BELOW THE SURFACE

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Below the Surface

In the teaching that followed our focal passage for this week (Romans 12:1-2), we hear more instruction from the Apostle Paul as he is led by the Holy Spirit.

In this teaching we are challenged to see that real, God-honoring worship is much more than what we can see on the surface. Like an iceberg, the outward expressions of our worship make up a small (but important) portion of what God calls good, pleasing, and acceptable worship.

Let’s listen to this teaching and see what it has for us today:

“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 faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:3-8 NIV11

Be Real

I love how direct and honest this teaching is about the destructive pride that can come from a lack of clarity concerning the source of the gifts and blessings that God brings into our lives. If we are not honest about the fact that all good things come from the Lord, we can become puffed up and self-important.

Here we are being challenged to get real before the Lord. Would you look at God and brag about how smart you are, how successful you have been, or how good your hair looks? Please.

In the Body

In the Body of Christ, in his church, we can see the dangers of this kind of misplaced pride. When the Lord uses us to do his work, in his way, filled by his Spirit, and for his glory, we should not fall into the trap of pride, and begin to think that we are the reason for the good that God is doing.

In the church, we can see this happen all the time. As a preacher, it is easy to walk away from a “good” sermon and think that the church is blessed to have me as its leader. Instead, we need to reflect on the good that God is doing and bring it to him as worship and praise.

Know Thyself

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been called by God into a place of service. The Lord has and will continue to enable you to serve him well as he provides the Spirit-led gifts that you need to fulfill this calling.

You have a place in God’s kingdom, and the Lord wants you to serve him with the gifts and blessings that he has provided. As you learn to allow God to use your gifts and talents for his glory, remember to know the truth about yourself. You are one part of his glorious body, and as you bless others in that body, so they are a blessing to you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
help me see the truth about myself.
I look to you and you alone to learn the truth
about my real place in your eternal kingdom.
Where I have been filled with selfish pride,
I ask that you fill me with humility and gratitude.
Where I have a gift that has not yet been submitted
into your service, I do so now.
I am yours, and thankfully, you are mine.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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