THE DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR CONSECRATION
ROMANS 12:3-8
Introduction:
We as Christians are sometimes all talk and no substance when it comes to serving the Lord. The Apostle Paul speaks with the authority of God here as he admonishes us to demonstrate what we say that we have in Christ.
He is saying that we need to have the right attitude about ourselves and others in order to glorify our Lord in our lives. He gives us good counsel in relation to others and how we can be used by the Lord for His glory.
I. A JUST ESTIMATE OF YOUR GIFT
A. We are what we are by the Grace of God, 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
1. Jesus died for us by the Grace of God, Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
2. Our rejoicing is by the Grace of God, 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
B. Our Gifts or abilities are given to us for God’s glory, 1 Corinthians 14:12, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
C. Paul spoke of a more excellent gift, the gift of love, 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
1. Without love we are just noise, 1 Corinthians 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
2. Even if we might have great knowledge and have all faith, without love we are nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
D. Paul counsels us not to be intoxicated with conceit, Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
1. Paul is saying here that Pride has no place in the Lord’s work, Romans 3:27,“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”
2. Paul illustrates this fact, Romans 11:18-21, “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
3. Therefore every Christian should have a proper sense of humility, Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”
a. Paul’s attitude in serving the Lord, Acts 20:18-19, “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:”
b. Peter admonishes us to be clothed in humility, 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
CONCLUSION
God has blessed each of us with gifts and abilities with which we can honor and glorify our Saviour. Each believer is special to the Lord. Each has a place in the Lord’s work where he or she can contribute one way or another to build a strong church. We need to use those gifts for his honor and glory.