The Book of Romans: Finding Your Function In The Family of Faith

 

The Book of Romans

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. My name is Stuart Davidson and I am the pastor here. I am grateful to be here with you, sharing in this moment, worshipping with you and your families. 

For the last 21 weeks we have been reading through the book of Romans. My plan was to finish the book before we got to November. My plan was to finish the book and start a new series on gratitude, thankfulness, and gratefulness. That was my plan but God clearly had other ideas. I have spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what I should do and I feel like God is directing me not to rush through Romans. So, here’s what we are going to do. This will be the last message in Romans for the year. In November I am going to charge forward with a new topical series on thanks and when December rolls around, I will do a series stepped in the birth of our Lord. When January rolls back around, we will pick up where we left off in Romans. 

This morning we will be reading from Romans 12:4-8. So go ahead and find those Scriptures in your Bibles. 

I want to ask yo ua question this morning. What is something that you can live without? I want you to think of the smallest most insignificant thing that you can think of. If I came to your house and demanded you give me something that you wouldn’t miss, what would you give me?

A fork? After all you probably have more than one. 

Nail clippers? Why do you need nail clippers? You can be like me and just bite them? But what about your toe nails? Let’s not talk about that. Gross. 

What about that stuffed animal that sits in the top of your kid’s closet? No one would miss that teddy bear. Maybe you could give me that?

Let’s change the question. What body part do you think that you could live without? If I demanded that you have to give me a part of yourself, what part would you choose?

An ear? Hey you’ve got two. 

Some people might choose a finger, probably the pinky. 

I went to Google and posed the question to their AI. Gemini told me that most people, some 95%, said that if they were forced to give up a body part, they would choose to give up their pinky toe.

How many of you thought that giving up the pinky toe would be something that…if you were forced to live without it, you could live without that…the pinky toe?

Just what I thought! Honestly, if I were forced, that is what I would choose too. 

Here’s the problem. The pinky toe is actually really important. Sure, it’s small. It appears insignificant. It goes “wee wee wee all the way home”. 

Here’s the reality, the pinky toe, although small, although insignificant, is really important to the overall body. 

Our pinky toes and their surrounding structures play a major role in balance and stability. The pinky toe helps your body stay aligned. It keeps your weight distributed evenly, and even helps in keeping your posture correct. Without that toe, that small little tiny itty bitty toe, you’d struggle with your balance and coordination. My next door neighbor is a physical therapist and I asked him if the pinky toe was important and he said “absolutely”! He told me that if I were to really damage and injure my pinky toe, it could throw off my entire stride which could place extra stress and strain on my hips, my knees, all the way up to my back. 

Many of you know that I am a runner. Im running in a marathon in January. If you were to subtract my pinky toes, it could be catastrophic. For one, my balance would be thrown off kilter. Second, losing my pinky toes would affect my ability to push off. 

So, while many of us might be willing to lose the pinky toe if we were forced, you might want to rethink it. The pinky toe is not really some insignificant part of the body!

It has a fantastic function. 

Here’s what you need to know this morning. Every part of the body is important and every part of the body has an important function. 

“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.”

Paul, the author of the words that I just read, compares the church to a human body. The body, which is made up of many parts, functions at its maximum when all the parts work together. 

If you fast forward in your Bibles to I Corinthians 12:14-27, you’ll see Paul again writes these words, 

“The body isn’t made of just one part, but many. If one part, like the foot or ear, feels less important, that doesn’t make it any less part of the body. If the whole body were just one part, it couldn’t function.

God designed every part of the body exactly how He wanted. Each one has a purpose. We need every part because no one can say, “I don’t need you.” Even the parts that seem weak or less important are actually necessary and deserve honor.

God made the body this way so there would be unity, not division. When one part hurts, the whole body hurts. When one part is honored, everyone shares in that joy.

Together, we are the body of Christ, and each of us is a vital member of it.”

So friends, every member of this body, the body of Christ, the church, is valuable. Every member possessing a gift is needed. Every part is crucial to reaching the overall mission of Jesus Christ. Every member has a faithful function.

So, what is your function?

That is in fact the title of my message this morning. “Finding Your Function In The Family of Faith”. 

Today’s Message:

“Finding Your Function In The Family of Faith”

Do me a favor, under “Today’s Thought”, fill in these blanks. 

All are appointed, all are anointed, all are accountable. Don’t be the appendix in the Body of Christ. 

Paul reminds us that every believer has been appointed by God for a purpose, anointed by the Spirit with gifts, and accountable to use those gifts for the glory of Christ and the good of His Church. That means nobody is here by accident! If you’re part of the body, you have a place, a purpose, and a part to play!

But here’s the problem… some Christians act like the appendix. You know what the appendix is, right? It’s that little organ in your abdomen that seems to do… well, nothing! Scientists call it vestigial, meaning leftover, without clear function. And if the appendix ever decides to make its presence known, it usually does it by getting infected and causing pain!

Now, friend, hear me…God didn’t put you in the Body of Christ to just sit there and look saved! You’re not called to be a vestigial Christian! You’re not the appendix that just takes up space and occasionally causes trouble. You’ve been gifted, shaped, and filled with the Spirit to serve, to encourage, to give, to teach, to lead, to love!

Today’s Thought:

All Are Appointed, All Are Anointed, All Are Accountable! Don’t Be The Appendix In The Body of Christ!

The other day, I was taking Jett to school. When I take Jett to school, he and I dial up “Your Daily Hope” on YouTube. We like to listen to a devotional together and then I ask him questions about it to make sure that he actually listened. So, last Thursday he and I listened to the devotional and as it turned out, the devotional was on this very subject. Who knew? So, I went back and read the transcript and I wanted to share it with you because I found the devotional profound. Listen to what it said…

“God wired you to make a contribution with your life. He did not give you your talents and abilities for your own benefit. They are for the benefit of other people, and their talents are for your benefit. When you don’t use the talents God has given you, other people get cheated. The way you bring glory to God is by using your talents. ‘Use them well to serve one another.’ God is glorified when you use your abilities to serve others.”

Did you hear that?

“When you don’t use the talents God has given you, other people get cheated. The way you bring glory to God is by using your talents.”

Finding your function, using your gift, deploying your talents is the quickest way to expand God’s Kingdom and give God glory! 

Today’s Quote:

“God wired you to make a contribution with your life. He did not give you your talents and abilities for your own benefit. They are for the benefit of other people, and their talents are for your benefit. When you don’t use the talents God has given you, other people get cheated. The way you bring glory to God is by using your talents. ‘Use them well to serve one another.’ God is glorified when you use your abilities to serve others.”

-“Your Daily Hope Devotional” (Your Gifts Are For Other People)

Background and Context:

Before we dive into Romans 12:4–8, we need to see where Paul is coming from. After spending eleven chapters explaining God’s mercy and grace through Jesus, Paul calls believers to live as “living sacrifices,” transformed by the renewing of their minds. Then he paints a picture of the Church as a body, many members, one purpose. He’s saying, “You’ve been saved to serve, graced to give, and placed to participate!” Every believer has a part to play, and when each member does its work, the body of Christ grows healthy and strong. You don’t just belong to Jesus, you belong to His body, and you’ve got a job to do!

So, I want to remind you this morning that…

Statement of Faith:

“we are opening the living and powerful Word of God…truth without error, breathed out by Him, and fully sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. It is our authority, our guide, and our hope. In honor of the God who gave us His perfect Word, I invite you to stand with me as we read it together.”

Today’s Scripture:

Romans 12:4-8 CSB

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, [5] in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. [6] According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one's faith; [7] if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; [8] if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

3 Perspectives From All The Parts of The Body of Christ…

I. Placed for Connection vs. 4–5

This morning, I believe that Paul gives us 3 perspectives from all the part of the Body of Christ. Our first perspective is this, Roman numeral one, you and I were placed for connection. We see this in verses 4 and 5. 

“Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.”

Think of it like this…

“Every believer is uniquely designed and divinely placed to belong within the unified body of Christ.”

Chance are you did not walk here this morning. I would say that just about all of you either drove here or rode with someone here this morning. 

Thank God for cars am I right?

My brother Jerry Thomas works at the Auto-Zone just down the road. I just bet if I asked Jerry about his job, he could tell just about every car part there is, what it can do, and why it is important. 

We have other car guys with us this morning Blaine Gregg knows a lot about cars. He helped my install an alternator in my truck last year. Then there is Ed and James Counselman. Those guys know a lot about cars. 

I confess that I don’t know much about cars. I know when they work and I know when they don’t. I do know this…every part of a car is there for a reason. Some parts are obvious: the steering wheel, the tires, the engine. Then there are other parts that most people never notice like the crankshaft position sensor. Bet you don’t have many conversations about the crankshaft position sensor, regardless, without it, your car won’t run. That small little señor tells the engine when to fire. If it fails, the engine shuts down and turns your car into a 2000 pound paperweight. It might seem hidden, maybe insignificant, but it’s essential. 

That’s what Paul is trying to teach all of us this morning. Just like that sensor, you were placed in the body of Christ by God’s divine design. You might not be on stage or in the spotlight, but you are vital to the health and function of the Church. Without your service, your prayers, your encouragement, your faithfulness, the engine of the church doesn’t run as it should.

Let me bring this home for you this morning. Let me tell you about a couple of folks right here at Eastern Shore Baptist Church.

You may not know her name, but heaven sure does. Karen Vance is one of those saints who serves faithfully every single week in our preschool ministry. She’s invested, she’s committed, she’s dialed in. Week after week, she shows up and watches over the youngest treasures of our church, the infants and toddlers who are learning what the love of Jesus looks like through her smile and her care. Karen receives no spotlight. The news doesn’t show up to film her. No documentaries are being made about her nursery ministry. But you can bet that the eyes of heaven are on her.

You know what spiritual gift shines through her service? The gift of mercy and the gift of helps. In Romans 12:7–8, Paul mentions both. He says, “If your gift is serving, then serve; if it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.” Karen lives that out. Her patience, her kindness, her nurturing spirit, all of that flows from the Spirit of God working through her. She doesn’t serve for attention; she serves because she’s been appointed, anointed, and accountable to love those little ones as Christ loves her.

And then there’s Todd Kirby. You might not notice Todd right away, but I promise you, he’s already noticed you. Every Sunday, Todd and the men who serve with him are out there in the parking lot before most of us ever walk through the doors. Rain or shine, cold or hot, they’re there to greet, to guide, and to guard. They are both the first face and the first line of defense at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Todd is warm, personable, and welcoming. He’s not looking for applause. No one’s writing him thank-you notes for directing traffic or watching over our safety, but his ministry is crucial to the life and health of this body.

Todd’s gifts? The gift of service, and I’d say the gift of exhortation. that ability to lift others up with kindness and make them feel seen and valued. Galatians 5:13 says, “Through love serve one another.” That’s exactly what Todd does. He serves through love.

Paul echoes this again in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (CSB) when he says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.” God didn’t make you to sit in the trunk or hide under the hood, He made you to contribute, to connect, and to keep the Church moving forward. You were placed in the body so the body could function, and when every believer plays their part, the Church runs at full strength for the glory of God!

When Karen rocks a baby in her arms, the body of Christ functions. When Todd waves a visitor into a parking spot with a smile, the body of Christ functions. When you use your gifts, whatever they are, the Church moves, breathes, grows, and glorifies Jesus.

You were not placed by accident; you were placed on purpose. You are a vital connection in the body of Christ.

II. Powered through Contribution vs. 6–7

So, our first perspective this morning is that you were placed for connection. Our second perspective is that you were powered through contribution. We see this illustrated in verses 6 and 7. 

“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one's faith; [7] if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching;”

Again, think of it like this…

“God’s grace empowers every believer to actively use their spiritual gifts for the good of others and the glory of Christ.”

Every believer has been given a unique measure of grace to contribute to the work of God. Paul says in verse 6, “According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts.” We talked about this word last week. That word “grace” in Greek is charis, which means unmerited favor or divine enablement. It means that the gift you have is not your doing, it’s God’s doing! You didn’t earn it, you didn’t manufacture it, and you can’t take credit for it. It was placed in you by the Holy Spirit so that the Church could be built up, strengthened, and mobilized.

Peter echoes this same truth in 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) when he writes, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Did you catch that? Every believer is a steward, every believer a caretaker of God’s grace! When you serve others, you are literally managing the grace of God on His behalf. That’s powerful! You are heaven’s delivery system for God’s goodness.

Think about that for a moment…

God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to work through us. He has wired His Church to function through our contribution. That means when you hold back your gift, the body of Christ loses strength. But when you use your gift, the body gains power.

Let me give you an illustration. Have you ever watched a movie where a superhero realizes their power for the first time?  Now I love Spider-man. Peter Parker doesn’t know what he’s capable of until he starts to use what’s been given to him. Once he realizes his abilities, everything changes. But the power isn’t about him, it’s about helping others. Uncle Ben told him, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Well, church, that’s exactly what Paul is saying here! God has placed power within you, but that power isn’t for show. It’s for service!

If you have the gift of teaching, then teach! If you have the gift of serving, then serve! If your gift is encouraging, then speak life into others! When you contribute your gift, you complete the mission of the Church. When you withhold it, you rob others of the blessing God intended for them through you.

You know, that got me thinking. There are people in the church who withhold their gifts. They don’t contribute. Why? 

There are a lot of reasons people say they don’t contribute, they don’t serve, or they don’t get involved. But every one of those reasons falls flat when measured against the grace of God and the purpose He’s given us.

Let me share with you some reasons that I hear people give to me, sharing with me why they don’t contribute. 

“I don’t agree with a decision the leadership of the church has made.”

I hear that sometimes. A ministry decision gets made, and someone says, “Well, I just don’t like the direction they’re going, so I’m stepping back.” Friend, hear me in love, disagreement is not a permission slip to disengage. If every person who disagreed with something in Scripture walked away, there’d be no Church left! Paul and Barnabas disagreed in Acts 15, but the Gospel kept moving forward. Why? Because the mission matters more than personal preference. The Church is not built on perfect agreement—it’s built on shared obedience to Jesus Christ.

Here’s another…

“I don’t like the music.”

Now, I’ve heard that one a time or two! Somebody says, “I liked it better when we sang the hymns,” while someone else says, “I wish we’d do more new songs.” Here’s what I’ve learned, the style of worship is not nearly as important as the spirit of worship. The goal isn’t to get your favorite playlist; the goal is to get your heart in tune with God. Psalm 150 doesn’t say, “Praise Him only with the organ,” or “only with the guitar.” It says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” If you’ve got breath, you’ve got a reason to worship, and to serve.

Believe it or not, I’ve heard this one regularly for 15 years…

“I don’t like the pastor.”

Now, I’ll be honest, I don’t like that one either! But let’s talk about it. Maybe someone says, “Well, I just don’t connect with his preaching,” or “I don’t agree with his leadership style.” Listen, the Church doesn’t revolve around the personality of the pastor, it revolves around the person of Jesus Christ! If your participation depends on who’s in the pulpit instead of who’s on the throne, you’ve lost your focus. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” We don’t serve for people—we serve unto the Lord.

Now this is the one that I hear a lot…

“My feelings are hurt.”

This might be the most common one of all. Someone says, “I used to serve, but someone hurt my feelings, so I stepped away.” And I get it—church hurt is real. People can say and do things that wound us deeply. But the answer to hurt is not hiding, it’s healing. The longer you stay isolated, the deeper that wound grows. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The cross reminds us that if Jesus could forgive us for our sins, we can forgive others for their shortcomings.

Now this one is the one that I hear most of all…

 “I don’t have time. I’m too busy.”

Now let’s get really practical. Some folks say, “Pastor, I’d love to serve, but my schedule is just too full.” Friend, I say this gently but truthfully, if you are too busy for God, you are too busy. The problem isn’t the clock; it’s the calendar of priorities. We make time for what matters most. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If you’ll put God first, He’ll help you handle the rest. Busyness is not holiness. You can fill your life with good things and still miss the best thing, serving the Lord who saved you!

Friends, every excuse that keeps you from serving is robbing you of the joy of obedience.

We are powered through contribution. When each member uses their God-given gifts, the body of Christ comes alive! The engine of ministry starts running, the light of Christ shines brighter, and the Kingdom of God moves forward.

So let me ask you, what are you doing with the gift God gave you? Don’t keep it parked in the garage. Don’t let it gather dust. Put it in gear, use it for His glory, and watch how God powers His Church through your faithful contribution!

III. Persistent in Compassion vs. 8

Ok, let’s cover this last perspective. Our last perspective is that we should remain persistent in compassion. Go back to verse 8. 

“if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.”

The explanation of this point is there on your sermon outline. 

“Mature believers display Christlike character by leading diligently, giving generously, and showing mercy cheerfully.”

You see, friends, the true mark of spiritual maturity is not how much you know but how much you show, how much compassion, grace, and love you display even when life gets hard. Paul reminds us that every believer who has been transformed by God’s mercy should extend that mercy to others. Mature believers are consistent in their leadership, generous in their giving, and cheerful in their mercy.

But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to stay compassionate. Sometimes we get tired. 

Sometimes we give and give until we feel empty. 

Sometimes we lead and it feels like no one follows. 

Sometimes we show mercy and it feels like people take advantage of it. That’s why the Apostle Paul gives us this reminder in Galatians 6:9 (KJV):

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Church, don’t stop doing good. Don’t stop serving. Don’t stop giving. Don’t stop loving. The world is full of people who quit when it gets hard, but God is calling His people to be steadfast, to be faithful when it’s not easy, to keep giving when it costs something, and to keep loving when it hurts.

When Paul says, “show mercy with cheerfulness,” that word cheerfulness literally means “a ready joy.” It’s a joy that’s eager to serve, even when there’s no applause. A joy that doesn’t depend on recognition but on relationship, a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We live in a world that’s growing colder by the day. People are cynical, skeptical, and self-focused. But mature believers keep their hearts warm with compassion. They lead diligently, they give generously, and they love joyfully, because they’re not doing it for man, they’re doing it for the Master.

So keep on serving, keep on smiling, keep on showing mercy. Because in due season, God will bring a harvest of joy from your faithfulness. Let this information be your inspiration.

Let This Information Be Your Inspiration!

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You today for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for reminding us through Romans 12 that every one of us has a place, a purpose, and a part to play in the body of Christ. You have placed us for connection, You have powered us for contribution, and You have called us to be persistent in compassion.

Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve acted like the appendix, content to sit on the sidelines while others serve. Forgive us for our excuses, our distractions, and our delays. Today, remind us that we are appointed, anointed, and accountable to use what You’ve given us for Your glory.

Father, help us to be like Karen Vance, faithful in quiet service. Help us to be like Todd Kirby, joyful in unseen ministry. Help us to see that no gift is small, no act of service is wasted, and no servant goes unnoticed by You.

Give us hearts that stay humble, hands that stay busy, and spirits that stay cheerful. And when we grow weary, remind us of Your promise in Galatians 6:9, that in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.

Lord, as we come to this time of invitation, stir in us a holy conviction to get connected, to contribute, and to show compassion. May Your Spirit move freely in this place. Use us to build Your Church, strengthen Your people, and glorify Your name.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray,

Amen.