Living as a Faithful and Gifted Living Sacrifice

Devotional

Day 1: The Greatest Love—Sacrifice for Others

True love is demonstrated by willingly laying down one’s life for others, as Jesus did for us and as many have done for our freedom.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is the love Jesus showed when He gave Himself for us, paying the ultimate price for our sins and offering us freedom from death. In our own lives, we are also called to remember and honor those who have sacrificed for our well-being, whether in faith or in service to our nation. Let us never take for granted the freedoms and blessings we enjoy, recognizing that they often come at a great cost. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live lives marked by gratitude, remembrance, and a willingness to serve and sacrifice for others, reflecting the love that Christ has shown us. [42:19]

John 15:13 (NLT)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Reflection: Who in your life has sacrificed for your good, and how can you honor or thank them in a tangible way this week?

Day 2: Honest Self-Assessment—Humility and Identity in Christ

We are called to evaluate ourselves honestly, recognizing our gifts and worth come from God, not ourselves.
It is easy to fall into the extremes of either belittling our gifts or boasting about them, but both stem from pride and a misunderstanding of God’s grace. True self-assessment means acknowledging that every ability and gift we possess is given by God, and that we are created with purpose and value. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves rightly—seeing ourselves as God sees us. When we measure ourselves by the faith God has given and remember that we are His people, we are freed from comparison and insecurity. This honest evaluation allows us to walk confidently in our calling, giving God the glory for all He has placed within us. [49:46]

Psalm 100:3 (NLT)
Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Reflection: What is one gift or strength God has given you that you have either downplayed or boasted about, and how can you offer it back to Him in humility today?

Day 3: Interdependence—Belonging to the Body of Christ

Each believer is a unique and essential part of Christ’s body, finding meaning and purpose in community.
God has designed the church as a body, where every member belongs to one another and each part finds its true function in relationship with the whole. Our gifts are not for personal gain or comparison, but for building up the church and serving others. When we recognize our interdependence, we stop striving to be like someone else and instead embrace the role God has given us. This unity in diversity creates a beautiful tapestry that brings glory to God and allows His grace to flow through us to others. We are not meant to walk alone; we need each other to fulfill God’s purposes in the world. [57:00]

Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Reflection: Who in your church community do you rely on, and who might be relying on you? How can you intentionally strengthen those connections this week?

Day 4: Using Your Gifts—Obedience and Practice in Everyday Life

God calls us to discover, embrace, and use our spiritual gifts with faith and humility for the good of others.
Spiritual gifts are not for show or self-promotion, but for serving others and building up the church. Whether your gift is prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing kindness, each is vital and should be used cheerfully and diligently. The key is not to compare your gifts to others or to wait for the perfect moment, but to be obedient with what God has given you right now. As you step out in faith, even in small ways, God will use your gifts to bless others and bring Him glory. Remember, the fruit of your ministry may not be immediately visible, but your faithfulness matters deeply. [01:15:45]

Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can use your spiritual gift to serve someone in your church or community this week?

Day 5: Living Sacrifice—Faith, Growth, and Daily Surrender

A life of faith means daily offering ourselves as living sacrifices, trusting God to use us for His purposes.
Being a living sacrifice is not a one-time event but a daily choice to surrender every part of our lives—our routines, relationships, and resources—to God. As our faith grows, so does our clarity and confidence in using the gifts He has given us. This journey is not meant to be walked alone; we are called to support one another, encourage each other’s growth, and build up the body of Christ together. Even when it’s hard or inconvenient, God invites us to trust Him, step out in faith, and allow His Spirit to work through us. In doing so, we experience the joy and fulfillment of living out His unique will for our lives. [01:18:43]

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your daily life you have not yet surrendered to God, and what step can you take today to offer it to Him as a living sacrifice?

Sermon Summary

Today, we paused to remember the sacrifices made for our freedom—both by those who have served our country and, supremely, by Jesus, who laid down His life for us. This act of remembrance is not just a moment in our calendar, but a posture of gratitude that shapes how we live as followers of Christ. We are called to honor those who have gone before us, recognizing that our freedoms—spiritual and physical—have come at a great cost.

Turning to Romans 12:3-8, we explored what it means to be a living sacrifice. This is not a one-time act, but a daily offering of our ordinary lives—our work, our routines, our relationships—placed before God. The challenge is to remain on the altar, not crawling off when it becomes inconvenient. This requires honest self-assessment: not thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves, but recognizing that all our gifts and abilities are from God. True humility is not self-deprecation, but a clear-eyed acknowledgment that we are who we are by God’s grace.

We each have unique gifts, given by the Spirit, and these are meant to be used within the context of the body of Christ. Our gifts find their meaning and purpose only in community, in interdependence with one another. No one is self-made; we belong to each other, and our gifts are for the building up of the church. Whether your gift is prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, or kindness, each is vital. The diversity of gifts, paired with faith, creates a beautiful tapestry that brings glory to God.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison—either envying others’ gifts or feeling superior because of our own. But both extremes are rooted in pride. Instead, we are called to obedience with what we have, trusting God’s timing and purpose. Our gifts are not for show, nor are they to be hidden out of fear or false humility. They are tools to build with, not toys or weapons. As we practice our gifts, we must continually assess the fruit they produce, ensuring they are used to edify the church and expand God’s kingdom.

Ultimately, as our faith increases, so does our clarity and confidence in using our gifts. We are invited to ask God for more faith, to walk as living sacrifices, and to play our part in the body of Christ—bringing hope, unity, and the love of Jesus to the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Honest Self-Assessment Leads to Humility True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but seeing yourself accurately in light of God’s grace. Both self-exaltation and self-belittlement are forms of pride, as they shift focus from God’s gifting to our own performance or lack thereof. Honest self-assessment allows us to recognize our gifts without boasting or hiding, and positions us to serve others authentically. [48:03]
2. Our Gifts Find Purpose in Community Spiritual gifts are not meant for isolation or self-advancement, but for the building up of the body of Christ. We belong to one another, and our gifts only find their true meaning when used in interdependence with others. This challenges the myth of the “self-made” person and calls us to embrace our need for each other, celebrating the diversity God has placed within His church. [56:02]
3. Faith Activates and Sustains Our Gifts Natural abilities become spiritual gifts when paired with faith. Without faith, our actions remain merely human; with faith, they transmit God’s grace and power. As we trust God and step out in faith, our gifts are energized and bear fruit for His kingdom. The measure of faith we have determines how we use our gifts, and as our faith grows, so does our effectiveness and joy in serving. [53:39]
4. Obedience Over Comparison It’s tempting to compare our gifts or faith with others, but God calls us to be faithful with what we have been given. Obedience in the present, with the measure of faith and gifting we possess, is more important than striving for what belongs to someone else. God’s will for each of us is unique, and fulfillment comes from embracing our role in His plan, not from competing or imitating others. [57:56]
5. Gifts Are Tools to Build, Not Weapons to Divide Spiritual gifts are given to edify the church and expand God’s kingdom, not to create division or elevate ourselves. When gifts are used apart from love and humility, they can cause harm. We must continually assess the fruit of our ministry, ensuring that our gifts are building up others and bringing glory to God, not serving our own agendas. [73:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:19] - Remembrance and Sacrifice
[44:33] - Living Sacrifice: Everyday Life
[45:51] - Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
[46:34] - Faith: Where Are You?
[46:59] - Reading Romans 12:3-8
[48:03] - Personality: Honest Self-Assessment
[49:27] - The Myth of Self-Made
[50:25] - Avoiding Pride’s Extremes
[53:39] - Faith Turns Abilities into Gifts
[55:02] - Interdependence in the Body
[57:00] - Finding Meaning in Community
[58:23] - Grace and Gifts
[59:43] - Playing Your Part
[61:32] - Building Up the Church
[63:05] - Understanding the Seven Gifts
[73:45] - Gifts: Tools, Not Weapons
[75:45] - Living Sacrifice in Practice
[77:02] - Faith and Clarity in Gifting
[85:44] - Responding to Jesus’ Call
[87:18] - Next Steps and Community
[88:53] - Prayer and Staying Connected
[89:55] - Closing and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 12:3-8 (NLT) — Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:3, what standard are we supposed to use when evaluating ourselves and our gifts?
The sermon mentioned two extremes when it comes to self-assessment. What are these two extremes, and why are both considered forms of pride? [[50:25]]
What are the seven gifts Paul lists in Romans 12:6-8, and how does the sermon briefly define each one? [[01:03:05]]
In the passage, what does Paul say about how our gifts relate to the rest of the body of Christ? [[46:59]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul warn against thinking too highly of ourselves, and how does this relate to the way we use our gifts in the church? [[46:59]]
The sermon says that both self-exaltation and self-belittlement are rooted in pride. How can someone recognize if they are falling into either of these traps in their own life? [[51:02]]
The message emphasizes that our gifts only find their true meaning in community. Why is it dangerous to try to use our gifts in isolation, and what might be lost if we do? [[56:02]]
According to the sermon, how does faith “activate” our gifts and make them effective for God’s purposes? [[53:39]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to do an honest self-assessment. What is one area of your life where you tend to either overestimate or underestimate your abilities? How could you invite God to help you see yourself more accurately this week? [[48:03]]
Think about the seven gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Which one do you most identify with, and how are you currently using (or not using) that gift in your daily life? [[01:03:05]]
The message says our gifts are meant to be used in community, not in isolation. Is there a way you could use your gifts to serve someone in your small group or church this month? What might that look like? [[56:02]]
The sermon warns against comparing our gifts or faith with others. When are you most tempted to compare yourself to others, and how can you shift your focus to obedience with what God has given you? [[57:56]]
The pastor said, “Gifts are tools to build, not weapons to divide.” Can you think of a time when a spiritual gift (yours or someone else’s) was used in a way that hurt rather than helped? What could have been done differently? [[01:13:45]]
The message encourages us to ask God for more faith so we can use our gifts with greater clarity and confidence. What is one step you could take this week to grow your faith and step out in using your gifts? [[01:17:02]]
Living as a “living sacrifice” means offering our everyday lives to God. What is one ordinary part of your routine (work, family, hobbies) that you could intentionally offer to God as an act of worship this week? [[45:04]]

Sermon Clips

So what is this self-evaluation that Paul speaks of here? What does that look like? It means that we need to be mindful of two things when it comes to giving ourselves an honest evaluation. Because there can be two real extremes and I don't want you guys to fall in either of these. The first extreme is that you belittle all of your worth and your gifts and you don't really do anything because you're worried that if you fail it's going to do something bad or you're like, I'm humble, I don't need to do anything. I don't want to look good doing this. The other side of the extreme is we can brag about everything we've done, about our amazing gifts that we possess, whenever possible to gain attention. But both of these extremes are rooted in pride. [00:50:13] (47 seconds) #BalancedSelfEvaluation

Yes, even the person who's belittling their gifts, it's an act of pride. Because if we refuse to acknowledge the fact that it is all by God's grace that we are given these gifts, and as a result allowed to give him glory, then belittling ourselves is basically saying, I don't trust you, God. I don't trust that your word is true. Because we see it here in Romans 12. God has given us all different gifts and the implication here is that we do, everyone in this room, have them. [00:50:59] (29 seconds) #GraceInGifts

You could strive for greater faith, you could ask God for more faith in your life, but if you're not being obedient with the faith you currently have, with the amount that's currently been given to you, what good is more faith going to do you? It's about obedience right now in every little thing that you do. [00:58:07] (15 seconds) #OneBodyManyGifts

We are responsible for what God has given to us, not for what he has given someone else. You don't need to look around you and worry about the gift that someone else has. Focus and worry about what's on your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to work through your gifts as you are a part of that body as well. We get to play our part. So again, let's give ourselves an honest assessment. Where do we fit in? Keeping the glory where it belongs. Taking our place in a community dependent upon each other, in this room dependent on those around you, sitting in the row with you, members of one another in the body. You need each other. [00:59:20] (40 seconds) #TrueGiftRecognition

All of his gifts, all of my gifts, all of Pastor Jono's gifts, and all of each of your gifts are all for the same reason. To build up the church and it's done through Christ within the body. [01:00:43] (15 seconds) #AuthenticMinistry

In practice, there is nothing wrong with recognizing our gifts or the gifts that others have. The error really comes in the false evaluation of ourselves. And nothing causes more damage in a local church than a believer who overrates himself and tries to perform a ministry that he cannot do. Sometimes the opposite is true and people undervalue themselves. Both attitudes are wrong. [01:02:02] (26 seconds) #NaturalAndSpiritualAligned

Maybe this will challenge you. Maybe it will help you to see that you are playing an important part within the church. You may never get on a stage and teach. You may never prophesy. But you might show the kindness of Jesus to the least of these here on earth. And you will be bringing glory to God all the same. Your gift might be what our city needs right now more than ever. [01:13:12] (26 seconds) #StillnessInService

Spiritual gifts are tools to build with. Not toys to play with. Or weapons to fight with. In the church at Corinth, the believers were tearing down the ministry because they were abusing spiritual gifts. They were using their gifts as ends in themselves and not as a means toward the end of building up the church. They so emphasized their spiritual gifts that they lost their spiritual graces. They had the gifts of the Spirit but were lacking in the fruit of the Spirit. Are we seeing fruit? Or are we trying to emphasize that we have a gift and not seeing a benefit for the church? [01:13:38] (39 seconds) #MinistryTakesTime

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