Who am I (My Identity in Christ)
Notes
Transcript
Paul opened his message in Chapter 12 with a clear call to live a sacrificial life and moves to the crucial thought that we be not conformed to this world.
Paul opened his message in Chapter 12 with a clear call to live a sacrificial life and moves to the crucial thought that we be not conformed to this world.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
Once we see the magnitude of what Christ has done for us and the responding desire we should have in our service to Him Paul answers the question of....
Once we see the magnitude of what Christ has done for us and the responding desire we should have in our service to Him Paul answers the question of....
Who am I (My Identity in Christ)
Who am I (My Identity in Christ)
One night while Mark was driving with his wife he did what many of us do.... he zoned out and began to have a time of fellowship and worship with God. During that time Mark began to think of Who he was, just a boy from Alabama to just call up to God whenever he wanted, from the middle of nowhere, and expect God to hear him?
One night while Mark was driving with his wife he did what many of us do.... he zoned out and began to have a time of fellowship and worship with God. During that time Mark began to think of Who he was, just a boy from Alabama to just call up to God whenever he wanted, from the middle of nowhere, and expect God to hear him?
Mark immediately was struck with the thought that though he was a new creation, more than a conqueror... that he also was no more than grass, that is rises up and is gone in a day.
Mark immediately was struck with the thought that though he was a new creation, more than a conqueror... that he also was no more than grass, that is rises up and is gone in a day.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
Mark Hall of Casting Crowns
Mark Hall of Casting Crowns
Most Christians who dig deep into their Christianity have similar moments when it becomes overwhelming clear that God has done something beyond amazing in their lives and it becomes equally clear that they are beyond undeserving. Those are the moments that go on to define how we live within that understanding. May my service to God be in relation to what God has done for me in spite of who I am.
Most Christians who dig deep into their Christianity have similar moments when it becomes overwhelming clear that God has done something beyond amazing in their lives and it becomes equally clear that they are beyond undeserving. Those are the moments that go on to define how we live within that understanding. May my service to God be in relation to what God has done for me in spite of who I am.
Paul not only has considered this in his own life but writes to the Church at Rome so that they also may have a clear understanding of who they are.
Paul not only has considered this in his own life but writes to the Church at Rome so that they also may have a clear understanding of who they are.
Paul begins this portion of Chapter 12 with a call to Diversity
Paul begins this portion of Chapter 12 with a call to Diversity
A big word in our society today but definitely not used as Paul is using it here.
A big word in our society today but definitely not used as Paul is using it here.
In our society diversity calls for a equal balance between men and women, between young and old and between the multiple skin colors that make up America.
In our society diversity calls for a equal balance between men and women, between young and old and between the multiple skin colors that make up America.
Paul however is calling us to recognize who we are now that we have, as verse 1 says, “presented our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God”.
Paul however is calling us to recognize who we are now that we have, as verse 1 says, “presented our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God”.
Paul thought it so important this diversity that he spoke of it in three separate epistles.
Ephesians, 1 Corinthians and in our Passage today Romans 12:3-8
In the 1 Corinthians passage he even warns of not having this diversity.
In the 1 Corinthians passage he even warns of not having this diversity.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
But the real thrust of that passage comes in the the next verse
But the real thrust of that passage comes in the the next verse
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
“each one of them”
“each one of them”
So lets read what Paul has to say
So lets read what Paul has to say
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.
Paul opens his declaration of who we are in Christ with this warning
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
1. Paul makes it very clear that “In Christ” there are no levels
1. Paul makes it very clear that “In Christ” there are no levels
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Think of Hinduism
Think of Hinduism
Lowest Cast (Actually Outcast or not in a cast (Untouchables): Beggars, Homeless, Lowly dirty jobs
Lowest Cast (Actually Outcast or not in a cast (Untouchables): Beggars, Homeless, Lowly dirty jobs
Sudra: Common People and Servants
Sudra: Common People and Servants
Vaishya (Vii see Ya): Merchants and Landowners
Vaishya (Vii see Ya): Merchants and Landowners
Kshatryia (Sha tri a): Warriors and Kings
Kshatryia (Sha tri a): Warriors and Kings
Bhramin (Bra min): Priest and Academics
Bhramin (Bra min): Priest and Academics
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Fatalism (no chance to change your level)
In Christ there are no levels and all are called to an equal service within separate positions
In Christ there are no levels and all are called to an equal service within separate positions
This implies rightly that we are all called into Godly service.
Paul does this by himself prostrating himself before the grace that has called him to the position of leadership and authority he holds.
Paul does this by himself prostrating himself before the grace that has called him to the position of leadership and authority he holds.
Paul finds within his authority no room to allow himself to be above any other believer.
Paul finds within his authority no room to allow himself to be above any other believer.
Heres how he said it to the young Pastor Timothy
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
2. But what we do have, how we serve is by our “measure of faith”
2. But what we do have, how we serve is by our “measure of faith”
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This isn’t saying to the most faithful he gives the loftiest positions.
This isn’t saying to the most faithful he gives the loftiest positions.
This isn’t saying that to the most qualified He gives the most visible offices.
This isn’t saying that to the most qualified He gives the most visible offices.
Likewise it doesn't mean the more menial responsibilities are of lessor importance.
Likewise it doesn't mean the more menial responsibilities are of lessor importance.
It means that your faith is the inlet by which God raises you to His purpose. In laymen’s terms..... its not about you.
It means that your faith is the inlet by which God raises you to His purpose. In laymen’s terms..... its not about you.
So the first quality of a persons identity in Christ is.....
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
B. That we act as one body
B. That we act as one body
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.
1. One Body (Unique)
1. One Body (Unique)
In 1 Corinthians and Romans the human body is used as an illustration of the corporate life of Christians. How the very group of all believers should appear.
In 1 Corinthians and Romans the human body is used as an illustration of the corporate life of Christians. How the very group of all believers should appear.
But in Colossians and Ephesians the idea is carried farther.
2. In Christ
2. In Christ
In these later documents emphasis is laid on the relation which the church, as the body, bears to Christ as the head.
In these later documents emphasis is laid on the relation which the church, as the body, bears to Christ as the head.
In them there is no possibility of an ordinary member of the church being compared to the head, or to part of the head
In them there is no possibility of an ordinary member of the church being compared to the head, or to part of the head
These passages go even further to stress the unbreakable dependence of the body to the head
These passages go even further to stress the unbreakable dependence of the body to the head
3. In Christ alone
3. In Christ alone
The body doesn’t function apart from a relationship with God
The body doesn’t function apart from a relationship with God
But also the dependence we have of each other
But also the dependence we have of each other
So the first quality of a persons identity in Christ is.....
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
A. Not to be high minded due to the position he has called us into.
B. That we act as one body
B. That we act as one body
C. That we exercise our individual gifts
C. That we exercise our individual gifts
Look at the gifts listed.
Look at the gifts listed.
Prophecy (Divine Teaching)
Prophecy (Divine Teaching)
Ministry (Full range of all ministering)
Ministry (Full range of all ministering)
Teaching (A lessor style of teaching)
Teaching (A lessor style of teaching)
Exhortation (Speaking to that which has been taught)
Exhortation (Speaking to that which has been taught)
Giving (Benevolence)
Giving (Benevolence)
Leadership (From your own house to the Church house)
Leadership (From your own house to the Church house)
Mercy (One that is good at building unity)
Mercy (One that is good at building unity)
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So we began with the attitude to be held within our diversity (not high minded)
So we began with the attitude to be held within our diversity (not high minded)
Then we looked at the picture of our heavenly diversity (Contained within One body)
Then we looked at the picture of our heavenly diversity (Contained within One body)
But here we see the function of our diversity
But here we see the function of our diversity
1. There is only one body and we see no room for abnormalities (Paralysis) within the body nor do we see and body part that is unused.
1. There is only one body and we see no room for abnormalities (Paralysis) within the body nor do we see and body part that is unused.
2. There is a purpose in their use
2. There is a purpose in their use
a. God commands
a. God commands
b. God receives the Glory
b. God receives the Glory