City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 12:3-8

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (NKJV)

II. Study Questions

1. What are the 7 spiritual gifts mentioned in today’s reading?

2. What is the purpose of the guidelines?  

3. What are 3 guidelines Paul gives regarding spiritual gifts?

Additional Audio Resource

I chuckle from time to time, when I hear beer commercials.  You heard of them before, how your life without this specific brand of the beer can be boring (at least that is what they want you to believe) but with their beer in your hand, you can have the best life ever!  With all the clever marketing for you to believe that drinking is cool, but what I find so funny about these commercials is the reality of drinking, at the end of the commercial they show the statement, “Drink Responsibly.”   Wait a minute, is there a hidden guideline or a how-to “Drink Responsibly?”  What do they mean by that?  The reality is, with all the glamor, excitement, and promise of a good time, they end with “drink responsibly,” knowing that there will be people who will misuse and abuse alcohol.

In today’s reading, Paul addressed his readers (Jewish and gentile Christians) in how to serve God with the spiritual gifts.  These are: 1. Prophecy, 2. Ministry (Service), 3. Teaching, 4. Exhortation, 5. Giving, 6. Leading, & 7. Mercy.  It is dangerous to fixate our attention on the spiritual gift first, rather than fully understanding the purpose and responsibility of these gifts.  There is always the potential risk of misusing and abusing these gifts, when it is not grounded in the premise of the guideline the gospel provides us with.  It can have devastating results when guidelines are neglected, where Christians forget to be responsible with spiritual gifts.  Gifts are good, if it is practiced in a responsible manner, within a guideline.  Fortunately, Paul provides us with some vital guidelines on how we can exercise and practice spiritual gifts.

Sober Self-Estimation

There are steps in self-estimation that Paul gives us: 1. Not to think of yourself more highly, than you ought, 2. But rather think of yourself with sober judgment.  In Paul’s view, he is fully convinced that humility is the foundation to self-estimation.  One can’t possibly be able to estimate themselves correctly when this important virtue of Christ is absent in their life (Read Philippians 2:5-11). An individual’s arrogance, pride & self-centeredness with spiritual gifts leads to a massive downward spiral that can destroy lives.

Measure of Faith

In his letter to the church of Ephesians Paul wrote, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7, NKJV) Here is what Paul is saying here, it is not by our own standard nor by the standard of others that we measure our faith, but through Christ’s measure of faith.  When we measure our faith by our own standard, it can lead to a superiority complex, while measuring by the standards of others may lead to an inferiority complex.  

Body of Christ

Paul used a metaphor, the body, to explain the importance of spiritual gifts in terms of corporate worship and church, rather than individual benefits.  The spiritual gifts an individual possess are equally important, one gift is not superior or inferior to another, for all are necessary for the unity of the church.  What Paul is trying to communicate to readers is that the spiritual gift you possess today is for the overall well being of the body of Christ, the church, rather than personal benefits.   

Final Thought

I am amazed how God has uniquely designed each of us to fulfill His plans on earth.  You, your uniqueness, personality and spiritual gifts are vital for City Life Church.  I believe what makes the church is the people, people who are committed to Him and His mission.  I am grateful for you that you are willing to obey God and be part of a church that may have others that look and talk different than yourself.  Thank you for being the part of the body, please be involved, walk in the lane that God has for you.  If you are not sure how to be part of the church, how to be involved, or even what lane God has for you, please let us know and we will join you in prayers.  JY