Renew the Mind - Transform the Body
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Scripture: Rom 12:3-8
ROM 238 - Renew the Mind - Transform the Body - Rom 12:3-8
In the 1st 5 Ch's of Rom - we saw that FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ is the only way for us to be made RIGHT with God
in Ch's 6-8 - we learned about the incredible VICTORY we have
Because of our POSITION in Christ - &
Because of the POWER of the Holy Spirit living in us
In Ch's 9-11 we were given absolute CONFIDENCE
of God's Faithfulness - His Sovereignty, & His Plan
THEN - in Rom 12:1 - we switched gears
Suddenly - all the great & incredible theology of Romans
turned to PRACTICAL APPLICATION for our lives
In Rom 12:1 - we read the word - - THEREFORE
BECAUSE of all of these truths - -
Here's how we are called to live
& we started with 2 messages on Being Transformed
& now today we begin to see some of the "WHAT"
that we are Transformed "FOR"
Let's Pray
We've got to remember
thru-out the remainder of our study of Romans
The 1st Two verses of ROM Ch 12
are the OVERALL RESPONSE to the 1st 11 Ch's
& NOW - the remainder of the teaching of Romans
is WHAT it should LOOK LIKE
when we are putting Rom 12:1-2 into practice
So - since these Vs's are the Foundation of the remainder of the book
let's read them again - to begin today's msg
Rom 12:1-2 - 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.
Again - the ONLY way we can APPLY the remainder of Romans
is to FIRST Personally Apply these two Vs's
If we don’t present our "Selves" as a Living Sacrifice
If we are not Transformed by the Renewing of our Minds
Then there is NO WAY - we'll be able to APPLY
the remainder of the book of Romans to our lives
& so today, the first APPLICATION of Rom 12:1-2 deals with
HOW the Body of Christ is designed to function
& to do that - this text begins
by calling us to THINK DIFFERENT about ourselves
In preparing to talk about
HOW the Body of Christ is meant to function
The 1st thing Paul says we must allow God to Transform
the way WE - THINK about ourselves
Rom 12:3 (A) - ESV
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, . . .
1st - Paul acknowledges that it is only by God's Grace (gift)
that he can even speak to every one among us
& then - The VERY FIRST application he makes (after Rom 12:1-2)
is that we MUST STOP thinking so highly of ourselves
I love the fact that the Word of God is Sharp - & Piercing,
& Discerning of the thoughts & intentions of our hearts
& here - the Word makes it very clear - I say to everyone among you - not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think
We don't have to wonder whether God is speaking to US here
THIS - is for EVERY single one of us
We must be Transformed to the extent that we stop
thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think
Remember - Paul is heading into
"HOW the Body of Christ functions correctly"
WHY would he begin that subject by saying
"not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought"
& then next - he's going to say "IN ESSENCE"
"Think according to WHERE God has placed you in the Body"
It seems to me that Paul opens this text
with these commands about how we are to think
Because he knows "How we think"
greatly effects how we function in the body
& How each of us individually function in the body
determines how the body functions as a whole
So - with that preface - Let's read Rom 12:3 again (entire vs)
Rom 12:3 - ESV
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.
Going into How the Body functions properly -
The Holy Spirit says
#1) DON'T think of yourselves more highly than you ought
#2) DO think with Sober Judgment
according to the Measure of faith that God has assigned to us
The GREEK for "Sober Judgment" means
in your "RIGHT MIND"
It also means to think MODERATELY of your self
as in "Not too highly"
& what does - thinking each according to the measure of faith
that God has assigned mean ?
The measure of faith that God has assigned refers to
the specific Gift - God has given each of us
to function correctly in the Body of Christ
& so this Vs says - think Soberly - in accordance with
WHERE God has placed you in the Body of Christ
Do you SEE IT?
Every time someone says "HERE'S WHAT I THINK"
about an area of the Body that God has NOT placed them in
EVERYTIME that happens - there is a high potential
for Division & Discord in the functioning of the Body
INSTEAD - thinking SOBERLY,
according to the measure of faith assigned you - is saying;
"I don’t know about that person's role in the body
all I know is what God has called ME to do"
Now THAT is NOT
thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought
& THAT IS - thinking Soberly,
according to the measure of faith God has assigned to us
Now - we really see that Paul is talking about
the correct functioning of the body - as we cont. in Rom 12:4
Rom 12:4 - ESV
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
Here Paul begins the Analogy of the HUMAN body
to the Body of Christ (the CHURCH)
& he begins by pointing out
there are many members of the human body
but they do NOT all have the same function
& so - if we were to apply this "thinking too highly of ourselves"
to the human body
It would be like the EARS saying
"Here's what I think the EYES should really do"
or the ARMS saying
"We think WE should carry the body around instead of the Legs"
Our HUMAN body is ONE Body - made up of many members
but the members don't have the same function - RIGHT?
& so then - Rom 12:5
Rom 12:5 - ESV
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
just like the human body - WE, as the Body of Christ,
though many - are ONE BODY in Christ
& we are individually members of one another
meaning that we are all inter-connected - AND inter-dependent
in order to make up one Body of Christ
just like the human body
& man - when this works in the Body of Christ
it is a miraculous sight to see !!
What does it take for the Body of Christ to actually function like this?
It takes:
1) Each of us presenting ourselves as a Living Sacrifice
2) Each of us having our Minds Renewed
3) Each of us NOT thinking too highly of ourselves
4) Each of us thinking according to
WHERE we've been placed in the body
Thank God - that in our Human Body
the EARS let the EYES do the seeing
the ARMS let the LEGS carry the Body
Otherwise - it wouldn’t be a very pretty site
Unfortunately - it's the same in the Body of Christ
When the EARS are trying to see for the EYES
& the ARMS are trying to act like the LEGS
It is NOT a very pretty site
But when we all operate (as Vs. 3 says)
"each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned”
THEN the church becomes a miraculous display to the world
of the Living Body of Jesus Christ
But for that to happen
EACH of us must Function WHERE God has placed us
according to the measure of faith that God has assigned us
So - beginning in Rom 12:6 - Paul lays out a PARTIAL LIST
of the different "measures of faith" that God has assigned us
But we need to make one thing clear here
These are not "ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER" gifts
These are " ALL ARE NEEDED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY" gifts
Paul's continuing the same thought
but now he goes into his EXAMPLE LIST of Gifts
Rom 12:6(A) - ESV
Rom 12:6(A) - ESV
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: . . .
In the Human Body each of our "members"
differs according to God's design
But when they're all doing their job
the Body functions perfectly
& that is the exact same design God has
for the Body of Christ
We EACH have a gift in the Body of Christ
& we each have been created to fill a specific role in the Body
But for the Body to function correctly
each of us must USE the Gifts we've been given
BUT - we also must use them
NOT thinking too highly of ourselves
but thinking SOBERLY (moderately) - in accordance with
the measure of faith God has assigned to US
So - as V.6 continues - Paul lists some EXAMPLES of the different "measures of faith" that God assigns
Let's re-read Rom 12:6 - ESV
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
The ESV stays Very Literal here
But, Implied is - If you have the gift of Prophecy
then USE IT in proportion to the gift you've been given
The gift of Prophecy is NOT just "Foretelling the future"
This Gift of Prophecy is the ability to Speak God's Word
right into other people's lives
It's NOT speaking your own opinion
it's NOT telling people what to do
It's speaking the Word of God - in such a way
that it applies directly (& specifically) to a person's life
& IF that's the gift God has given you - then
#1) you need to be careful
#2) you need to begin functioning in that gift
in proportion to the faith you've been given
Continuing in Rom 12:7(A) - ESV
Continuing in Rom 12:7(A) - ESV
(from v.6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: . . . V.7(A) if service, in our serving; . . .
The word translated service here
is translated ministry in the NKJV
AND - it's actually the same word we get our word DEACON from
This word refers more to serving the "Physical" needs of the church
which there are a huge ton of
If God has made you to Serve
specifically in regards to the 'Physical" needs of the church
Then we really need you to be Serving
#1) cause that's what God made you to do
#2) cause that's what we need you to do
& please believe me when I say - we would be HAPPY
to help you find the place that God has called you to serve
Next - in Rom 12:7(B) - ESV
. . . the one who teaches, in his teaching;
If God has made you to Teach - then Man . . . TEACH
Teach Sunday School, Youth Group,
Small Group, or Teach behind the Pulpit
But if God has made you to teach
then you really need to start teaching
But let me just warn you
Teaching God's Word - takes a ton of time - & is no small sacrifice
But if that's what God has called you to do
then you really need to get to doin it
Then - in Rom 12:8(A) - ESV
8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; . . .
This word EXHORT here actually conveys primarily
giving COMFORT & ENCOURAGEMENT
the NLT translates it - Encouragement
The idea expressed is
"To Come Along Side, to Strengthen & to Encourage"
much like the Holy Spirit does
This is a wonderful & greatly needed gift in the church
So - If God has made you to come alongside
to Strengthen & to Encourage others in the Body
please, start USING your gift right away - cause the church needs you
& By the way - there is NO GIFT from God
of Critical or Judgmental Spirit
that is strictly a Gift from the Sin Nature, & must be crucified
But the gift of Encouragement - not THAT is a gift from God
Continuing in Rom 12:8(B) - ESV
Rom 12:8(B) - ESV
. . . the one who contributes, in generosity; . . .
This isn’t referring to what we call Tithing
or the regular giving of the "First" of your income
God calls us to the regular giving of the "First-Fruits" of our income
as a Fundamental Part of EVERY Christian's Life
But THIS "Gift of GIVING" - is different
This person gives with generosity, & with simplicity
This person gives with Joy & with Blessing
This is an INCREDIBLE gift to see in action
& If God has given you this gift
I promise, you are storing up treasures in heaven
Next in Rom 12:8(C) - ESV
. . . the one who leads, with zeal; . . .
This word "ZEAL" means - take it Seriously, be Passionate,
put everything you've got into it
The NLT translates it like this;
. . . If God has given you leadership ability,
take the responsibility seriously. . .
Do not be QUICK to take a leadership Position
but once you do take it - Take it Seriously
Lead with ZEAL - Because God deserves your very best
& finally - the last Gift in this SAMPLE list
for the correct Functioning of the Body of Christ
Rom 12:8(D) - ESV
. . . the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
These are the Saints that care for the hurting
when someone's in need - they want to be there
These are the Saints who;
Laugh with those who Laugh - Weep with those who Weep
& Mourn with those who Mourn
This is a critically needed gift
to reach out & comfort those who are hurting
SO - there is the SAMPLE list - of some of the Gifts of God
that make the Body function properly
& by the way - this is not a "Job Qualification" list for a Pastor
Those qualifications are found elsewhere
This is a SAMPLE list of all the different gifts it takes
for the Body of Christ to actually function correctly
There are actually 3 separate sets of gifts listed in the NT
Each list is different - & NONE of them are complete
I'm considering possibly taking the Next Message
& just teaching on the Gifts, and our roles in the Body
But let's not forget a very important point here
Paul is using this Partial List of the Gifts
to DEMONSTRATE the point he began back in V.3
FIRST he said (3A)
We are NOT to think more highly of ourselves than we should
THEN he said (3B) - we are to think Soberly - which is according to the measure of faith God has Given us
THEN he began the EXAMPLE LIST of the various GIFTS that all together make up the Body of Christ
SO - this "GIFT LIST" - is actually in the context
of us "thinking soberly" about ourselves
So - Let me give you what I think
is the simplest (but often overlooked) LESSON here
If your gift is - PROPHECY - THINK about Speaking the Word
If your gift is - SERVICE - THINK about Serving others
If your gift is - TEACHING - THINK about Teaching
If your gift is - ENCOURAGEMENT - THINK about Exhortation
If your gift is - GIVING - THINK about Giving
If your gift is - LEADING - THINK about Leading
If your gift is - MERCY - THINK about showing Mercy to others
THAT - is how the Body of Christ Functions Correctly
By us all thinking ACCORDING to
the measure of Faith we've been given
HOWEVER - for us to function correctly in the Body (whatever our gift)
There are TWO things we must NOT think
#1 - We must NOT think;
that ANYTHING GOOD we do for God - comes from
our own ingenuity, or merit, or goodness in any way
Because THAT is thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought
Rom 7:18 = In our "SELVES" - dwells NO THING Good
Jn 15:5 = Apart from Christ - we can do NOTHING
Phil 2:13 = It is God alone - Who is at work in us
& if we ever try to be part of the Body
in our own Strength (Ability)
Not only will we fall on our face
but we'll probably do some damage in the Process
The #2 thing we must NOT think is;
that we know better - HOW some other part of the body
SHOULD BE functioning
The only exception is - if you're in a Leadership position
then it's your job to evaluate how the body is functioning
But if you're not in leadership, then please . . .
If God has made you an EYE
Don’t think you know how to HEAR better than the EARS
if God has made us an ARM
it's probably best to let the LEGS carry the Body around
Guys - this text is about the Body of Christ functioning Correctly,
& for that to happen
1) Each of us must present ourselves as a Living Sacrifice
2) Each of us must have our Minds Renewed by the Holy Spirit
3) Each of us Must NOT think too highly of ourselves
4) Each of us Must think Soberly -
according to the Gift we've been given
As we prepare for communion
Let's Pray that God would show us - what it means
to be part of the Body of Christ
& let's ask God two Questions;
1) Do I know where YOU'VE made me to FIT in the Body?
2) Am I USING the gifts YOU'VE given me?
Let's Pray