Romans 12:3-8
Aug 4, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction
A. We continue in Romans chapter 12 in the New Testament
B. We are learning about seven Gifts that enable all of us as believers to meet the needs of other people in the church
C. They are called Spiritual Gifts – supernatural gifts given by the Holy Spirit to every believer, to make servants out of us.
D. We will look at each Gift and explore what are the signs that a person has a specific gift, and how to use it.
E. Because often, Christians, in this room, are not using their gifts or are wasting them, and their life becomes dry and empty, and we were not saved to be that way.
II. Background (Romans 12:3-8)
A. We are parts of one body of believers – a church! We are not “a blob of people”, but a properly assembled body of believers, fitted to an eternal purpose, greater than the sum of all the parts! A human body has lots of parts, But by themselves, they can’t do much. But together, when part of a whole body, each part does amazing things!
B. God gives Special Gifts to every believer (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Like the gift of eternal life, of your family, etc.
C. All the gifts of God are for more than just ourselves – they are so we can serve!
D. What Gifts are Available? (Romans 12:6-8)
1. 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.
a. Prophecy (Preaching) – Proclaiming the absolute truths of the Bible
b. Ministry / Helps – Supporting and serving all the needs of the brethren
c. Teaching – Instructing People in God’s words, history, promises, prophecy, etc
d. Exhorting – Urging and Encouraging people
e. Giving – giving away your money to help reach people with the Gospel
f. Governments / Ruling – Governing and Managing people and Gospel projects
g. Mercy – Showing Compassion on people who others have given up on
2. These are seven abilities, empowerments that you and I were given by the Holy Spirit of God when HE moved into our lives!
3. These simple gifts may seem unremarkable, but are what God uses to save families, build up believers, and turn nations upside down!
4. They are given so that Christians can grow and thrive, and they are so needed today!
E. Last Week we learned about the gift of prophecy – preaching! Warning about what God has said in the Bible!
F. This morning, the Gift of Teaching
III. Message – The Gift of Teaching - Instructing People
A. The Gift of Teaching (Romans 12:6-8)
1. 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.
2. I am skipping the gift of ministering on purpose. We will come back to that gift next time.
3. Paul now speaks to those that have the gift of teaching so that they start to use it
a. And he is simply saying…
b. If you have been given the gift of teaching, then you need to seek to teach
c. Like a waiters, waiting for the next opportunity to wait on a table
d. Not hesitant, or reluctant, but yearning to show someone the Gospel; to open people’s minds and eyes to the truths of the Bible
e. Acts 26:17,18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
f. What a wondeeful way to describe the work of a patient teacher – opening eyes!
g. And what wonderful results! Freeing people from darkness and Satan, and convincing them to follow the Son of God and receive the forgiveness of SINS! Halellujah!
B. Best Definition of the Gift of Bible Teaching (2Corinthians 3:12, Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech)
1. It is the God-given ability to clearly and plainly explain the kingdom of God to anyone.
2. Not with hyper technical words, or fancy words like some “teachers”
a. What do you think of this?
1) "The condition you're experiencing occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter has become weakened inappropriately allowing the retrograde flow of gastric contents, including hydrochloric acid and pepsin, into the distal esophagus. The highly acidic refluxate causes irritation to the squamous epithelium that is lining the esophagus, triggering nociceptors, resulting in the sensation of substernal burning or discomfort.”
2) What did that just describe?
3) Heartburn! Acid reflux!
4) And by the way, it is completely accurate, but worthless to the normal patient sitting there in his office.
b. Here's an example of a very technical theologian's explanation of the hypostatic union of Jesus (a real thing):
1) "The ontological coalescence of Christ's divine and human natures exist simultaneously in the singular hypostasis of the Logos. In other words, in the life of the incarnate Christ, there subsists two distinct natures—divine and human—both in one prosopon and hypostasis, without conflation, mutation, division, or separation. This all results in the anhypostasia of Christ's human nature being balanced by the enhypostasia, which affirms the real and complete humanity of Christ as it subsists in the divine person.”
2) Whew! What was all that about?
3) It is someone’s attempt to explain the fact that Jesus was both God and Man at the same time!
4) It is a correct statement. But absolutely of no value to any normal listener in a church!
c. Thank God for teachers that can make complex things about God, simple and plain, and helpful, and understood!
3. Teaching involves thoroughly explaining, and then showing, then leading, demonstrating, repeating, describing, questioning, probing, and correcting people’s understanding, so that the student understands just what God’s word says and how to do it.
4. What do people today need to learn?
a. About Jesus; about the universe; about their soul; about heaven and hell; about the coming judgment of God on this world; about the kingdom of God!
b. Matthew 28:19,20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
c. TEACHING is part of soul-winning – there is no automatic salvation of someone who does not know the truths of the Gospel – remember that it is knowing and believing the TRUTH that makes a person free
d. That is why I take time with people – I answer questions, disciple them, and help them understand the Scriptures.
5. But the Spiritual Gift of Teaching goes further:
a. The person who has this gift can’t help but show someone truth from the Bible – it is a drive, a passion, almost an obsession!
b. Listen to Act 5:17-25 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
c. People gifted with Teaching love to not only tell what Jesus did for them at Calvary, but they love trying to explain it, and answer people’s questions, and to help people understand ALL the Bible’s truths, no matter the risk!
C. Examples of the Gift of Teaching in Action
1. The Apostle Paul had this gift along with preaching (Acts 20:19-21) 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: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. In Acts 18, we find Aquila and Priscilla. (Acts 18:24-27)
a. Acts 18:24,25 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
b. Apollos had been instructed in the teachings of John the Baptist
c. He was busy proclaiming those truths
d. Apollos had the gift of teaching
e. But his understanding was incomplete – had not heard of Jesus yet
f. So, Aquila and Priscilla took him and taught him about Jesus
g. Acts 18:26-28 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he [APOLLOS] mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
h. Aquila and his wife Priscilla had the gift of teaching
i. Thankfully, Apollos had the desire to keep learning – didn’t think he knew it all
j. And so, Apollos matured and later became the pastor of the church at Corinth!
k. All because a young coupple took time to teach him!
3. An Amazing Example of Teaching - Helen Keller’s Teacher – Ann Sullivan.
a. Helen Adams Keller was born on 27 June 1880 in Tuscumbia, a small rural town in Northwest Alabama, USA.
b. Less than 2 years later, in February 1882, when Helen was nineteen months old, she fell ill. Modern day doctors think it may have been scarlet fever or meningitis.
c. Helen was, for many days, expected to die. When, eventually, the fever subsided, Helen’s family rejoiced believing their daughter to be well again.
d. However, Helen’s mother soon noticed how her daughter was failing to respond when the dinner bell was rang or when she passed her hand in front of her daughter’s eyes.
e. It became apparent that Helen’s illness had left her both blind and deaf.
f. The following few years proved very hard for Helen Keller and her family.
g. Helen became a very difficult child, smashing dishes and lamps and terrorising the whole household with her screaming and temper tantrums. Relatives regarded her as a monster and thought she should be put into an institution.
h. Then came Anne Sullivan, the daughter of Irish immigrant farmers.
1) Anne Sullivan had lost the majority of her sight at the age of five.
2) By the age of ten, her mother had died and her father deserted her. She and her brother Jimmie were sent to the poorhouse in February 1876.
3) Anne’s brother died in that poorhouse.
4) It was October 1880 before Anne finally began her education at the Perkins Institution. One summer during her time at the institute, Anne had two operations on her eyes, which led to her regaining enough sight to be able to read normal print for short periods of time.
5) Anne graduated from Perkins in 1886 and began to search for work. Finding work was nearly impossible due to her poor eyesight, but when she received the offer to work as the teacher of Helen Keller, a deaf-blind mute, she accepted it willingly.
6) On 3 March 1887 Anne arrived at the house in Tuscumbia and for the first time met young Helen Keller.
7) Anne immediately started teaching Helen to finger spell. Spelling out the word “Doll” to signify a present she had brought with her for Helen. The next word she taught Helen was “Cake”. Although Helen could repeat these finger movements she could not understand what they meant. And while Anne was struggling trying to help her understand, she was also struggling to try and control Helen’s continuing bad behaviour.
8) Anne and Helen moved into a small cottage on the land of the main house to try and get Helen to improve her behaviour. Of particular concern were Helen’s table manners. She had taken to eating with her hands and from the plates of everyone at the table like an animal.
9) Anne’s attempts to improve Helen’s table manners and make her brush her own hair and button her shoes led to more and more temper tantrums.
10) Over the coming weeks, however, Helen’s behaviour did begin to improve as a bond grew between the two. Then, after a month of Anne’s patient teaching, what the people of the time called a “miracle” occurred.
11) Helen had not yet fully understood the meaning of words. When Anne led her to the water pump on 5 April 1887, all that was about to change.
12) As Anne pumped the water over Helen’s hand , Anne spelled out the word WATER in the girl’s free hand. Something about this explained the meaning of words within Helen, and Anne could immediately see in her face that she finally understood.
13) Helen herself later described the incident: “We walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the fragrance of the honey-suckle with which it was covered. Someone was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the word WATER, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten, a thrill of returning thought, and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me.”
14) Helen immediately asked Anne for the name of the pump to be spelt on her hand and then the name of the trellis that was next to it. All the way back to the house Helen learned the name of everything she touched, and also asked for Anne’s name. Anne spelled the name “Teacher” on Helen’s hand. Within the next few hours Helen learnt the spelling of thirty new words.
15) Remember, Helen was both deaf and blind – living in a silent, dark world!
16) Helen’s progress from then on was astonishing. Her ability to learn was far in advance of anything anybody had seen before in someone without sight or hearing.
17) It wasn’t long before Anne was teaching Helen to read, firstly with raised letters and later with braille, and Anne taught Helen to write her own stories with both ordinary and braille typewriters.
18) Oh that Christians would take their ministry of teaching so far!
4. The greatest example of the Gift of Teaching was found in Jesus (Matthew 5:1,2)
a. Matthew 5:1,2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…
b. Jesus was a Master Teacher – THE greatest teacher who ever lived
1) Jesus taught out of love and compassion for His audience (Mark 6:34). Teaching was not a career, or a job to do. It was a love!
2) He taught with authority (Matthew 7:29) – not guessing, not being timid and worrying about people’s feelings, but having rock-solid truths from the Bible.
3) He taught using every means and help available: He used parables, object lesions, allegories and simple stories that were full of infinite truths (Mark 4:2)
4) He taught through His life (Luke 11:1) – Jesus showed people how to pray, how to forgive, how to love, how to serve, all by His own example!
c. He was BETTER than Aristotle, who is called by historians “The First Teacher” and who is known for his contributions to the world of philosophy.
d. Better than Maria Montessori, whose education method is frequently used to this day. Have you ever heard of Montessori schools?
e. And better than any other teacher throughout time
D. Distinctives - People with this gift are:
1. This is how to Tell if you have the Gift of Teaching.
2. Are you Organized? You will seek to communicate information clearly / plainly so the listener can understand it.
3. Do you love to Study?
a. They love to study and learn new things from the Bible – you may have loads of commentaries and Bible handbooks, and helpful study tools to help you understand what the Scriptures is saying. That is a sign you love learning and love to teach what you learn.
b. They prepare themselves through extended times of study and reflection in God’s word, and on any subject they may have to teach. They derive great delight from studying and researching, and are strongly motivated to share what they learn.
4. Are you Thorough?
a. If you have the gift of Teaching, you will be thorough in your study of Scripture (2Tim 2:15) – truths will never just come naturally to you. You work through truths, step by step.
b. You will Verify facts. Never jump to quick conclusions. You won’t believe things until you have verified them as actual truth.
c. Do you want others to understand not simply the conclusion, but the steps leading up to it? Good. teachers desire to help people think things through. Teachers USED to do this. Not anymore!
d. Teachers seek to absolutely know the truth, so they test themselves, and ask the questions that others will ask, and make sure they are right before they teach something! They give attention to details and accuracy – not feelings and fears. This is what gives them their authority when teaching!
5. Are you Bible-addicted? Teachers read a lot of books, and learn a lot of things, but we study THIS Book most! Because, with this gift comes a strong desire to know what God has said about subjects. The best teachers are not fools and don’t reject the obvious facts that point to a Creator God, and the need for the Bible in education.
a. Listen to what Noah Webster said about how important the Bible is in education. Noah Webster was a devout Christian. Webster considered education “useless without the Bible.” He wrote, “In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed. No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”
b. Listen to what Martin Luther said about the need for the Bible in education. He believed the Bible ought to be central to all education. Luther knew the obligation Christian parents have to train their children in the faith, and this begins in the lower levels of education: “Above all, the most important and most usual teaching, in both the universities and the lower schools, ought to be concerned with the Holy Scriptures . . . Oh! how unwisely we deal with our poor young folk, whom we are commanded [by God] to train and instruct [Prov. 22:6]! But we shall have to give a serious account of our stewardship, and explain why we have not set the Word of God before them . . . We fail to notice the present pitiful distress of the young people. Though they live in the midst of a Christian world, they faint and perish in misery because they lack the gospel in which we should be training and exercising them all the time.”
c. Luther continues… “I would not advise anyone to send his son to a place where the Holy Scriptures do not come first. Every institution, where the Word of God is not taught regularly, must fail. That is why we observe the kind of people who are now and will continue to be in the universities . . . I greatly fear that the universities are but wide-open gates leading to hell, as they are not diligent in training and impressing the Holy Scripture on the young students.”
6. Are you Burdened?
a. They love thier audience. A teacher yearns to see people converted to God’s way of thinking and living – not become just moral, but Biblical in their living.
b. They focus on changing lives by helping others understand the Bible better. Not just accumulate facts like Wikipedia. Truth is presented not simply to share knowledge but with the goal that God will transform the hearer’s life.
7. Are you Timid? Afraid of speaking? Of being wrong? That is normal. All the gifts require us to totally depend upon the GIVER of the gift – the Holy Spirit, to do what God asks!
E. What Can Gifted Teachers Do? What could YOU get involved in?
1. Teaching Children’s Church – explaining the wonderful things of God to children
2. Youth Leaders – they need to good teachers, not just fun, or exciting
3. Church Elders – every mature believer needs to be able to teach others (2Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.)
4. Writers – people who write pamphlets and books about the truths of Scripture
5. Leaders of home Bible studies and Discipleships – capable of answering questions
6. Ladies Ministry Leaders – able to nurture young women to maturity and stability
7. Soul-winning and evangelism – to make sure we are all well-equipped to go and present the Gospel
8. Help to Parent Parents – parents need help in training up their children
IV.A Heart to Heart
A. The truth about all the gifts:
B. Gifts are meant to be used.
1. You use God’s gifts of service because they were meant to be used, not hidden, or supressed.
2. Just start using your gift!
3. None of us are perfect in the USE of our gift. We preachers HAVE to learn how to preach well; Teachers have to learn how to explain well. Ministers and servants have to learn how to serve well!
C. They will be unappreciated. People will sit in church and not do a thing you say, and will be distracted while you teach, and will argue every point. So what?
D. Do everything for God!
1. You do it for God. You do it for Jesus. You do it for the audience, for the people. Not for their praise. But for their need to know the word of God.
a. Paul is speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus
b. Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
c. Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
d. Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
2. Jesus told Peter to feed my sheep. That means to teach them, to take them through the scriptures, to show them where they are wrong and how to get right.
3. John 21:15,16 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
E. Don’t try and be a success.
1. Most Christians already know that they are gifted in one of these areas, but don't see it as something they're supposed to use in church to one another. Oh, they know how to be merciful at work or how to teach co-workers, or school mates, but not use their gifts in church and not with each other.
2. And the devil has convinced so many people that they cannot teach when the truth is, we judge our abilities by our successes.
3. And just because somebody maybe doesn't like your style or your tone or your crudeness does not matter because you are supposed to use your gift.
F. Leave the results to God.
1. If you ever get the privilege of teaching something to your children or something to your wife or to your husband, then just teach what God says do and leave the results up to God.
2. It will seem like all you are doing is failing, but we cannot fail if we are doing everything for others, and especially out of love for God!
G. Don’t ignore the teachers God gives you – they are God’s gift to you
1. Men are supposed to teach men
2. Older ladies are a gift to the younger women
3. And by-the-way, Ladies, your husband is God’s gift to you too! You are supposed to let your husband teach you.
4. 1Corinthians 14:34,35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
5. So, Ask him. Respect your husband’s effort to teach you and your family. Don't just ask the pastor. We have far too many questions for the pastor when it is the responsibility of the husband to get the answer and then he go ahead and teach his children and his wife.
6. So ladies, let your husband teach you. I know he wants to! It is built into him.
V. Conclusion
A. There are no gift-less Christians. Every born again Christian has both the Spirit of God in them, and a Spiritual gift to serve God with.
1. If you are born again – then you have received a special gift to serve the Lord with
2. Stop expecting only the “talented” people to do things. Just start serving.
B. Discover YOUR gift and start developing it and using it! Instead of WASTING it!
1. Just do Something.
2. No one could do wrong by
a. Trying to teach someone the Gospel
b. Giving someone the Gospel
c. Serving someone
d. Encouraging someone
e. Giving away your money to help reach people with the Gospel
f. Helping Managing people and Gospel projects
g. Or, Showing Compassion on people who others have given up on
C. Even if you do not have this gift, you still are supposed to study and be able to explain salvation and the Kingdom of God to anyone who will listen!
1. 1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
2. Don’t leave it to everyone else, and to the gifted to have answers! We are responsible for explaining the Gospel to this lost world!
3. Philippians 2:15,16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
4. Could you do that? Someone may depend on you being able tomorrow! So be ready!
D. None of this matters if you do not have THE gift of God (eternal life) in you (Romans 6:23)!
1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth to save you from the GUILT and POWER of your sins and to RECONCILE you unto God Almighty.
2. Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ you will escape the wrath to come and joyfully look forward to heaven - and you'll live an overcoming life. God will be your Father instead of your enemy - but only because of something God calls a gift
3. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
4. And, that gift, feely given for the whole world was because of the blood of Jesus “...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
5. THAT is the greatest gift of all time! AND the most neglected! Most people are trying to get forgiveness by their best efforts (Ephesians 2:8,9). Some are trying to live good and clean lives (Isa 64:6). But none are without sin, and all are commanded to be born again (John 3:3). You need that gift!
E. If you have NOT been born again, today is the day
1. Because THAT is when you will start enjoying the life more abundant that Jesus promised His followers!
2. The life of a SERVANT