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Harnessing Gifts for God’s Glory (Romans 12:1-13)
Terry Sharbaugh, February 20, 2011Part of the The Light of the World series, preached at a Sunday service
THE PRESENTS OF YOU:
Think of five people in your life. Chances are they all bring to your life
something a little different. Something you cannot, something you are not, or something you should not.
We would have big deficiencies in our life if these people were not there. This goes the other way, too.
You bring a gift to others, so their lives have greater meaning and purpose. If you’re a Christian, your
life is dependent on others for realizing God’s purpose in your life. Conversely, their life is dependent on
your gifts, talents, and experiences. God, in His great wisdom, has brought us together into His house to
reach the will of His heart in this world. And, grace of all grace, He does it through His people. There is
no Plan B. We’re it!
Romans 12:1-13
12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (ESV (http://www NULL.esv NULL.org))
(http://itunes NULL.apple NULL.com/us/podcast/durhame-org-podcasts-from/id413880390?uo=4)