Message Notes: Romans 12: 3-8
by Scott Hamilton on Tuesday, 26th August 2014
There will be a link between how surrendered we are to God and the way in which we serve God.
Thinking with sober judgment means we take a serious look at our heart, invite the truth about our character and seek a truer glimpse of who we really are.
Sober judgement comes when we see that my sin required Jesus on a cross for salvation and that anything we do contribute comes from God.
Sober judgement removes a sense of entitlement and tendency to offence because you understand that you serve at His pleasure and so have no reason for pride.
The best way to pursue humility is to participate in community
When you find the word preach it is usually included in a sentence with Gospel, Word or Christ crucified.
Preaching should be faith-building: it should show consistency of conviction, confidence about content and point people towards the truth about God.
Preaching should be idol busting: breaking up things in our lives that set themselves up against God.
We need the Gospel. We need to know who we really are, to know there is really hope and to hear of God who loves us and wants to give life to us.
We need the Gospel. We need to know there is a cross for our spiritual crime, forgiveness for our spiritual failure and love in the midst of our lostness.
We need the Gospel. Anything else is small caliber truth for large caliber problems.
An attitude of service proves the authenticity of our surrender
Distinction between preach & teach is not always clean because preaching often incorporates teaching and sometimes the teacher can’t help but preach at the joy of what He is outlining.
Teaching isn’t about making yourself look clever but about making God’s Word appear clearer. The person who has that gift gets that.
Where preaching is truth made practical and teaching is truth made foundational, then exhortation is truth made relational.
When it comes to giving an open hand before God demonstrates an open heart towards God.
When it comes to leading half-hearted leaders cause brokenhearted others.
Church leadership is having an influence that is infectious for others in their pursuit of Jesus.
Serving well is a matter of attitude. A grudging attitude makes it a grind all round. Having to be chased to play your part is a waste.