Title: A New Way of Thinking

Text: Rom 12:3-8

Date: 4-06-08.am

Passage:

Ro 12:3-8

3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NASB

Introduction:

Last week we talked about commitment. The believers commitment to living a righteous lifestyle in response to the mercy of God. Paul told us not to be molded or shaped by the world. Instead we are to be transformed or changed completely by the renewing or renovation of our minds. Our life style changes because the way we think about things changes. When we make that total commitment to Christ to become living sacrifices we are to yield ever aspect of our lives to Him including our thought process. That doesn’t mean we close our minds it means we open our minds to see and understand, as much as humanly possible, things the way God sees them.

Paul in the verses we look at this morning shows three areas where we are to change how we think or to think in a new way.

I. A new/right way of thinking about ourselves. V. 3

3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; NASB

Paul is writing to a unique group in Rome. First there are the Jews who are proud of their spiritual heritage. They are after all God's chosen people. The Law was given to them, the Messiah, the Savior of the world came through them. Now obviously not every Jewish person felt this way, but spiritual pride it characterized the Jewish culture. On the other hand there were those in the church at Rome who were Greeks and Greek culture was characterized as being culturally or intellectually elite. Then there were the Romans and Roman culture was characterized as being politically elite. And we can assume there were also other external things that were also used to determine self-worth.

How are we then to think about ourselves? The issue of self-esteem, or how we think about ourselves, is a very important issue in today’s society. There is nothing wrong with having a positive or good self-image verse 3 indicates we ought to have a high regard for ourselves. The issue of proper self-esteem is two-fold. First what we use to base our self image on and secondly how we use it.

In our society we most often use external things to gain esteem for ourselves or bestow esteem on others, such as looks, money, intellect, position, talent, athleticism, race, nationality or a combination of those. You can probably think of some additional ones. These external things may vary from culture to culture. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of those things. The question is should we be using external things as the means by which we determine our sense of self-worth or should external things keep us from having good self-image. I think the biblical answer is no and I’m going to address that in just a minute.

First lets look at the negative side of self-esteem. Paul addresses that and says we are not to be prideful or conceited in our evaluation of ourselves. That can take two forms. One is prideful self-elevation or bragging, and the flip side of that is putting others down. The Bible gives us a classic example of that in Lk 18:9-14. We looked at this passage not long ago, verse 9 is the key to the parable.

Lk 18:9-14

9 And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. 11 "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. 12 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' 13 "But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted." NASB

Instead of pride Paul says we are to rightly think of ourselves using sober judgement in our self-evaluation.

3b but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

We should have a good self-image but we are to do this with sound judgement, with the measure of faith given by God.

There are two views of what Paul means by measure of faith. From my study I have concluded the word measure here does not refer to an amount of faith. In other words Paul is not saying that if my faith is strong I can rightly evaluate myself, if it’s weak I can’t. Rather it means standard. "The idea is that God has allotted to each believer a standard of faith or a means by which to measure ourselves — and that standard is Christ. This standard comes through the outward proclamation of the Scriptures not only the preaching of the Word but also the personal reading and study of the Bible and through the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit.

The essential element in how we ought to think of ourselves comes as a result of our relationship with God through Christ. A proper self- image comes not from external things but from valuing ourselves as God values us. This kind of self-estimate comes from an acknowledgment that we are forgiven sinners. When we come to the realization that God loved us even enough to die for us we learn to view ourselves as persons of worth.

First, we understand from the Bible that as humans, we are the crowning of Gods creation and we are created in the image of God. That's important for all people. We are intentionally created, we are human by design, and by purpose.

Second, We understand God’s love for us. Again this is important in establishing the self-worth of all people. 1 Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

Paul said in chapter 5:6-8 . . . Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Those two concepts are the basis of our commission to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Third, When I understand God's love and accept by faith His provision for my sin and by faith I’m brought into a right relationship with God through Christ, I am given the very Spirit of the Living God to dwell within me.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

When I understand this and make Christ my standard I no longer need to find my self-esteem from external things or by comparing myself to others. I no longer have to be as smart as rich as attractive as talented as someone else. I have worth because God has given me worth. This has been at the heart of what Paul has been saying all along. The Jew is not better than the Gentile; the Gentile is not better than the Jew all have sinned and all fall short of God's glory and all are dependent on God for life.

This realization about ourselves should also moves us to a right way of thinking about others and particularly as Paul is talking about here fellow believers. This self understanding isn’t achieved in a vacuum, it comes in relationship to the entire body of Christ.

II. Right thinking about other believers v.v. 4-5

When I see myself in the light of God's love, I am set free to view others in the light of His love also. It keeps me from being prideful.

In all societies there is a class system. In some societies it is more evident than in others, such as the caste system in India. with the Brahman at the top and the untouchables at the bottom of the list. The classes generally don't mix or they are not permitted to mix and there is usually no movement between classes.

In many societies including our own there is a “unofficial” class system. It isn’t as unyielding as the caste system but never the less there are classes which are often based on socioeconomic status; people are ranked or classified based on what they do and how much wealth they have, their race and even where they live. Sometimes that happens even within the church and that’s where Paul is addressing the issue. He’s not addressing society he is talking to the church. In the church there is to be no class system.

Paul uses the illustration of the human body to show that within the body of Christ we must have a right way of thinking of each other.

Rom I2:4,5 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

In the body the eyes have their purpose, the hands have their purpose. My eyes can see my computer screen and read the instructions my hands cant do that. If I close my eyes and put my hands up in from of the screen I can't read the instructions. But my eyes can't manipulate the mouse or use the keyboard so not matter how long I might sit and stare at the keyboard and I have done that nothing gets done. It’s the same with the other parts of my body each has its own function, but they are all part of the same body. In the same way, we are all part of the same in the body of Christ.

Paul goes into a more detail illustration of this in 1 Cor 12:12

We who are many form one body. This applies in a general sense to the universal church all believers everywhere form one body. For example the Duarte’s and the Santos families in Brazil, Dorcas in Peru, other believers in Lincoln.

More specifically, however, Paul is addressing the local congregation - that local body of believers meeting a specific place such the church at Rome or Bethel Baptist Church. We who are many form one body and we each have a function within the body. There is no hierarchy of importance, and there are no unimportant parts. Just as the body functions more efficiently and more effectively when all of the parts work together doing what they are called to do, the body of Christ performs more efficiently and effectively when all its members are working together for the body.

Again think of the human body. Every part has a function. The body can’t function like it is designed to do if the brain quits even if the heart is strong, and it doesn’t matter how good the brain is if the heats quits, and if both work properly and good and the arms or legs don’t work. That doesn’t mean the body can’t continue to do things it’s just not as efficient or as effective as it could be or as it should be. And the same is true of the church.

Read carefully the last portion of verse 5. Paul wrote, each member belongs to all the others. As a body of Christ we form a unity - we who are many form one body. If we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation we share the same nature. In Jn 15:5 Jesus said I am the vine and you are the branches we derive our spiritual life from the same source.

Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. We are a diverse congregation not just in the occupations we have or the places we live, but in functions we have within the body. All are not hands, all are not eyes, but each is unique and each is necessary. Not all of us have the same passions or interests. But, in our unity and our uniqueness there is a bond.

It’s like the Song:

We are one in the bond of love

We have joined our spirit with the spirit of God

We are one in the bond of love.

We belong each one to the other.

1 Cor12:25-27 says there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. Paul says we (collectively) are the body of Christ, and each one of us (individually) is a part of the body.

Because of that relationship we are to love one another and care for one another be in prayer for one another because we are all part of the body of Christ.

That leads to the third point Paul makes. If we think right about ourselves and understand the oneness of the body, that we don’t exist for ourselves alone then we are able to develop a right way of thinking about our spiritual gifts.

Ill. A Right Way of Thinking about our Gifts v.v. 6-8

Grace not only saves and sanctifies us it also equips us with gifts for ministry- the word ministry as used in the scripture is the same word from which we get the word deacon it refers to service. For any church to fulfill its purpose, to impact its community, to follow Christ's commission and to have a positive, life changing, life fulfilling impact on individuals, not only within the church but also on those outside the church. That means we must change the way they think about gifts.

What does that mean? Within local church congregations, regardless of size, a major portion of members believe they don’t have a gift.

Paul makes three points here that are necessary for us to develop a right way of thinking not only about gifts in general but our gifts individually.

The first is that we all have gifts v. 6. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly. . .NASB

1 Cor 7:7, Paul wrote ... But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Every born again believe has been given gifts for ministry. These gifts are gifts of grace Paul says in 1 Cor 12:11 given by the Spirit to each one, just as He, the Spirit, determines.

Second the gifts we have differ. Obviously that doesn’t mean that within any particular congregation there is only on person with each gift or that there is only one gift per person. Paul gives an example of seven gifts in this passage, others are listed in 1 Cor 12 and in Eph 4. There are 19 gifts listed in these three passages, but these lists are not intended to be exhaustive; and within these and gifts there are a variety of ways in which they can be manifested. In addition to that there are some things we are all to commanded to do but some are gifted in a special way to carry out a particular ministry.

Third our gifts are to be exercised for the benefit of the body

1 Cor 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

For the common good means they are given to enable the church to fulfill it’s purpose. You see it won’t matter if my preaching were to suddenly transform into the most awe inspiring messages imaginable if we don’t have people who are willing and gifted to teach our SS classes, or if we have people will to teach our classes if we have no one willing to love and care for our children, or lead our worship or welcome our visitors or be concerned with our finances and be good stewards and pay our bills or mow our lawn or pray for our people or love one another or desire to reach the world with the gospel, or see our church be what God wants it to be.

It is also important to remember this, just because you may not have a particular gift doesn’t mean you are not to be involved in that particular aspect of ministry. I won’t go over all the gifts but as example just because you don’t have the gift of evangelism doesn’t mean you are not commanded to share your faith. And we are all to be encouragers of one another even though some may be uniquely gifted with the gift of encouragement and we are all commanded to give though for some it is a gift.

And, it won’t matter how great our gifts are if they are not being used to edify the church, being used for the common good of the body of Christ, but used to make us feel good. We are members one of another and we must work to make our church all that God has called it to be. To do all thing things God wants it to do, to reach all the people God wants it to reach. Every single one of us is important and vital and necessary for the work or ministry of this church and no one is more important than anyone else. We all have to work together as a body to be what God wants us to be.

This new way of thinking begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ, and as always we invite you to begin there in your life. It expands to a sense of belonging to one another and using our gifts for the common good. There is the challenge for the Christian; to allow God's Spirit to lead you to a new way of thinking. A way of thinking that puts self in the back seat and says Jesus is Lord of All in my life Lord of my thinking and Lord of my doing. Is Jesus Lord of all in your life this morning?