BUILDING UP THE BODY
THE SERVICE OF BODY BUILDING GIFTS

Paul introduces the section on these body building gifts by stressing, “Having then gifts…let us use them” (Romans 12:6). He gets right to the practical nature of the gifts—not something of mysticism, but something of ministry. Our attitude must transform from demanding our rights that the church serve us, to accepting our responsibilities in church service.

THERE IS OBEDIENCE.

In calling us to get to work, the Lord isn’t offering a suggestion, but giving a commandment. It is simply a matter of deciding whether you are going to live for service or live for self and sin! If you don’t have a ministry in and through the church—why not?

There are certain expectations that I have as a father for our children. There are chores to do around the house. Now, while the kids would rather play and goof around than work, I have told them that our house isn’t a democracy but a dictatorship! This is true of the church—and, of course, I am not speaking of the pastor being a dictator! Jesus Christ is THE head of HIS church. Utilizing our gifts in the service of building up the body is strictly a matter of obedience.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY.

If you are born-again into the family of God, you have received one of the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8.

6 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;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

There is the gift of prophecy—not about foretelling the future, but forth-telling the truth. Members of the body with this gift are like the immune system detecting the invasion of unsound doctrine or immoral conduct.

There’s the gift of ministry, and these people are the hands of the body. They use their gifts in practical acts of service. These see what needs to be done, roll up their sleeves and just do it.

Then, there is the gift of teaching. Here are members who are disciplined students of the Word—systematic in preparation and presentation. They are the mouths of the body, who communicate to us so we may understand God’s Word.

Further, there’s the gift of exhortation. These are the nerves of the body that stimulate activity and get the members to respond. These are motivators in the church. This is my primary spiritual gift. So, if I get on your nerves—I’m only doing my job!

Paul lists the gift of giving. These usually have the ability to make money and always have the willingness to share it. These are the eyes and ears of the body that see need and hear hurt that must be met.

He also writes of the gift of leadership. These have an administrative gift, being the mind of the body. They know how all the other members need to work together and direct them as a unit for the good of the whole. These are big-picture folks who can organize ministry.

There’s the gift of mercy. Such have great compassion. They are the heart of the body.

The late Dr. Adrian Rogers gave a classic illustration of how this works in a practical way at a church fellowship meal. Someone, carrying a big tray of food, drops it.

The prophet immediately says, “You need to be careful. I knew that was going to happen.”

The one with the gift of ministry responds, “Let me help you clean that up.”

The teacher states, “Here’s why that happened.”

The exhorter declares, “Next time I’m sure you’ll get it right!”

The one with the gift of giving says, “Food is expensive. Let’s chip in and pay for that.”

The leader quickly decrees, “Bob, grab a mop. Sally, get some more food from the kitchen.”

Then the one with the gift of mercy sympathetically states, “Oh, I’m so sorry, you spilled that! You must feel terrible!”

Which of those gifted people were needed? Everyone! All of them together enable the body to function in a healthy way.

So—have you discovered your spiritual gift? Are you developing your spiritual gift? Have you deployed your spiritual gift? Christ is watching, the church is waiting, but are you working?