International Sunday School Lesson January 28, 2024 Winter #9
Background
The church is a service-centered organization. The saved are all bound together in faithful service when it is functioning properly. Paul, by the direction of the Holy Ghost, outlines this process for the church at Rome.
No Pride
Romans 12:3 ESV For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Proverbs 29:23 (ESV) One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
One Body
Romans 12:4-5 ESV For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, (5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-30 (ESV) For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. [14] For the body does not consist of one member but of many. [15] If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? [18] But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19] If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” [22] On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, [24] which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, [25] that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26] If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. [28] And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Prophecy
Romans 12:6 ESV Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
1 Corinthians 14:4 (NLT) A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
Service and Teaching
Romans 12:7 ESV if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
1 Corinthians 12:5-6 (ESV) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
Psalms 51:13 (ESV) Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Exhorts, Contribute, Leading, and Mercy
Romans 12:8 ESV the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Concluding Thoughts
Don’t be prideful in your service. Work together.
Leave a Reply