Sober Judgement

Thrive Podcast

https://youtu.be/GG7QuKskTnE

Sober Judgement Roman 12:3-8

• Romans 12:3-8 (Esv)For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[b] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
• Paul is speaking to an audience that is big on status and standing in the society. Judging on what abilities each person brought to the table and classifying them as such
• That is why he uses words like:
  • Grace Given – That all they have has been given to them not self-acquired by merit
  • Sober Judgement – Don’t think you all that and more
  • One body – We are all the same though different

Let’s get into the text

1. Do Judge yourself
2. Romans 12:3(Nkjv) …. among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think
3. Paul is asking them not to think of themselves higher that they ought to but to actually take a moment to do an internal check
4. He doesn’t tell them not to think of themselves, he does tell them to have a Sober Judgement of themselves
5. Do not exaggerate an opinion of oneself
6. Take time to speak life to ourselves
7. Motivational speaking and affirmation
8. How comes that our God who is real and has shown us tangible changes, has written it all down and continues to be the Same Yesterday, Today and forever, yet …we refuse to appropriate the Words He has given us? His Word
9. I know that Paul is speaking about gifts but before we get there, we need to break down the lies of the enemy and see ourselves how God sees us
10. We are vessels that hold these gifts and if we have to use these gifts, we have to prepare our vessel for use
11. I think the first step is being vulnerable before God – allowing God to truly search us and reveal those areas in our lives that are lacking
12. Asking Him to shine a light in all corners of our lives
13. Praying about those areas and asking God to prepare this vessel for His work
14. I Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
15. Matthew 10:29-31(Nkjv) Are not two sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
16. Know what you are worth in the eyes of God
    1. Not based on the opinion of others
    1. Not controlled by self-desires and greed
    1. Not defined by fear and insecurities
17. Ephesians 2:10 (Nkjv)For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
18. Romans 12:3 (AMPC) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
19. Use the Word of God to check yourself
    1. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Esv) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
20. When you know your worth in Christ Jesus, you can be useful in His Kingdom
21. Paul doesn’t talk about the past, family status, education or net-worth
22. He is talking about the Grace – that’s given to him and everyone else
23. Today’s Grace that is available to anyone who puts their trust in Jesus
24. What do you see when you test yourself?
25. Hold your position
26. Romans 12:4-5 -For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
27. Paul is saying – after we have judged ourselves right, its time to hold our position accordingly to the Grace (gifting) that has been awarded to you by God
28. The story of Nehemiah is such a great story to illustrate working as many and having the same interest
    1. Nehemiah a cup bearer learns that after 70 years of captivity of his people, they were returning to Jerusalem. A city that raid in ruins… He prayed to God that he could be used to go rebuild the wall – the security!
    1. God answered his prayer by softening the heart of the Persian king, who gave not only his blessing, but also supplies to be used in the project
    1. Nehemiah 3 – the most beautiful example of working together read some
    1. Even when they faced opposition from the enemies – There wasn’t any separation/division/trying to outdo each other – everyone held their position
    1. Nehemiah 4:15-19 (Esv) When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
29. Attacks did not affect them, they adopted because they had learnt to hold their position
30. This is what Paul is speaking about; Romans 12:3-8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them
31. Are you holding your position this evening?
32. Stay busy
33. Another way of saying this is – let us use these gift that you have been given
34. Romans 12:6-8 (Esv)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
35. Paul’s point is that while members of the church, like the parts of the human body, have different functions, they belong to one another and therefore are to serve and promote the well-being of one another
36. Don’t be the weakest link – don’t be a burden to others because you refuse to use your God given gifts
37. If know who you are, If you judge yourself according to the Word of God, If you are busy holding your position, And if you are staying busy where God has called you…
38. I would be surprised if you have time to bring division in the church, envy someone else position, or even judge anyone’s work
39. We ought to stay on our task and know that these gifts we have are God given and one day we will give an account of each of them
40. There is no small or greater gift – The small gifts are sometime bigger that the small one
41. I Corinthians 12:21-26 (Esv) As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
42. Quote from Matthew Henry -We must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others, if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in them, and most diligent in their Master’s work.
43. Galatians 2:20 (Nkjv) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

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