2001.12.9. Washingtonians(27) - Rev. Young Jin Cho

Serving and Loving

Romans 12:3-21

From last week, I started chapter 12:1-2 explaining the basic principles and standards of the Christian's living. The Christians are called to live differently from the people of secular world. We should not conform to this world but be transformed by renewing of our minds and understanding of God's will. Knowledge alone is not sufficient. We must live according to His will. From today, let's explore how the Christian's basic living standards can be applied to our practical living. The verses, 12:3-21, advise us how we, the Christians, should live as members of a faith community.

I

Let me start with an introductory question; what is a church and why is it needed? Why are you coming to church? (1) First of all, the churches began to exist because it was God's desire. The church is not an ordinary organized meeting place for the people. Because the founder was God, it is different from other meeting places. The Israelites in Old Testament, known as the model of church, became God's chosen people through His sovereign power of selection and plans. In New Testament, after hearing Peter's confession, Jesus proclaimed that he would build a church on rock. Also, the presence of Holy Spirit created the early church. Therefore, the theologians label the church as Creation of the Holy Spirit. The church is a body of Christ and He is the head. Jesus built the churches and has guided throughout today. Only when the churches function according to God's will, they can become true churches. Instead of Jesus, the people attempt to become the head of church and eventually these churches are bound to be corrupt.

(2) Then, why did God create the church? What was His objectives? Many answers are possible, however, God's main objective was for us to live righteously, fully and the world to be of His acceptance. We worship together in church, learn and exchange fellowship. Why do we do these things? Isn't that we are to be trained to become His genuine creations and live a life that reflects Him so that His will can be fulfilled on earth? If God's objective is understood correctly, then our church life is not one among many. Church is the basis of our entire life structure. If the church life is healthy and matured, our entire life patterns at home, work places and in society will be healthy and upright. On the other hand, if the church life deteriorates, everything else will fall apart also. That is why God built the church

Now-a-days, many people believe that they can by-pass the church and practice spiritual life alone. Of course the churches are responsible for this type of deviation. The churches just have failed to play role models. They neglected to train and teach people properly. Where is God's will as the churches are being by-passed? Because they are by-passed, wouldn't they become shaky? Don't we have to restore them to health? According to the teachings of Bible, the church is a training ground for us to live as God's children. If we are trained properly, we will be able to live as Christians in family and anywhere in our society. Conversely, without the proper training, the life can be difficult even in heaven. If the sincere fellowship and love do not prevail in church, they cannot be detected in society nor in heaven either. If we adventure into our society with proper training, this world will become God's pleasure. Consequently, God's will can be fulfilled on earth as His will was done in heaven. The church is that much important, possessing vital missions. The church life has brought a profound gravity in my life. God did not create the church because He had nothing to do or without any plans. We must comprehend His will and plans.

II

Let's explore today's reading in chapter 12:5, Paul expresses that a church is one body of many parts in Christ. As we serve the church in terms of many parts, Paul advises us in chapter 12:3-11:

(1) First of all he urges us (12:3) "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself in accordance within measure of faith God has given you." What does it mean? It means know yourself correctly. There are two forms of attitudes which hinder accepting this advice; expanded delusion and inferiority complex. The former over estimates oneself whereas the latter is just an opposite. The persons with these minds cannot understand oneself correctly. It is very important to know one's own limitations and capabilities.

(2) Secondly, Paul reminds us that as a body is consisted of many diverse parts, the areas of serving ministry in church can be diverse also. Chapter 12:4 said Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same functions. That is absolutely correct. In church, there are diverse people and different serving areas. Embracing diversities plays the pivotal role in establishment of healthy church of Christ. Friends! What are some of the attitudes of a matured couple? They accept the differences and forgive each other. The difference is not considered as a threat, rather it strengthens the marriage. Likewise, the matured churches become stronger by embracing the diversities. A matured person does not complain the differences of others or asks the reasons.

Today, when you visit the ministry fair display, you will find that we have 50 different service teams who have been guiding our church forward. Every one of them plays an important part therefore, it is not proper to consider that only his ministry is more highly important than others. In our body, we have eyes, ears and nose which are equally indispensable. Through the functions of each ministry, the true churches of Christ are formed. The heart of embracing diversities represents the true stewardship as we service the church of Christ.

(3) The third advice is offering our service according to the gifts given by God. The chapter 12:6-8, describe seven gifts: prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, contribution, governing and mercy. There are additional gifts in bible. For example, in I Corinthians 12, there are gifts of speaking in tongues, healing, wisdom, distinguishing between spirits and miraculous powers. All these are given to us by the Holy Spirit to service the church effectively. Today's Christians need to discover their gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Many continue the spiritual journey without knowing the existence of their own gifts. Fortunately, today many churches are emphasizing the importance of gifts and trying to utilize them wisely. If we serve according the given gifts, we will bear abundant fruits and the servants themselves will feel worthwhile. Our church has a class called Serving Life. In this class, we help the students to discover their gifts and prepare to become servants afterward. Last week, the students tried to write their names using the opposite hand that was normally idled. The outcome was very interesting because we could not tell whether they were painting or writing. From this experiment, we concluded that the idled hand necessitated much more efforts and time. Likewise, if one serves at unfamiliar area, far from his talent, may result an adverse outcome. In our church we often see people serving in accordance with the given gifts. Barnabas' ministry team members diligently and gladly welcome new comers. Also, the intercession prayer team members and the cell-group leaders are working relentlessly and willingly. If we serve with our given gifts, the reluctant and unwilling attitudes can be overcome. It is very important to discover one's talent and serve accordingly.

III

Paul emphasizes another most important and basic attitude that is essentially required when we service. That is the loving heart. Speaking with the tongues of angels without love produces sounds of noisy gong (I Cor. 13:1). One may know all secrets, full of knowledge and even has a faith capable of moving the mountains but without love, it is meaningless. Love is that much important. In chapter 12:9, Paul points out how we ought to live with love.

(1) First, the love must be sincere and should be devoid of evil motivation (12:9). The true love doesn't allow a room for evil to penetrate, and the love transforms to a true love only when there is sincerity. Falsehood and fabrication may mimic an image of love externally, but cannot be true love.

(2) Secondly, the love includes the concrete action instead of verbal expression alone. The verses 12:10-13 says "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honor one another above yourself and share with God's 'people who are in need." Only when love is manifested through deeds, it becomes true love. We often confess love verbally, ignoring the required sacrifices which needed to be perfected after verbal confession. Whenever, I sing a hymn entitled Lover Brothers, Sisters and My Lord, my heart trembles and I become compelled to reflect myself whether I am really ready to respond to these invitations. If we just sing a hymn because the stanzas are happened to be there, then it becomes a meaningless worship. We should open our hearts and act as described in stanzas. The Christians' love must be manifested concretely through deeds and begin with small thing. Proclaiming love by mouth alone is not an indicative of true love.

(3) Thirdly, in today's reading we perceive our Lord urging us to live with love showing more depth and broadness. For example, we should bless those who persecute us and love even those breaking our hearts. This is very difficult to practice and agonizing. Theoretically, we are to embrace them. Wining over the evil is only through loving, otherwise I must become much stronger evil. If I respond with stronger evil, would the other evil person remain still? Wouldn't he show much more worse evil? Thus, meeting evil for evil causes vicious cycle. Definitely, wining over evil is through loving. God's love has no boundaries, and it extends to good and evil, righteous and sinners. We ought to follow His example and love one another. But that is not easy to practice with human power alone. Therefore, as Paul exhorted(12:12) we should be vigilant in prayer and stand up with hope holding onto love. In order to win over the evil with love, ask for the abilities to live as such.

Today is a stewardship dedication Sunday offering our talents and possessions. Our church includes diverse people and many different ministry areas. Please examine your own gifts and offer your commitment. The Christians' living includes serving, and loving one another. The training in church enables us to live expressing love in family and society as well. Furthermore, we learn to love even our enemies.

Not too long, there was an article in Christian Times written by a journalist who visited former President Jimmy Carter. I believe there are not many persons who actually, apply one's given gift as he does. The city of Plains, GA is about 3 hours driving distance from Atlanta with a population of 700. Every Sunday many outsiders visit this city to witness the former President teaching a bible class, and on 10/28/01 there were 300 students in his class. He started the class with a subject on "Faith" and emphasized that living itself is a faith. Then he introduced the parables appeared at the latter part of the chapter 25 of Matthew and I James 4:8 which deal with the last judgement. If Jesus were in this city today, they would invite him to house and feed him well. He admonished them to show the compassion to thirsty, sick, and the ones in prison inasmuch as they would do to Jesus. This journalist wrote in Times that Mr. Carter is "The only President who used White House as the stepping stone." The presidency is the highest position but he used it as the stepping stone and pursued for further worthwhile life. The journalist quoted Mr. Carter's concluding remarks: "We are saved by God's grace and this blessing is to be used for serving our neighbors with love. The final judgement will include our responses to this command."