Two More Gifts for a Transformed Life
Romans 12:6-8
Aug 25, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction
A. Romans 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 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. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
B. Every believer has been born again on the inside, and they have been equipped (gifted) from the inside-out to serve
C. Serving, makes perfect Christians
1. No longer conformed to the world around them – the culture, the stresses, the pressures, the fashions even
2. But transformed, doing the will of God
3. I call them Perfect Christians
a. Perfect Christians are not people who don’t sin – that is our future life
b. But Christians alive today are people who have discovered that God has equipped them to live like Jesus, act like Jesus did, and become more and more like Jesus as they use the gifts God has given them
D. All of Romans 12 is focused on how a follower of Jesus Christ should use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them
1. It is supernatural – not a talent, or an ability we find easy to do. It is an enablement, a power to do whatever God wants you and me to do
2. I have taught you about three of the gifts. I will finish up by explaining the remaining four
3. Altogether, these seven gifts make ANY Christian just like Jesus. If only we all had all seven at the same time!
II. Background (Romans 12:6-8)
A. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
B. The Seven Gifts, and How They Work
1. Prophecy – Preaching
2. Ministry – Serving
3. Teaching – Discipleship
4. Exhorting – Urging, Encouraging
5. Giving – Quietly supplying other people’s needs
6. Ruling – Managing people and projects for the work of the Gospel
7. Showing Mercy – towards people who need it the most
C. If you had all these gifts, and were using them, you would be a perfect Christian! Christ-like!
D. These abilities are in all Christians in different amounts
1. God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift to build up the body of Christ and to minister in our hurting world.
2. Differing amount of abilities – my little finger is given to me to grasp things, but is not as strong as my thumb! And that is okay!
E. The main purpose why you are saved is to serve, and God gave you a spiritual ability to do that well!
F. None of the gifts are electrifying, or sensational, like the gift of healing would be if it existed today
1. They are low-level, humiliating, even embarrassing abilities that the Holy Spirit has specially equipped us with, so that we can work behind the scenes, at thew lowest levels, without reward or acclaim / praise
2. Many parts, one body… ALL ARE NECESSARY!
3. Many believers are frustrated because they are operating in an area they are not equipped to handle… Their hearts are not in it… they are not internally motivated to do it… so they get easily discouraged!
4. Every task in a church needs to be done by God’s gift in you – just use whatever gift you have to accomplish the task – don’t try and use another gift you don’t have. Do the work of the ministry, but do it with your gift! Just because you don’t have what you think is the necessary gift to do something, if you are needed, then just do what you can with the gift you have!
G. All of the spiritual gifts can be used in the workplace, in our homes, and most importantly in our church.
H. They should increase, if only we allowed ourselves to use them
1. We are called to “...desire spiritual GIFTS” (1 Cor 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2. And in doing so our desire will be to serve the body of Christ, this group of people. As the hand serves the mouth a refreshing glass of water, so we will be to our brethren as we seek to use the gift the Lord has bestowed on us. Maybe you're a finger and you will point someone to Christ as you ask this week for the Lord to use you. Maybe you're a foot and will support the body during long days of work. Maybe you're a knee and you will be used to lift someone up who is down.
I. Don’t neglect to use your gift
1. Paul wrote to Timothy where he says "Neglect not the gift that is in thee...” (1 Tim 4:14).
2. To neglect means to give it no attention. To ignore the giftings, enablement’s. To refuse to use them for the benefit of the believers in your church
III. What We Have Studied So Far
A. Preaching (Prophecy)
B. Serving (Ministering)
C. And Teaching
D. If your gift is Prophecy (the Biblical word)…
1. You will proclaim God’s view of right and wrong from the Bible alone. You will be strong with your words, firm in your convictions of right and wrong, absolute in your position. Never wavering.
2. You will always speak the truth, but in love for the hearer
3. You will not fear mockery, or persecution as you warn this generation of its sins against God
4. And you will yearn for all people to fear and worship the Lord God Almighty
E. If it is Ministry and Service
1. You will desire to meet others’ needs and hold them up when they fall.
2. You will put others ahead of yourself, doing the “yukky” things (“meniel” things), the background grunt work – even washing feet, and cleaning toilets, and making dinners
3. It is WORK that does not need much skill, and is usually poorly paid and often boring in a church
4. And yet, you will find yourself loving it
5. Because it helps others get the Gospel and grow in faith, and become strong
F. If it is Teaching
1. You will spend your life LEARNING how to help people know God’s truth so that they can be not just free from sin, but free “indeed” (John 8:32,36) – really free!
2. You will love watching people grow in their understanding of the Bible - discipleship
3. You will find yourself patient with people’s confusion, and eager to explain every question that people have
G. Let’s explore the next two gifts and prayerfully choose to start using as many of them that each of us may have for the Gospel’s sake –for Christ’s sake – and for this church’s sake!
IV.Message
A. #4 The Gift of Exhorting (Romans 12:8)
1. Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. What a wonderful word! Paul is telling those Christians who HAVE the gift of exhortation, to get busy exhorting!
3. Definition
a. To “encourage thoroughly” or to motivate someone in the right direction
b. Hebrews 3:12,13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
c. Hebrews 10:24,25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
d. To motivate through wise words and wise actions – to influence for good
e. To encourage, embolden, cheer, to advise. To excite or to give strength, spirit or courage by words or advice
f. To use words or arguments to motivate someone to good deeds.
g. The gift of exhortation is the special ability God gives to certain members of a church to minister words of encouragement, comfort, and counsel to other members of the body so that they are helped and spiritually healed.
h. Like a parent on the sidelines exhorts and encourages their child in some sport or activity
i. Only a horrible parent would criticize their child as they were struggling and tripping, and being tackled and dropping the ball!
j. Oh how we need stand up and use it
k. We have way too many critics and fault-finders and condemners in church!
4. But thankfully, Some believers have this wonderful gift! They are men and women of faith and faithfulness who constantly encourage the brethren. They are high in spirit and comfortable in trouble! I wish everyone had this gift!
5. In the Old Testament, this person would have been a counsellor – an advisor – someone who would be looked to for help with getting wisdom, making decisions, leadership and just getting encouraged when everyone else wants to quit!
6. An example is David at a very low point in his life
a. He was DESPISED by king Saul – hunted by assassins
b. He was not welcome in Israel – having to hide in caves, and in the midst of the Philistine people – his own enemies!
c. He has 600 men and all their families looking to him for leadership
d. And one day, everything went wrong
e. 1Samuel 30:1-6 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
f. THAT’S IT! THAT’S THE TURNING POINT! David encouraged himself, so that he could encourage all those men whose lives had just been destroyed by their enemy!
g. 1Samuel 30:7,8 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
h. And David DID recover all. And so did all his men
7. Here is a basic truth… People don’t grow spiritually naturally – no one coasts to maturity. They have to be encouraged, counselled, taught and prodded in their walks to keep going, never quit, always do right, and finish the course! (Proverbs 11:14) Where no counsel [ENCOURAGEMENT, WISE WORDS] is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [ENCOURAGERS] there is safety.
8. We all need some encouragement
9. Best Example is Barnabas (mentioned throughout the book of Acts). He is an example of a great Encourager
a. Not a critic but a Friend
b. He took some risks with people – everybody is taking risks with stocks and bitcoin
c. Barnabas took two big risks, because he believed in them
1) First was with this killer named Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-6, 19-28)
a) Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
b) Act 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
c) Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
d) Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
e) Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
f) Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
g) Act 9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
h) Act 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
i) Act 9:21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
j) Act 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
k) Act 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
l) Act 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
m) Act 9:25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
n) Act 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed [ATTEMPTED] to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
o) Act 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
p) Act 9:28 And [AFTER THAT] he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
q) Nobody, and I mean NOBODY believed that Saul was really saved, and no longer a killer!
r) So, they ran from him – wouldn’t believe it
s) Yet Barnabas risked believing in Saul’s testimony
t) And he brought Saul into the church in Jerusalem, and made him feel welcome, and got all the Christians there to trust Saul
u) What a great friend Barnabas was to Saul of Tarsus
v) The great Apostle Paul owes his life of service to Barnabas’ encouragement again and again!
w) There was another time when Paul was so discouraged that Barnabas travelled 1,000 miles to go find Paul and get him back into the Gospel ministry!
2) The second risk was with John Mark (Acts 12:25; 15:36-41)
a) Barnabas and Saul decide to take a young man named John Mark along to try and train him in the ministry (Acts 12:25) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
b) But John Mark quickly found out just how hard it was being a Missionary and gave up – he went back home to Jerusalem
c) Later, Barnabas tries again with John Mark, and Paul would have none of it – John had turned back and so he was not trustworthy – not reliable
d) Act 15:36-41 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus
e) But Barnabas was willing to break fellowship with Paul in order to believe in John Mark
f) And, by the way, Barnabas was right about John Mark – he is used by God to write the Gospel of… “Mark”
g) And even Paul, many years later publicly admits that John Mark is a blessing to him
h) 2Timothy 4:9-11 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
10. If your gift is Exhortation, you will rally behind people that others have given up on, and urge them to run and to keep running, and will even run along with them if need be so that they finish their course!
11. Will someone start doing that, TODAY?
12. Thank God for Barnabas’s who risk THEIR reputation on people who have been given up on
B. #5 The Gift of Giving (Romans 12:8)
1. Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. Every believer is to be a giver (Acts 20:34,35)
a. Acts 20:34,35 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
b. Giving to the poor
c. Giving to their church
d. Giving to Missionaries
e. But not every believer has the Gift of Giving, which goes well beyond normal giving
3. The Special Gift of Giving
a. Is the act of transferring ownership of something to someone else without compensation or reward.
b. It is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to contribute their material resources (money, time, talents) to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness and simplicity.
c. It is the supernatural ability where Jesus channels through you the meeting of the needs of the believers, whether individual, or together as a group
d. Matthew 14:15,16 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
e. It is the ability to provide for the financial and material needs of the church and its people, with no strings attached, joyfully, and without regret.
f. It is being generous instead of stingy
g. It is referred to as being open-handed, instead of being tight-fisted
h. It has the attitude of willingly sharing what you have to meet someone else’s need
i. In Christianity, it is the drive to give things and money away without fear or regard of your lack, out of a deep sense of appreciation towards God
j. This person does not give expecting praise for it. He or she asks nothing in return. They give for the sheer pleasure of ministering to the family of God in this way.
k. And this person doesn’t give until it hurts – they give until it helps!
4. Characteristics of People with this Gift - A person with this supernatural gift is usually:
a. Charitable, Generous, Hospitable – they are very comfortable with giving away their money to people’s needs
b. Disciplined, Frugal, Careful, Responsible with their money – they are very careful in their spending habits – they actually PLAN to give, and set aside money for the next available opportunity to give
c. Resourceful – they are good at figuring ways of making money to be able to give more – side jobs, bake sales, buying and selling things from ebay
d. These kind of Christian people make sure they always have something to give behind the scenes to those who have special financial needs
e. And they do so “with simplicity.” That means they do so in such a way as to remain anonymous most of the time. They simply slip money into the hands of the recipient or get the money to them without them knowing.
f. They are exercising their Gift of Giving.
5. Why? To meet someone else’s need
6. Three Examples of People with the Gift of Giving
a. The Widow Woman and her Two Mites (Mark 12:41-44)
1) Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
b. The churches of Macedonia (2Corinthians 8:1-5)
1) 2Corinthians 8:1-5 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord,
2) The churches on the rea called Macedonia loved to give money to help Paul keep doing what he was doing – preaching the Gospel for free!
3) They gave liberally out of deep poverty – a great contradiction!
c. Christians in Philippi (Philippians 4:15-19)
1) Philippians 4:15-19 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall [NOW] supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2) So, now God will supply all your needs ALL BECAUSE YOU PHILIPPIAN CHRISTIANS JOYFULLY and SIMPLY MET MY NEEDS!
3) It is a spiritual law – you take care of others, and God will take good care of you!
V. Summary and Conclusion
A. What Paul is describing in this chapter is the changed life a Christian has been empowered to live – the transformed life
1. Transformed from attention-seeking, selfish, self-centred, self-serving
2. To an invisible, selfless servant!
3. That is what it means to be Christian… Christ-like
4. To live the life of a servant of all
B. Whatever gift God has given you to serve with, Neglect not the gift that is in you
C. Do you even know what gift God has put in you?
1. The gift of preaching, witnessing, presenting God’s absolute truths?
2. Ministry – doing the “yukky” things (“meniel” things), the background grunt work
3. Teaching – taking the time to helpo people grow in their understanding of the Bible - discipleship
4. Or maybe it is Exhorting – Urging, Encouraging
5. Or Giving – Quietly, simply supplying other people’s needs
D. There are two more gifts to learn about next week
1. Ruling – Managing people and projects for the work of the Gospel
2. Showing Mercy – towards people who need it the most
E. Are you willing to use that gift so that other Christians can be helped and encouraged and strengthened?
1. Will you start to beg God to FILL your life with His Holy Spirit so that your gift is at work instead of just your talents?
F. Church is the best place to start!
G. If you don’t know what it means to be born again of the Spirit of God, please come talk with me after church – your soul is at stake!