Series Details
Romans 12:6–21
Enthusiasm! Every church should overflow with enthusiasm as it fulfills Christ’s mission. Chuck Swindoll certainly is enthusiastic about the church, and in this two-part series, he lights a torch and sets our hearts ablaze with an eagerness to truly love one another.
The first message explores the central question, “What do we do as members of Christ’s church?” The answer: use our gifts. The second message addresses the “how” question. How are we to carry out our gifts? By living in harmony despite our differences.
Don’t let your church involvement sink into a lifeless, predictable, and passionless routine. And don’t settle for a mentality of divisiveness between groups. Instead, grasp the exciting vision of the church as Christ intended! No other institution on earth is as appealing and inspiring as a church where members express their God-given gifts and open their hearts with Christ’s love.
Let Chuck’s enthusiasm for the church spark a fire in you!
Every church should overflow with enthusiasm as it fulfills Christ’s mission. In this two-part study of Romans 12, Pastor Chuck Swindoll invites us into a more intimate conversation about the vision of the church. By exploring both what we are called to do as members of the body and how we are called to do it, these messages aim to move us away from lifeless routines and divisive mentalities toward the exciting, inspiring community Christ intended.
1. Let’s Think about Our Church (Romans 12:6–13)
- Overview: Addresses the “what” of church life. Chuck explores the diversity of spiritual gifts—such as prophecy, service, teaching, and exhortation—and emphasizes that a healthy church is one where every member is actively contributing their God-given grace.
- Key Fact: Love in the church is not a passive feeling but an active deployment of spiritual gifts for the benefit of others.
- Scripture: Romans 12:6 – “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.”
2. Looking Deeper into Our Church (Romans 12:14–21)
- Overview: Addresses the “how” of church life. This message looks at the practical outworking of love in difficult situations, including how to handle enemies, how to live in harmony, and how to overcome evil with good.
- Key Fact: A dynamic church is characterized by its ability to maintain unity and grace even in the face of conflict and personal differences.
- Scripture: Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Common Questions: Loving One Another
1. How do I know what my spiritual gift is? As Pastor Chuck explains in “Let’s Think about Our Church,” your gift is often linked to where you see a need and feel a grace-filled desire to meet it. Whether it is teaching, giving, or showing mercy, the key is to start exercising that grace within the community of faith.
2. What should I do if my church involvement feels like a “passionless routine”? The series suggests that a lack of passion often stems from a lack of “active” love. By shifting from a consumer mentality to a contributor mentality—actually using your gifts to serve others—the enthusiasm for the church is naturally rekindled.
3. Is it really possible to “live in harmony” with people who are so different from me? Drawing from Romans 12:16, Chuck emphasizes that harmony does not mean uniformity. It means being “haughty” in mind is replaced by a willingness to “associate with the lowly.” Harmony is the result of shared humility and a common focus on Christ’s love.
4. How does “overcoming evil with good” apply to my relationships in the church? In the second message, this is presented as the ultimate test of love. Instead of seeking revenge or allowing bitterness to take root when you are wronged, you choose to respond with “burning coals” of kindness. This stops the cycle of evil and displays the supernatural power of the Gospel.
5. Why is the church considered the “most appealing institution on earth”? When a church functions as described in Romans 12—where gifts are used, needs are met, and love is sincere—it becomes a magnet for a hurting world. It offers a level of community, resilience, and genuine care that cannot be found anywhere else.
