We Need You

Liz Hoyt · Tidal Church Moncton · June 23, 2024 · Here's Your Sign series

Liz Hoyt teaches from Romans 12:1-8 that every believer has a spiritual gift and a part to play in the body of Christ. She encourages everyone to humbly use their gifts in service, because the church needs each person.

More from Liz Hoyt · The Here's Your Sign series

Topics: Purpose, Mission & Outreach, Discipleship

Transcript

[0:01] Good morning, everyone. How are you doing? It's been a great space we've been in already this morning. I hate to break that, and I hope that we don't, because we know the Spirit is here with us. But we know that bumper, that quick video, talked about clarity. Anyone here ever needing clarity in life? Let me tell you, all should probably need your hands up, because I know we've all need clarity. Anyone ever needing understanding? Mm-hmm. Well, this morning we're finishing the last of our series. Just a sec. I gotta swallow my gum. You're just like, it's like everywhere in my mouth there. We're better now. So this is the fourth of our four-part series that we've been doing, and we've been kind of parked out in Romans, the first little bit of chapter 12.

[0:48] But actually, on that gum note, why don't we pray? So, dear God, we just thank You so much that You have already met us here this morning. And God, I love You for who You are and how You have been a part of my life, and You have brought clarity and understanding when there have been times that I have not had it. And I pray today, as hopefully Your Word will speak through me, that You would speak to each of us in a new and a different way. In Jesus' name, amen. So week one, we had Pastor Jeremy, who spoke on the first part of verse 1 and what God has done for you and for me, and our response to that salvation, making a commitment.

[1:35] Then we had Pastor Dave. He followed up the following week with living sacrificial lives, sold out to Christ, maintaining that commitment. Then we had Pastor Austin, our third week. He shared on knowing God's will for our life, understanding that commitment. So actually, let's read right now the first couple verses just to kind of refresh our memories in Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. Therefore, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice, alive, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. Two, do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God, what is good and well pleasing and perfect.

[2:33] So making a commitment, maintaining a commitment, understanding that commitment. And today we wanna talk about living out that commitment. So as we move from verses 1 and 2 to verse 3 and beyond, I just wanna talk about the commitment and response that God has done for us and how it reflects in our lives. And what are some natural responses of worship and service and sacrificial living that we have? And what are some things that flow out of the plan that God has for our lives? So, very important verses for us as believers, because it's asking us to live sacrificial lives, and because of His sacrificial gift that He has given to us, as we live out our plan that He has given us, promoting a posture of humility and transformation.

[3:36] One of complete surrender, living sacrificial lives out of love, not out of duty, sold-out surrender that is reflected in our everyday lives of service. Making a commitment, maintaining that commitment, understanding that commitment, and living out that commitment. So what does sold-out sacrificial lives in our everyday lives mean? What does living out that commitment mean for us? Well, for each of you, it actually can mean very different things. Clearly, as we will see in verse 6 and beyond, which we will look at later, He has equipped us and created us all extremely differently.

[4:26] Therefore, our acts of service, our sacrificial living, it will look similar. They all should point to Christ, but they will all look very different for each of us. So actually, let's take a look at Romans chapter 12, verses 1 to 8. And we're gonna keep verses 1 and 2 in there just for context's sake. Therefore, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice, alive, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. For by the grace given to me, I say to every one of you, mm-hmm, not to think more highly of yourselves than you ought to think.

[5:19] I don't like that verse, by the way. But to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to you, each of you, a measure of faith. For just as in one body we have many members and not all the members serve the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve. If it is teaching, he must teach. If it is exhortation, he must exhort.

[6:04] If it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity. If it is leadership, he must do so with diligence. If it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness. So I just wanna actually pick apart verse 3 and beyond for better understanding for what Paul is talking about in the verses. But first, if we just give a kind of a quick, high-level view of those verses, where I could point out two different things. Paul is asking the Romans to handle their talents with humility, not just in relationship to one another, but also in relationship to God. And second, we are meant to operate not as individuals, but as the body of Christ, working together in faithful, sacrificial service to God.

[7:01] So verse 3: "For by the grace given to me, I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to you, each of you, a measure of faith." Now, it is hard for us to give advice without seeming superior. Just ask my three children, they will tell you that. And that is what Paul is countering here when he was talking about in verse 3. He is trying his best not to sound superior in any way. And he's identifying with his readers, the Romans, that he is reliant on God's grace in the midst of his imperfectness. As you will see often through his writings, he talks about how imperfect he really is.

[7:47] And in his humility, he is creating unity with his listeners. He's setting the stage to tell us that each one of us possesses gifts that are equal in value, that there is not one gift, that there is not one person that is more superior than the rest, that there is not one of us in here that is more superior than the other. And there is not one gift that you have that is more superior or inferior than somebody else's. And we need to understand that not one person should elevate themselves above others. And whenever one person believes that their position is more important or that they are more than anyone else, it actually creates a divide in our church, and that works against our unity.

[8:47] It is a lack of humility that creates disunity. The very thing we're fighting against, it is our humility that keeps everything in check. It is humility that creates unity. Moving on to verse 4, for just as in one body we have many members and not all the members serve the same function. Because just as an eye is not a foot and a foot is not a hand. We are created equal in the function of the body, the body of Christ. And we do not all have the same function. If we play our part humbly, we create unity within our body, within this body, within this church, for each part gets its meaning.

[9:35] Each of us gets our meaning from the whole, not the other way around. If we move on to verse 5, so who are we? So we who are many are one body in Christ. And individually we are members who belong to one another. The body of Christ, the physical body of believers, that's you. Those that are followers of Jesus make up what, what we would call the body. And within this body we find meaning, we find purpose when we function together as the body of Christ. And we serve with one another when we do life with one another, not as individuals acting individually and by ourselves and thinking as though our part is more important, not as individuals raising ourselves above others, not as individuals looking for all the glory, but as one body, one team serving humbly alongside one another in unity.

[10:53] We are all, all of us. We're on the same team. We are all on the same team with the same purpose, to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God for the glory of God as we bring the good news to those around us. So how do we do this? What does this look like for each of us? Well, different but the same, if we continue on to verses 6 and 8, Paul sheds more light on how God has equipped each of us with spiritual gifts. And if you actually looked for a definition in the Bible, you don't specifically see a definition in the Bible, but you can actually find the definition in the words and clues that are given in the function of what a spiritual gift is.

[11:44] And a definition actually that came from Don Stewart that I liked. He's a commentator for the Blue Letter Bible. And he said the nature of the gifts is revealed in the various words used to describe them. Spiritual gifts are abilities that God gives to us as believers for service in the church, the body of Christ. They are spiritual gifts or gifts that operate in the realm or sphere of the Holy Spirit, while the source of each spiritual gift is God. This does not necessarily mean that a spiritual gift is the ability to do something supernatural. Spiritual gifts are natural characteristics that are heightened by the Spirit and are given to believers for the service in the church, the body of Christ.

[12:40] Paul, in the following verses, share a few of what we see as spiritual gifts. If we continue with verses 6, 7, and 8, and we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve. If it is teaching, he must. If it is exhortation, he must. And if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity. And if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence. If it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness. So prophecy and serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership. But if we actually popped over to 1 Corinthians and Ephesians, two more books actually written by Paul, and he talks more about spiritual gifts.

[13:32] So it kind of creates an entire long list. So if we look at 1 Corinthians chapter 12, first four to one, four to 11, the gum. No, it's not my gum that's stuttering me. It's also my bad eyesight. This is why I write it slightly bigger in my Bible so I actually can see. Now there are various varieties of gift, but the same Spirit, different but the same. There are varieties of service but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowered them all in everyone.

[14:24] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. And we won't read it right now, but if you even would go to Ephesians 4, it's where God talks about where He talks about, some are apostles, some are prophets, some evangelists, some as pastors and some as teachers.

[15:14] So how are you using your gifts? You all have them. You do know that, right? You all have spiritual gifts as a believer of Christ, as a follower of Jesus. You all have gifts and God has gifted each one of you. Maybe you don't know what your gifts are and you feel like you're floundering and just waiting for them to be revealed to you. And actually I know they talked about that in pre-service where talked about spiritual gifts. And if you're wondering what your spiritual gift might be, there's actually a test that you can take. You can scan the QR code, it'll take you to one that we actually have been using as a church as a whole, that you can discover what your spiritual gifts can be. And some of you have done these tests and they have been super helpful.

[16:02] I do know that for me personally, maybe it's just 'cause I don't like tests or I don't trust the tests. I'm not sure. But I have found a few other ways that have practically helped me to discover what my spiritual gift might be. So maybe you could evaluate your gift this way. First and foremost, you could pray and ask God to reveal it to you. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you your gift, your spiritual gift. Pray. You could, two: take note of your natural abilities. He has given you these abilities for a reason. He's created you unique and created you to use these abilities.

[16:47] What are you naturally good at? Or you could do three. What are things that you are passionate about? God kind of puts this stirring and passion inside of us sometimes to the things that He calls us to. So pray about it. Take note of your natural abilities. What are you passionate about? Or three, four, listen to the affirmation from those around you. 'cause sometimes we are actually blind to our own gifts. And you might actually be surprised when you ask somebody else what they might tell you. Yours is, and last, this is my favorite. Just jump in and do it. Just jump in and get started. You don't know where, just start. Do something.

[17:32] Just jump in somewhere and serve. And as you try something out, you discover that's not really it for you. Well then, try something different. Just getting started and doing something, taking a step forward. So praying, taking note of your natural abilities. What are you passionate about? Listen to affirmation from those around you. And lastly, just jump in. Just jump in and get started. Okay, so now maybe you know where you should be serving and using gifts. Some of you already know that. Maybe you feel you are too busy for them. Your work, your family, your hobbies, they're all taking front row versus you are using the gifts that God has given you and making space for that.

[18:22] What are you making space for? Maybe you feel you've been burned and you've done your part. God gave us these gifts for a reason and wasting it away in a closet. It's not their purpose, it's a part of God's plan for your life to function in unity as the body of Christ. In humility as His church. Each one of us has a part to play on the team. Okay? So let's refer to our church, the body of Christ, as a team. You are part of the Moncton Wesleyan team, our team, and your responsibility as a believer to this team is to play your part because each player, each person has a part to play.

[19:14] And there is no one better to play that part than you. There is no one better to play that part than you, unique you, with all your special, unique ways and abilities and passions. Each person's role on the team shouldn't be undervalued, no matter the role. Each role is important and valuable to the life of our church. This team, there is no one that should be responsible to sit on the sidelines and keep the bench warm. No one. You have an active role to play in this church, on this team. So what if you were part of a soccer team that was missing a few people, a few of the positions?

[20:00] For instance, what if there was no goalie? I mean, the team could still play, granted, not very well. They would be working extra hard to make up for the position of the goalie that was missing. No big deal, right? Well, wrong. The team isn't working to its full capacity because it is missing something, someone. But when a team is working to its full capacity, it's a thing to behold. You know, you've seen those fumbling, bumbling teams that the coach is hollering from the sidelines, or those teams that just seem to work flawlessly together. Each one playing their part, working in unity, the team that can move mountains, the team that is making big moves.

[20:52] And we can be that team, and you can be a part of that team, as Pastor Jim has been talking of some cool initiatives that have ever been going on. You can be a part of that team, and maybe you have something you feel God is asking you to offer to the team. Think about it. But you can't imagine that what you have to offer is good enough or important enough. Not long ago, I was actually at a women's retreat, and at that tree, we kind of started to go around the circle talking about our spiritual gifts. And as we were going around the room sharing what we felt our spiritual gifts were, there was one lady that felt she didn't have one at all.

[21:39] It was an older lady. She felt she had no spiritual gifts, that God did not give her one. And all of her years of being a believer, she had this thought that she didn't have a part to play, that she felt she was shafted, not actually having a gift. The more that we actually dug into her story though, the more we came to realize that she actually did have a gift, as God has promised. And one that she actually had been using for years. She had been comparing herself to everyone around her and judging her gift as one that wasn't as important as everyone else's. She saw those that were on stage, those that were upfront, as having all the giftedness. "How did I not end up with a gift?" she said.

[22:29] And yet she had been faithfully serving people for years, cooking for them, checking in on them, loving them. She was loving people, serving people. And what if she hadn't used those gifts? She might have been the missing goalie of the team, because all of you are a valuable part of the team. Each one of you has value. Each one of you has gifted a spiritual gift that was meant to be used for the glory of God and on the team. And when you aren't playing your part, when you aren't fulfilling the plan God has for your life to use those gifts, your spiritual gifts He has entrusted you with, you are withholding something from the team.

[23:26] You are not living a sold out, sacrificial life for God because your church needs you. We need you. God has equipped you with a unique position to play on this team. As we say, they're all different, but it's all pointing to the same God. What are you willing to give up to give back to God? What are you willing to give up to give back to God? 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Just as each one has received a gift, as we've said, you each have received a gift. Use it to serve one another."

[24:13] What part are you playing in the life of your church? Some of you are comfortable not serving. Some of you may think, "They don't need me." Actually, let's pause for a minute, and I just wanna put on my kids' ministry hat for a minute. You know, I had to do that for a second. And let me tell you, we do need you. Last weekend, actually, Matt's, I said 22 grade three boys. He actually has corrected me, only 20 grade three boys and one man was wrangling them all. Matt, yeah, Matt is a godsend, and he's so great with those boys, and I have great respect for Will, what he is willing to do.

[24:58] And just like Matt, I can name you dozens and dozens of people who are over there in kids' ministry that are doing their part. But for us to be an effective team, we need people to step up and help. I have boys and girls that are in need of direction, leadership, connection. But this is the next rate. This is the next generation that we're talking about. This is your future church that we are talking about. And they are in need of a deep faith, a deep faith to help them withstand the pressures of this world. So it is, who is willing to step up and help? I know you think that you don't, that we don't need you, that we got it covered. Clearly not in the grade three boy class, but when some positions are missing on the team, the rest of the team can actually get discouraged.

[25:53] We need good people to not just stand on the sidelines and wave from afar. We need people, good people, to get in the trenches with us with their unique talents and gifts. And actually, later on, if you wanna talk to us more of our kids ministry, we're actually gonna be out in the atrium and I'd love to talk to you more about that. But we also need people like Steve Dobson. He didn't know we were gonna say this, but who has for the past 11 years, 11 years has come in early every Sunday morning. And I can count on less than two hands how many times he has missed. He has no thank you.

[26:41] Steven gets it. He is investing and using his gift of service to give back to kids' ministry, to give back to his church, to give back to the kingdom. You too can help out. And you don't even need to be face to face with the children if you don't want to be. You could be a home monitor, you could help with security. Come and read Bible stories to the kid or sing songs. Help with between services in the fall, pass out stickers. Is the kids coming in with a smile on your face? Greeting? I'm sure we can find a place for you, just like youth can, connections can, media can, cafe can, there is a place for all of you.

[27:27] And yes, it's hard. Good things. They've never come with sacrifice. Good things never come without sacrifice. So if we looked back to verse one, we talked about presenting your bodies as a sacrifice, alive, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. Yep. It is hard to give up our time and our energy. And guess what? I know you're tired, but it doesn't mean you get to opt out. I know that I'll, quite a few times over the past year, I've thought the same thing to myself.

[28:12] That doing what's good, what's right, and what God has called me to do is not easy. It takes energy, it takes sacrifice. But I know that the resources that I have been blessed with, they're mine to share for God's glory, and with what God has put before me, I know that He will equip me and sustain me, just as I know He will equip you and He will sustain you. As it says in Galatians 6:9-10, let us not grow weary in serving God, as there is much to reap. What are you willing to give up today?

[28:58] Your time, your energy, your comfort, maybe even your preference? What are you willing to give up today? And if you had to honestly evaluate how you were using the talent and gifts that God has given you, what do you think you were doing? So my husband and I were talking about this sermon, a few days ago, a little while ago. And he mentioned something that really stuck with me. And there was something about, he talked about, there's something about sitting in the stadium, watching your favorite team and cheering from the sidelines and the bleachers and celebrating with them when they win. But there's even more special by being in the locker room, as being one of the team, you are now being a part of the team.

[29:54] You are now being a part of the work that happens. You are not just celebrating from the sidelines, but you played a part in the celebration. That person that just came to know the Lord in a real way, you served them coffee this past year and shared an encouraging word with them, you were a part of that. That lady that has been coming down for prayer every week asking for the salvation of her daughter, there's been a breakthrough. You were a part of that. Those kids that came to kids' ministry for years and you were one of those teachers and now they're living a sold out life for Christ as the body of Christ. We are a part of that. You can be a part of that.

[30:43] I'd much rather be in the locker room celebrating with all of you, with all the tears, the battle scars, the high fives and the pats on the back. And yes, the occasional spat, but I would much rather be in the locker room with you than waving from afar. Because together as a team there is much to celebrate as a body of Christ. We can be a part then. Great when we make a commitment. We maintain that commitment by understanding that commitment and then fully living out that commitment.

[31:31] How are you living out that commitment today? Are you content to still sit on the sidelines and celebrate from afar? Or are you willing to get in the trenches with me to live out with a commitment and sacrificial service to our King? Can you come joining? Can we pray as we serve a perfect King? Can we pray? So, God, I am imperfect, but I know that You have called my imperfect abilities to serve You.

[32:20] And I pray that each one of us would find that niche, find that position, find that part in our church that we can be a part of. 'Cause I that we would be a, you know, in the locker room celebrating with each other and not just waving from the sidelines. As our next song will say, God, I pray that You would light Your church on fire. We are Your church, a body of Christ together. That when we work seamlessly together, it is a thing to behold because there are things to reap for You. Increase in us, we pray. And as Jim comes after to share a few more words and action steps.

[33:05] I pray that You would encourage each one of us to do our part in service to our King because I want us to celebrate together as a team with one purpose. 'Cause we are one church in Your name. Amen.