I. Have A Correct View Of Yourself
A. What We Are Begins With Grace V. 3a
1. 3For I say- Paul had just written about being a living sacrifice.
a. Verses 3-8 are out workings of what it means to be a living sacrifice.
b. Humility and a proper view of self and others naturally follows.
c. Giving of one’s self to the purposes of God through the gifts God has given you.
2. Paul spoke according to the grace that God gave him.
a. Grace- undeserved merit, favor. Gifting. Divine friendship.
b. He had written theologically, prophetically, exhortationally, and correctively.
c. He had written strong, bold statements.
d. He was able to do it because God gave him the grace to do it.
e. Paul was being who God, by His grace, made Paul to be.
f. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am…
3. He spoke to everyone in the Body of Christ. None were excluded. All need to hear.
4. Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought.
a. We should not overvalue ourselves.
b. We should also not under value ourselves.
B. Think Soberly About Yourself V. 3b
1. We need to think soberly about ourselves. Soberly- to be in one’s right mind.
a. Robertson- “conceit here is treated as a species of insanity.”
2. We need to realize that God has dealt a measure of faith to each of us.
3. Measures of faith versus different gifting.
a. It is easier to recognize the gifting that God gives to people, whether more or less.
b. We often forget that different measures of faith are given; more faith or less faith.
c. Someone with a “great gift” might have less faith with which they exercise that gift.
d. Others have a “lesser degree of gifting”, but have great faith to exercise their gift unhesitatingly and easily.
e. Regardless of the degree of gift or faith, humility is needed by all, for all is of grace.
4. Realize these 2 components: grace given for gifts; grace/faith given to use those gifts.
5. We grow in developing those gifts; we grow in faith to use those gifts. It is all of grace.
6. We are functioning optimally when our gifts and our faith are working sympathetically.
II. Have A Correct View Of How The Body Of Christ Functions
A. Different Parts Vs. 4, 5
1. The Body of Christ has many different kinds of members
a. It seems that we often want to be and do what someone else has been gifted with.
b. We often think more of someone else’s gift, and minimize our own gift.
c. While we admire other people’s gifts, it is better to be what God made us to be.
d. Salieri, speaking to God because he was jealous of Mozart… (from the movie “Amadeus”)
“From now on we are enemies, You and I. Because You choose for Your instrument a boastful, lustful, smutty, infantile boy and
give me for reward only the ability to recognize the incarnation. Because You are unjust, unfair, unkind, I will block You, I swear it.
I will hinder and harm Your creature on earth as far as I am able.
In speaking to a priest: “I will speak for you, Father. I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their
patron saint”.
2. Rather, we need to recognize and celebrate every member and gift in the Body of Christ.
3. In spite of differences, there is oneness. Individually members of one another.
4. Some people are wired psychologically and emotionally differently than we are, and that is because their gifts necessitate
a different mindset and approach.
a. Because they are wired so differently, we can’t relate, and may disregard them.
b. Unity exists because we are one in Christ, not because we can relate to someone.
c. This is to be recognized from church to church, denomination to denomination, etc.
B. The Parts At Work Vs. 6-8
1. Gifts- charisma: Thayer- extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the Church of Christ,
the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit”.
a. Prophecy- not just foretelling, but forth-telling. Speaking the mind and heart of God
b. Ministry- diakonia- the word for servant.
c. Teaching- that which is aimed at the understanding.
d. Exhortation- that which is aimed at the heart and will.
e. Giving- to impart one’s earthly possessions. To be done with sincerity and freedom
f. Leading- he who is placed in front. To be done as best they can; with intense effort.
g. Mercy- to be done with readiness of mind; hilarity, joyfulness, not resentfully.
2. All of these gifts are to be used according to the grace that is given us.
a. We should not expect everyone to be as great as the one that seems greatest.
b. Hopefully, that person is simply living up to the grace that was given to them.
c. We shouldn’t look down on others that serve less. They may be serving at 100%.
3. These gifts are given to us according to God’s grace. He designs His Body, His church.
4. Other passages of gifts given by God:
a. Ephesians 4:11, 12
b. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (entire chapter)
5. Let us use these gifts!!!