Kevin's Kommentary: Romans 12:3-21 Many Gifts but One Body = June 26

Many Gifts but One Body
Romans 12:3-21

Intro Questions

#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient faith #Sin #Key Idea

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[^d] says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

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Document for DBS

Series: Connected “Abiding in Christ”

In a time of growing isolation and individualism, we are reminded of how important it is to stay connected to God and to each other. Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches calls us into a life of connection over production as we abide in Him.

Title: “Connected Community” (Romans 12:1-13)

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Opening Thoughts: As we nurture meaningful connections within the body, we each accept our role and responsibility to build up the body by serving cheerfully.

v Introduction to connection

o Helen Keller

§ “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

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Text: Romans 12:1-13

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[^a^] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[^b^] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

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Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

v Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

v Connected by Mercy

o Romans 12:1

v Connected & Transformed

o Romans 12:2

v Interdependence

o Romans 12:3

v Unified Diversity

o Romans 12:4-5

o Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree

v Enthusiastic Service: Making the Body Bigger & Better

o Romans 12:6-8

v Connectedness in Action

o Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

v “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’. You taught me that.” –Anne Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson

o Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

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Digging Questions:

· How will you respond to making “Connection to Jesus”? What transformative move needs to be made?

· What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

· What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?

Take Away Challenges

· What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

· Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

· What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

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