6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. - Romans 12:6-8
Step Onto The Field (Romans 12:6-8)
Romans 12:6-8 illuminates some of the gifts that are given to the church through individuals. In this passage, Paul lists seven gifts. This is not an exhaustive list nor the "more important" gifts that God gives to the church; instead, these serve as examples that Paul's audience would be familiar with. Additionally, Paul includes the posture by which we should exercise these gifts to bless the church.
- Prophecy (communicating God's message to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the body of Christ)
- Service
- Teaching
- Exhorting
- Giving
- Leading
- Showing Mercy
Paul's purpose in identifying these seven gifts is to prompt his audience to DO something. Mike challenged us on Sunday to get off the sidelines and to step onto the field. God has gifted us each individually and specifically to bless the church and others. We must not keep this grace gift to ourselves.
"The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation." - Corrie Ten Boom
God does not need your good works, but people do.
God does not sit anxiously waiting to see what you will do with your gift. But there are people who need YOU. You are a part of the body and you have a part in the body of Christ that no one else on planet earth can play.
Let's step onto the field of ministry, together.
