how small, contributes to the church's mission. This contentment reflects trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to be content with the gifts they receive, recognizing that each gift, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is vital to the church's mission. This contentment is a reflection of trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. [28:56]
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude for the spiritual gifts you have been given, trusting in God's perfect plan?
Day 5: Avoiding Unsanctioned Practices
We must avoid practices that attempt to manipulate or produce spiritual gifts, as these undermine the Spirit's sovereignty. True gifts are given by the Spirit and should not be artificially induced or claimed. The Apostle Paul warns against practices that attempt to manipulate or produce spiritual gifts, as these undermine the Spirit's sovereignty. True gifts are given by the Spirit and should not be artificially induced or claimed. [36:52]
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, ESV)
Reflection: Are there any practices or attitudes in your life that might be quenching the Spirit's work? How can you align yourself more closely with the Spirit's leading today?
Quotes
The Apostle Paul becomes just an emotional and intelligent type, you see it's incredible that people should say such things isn't it well now thank God that we've got the scripture before us and thank God that the Apostle goes on repeating these things having therefore gifts differing according to the grace that is given us. [00:06:56]
The gifts that we have, any gift that we have, is always according to the grace that is given us. Now let's remind ourselves again of this, the Apostle repeats it, I've got to repeat it. The gifts that he's talking about here are not our natural gifts. [00:07:09]
He is dealing here now with these spiritual gifts which are given to us as members of the church and which are meant to be exercised in the body for the benefit of the whole church and through the church to those who are outside. [00:07:40]
The gifts that the Apostle is dealing with are gifts that are only given to those who belong to the body. In other words, they're only given to those who are born again. They're not given to anybody else. He's only dealing with these special spiritual gifts that are given alone to those who were truly Christian. [00:08:02]
It is God the Holy Spirit who decides what particular gift to give to each particular Christian. He is the Lord, and the lordship of the Spirit is the great thing that is emphasized. [00:10:54]
The word coveting is a very strong word. It means an intense desire. I must say it again, how anybody can say that the Apostle Paul discouraged people to seek gifts passes my comprehension. He goes out of his way to use one of the strongest words he could have ever found, intense desire, cover it. [00:22:04]
The man who is filled with love is the man whom God can trust most safely with the better gifts. He can't trust the other man. He'll misuse them to himself and his own aggrandisement and his own self-glorification. If you really want the better gifts, says Paul, go in for love. [00:28:06]
All is be content with the gift that is given you. It's all right to cover the better, but if you're not given it, don't sulk, don't grumble, don't complain, don't be like the man who was given one talent and hid it in a napkin. [00:29:00]
The Apostle is teaching here that these gifts were only temporary and that once we'd got the New Testament scriptures, they would be no longer necessary, and so there have never been such gifts since the apostolic age, and it's very wrong to seek them and to look for them at any other time. [00:16:04]
The Apostle Paul had not got it in his power, great Apostle as he was, to give this gift to others. My fourth deduction is still more urgently needed, I feel, from what I'm reading at the present time and from what I'm told. [00:34:09]
You and I must never do anything in any way to try to produce this gift either in ourselves or in anybody else. Why not? It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can desire, we cannot produce, we cannot help in any way at all. [00:34:22]
The man who's faithful in his ministry in the home church is as much acting according to the gift given to him by the Spirit as is the man who's gone over the seas and who may be suffering the hardships of the front line. [00:47:56]
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