More on Romans 12

This is the passage Donnie continued to speak on tonight. I will work to get the audio of messages up online soon.

Romans 12: 1-8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 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. 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 who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 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. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 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.

Donnie's thoughts are that this passage gives us the true definition of Worship (and I agree). Using our gifts to serve God and others is the greatest form of worship. My thoughts focused on one specific part of Donnie's message. I've seen so many people wait and wait for a class and/or a test to tell them what their spiritual gifts are. Donnie talked about the fact that this might be a mistake. In Romans the Spirit distributed gifts that were needed at that time. Now, it seems we (the church) have a class every 6 months and distribute 8 specific gifts out to 100 people and feel like we've done our job (I'm guilty). Everyone is gifted differently. A test might make you more aware of your gifts but if you are waiting for a test to tell you your gift, you are missing out. God wants your best and he wants it now. "Jump in" is the call we heard during last night's message. You want to know what your gifts are? Romans 12 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Matthew 6:33 tells us another way to discover God's will for your life. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

At Cedar Tree we hope to enter into community with people and allow them to discover their passions and gifts and together find ways for them to use their gifts. Our greatest worship will take place Monday-Friday and we will come together on Sundays to celebrate what God is doing.

Have a great week.
Barry