Tuesday, April 30, 2019

2019.04.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Romans 11:33-12:13

Questions for Littles: Whose wisdom is deeply rich (Romans 11:33)? Whose knowledge is deeply rich? Whose judgments are unsearchable? Whose ways are past finding out? What has no one known (Romans 11:34)? What has no one become? What has no one done first (Romans 11:35) so that the Lord has never “repaid” anyone? Of whom are all things (Romans 11:36)? Through whom are all things? To whom are all things? What is to be given unto God forever? What are we to do by the mercies of God (Romans 12:1)? What are we to present to Him? As what kind of sacrifice? What kind of service is this? To what are we not to be conformed (Romans 12:2)? By what are we to be transformed? When we live this way, what do we prove about God’s will? Through what does Paul speak in Romans 12:3? What does he tell us not to do? How does he tell us to think? What has God dealt to each of us a measure of? What do we, as many members, form all together (Romans 12:4-5)? Of whom are we members (end of verse 5)? What gifts are listed in Romans 12:6-13? For each one, consider whether it is a gift that only some believers have, or whether it is a gift that all believers have (parents will have to do and explain this for you). 
This week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Confession of Sin came from Romans 11:33-12:13. In this passage, we go from purpose to particulars.

We go from overflowing expressions of worship (Romans 11:33-36) to an entire life of worship (Romans 12:1). Every day, we are to be offering our bodies unto God as living sacrifices.

We go from hearing about God’s deep wisdom and knowledge, and unsearchable judgments and ways (verses 11:33-36), to living according to God’s Word, and making our lives a testimony to how perfect His will is (Romans 12:2).

We go from the reminder that everything is gift from God and for God (Romans 11:36Romans 12:1Romans 12:3) to living that way (Romans 12:4-13). This is the ultimate meaning of spiritual “gifts”—not that we each have one or two or more special things that are gifts—but that these things (and everything else about us!) are gifts from God. But they’re not gifts to us—they are gifts to the church!

We see in the list that some of the “gifts” are unique to some believers. Prophecy, teaching, leading. These are things that relatively few are assigned to do. But other gifts in the list are things that all believers are commanded to do. Serving (“ministering” in NKJV), encouraging (“exhortation” in NKJV), generosity, showing mercy. These are things that every believer is commanded to do.

The point is this: rather than think highly of ourselves, let us realize that whatever role we have is a gift from God—even our faith was measured out to us by Him. And, since it is not from us but from Him, it does not belong to us but rather to Him. Every good thing that He puts in us or enables us to do is for His service, to His people, in His church. We are a gift from God to our brethren, and let us be sure not to withhold anything from one another that would genuinely do one another good!
What parts of church life do you not participate? How can you serve someone else in the church? How can you give someone else an opportunity to serve you?
Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH172 “Speak, O Lord”

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