Same Tune, Different Drummer (Lent 34–2013)

When God calls the Church to be biblically countercultural, He doesn’t overlook that we are individuals. 

In fact, everything about our individuality matters to God.

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And while we might march to the beat of a different drummer, we’re all marching to the same Gospel tune.

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This intricate balance between the individual and the community is beautifully articulated in today’s passage:

Romans 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)

Just as a band or an orchestra needs all the instruments, a ballet company choreographs all the dancers, and a theatrical production requires all the actors, so a Church displaying diversity can yet march to the same Gospel tune.

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Give it up for Lent: Wishing you were gifted differently

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For further study:

1. Identify the areas in our passage above where Scripture points to the diversity of the individuals.
2. Now identify the areas in which the community is held together.
3. Why do you suppose it’s so hard in the Church for people to serve in the way they are gifted?  What types of things stand in the way? 
4. To what degree is the responsibility an individual responsibility and to what degree is it a community success or failure?  How do the commands beginning in verse 9 show us how to succeed as a Church?