Bible Text: Romans 12:3-8

Serving Christ and His Church with Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12:3-8

Jesus Christ is the head of His body, the church.

Whenever we begin a message on Spiritual gifts, we must remember the example that Jesus Christ gave us in serving.

Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:11 – “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Paul begins his practical section in chapter 12 of Romans.

In verses 3-8 he lists several spiritual gifts.

As we begin our discussion on spiritual gifts it’s necessary for us to understand the proper attitude, function, and diversity.

Attitude – God’s grace and proper self-evaluation.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:3

Function – One body with many members.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:4-5

Diversity – Different spiritual gifts.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8

Bible Text: Matthew 1:18-25

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)”.  And Jesus bear other names as well:

Almighty One – Revelation 1:8
Alpha and Omega – Revelation  22:13
Advocate – 1 John 2:1
Author and Perfecter of Our Faith – Hebrews 12:2
Bread of Life – John 6:35
Beloved Son of God – Matthew 3:17
Bridegroom – Matthew 9:15
Bright Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
Chief Cornerstone – Psalm 118:22
Christ – Matthew 16;16
Deliverer from Sin – 1 Thessalonians 1:10
The Door to Heaven – John 10:9
Faithful and True One – Revelation 19:11
Good Shepherd – John 10:11
Great High Priest – Hebrews 4:14
Holy Servant of God – Acts 4:29-30
I Am – John 8:58
Judge of Heaven and Earth– Acts 10:42
Lamb of God – John 1:29
Light of the World – John 8:12
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5
Lord of lords and King of kings – 1 Timothy 6;15
Mediator between God and Man– 1 Timothy 2:5
Messiah – John 1:41
Our Living Hope – 1 Timothy 1:1
Redeemer –Acts 7:35
Resurrection and the Life – John 11:25
Savior of the World – Luke 2:11
Son of Man – Luke 19:10
Son of the Most High – Luke 1:32
The Way – John 14:6
The Truth – John 14:6
The Life – John 14:6
The Living Word – John 1:1
True Vine – John 15:1
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Bible Text: Luke 1 & 2

Several individuals around the time of the birth of Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at their responses.

1. Zechariah’s first response was disbelief (Luke 1:18-23). His second response was belief (Luke 1:57-66). Then his third response was to prophesy (Luke 1:67-79).

2. Elizabeth’s first response was gratitude (Luke 1:24-25). Her second response was to bless Mary (Luke 1:39-45).

3. John the Baptist’s response was joy in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41,44).

4. Mary’s first response was bewilderment (Luke 1:26-34). Her second response was obedience (Luke 1:38). Then her third response was a song of praise (Luke 1:46-55)

Bible Text: Ephesian 6:18

Praying in the Spirit Jude 20; Ephesians 6:18

The Holy Spirit is the Source and Sustainer of our spiritual life.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” Galatians 5:25

Since prayer is represented in Scripture as an essential factor in progress in the Christian life, it is not surprising to find that the Spirit of God is deeply involved in this ministry.

Praying in the Spirit is mentioned two times in Scripture.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Jude 20 says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”

So, what exactly does it mean to pray in the Spirit?

1. It means to pray in harmony with the Word of God, which He has inspired. He does not speak with two voices. He will never move us to pray for something that is not sanctioned by Scripture.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

2. It means we pray in dependence on the Spirit’s help.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

3. It means we can pray the prayers in the Scriptures.

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17

Bible Text: Ephesians 5:17-21

The verses that follow Ephesians 5:18 name four positive evidences of Spirit filling:

Speaking to one another.
Singing and making melody.
Giving thanks.
Submitting to one another.