A Broke Evangelist

December 7, 2024

Romans 12:3

Sober Mindedness with Spiritual Gifts

“3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Fortunately, it’s only one verse tonight, and I’m in need of sleep. This verse is a powerful reminder to live with gratitude, humility, and a spirit of service. But first:

Today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day—a day to pause, reflect, and tip our hats to the 2,403 service members and civilians who tragically lost their lives on that fateful Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. It was the day America received a wake-up call louder than a sonic boom, as an unprovoked attack launched us headfirst into World War II. As tragic as it was, this story isn’t just about loss. It’s about heroism, resilience, and a determination so inspiring it makes you want to stand up, put your hand over your heart, and belt out the national anthem (preferably in tune, but we’ll allow some off-key patriotism). In the face of unimaginable destruction, America’s Greatest Generation didn’t falter. They rallied like champions. They didn’t just stand up to fascism abroad; they lined up, signed up, suited up, and strapped up, all while declaring, “Not on our watch!”

These courageous individuals weren’t fighting for one person or one place. Oh no, they were fighting for an idea. America wasn’t just a plot of land bordered by two oceans—or in Hawaii’s case, surrounded by ocean. America was, and still is, a messy, beautiful experiment in freedom and democracy that refuses to be squashed. These men and women understood a profound truth: freedom isn’t a “one and done” deal. It’s more like a sourdough starter—you’ve got to keep tending it, or it’s toast. Because of their bravery, the world saw light at the end of a very dark tunnel. These men and women proved that no bomb, no hate, no darkness could extinguish the flame of liberty burning in the hearts of free people. Their story is, quite simply, one of the greatest love stories ever told.

Fast forward 83 years, and here we are—still enjoying the freedoms they fought for. We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, cheered on football games, and even burned hot dogs and burgers on the grill. But we must remember how we got here. Honoring their legacy means more than nodding somberly at documentaries or visiting monuments (though those are meaningful acts). It’s more than just sharing a meme on social media. It means continuing to keep the spirit of our Republic alive, one freedom-loving, hotdog-eating citizen at a time. So today, let’s remember the brave souls whose lives were cut short at Pearl Harbor, as well as the heroes who rose to the occasion and carried on the fight over the next four years. Let’s honor the World War II veterans (and all veterans) who are still with us—buy one a cup of coffee or even a lunch if you can swing it. Let’s keep carrying the torch of liberty, even when life feels more like a sitcom than a war epic.

While we’re at it, let’s recommit to building the America they dreamed of—an America grounded in freedom, equality, and opportunity for all, in whatever way we can contribute. Because let’s face it: if they could get through Pearl Harbor and the grueling years that followed, we can handle whatever 2024 or 2025 throws our way. As we reflect tonight, let this be a reminder: it’s easy to think life is all about us. Then, we’re hit with the reality of what others have sacrificed to give us the freedoms we enjoy. It’s humbling, isn’t it?

And thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your service.

On that note, I’ll leave you with this passage from Romans 12:3…

Romans 12:3 - For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

This is where Paul drops the wisdom bomb. Paul’s about to dive into spiritual gifts, those awesome abilities God hands out like heavenly party favors. But before we get too excited about flexing our spiritual muscles, he has a gentle-but-firm warning: We’re not to let it go to our heads. And why would he say that? Well, as we learned in Romans 11, the Gentiles were getting a little full of themselves by feeling super special after Israel rejected Jesus (well, most of Israel—save for the remnant). Truth be told, there is a little bit of a side-effect when some people are spiritually gifted: ego. These folks start strutting around like they’re the star of The Church Show.

Reality check: having spiritual gifts doesn’t automatically make us spiritually mature. We can be maestros on the metaphorical tambourine of truth and still have the spiritual depth of a kiddie pool. It’s not a badge of perfection, and it certainly doesn’t mean we’ll be some of the next candidates for sainthood. In fact, some people have started (and ended) powerful ministries because of their lack of spiritual depth. It’s like preparing a meal: someone who can make a killer steak can’t automatically step into running a Michelin-star restaurant. Spiritual gifts are like the steak—wonderful, impressive, and totally from God. But maturity is like the restaurant—it takes time, effort, and probably some “learning moments” (for me: epic failures) along the way. And let’s be honest, pride can sneak in faster than my dog Buster sniffing out cookies in my pocket. One minute we could be humbly serving, and the next we’d be like, “Hey, did everyone notice how amazing I am at this? No? Let me just point it out…” Paul’s advice is to not go there and stay humble. Continue to remember the One who gave you those gifts in the first place. News flash: it wasn’t us. God didn’t pass out spiritual gifts so we could have a talent show in the church parking lot. He gave them to build up the body of Christ, to help others, and to spread His love—not our egos. After all, spiritual maturity isn’t about being the loudest or flashiest. It’s about being faithful, humble, and willing to let God take the lead. And trust me, He’s got a way better plan than any of us could ever dream up.

My wife and I are fans of the CBS drama “Tracker,” a show about a guy who spends his life traveling across the United States in a pickup truck, towing an Airstream fifth-wheel trailer. His job is finding missing people for reward money. It’s a good show that highlights the idea that there are still good guys out there trying to do the right thing in life. I’ve watched a few episodes and I had been having trouble trying to ascertain the type of personality that Colter Shaw (main character) has. After a while, I realized that Colter Shaw has what’s called a “sober” personality. When referring to personality, "sober" means being calm, serious, thoughtful, and self-controlled. It describes someone who approaches life and situations with a level-headed and mature attitude, rather than being overly emotional, impulsive, or frivolous. A "sober" personality trait isn't about being joyless or somber but reflects steadiness and balance. Sober-minded people are serious and grounded, self-controlled, thoughtful, mature, balanced, calm and reliable. While a "sober" personality might seem reserved, it doesn’t mean the person lacks warmth, humor, or enthusiasm. They simply channel these qualities in a measured and thoughtful way, providing stability and confidence to those around them.

So, Paul tells us: “think of yourself with sober judgment.” It sounds serious, right? But don’t worry, this isn’t about trading in our personalities for a permanent poker face. What Paul means is to keep it real, it to see ourselves honestly, without filters, without an overinflated ego, and without drama either. “Sober judgment” is like looking in a spiritual mirror. We see ourselves as we truly are—warts, molds, scars, cavities, zits and all. It’s about embracing our strengths without becoming a walking billboard for self-promotion.

At the same time, it’s about acknowledging our weaknesses without diving into a pity pool somewhere. Paul adds to do this “in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Translation? Let’s not measure ourselves by our neighbor’s faith or their Instagram-perfect life. No worrying about how Bob memorized all of Leviticus, and we worry about barely remembering John 3:16! Our faith, our gifts, our journey—they’re all handpicked by God just for us.

Another way to think of ourselves with sober judgment is like a reality check after a bad haircut. We’re not fooling anyone with that comb-over. We’re better to embrace the truth and move on. It’s also not about giving ourselves an “Employee of the Month” award every week—people like that have no friends and nobody likes them. And it’s not about wearing a sign that says, “I’m the worst Christian ever.” That’s like being one of those people who post vague comments, like “I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED…” with no explanation, people who are just fishing for compliments or encouragement in the name of humility. We’re better off to think about it like Goldilocks, when she came upon the bears’ porridge: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Our spiritual gifts: amazing. Our flaws: human. Our purpose: divine.

One more thing to think about: When we view ourselves honestly and align that view with God’s plan, we stop trying to be something we’re not. Instead, we embrace who God made us to be—unique, loved, and equipped to make a difference. And that’s way better than any award or comparison game. So let us go ahead and look in that mirror of faith, smile at the person that God created, and then get out there and use those gifts for His glory. Let us not forget to have a little humility, a dash of humor, and a lot of grace, which can go a long way!

More to come…

A Broke Evangelist – December 7, 2024

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