Title: Gifts as Members
(Explanation of Romans 91)
gift as a member
Romans 12:6-8)
Introduction: Paul, who revealed that the church of God is the body of Christ and that the saints are members of that body, is telling us here that the mission of Christians as members in the church is manifested through gifts. Just as there are many members of the one body, and each member has different functions, so also the gifts of Christians that make up the body of the church are different. Paul's logic is that by giving each person a different gift, they should fulfill their mission as members of the body of the church of God.
1. How are gifts given?
In the Church of God, we receive various gifts and ministries to fulfill our mission as members, so how do we receive these gifts?
(1) He said that He will give us according to the grace He has given us. It is said that the gifts of the office that Christians receive are not given by their own will or by their own will, but are given by God, and God gives them “according to the grace given to us.” Therefore, the gifts we receive as offices in the church are given according to the grace God has given us. Even if I have received a seemingly insignificant gift (office) in the church, I need to know that this gift is very precious because it was received according to God's grace given to me. Some of us are ignorant of the gifts we have been given. Such a thought cannot but be a vain thing that despises the grace that God has bestowed upon him.
(2) It was said that all the saints received different gifts. Not all Christians receive the same gifts or graces. The grace of salvation through Jesus Christ is the same, but the measure of grace in serving the church of God is different. God gives each person a gift according to the person's faith, according to the grace of God received, and according to the person's talent or knowledge that can be harmonized with these things, in a beneficial way for building up the church of God. In this way, God gave the office as a gift to each one according to the measure of his grace. There are countless innumerable members in our body, but none of them are useless. Just as our bodies can enjoy normal health when each one of them is faithful to the office given to them, the same principle applies to the church.
2. Discernment and Use of Gifts
Paul tells us a few things about the office we have been given as members of the body of Christ. The gift of prophecy, the gift of service, the gift of authority, the gift of almsgiving, the gift of governance, the gift of mercy, etc. This gift Paul pointed to was a listing of the parts of the body of Christ. What Paul is trying to emphasize here is what attitude should those who have received such a charismatic office serve in the Church of God? It's meant to teach you what to do.
(2) When it comes to serving, it is said to serve. The church has a holistic office of service. Perhaps this office is given to those whose measure of grace is large, and it can be seen as a gift given to those who are worthy of respect in the church. To serve means to serve others. Regarding this gift, Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27). It is not an ordinary gift to enjoy serving and serving other brothers, to have joy in being reborn for others, and to respect others above oneself.
(3) The next person to teach should be teaching. This gift can be viewed as the office of a teacher. The Church of God is a place where teaching and learning of the Word of God should continue. This is because God gives grace through his word, reveals his will through his word, and instructs us through his word. This gift is the most precious charismatic office in the Church.
(4) Those who have authority should do things with authority. This gift of authority refers to the office-bearer who counsels and comforts the saints. Today, each church has an office of priest for this office.
(5) Those who give alms should do it with sincerity. Helping others is rewarding, and the person who receives this gift is blessed. Relief comes in two ways. One is to help poor brothers with church finances, and the other is to help with one's own money. Relief is not a social work. It's God's work. To the end, we must follow God's will and have the mission of a good steward, so we must carry it out with sincerity.
Conclusion: As for the next gift to rule, those who rule should be diligent. This gift refers to the governing of the church, and today the church has chosen and established a ruling elder for this office. And finally, there is the gift of mercy. Those who have received this gift will receive a warm heart with compassion for their brothers. Therefore, they said that this work should be done with pleasure. We need to know that we are members of the church who are responsible for building the church of God by fulfilling our mission as members of Christ.