My sermon last Sunday was titled, “Not The Sharpest Tool In The Box?” with the key passage noted as Romans 12:4. The idea for this sermon was actually prompted by a graphic someone had posted on Facebook and which I shared with the sermon. The graphic pictured some shears saying to a saw, “Let’s just say he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.” The comment related to a hammer that responded, “I’m not supposed to be.”
And there you have it! In fact, even among hammers there are differences in style relative to their use.
In his letter to Christians at Rome, as Paul paralleled aspects of the physical body with the church as the spiritual body of Christ (Romans 12:3-8), he stated. . .
“(4) For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,” (Romans 12:4 ESV)
Having unity among us does not mean we are all doing the same things. As individual members differ, so do their functions. As God determined the functions of the various members of the physical body He brought to life, within the family of God it is to Him each one of us needs to surrender to being put to use for His purposes.
After pulling a number of passages together for this sermon and being just about done with the completion of the outline from which I would preach, there was one more Scripture which came to mind in a way I had not thought of it before. At the beginning of the chapter key to this sermon Paul had exhorted. . .
“(2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Here Paul noted two forces at work; a world trying to conform us and God desiring to transform us. As the world tries to squeeze us into its mold of looking similar to it, God is trying to transform our life from the inside out to be all He desires us to be to fulfill godly functions to His glory and praise. However, have we within the church become guilty of the world’s method? (This was the new thought I was struck with.) Have we been guilty of trying to squeeze one another into our mold; what we have determined is another’s gift or ministry? Or are we instead encouraging one another’s surrender to the molding and transforming by God for the usefulness He intends? Though we ought to encourage continued spiritual growth, let us be careful of how we assess one another. Rather than defining someone’s role for them, let us encourage them in what they are doing where they are as they are able. Results will come about because it is God Who is able to make it happen! (note Philippians 2:13) May we therefore encourage others as we ourselves remain surrendered to the transforming God is doing in our life!
Have a great day REMAINING A WORK IN GOD’S HANDS!
Carl
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