Sermon Tone Analysis

Romans series #18

*Romans 12:3-21*

*A Beautiful Orchestra*

 

Bad-Luck Opera

/Charles VI/, the opera composed by Jacques Halevy in 1843, was killed by a superstition that began seven years later during a presentation in Paris.

On three successive nights, someone in the theatre dropped dead after the singing of the aria "God, Kill Him!" which caused the work to be banned until 1858 when Napoleon III ordered a revival that he and the Empress could attend.

On the way, their coach was bombed and, although they escaped unharmed, many others were killed or injured.

The performance was cancelled and, as far as is known, the opera was never presented again.

*1.

Attitude of The Orchestra - What They Think vv.

3-5*

 

Don't think too highly but have a sober mind - the picture here is of self conceit being "over-proud" and then sober mind is literally being "in your right mind" in other words this self-centered spiritual pride is seen as coming from the same species as insanity

 

Any musician if honest would say that there's always someone that can take their place!

You are NOT indispensable.

We are collectively ONE body with many members.

Each member has it's own function and does it without thinking twice.

The world does not revolve around any of the members of the body.

As a matter of fact, I usually don't even think about most of my body parts unless they are hurting.

As long as my body parts are doing their job, the way they are supposed to be doing it, I don't even really notice it.

Do you think about your toes while you are walking?

Well, break a toe! 

Every time you get up and down and change directions, go up steps, I'm going to be thinking about that toe all the time until it is better.

A world class runner is not thinking about their toes, or legs, or pumping their arms or anything.

They are focusing on staying down out of the blocks or exploding at the gun.

While they are running, they are focusing on the finish-line getting ready to lean.

Yet though no one is paying attention each body part is doing their job with one singular purpose, that the body is successful.

The nerves are firing causing the muscles contract and relax, the lungs are breathing in and out in perfect time, the heart is beating as the adrenal glands release adrenaline to empower the body to compete at the level necessary.

But the right little toe, and the adrenal gland, nor the lungs, or the 3rd cervical vertebrae,

they don't care that no one takes notice of them, because they are going across the finish-line just like the rest of the body!!!

That is all that matters.

Now is something hurts, the WHOLE BODY STOPS and throws their attention toward the injury to determine what is necessary.

In a beautiful orchestra we don't so much notice the individual instruments, just the beautiful music.

We only draw attention to one instrument if that instrument is out of time, too loud, too long, or out of tune

 

Oh yeah, instruments don't really care what you think, right?

Their just instruments.

Let's paint a picture, Can you imagine this scenario?

The orchestra is in full swing.

The conductor is whipping himself into a frenzy of zeal and enthusiasm.

But who is that approaching him?

It is a member of his orchestra, the one who plays the triangle.

He is speaking to the conductor.

"Do you mind if I go home now-I've come to the end of my part of the score."

Is that the way it's supposed to be? 

 

No, it is not like that because it's NOT about ME, it's ALL about Him, The Music

 

 

This helps us to transition to the

 

*2.

Aptitude of a Beautiful Orchestra - what they can do vv6-8*

 

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 (NIV)

/29 //Are all apostles?

Are all prophets?

Are all teachers?

Do all work miracles?

30 Do all have gifts of healing?

Do all speak in tongues?

Do all interpret?

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts./

 

1 Corinthians 12:7

/7 //Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good/.

Every part of the body is NOT the same, but every part of the Body has an ability, a function that is critical to the rest of the body.

The church is edified as you USE your gifts

The whole body is glorified when gifts are used

 

The individual body parts may receive recognition but it is the whole body and ultimately the Person who gets the Praise, Adoration, Attention, Glory.

So, Who's the Person?

The church itself?

NO That's the Body

The Pastor, Staff, Leadership?  No, those are ultimately just body parts or instruments as well.

Important parts no doubt, but just are other parts.

What is the Personality?

What determines that?

The Head, the Brain, who is that?

Jesus Christ, is the Head of the Church

Jesus Christ gets the glory, he is the one who receives the rewards, because it is him

But this scripture and others in Ephesians and the letter to the Corinthians tell us that God has given us certain aptitudes, gifts in order to become a beautiful orchestra, a complete body

 

Only a small number of spiritual gifts are listed here, they are not meant to be the end of the story on spiritual gifts, but he's not teaching so much about the gifts themselves but how they affect the body and how we should approach and use them.

He lists 6 gifts here

  Prophesy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy

 

Remember

  1. the gift is given for the purpose of being used -

Jesus doesn't give "KNICK KNACKS"

To be Put on a Shelf and Admired

 

Jesus gives no useless gifts

 

He gave you this aptitude so that you will USE IT!

 

  2.

the gift is given to complete the tasks of the church

 

  3.

the gift is given to glorify God

 

 

Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play with or weapons to fight with.

In the church at Corinth, the believers were tearing down the ministry because they were abusing spiritual gifts.

They were using their gifts as ends in themselves and not as a means toward the end of building up the church.

They so emphasized their spiritual gifts that they lost their spiritual graces!

They had the gifts of the Spirit but were lacking in the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal.

5:22-23).

That's like technical musical ability without artistic musicianship

 

We have to learn how to use our gifts according to the grace we've been given.

If you can't be graceful with your gift then back it off a little bit.

 

- Use prophesy to the level of your faith, i.e. if you are not sure of it, be careful what you say.

 

- If your gift is serving - SERVE -

- If your gift is teaching - teach

- If your gift is encouraging - encourage

- If your gift is giving - give generously

- If your gift is leadership - lead with diligence, i.e. know where you are going, know who you are leading, know what they are capable of doing, in pace and strength

- If your gift is mercy - show mercy cheerfully

 

/1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)/

/10 //Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.

If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.