Spiritual Gifts (1)
A Sermon on Romans 12:6
Originally preached Feb. 11, 1966
Scripture
6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 12:6 titled “Spiritual Gifts (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages a look at the nature of spiritual gifts. God decides which gift to provide to each Christian but they all work in and through the very same Spirit. He reminds that there is a “diversity of operations, but the same God that worketh all in all.” Why and how are Christians to “covet” and “desire” the best gifts? How ought they seek these gifts? The listener is encouraged to learn to love the spiritual gifts and to be filled with love. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes and explains the doctrine of the body, love, and contentment. Can one “claim” a gift? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks more directly at the gift of tongues, pastoring, and missions and shows the importance of understanding that gifts cannot be “claimed” or imparted by others. Some people proclaim that “the need is the call,” but this simply shows an ignorance of the doctrine concerning the call of the Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones touches on baptism with the Holy Spirit, how gifts differ, and His call to the particular service. God decides the gifts, calls the Christian to a certain gift, and equips them to the service to which each of His children have been called.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with the practical outworking and application of principles he has laid down in the first 11 chapters of Romans.
- Paul tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and be transformed by renewing our minds to prove God's will.
- We are not to think too highly of ourselves but think soberly according to the measure of faith God has given us.
- The gifts we have are according to the grace given to us by God. They are spiritual gifts given to believers to benefit the church.
- God, through the Holy Spirit, decides which gifts to give to each person. We are to covet the best gifts, meaning those that benefit the church the most.
- We should have an intense desire to serve and benefit the church. But we must do so through love and while understanding we are all part of the body of Christ.
- We should be content with whatever gift God gives us and not complain if we do not receive the gift we desire. God is sovereign over which gifts are given.
- No one is meant to have any single gift. We have different gifts according to God's grace. We are not all meant to have the same gift.
- We cannot claim or produce spiritual gifts ourselves. They are given by the Holy Spirit alone according to His will.
- We should not feel ashamed if we do not have a particular gift like preaching or missionary work. We all have a gift and role to play as part of the body of Christ.
- The story of David illustrates this. Those who stayed behind with the supplies still received an equal share of the spoils. They had an equally important role, even if not on the front lines.
- No one should go into ministry or missions unless they are sure they have been called and gifted by God. Zeal or perceiving a need is not enough. God calls and equips those He chooses.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.