Romans 12:3-5 A Believer’s Attitude

1. Romans 12:3-5A Believer’s Attitude

2. Introduction Got Attitude? We all do… True Worship cannot be separated from attitude. We need to stop and evaluate our attitudes…

3. When we serve, attitude becomes the frosting on the cake… it is what others (and God) see. What kind of attitude do you have in serving? What attitude(s) should you have?

4. Introduction Romans 12:3-5For 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. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

5. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. Paul is speaking on the basis of God’s grace given to him. This is the foundation to all that we do and the framework of how we are to view ourselves. Paul is indirectly referring to his Apostleship and gives added weight to the command.

6. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. The command is not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. There are many who think they are better based on position, title, ability, race, possessions, education….

7. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. This is the basic attitude of pride. It gives license to the attitude of “entitlement” and “me first”. It also discounts the opinion and position of others as they are viewed as “beneath” one’s own standing. God stands opposed to the attitude of pride.

8. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. The attitude expected by God in His children is humility. The gifts, talents, and abilities one possesses are not based on merit, but God’s choosing. They are not based on worth, but in grace and mercy.

9. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. The believer is not to think more highly, but is also to think soberly. Soberly means to be balanced, sane, in one's right mind. Therefore, the exhortation is to think of oneself wisely and accurately, making a sane and well-balanced evaluation of one's person and abilities.

10. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. The reason we are to be humble is that God has given and designed each person to do the work He has foreordained for them.

11. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. The “measure of faith” has a duel meaning. It is God who has ordained our role in the body. It is our responsibility to step out in faith and use our gifts and talents for God’s work and glory.

12. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. Jesus is our example. He was the one person who could have elevated Himself above others for He was God. Yet He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant.

13. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. Where we might struggle and see a job or ministry as “beneath us”, Jesus was willing to take off His outer garment and wash the disciples feet. A job of the lowest slave.

14. An Attitude of Humility Romans 12:3For 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. Jesus thought soberly of His place and ministry. He knew His role, and “set His face toward Jerusalem” where He knew He would be nailed to a cross. There the sins of all mankind were placed upon Him. This is to be our attitude in serving.

15. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. The reason we are to have an attitude of humility is that we are all members of one body. We serve as a team. We as a church make up the body of Christ, and for a body to function there are many parts and many different functions.

16. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Think about this! We are members of Christ’s Body, who He died for, and whom He placed where He chose into the body. He gave each of us talents, abilities, Spiritual gifts, and HIS SPIRIT to carry out that ministry.

17. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. What are you doing with your place in the body? You need to find a place and get involved. The body needs you. What happens in your body, when some of your parts do not function? The same is true of the church.

18. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. How do you view your brother and sister in the body? Do you feel you are better than they? Remember Jesus’ warning in Matthew… How we treat the least of the brethren is how we have treated Christ. Every job is important!

19. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Our role is not to be judgmental, but to come along side each other. It is our place to value others and understand that they may do a job differently than we might. We must remember that God equipped and placed them. To be critical is to be judgmental of God’s choosing.

20. An Attitude of Teamwork Romans 12:4-5For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. The health and function of the church is dependent on each of us working in the Spirit for God’s glory. A warning to each of us, is when we work in the flesh, we become rogue members that work against the Spirit and against the body – we become cancer…

21. So What… Let each of us prayerfully consider our place in the body and do it for the glory of God! When we want to be critical, let it drive us to our knees and come along side and encourage, warn, and build up the body. This church can make a difference, but we need to function as a unified body, working together, for God’s glory!