Sermon Tone Analysis

Text: Romans 12:3-8

Theme: Christians are members of a body—the Body of Christ—who are gifted in order to humbly minister to each other.

Date: 02/26/2017 File Name: Romans_2016_36.wpd

ID Number:

As the Apostle begins this next section of the practical application of redemptive theology, the thrust of his argument is simple: Christians are members of a body—the Body of Christ—who are each endowed with spiritual gifts in order to humbly minister to each other.

The Apostle writes to the believers at Rome that they are part of a spiritual community that God is seeking to conform into the image of His only begotten Son.

To that end, God gives spiritual abilities to every member to minister to other members to help accomplish that conformity.

The purpose of offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices is not mystical or monastic but eminently practical.

Devotion to the Lord and active, faithful ministry for Him are inseparable.

We cannot be truly sacrificed to Him and be inactive in His work.

And, on the other hand, we cannot be truly successful in His work without being genuinely devoted to Him.

So what does genuine Christian service involve?

I. CHRISTIAN SERVICE REQUIRES AN HONEST EVALUATION

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

(Romans 12:3, NIV84)

1. the Christian life is a life of changed relationships

a. 1st, when a person comes to faith in Christ he enters into a new relationship with God

1) in vs. 1-2 of Romans chapter 12 the apostle reminds the believers in the church at Rome that they are to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable under God

2) this is not the life of the “super saint” but the normal Christian experience

b. 2nd, when a person comes to faith in Christ he also enters into a new relationship with God’s people

1) we are now part of a “community of faith” — in here there is only “we” and not “me”

2. both of these new relationships call for major adjustments in the believers thinking and attitudes

A. OUR NEW LIFE DEMANDS A NEW ATTITUDE

1. we live in a culture that celebrates radical personal-autonomy

a. radical autonomy is the trend in our society of holding “me, myself, and I” in the highest level of reverence, and authority

1) our right of self-expression has come to trump anyone else’s rights

2) and we have created a whole set of non-existent “rights” to protect our autonomy

2. in vs. 3 the apostle would have us know that the church is a very different place than society — or at least it ought to be

a.

there is no place for radical self autonomy in the Body of Christ because in the Body of Christ radical self sacrifice is the order of the day

1) a church built on the absolute virtue of each member’s self–autonomy can not last (by the way, neither will a culture)

2) it is impossible for everyone in a church to live in such a way that their autonomy is recognized, celebrated and never infringed upon

3) if you believe that church is all about having your felt needs met, and your conscience soothed, and your feelings positively engaged then move to Houston, TX and join the Lakewood Church (some of you will get that an may need to explain it to others)

3. the Apostle writes, “ … do not think of yourself more highly than you ought …”

a. if we all lived by that admonition most churches would be a very different place

1) the problem is, we do — too often — think of ourselves “too highly”

ILLUS.

Unfortunately, there are too many professing Christians who believe that they are God’s gift to their local church, and if they left the church it would simply fold up.

There have been times in my career as a pastor when I wanted to tell a church member, “Why don’t you go be a blessing to some other pastor, and congregation?”

2) we think of ourselves “too highly” because that’s what the world trains us to do, the devil encourages us to do, and the self thoroughly wants to do

a) the world says that “self-esteem” is virtually the most important attribute in a person’s life

b) the autonomy of self, and the right to govern one’s self is the supreme attribute of American culture

b. the proper response of the Christian who understands that life is all of grace freely given, that we are saved by the sheer mercy of God, is a new attitude of humility

1) Jesus said to his disciples: "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all"

a) the world says one ascends into greatness, and when you ascend to greatness others will serve you

ILLUS.

Look at the entourages that accompany important political leaders, and top-tier entertainers.

b) the Bible reveals that one descends into greatness, and when we descend into greatness there is no one we are unwilling to serve

2) it was a lesson, however, that the disciples were slow to learn, and it is a lesson we, too, are slow to learn

4. our new life demands a new attitude, and it is NOT the attitude of radical self-autonomy

B. OUR NEW LIFE DEMANDS A NEW ATTITUDE GUIDED BY FAITH

1. as Christians we are to have sober judgment toward ourselves, and also toward others

a. Paul makes the first task of the renewed Christian mind the obliteration of pride and the cultivation of humility

b. the believer is not to overvalue his abilities, his gifts, or his worth but make an accurate estimate of himself that is in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you

2. why does Paul make faith the measure of the self?

a. 1st, Paul makes faith the measure of our self-identity because the essence of faith is that it looks away from the self to Christ and treasures him as infinitely valuable and significant and worthy of esteem instead of ourselves

1) the culture would have you look in the mirror and see only self

2) the Christ would have you look in the mirror and see only Jesus

a) if Christ is more to you, you are more

b) if Christ is less to you, you are less

c) the measure of yourself rises and falls with your measure of him

b.

2nd, Paul makes faith the measure of our self-identity and self-assessment because faith is a gift of God and therefore eliminates boasting

1) if faith is the measure our self-identity then no Christian can boast over any other believer in the Church as if we had achieved something by our own strength or wisdom or virtue

2) the Apostle gives us an example of sober judgment of self when he writes to a young minister named Timothy

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

(1 Timothy 1:12–16, NIV84)

3) to think soberly is to have the divine perspective — we are slaves to God, and to each one another

4) so we place ourselves under others rather than above them

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

(Philippians 2:3–4, NIV84)

3. Humble Service in the Body of Christ Begins with an Honest Evaluation Ourselves

II.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE REQUIRES AN HUMBLE ADMISSION

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

(Romans 12:4–5, NIV84)

ILLUS.

Richard Gillard, the eldest of six children, he emigrated to New Zealand with his family when he was three years old.

Writes, "I've had almost no formal musical training.

I'm a self-taught guitarist and play mostly in a folk style."

Regarding "The Servant Song," he says it "was first published in 1978 on a record album by Scripture in Song called "Father Make Us One" and has appeared subsequently in other Scripture in Song publications including a song book entitled "Songs of Praise" which is widely used by New Zealand congregations.

We are travelers on a journey, Fellow pilgrims on the road; We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you In the nightime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear.

Sister, let me be your servant, Le me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant, too.

Brother, let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant too.

I will weep when you are weeping, When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow, Till we’ve seen this journey thro’.

When we sing to God in heaven, We shall find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together Of Christ’s love and agony.

I think Paul would have heard this hymn and said, “Yes, that’s what I’m trying to say here.”

1. why does the apostle put such an emphasis on an honest evaluation of our character and conduct?

a. because we do not belong to ourselves, we belong to a body — the Body of Christ

2. the human body is a whole mechanism and yet depends on each one of its various members, and organs to function properly

ILLUS.

According to science there are eleven major “systems” in the human body.

Structures such as the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, and a good Baptist’s favorite — the digestive system.

a. if any of the body’s systems tried to function other than the way they were intended, the body would be crippled