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We Belong to Each Other

Romans 12:3-8 (Pastor Heo)

3 For 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 measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

“We belong to each other”

Today is the LAST DAY of this year.

There is a time for everything under the sun (Ecclesiastes 3).

• Every “today” is the first day of the rest of your life.
• Tomorrow will soon be called “today.”
• One day which is called “today” will be called the “last day.”
• So, “today” is the day of God’s favor.

We are called to be worshipers of God, but we are also SENT into this world. We are not permanent citizens of earth, but permanent citizens of heaven.

“If anyone says in his heart, ‘I love God’ but hates his brother, he is a liar.” Our faith in God is verified by the kind of relationships we have with each other.

We belong to each other.

v. 3

“3 For 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 measure of faith God has given you.”

This means: “Know thyself”

Evaluate yourself rightly.

An honest assessment of your abilities – without conceit, without false modesty – is very important for your life.

• Some Christians even think TOO low of themselves.
• Other Christians OVER-evaluate themselves.

The key to honest and accurate evaluation is:

knowing the basis of your self-worth IN Jesus Christ.

• Apart from Christ, we are nothing, and can do nothing.
• IN Christ, through Him, we are SOMEthing – somebody – we are valuable, and can do everything that God wants us to do by his power.

1. We are saved by grace; grace is a gift.
2. We are saved on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the power of his resurrection; this is the greatest gift of God.
3. We are saved by faith; faith is a gift of God.

We have received sooo many gifts from God.

Here are two lessons:

1. Don’t OVER-rate yourself (know yourself)

Eph 2:9 “It is by grace you have been saved, it is a gift from God…”

1 Cor 1 “Think of what you were (who you were) when you were called: not many of you were wise, not many were noble. God called the foolish things to shame the wise, the weak things to shame the strong, the lowly things, the despised, to nullify the things that are, so that you may not boast before God.”

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Story (Illustration):

One day, two men went to the entrance of heaven.

• Angel: “You need 1 billion points to get in. What did you do?”
• Man 1 (proudly): “Of course! I have a great family background – Christianity, pastor father, elder in the church.”
• Angel: “OK, 1 point.”
• Man 1 (less proudly): “I supported so many missionaries, built church buildings, gave lots of money, helped the needy.”
• Angel: “Not bad, 1 point.”
• Man 1 (dismayed): “I never missed a single worship service – EVERY dawn, Wednesday, all-night, cell group, Sunday. I offered FULL tithe.”
• Angel: “Good. 1 point. But your pride, arrogance, self-justification reduces your score by 100. You are below 0.” (to Man 2) “So… what did you do?”
• Man 2: “I’m not qualified at all. I need mercy, grace, compassion from God. But one thing: I trusted in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sin and rose from the dead for my life. I just called him my Savior, Master, Lord, King, God. That’s the only one thing I did. Please, don’t look at me, but look at Christ IN me.”
• Angel: “You have Jesus? Wow ∞ points.”

“To those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be called children of God.”

2. Don’t UNDER-rate yourself

Eph 2:10 “We are God’s workmanship, made in his image, to do good works that he’s prepared in advance for us to do.”

IN Christ, we are capable of MUCH service. Please do not UNDERestimate yourselves if you are IN Christ.

v. 3

“3 For 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 measure of faith God has given you.”

v. 4-5

“4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

We are ONE body – with many parts.

This is true.

Each of us has ONE body as well. In our ONE body, there are so many parts: mouth, neck, nose, eyes, feet, hands. We are a living part of ONE body. Look at your own body. None of these members fight with one another, nor dispute with each other about their relative importance. Each member carries its own function. Each member has its own task to do.

AICF (a Christian church) should be:

• The church is the BODY of Christ;
• Christ is the HEAD of the church;
• each member is a member of the BODY.

1. A man cannot be a man separated from another man.
2. Christians cannot be Christians by being isolated from other Christians.
3. A man can be a man only among men.
4. A Christian can be a Christian only among other Christians.

1 Cor 12:14-27

“14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

The head exists for the body; the body exists for the head; each member is both a means AND an end to each other.

Here are some letters – the meaning is very biblical (rich in meaning) – there are three.

1. 나너 (I, you) (nah, nuh) –
   • I and you have HALF in common (as do these letters) – but the two vowels are facing each other. If 나 turns, it becomes 너, and vice versa (나 and 너 belong to each other – 나 is because of 너, and vice versa). I and you are ONE. We are one coin with two sides. This is very biblical.
2. 人(Chinese symbol for people) (인 – 사람) –
   • without the left side, the right falls down. The right stands because of the left. The sticks (legs) depend on each other.
3. 來 (Chinese symbol for “come”) (올래) –
   • there are three men hanging from the cross – on the left and right are two small men (two robbers – sinners – this is US, represents humanity), the one large man in the center is Christ. The second meaning is “Come” to Christ to be saved.

v. 6-8

“6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

All things we have and are doing in Christ are gifts. So, we must be humble and recognize our partnership with Christ and in the body of Christ.

1. Only then can our gifts be used effectively.
2. Only then can we appreciate others’ gifts.
3. We must recognize that ALL gifts come from God and that not everyone has the same gifts, nor all the gifts.
4. We must dedicate our gifts to the service of God – not ourselves.
5. We must also give our gifts freely and willingly and whole-heartedly.

There are MANY gifts – many that are hidden from the public. Many are quietly serving God.

1 Cor also shows at least 9 other gifts

• Wisdom,
• Knowledge,
• Faith,
• Healing,
• Prophesy,
• Distinguishing Spirits,
• Speaking in Tongues,
• Interpreting Tongues

This passage shows 7 – Note: Prophesy (not always predicting the future – in the NT it means communicating the gospel effectively)

1. Prophets: bold, fearless, articulate
2. Servers: faithful, loyal, consistent, steadfast
3. Teachers: logical thinkers, clear, persuasive explainers
4. Encouragers: know how to motivate others, giving others hope and courage
5. Contributors (Givers): generous, hospitable, trustworthy
6. Leaders: good organizers, managers, having impact and influence
7. Mercy Givers: caring, helping, compassionate hearts

Let me make 4 things clear:

1. EVERY Christian has received gifts –
   • there is no Christian with no gift – grace, salvation, eternal life, skills, all these things are gifts. Do you know what is your gift? You have received this already. Use it!
2. There is NO RANK among the gifts.
   • All are necessary gifts – none are superior nor inferior. All are the same in value and rank before God. So, be careful not to emphasize your own gifts, nor minimize the gifts of others.
3. Gifts are not FRUIT.
   • “The gift of the Holy Spirit” vs. “The fruit of the Holy Spirit” – Gifts are not fruit, not toys, not weapons. Gifts are TOOLS to help BUILD UP the body of Christ. These gifts are given to benefit OTHERS, not ourselves.
4. Giving gifts is the job of the Holy Spirit –
   • according to his will. We are very passive in receiving our gifts. The Holy Spirit gives according to the will of God. BUT, we have a responsibility to USE, increase, develop our gifts for the good of the body of Christ.

Matt 25 – The Story of the Talents.

There were 3 servants – each received gifts from their Master. One got 5 talents, one 2, the last 1 talent. They were totally passive in receiving, but they had a responsibility to use those gifts.

Two servants put their gifts to work and gained double:

5 doubled to 10, 2 doubled to 4.

The last servant was fearful and put his gift in the ground. He kept it very safe, but he did not put it to use. So he received condemnation from his Master: “You wicked and lazy servant! You will be cast out into the darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Yes, we have also received gifts.

This is the end of 2017. What have we done with the gifts of the Holy Spirit this last year?

If God gives us another year (from tomorrow) – remember this also is a gift. How will you put God’s gifts to use “tomorrow”? (and next year)

Let us pray to put our gifts to good use in the next year. Let us also give thanks to God for his many, many gifts.

Grace, salvation, faith, Jesus Christ, these are all great gifts from God. Let us give thanks for all these things.

Let’s pray.