2nd Sunday after Epiphany 1/17/10 Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Title: For the Common Good
Second Sunday after Epiphany
1/17/10
Text: I Corinthians 12:1-11
Title: For the Common Good.
I would like to conduct a little poll here today consisting of two questions. You have to wave your hands in the air to vote. You can wave one hand, or both, to indicate your favor. Let's practice. Question one; Who would like to hear me really sing out today to really let go and put all of myself into a hymn, or better yet, into a solo. Come on, put up your hands if you would like that. Now put up your hands if you would rather have Jason, or Penny, or pretty much anyone else sing.
The reason I conducted this straw poll is to make a point about gifts and how we regard them and ourselves. While I love to sing I know and you know that singing is not my gift to be used in the congregation; well actually to use anywhere. My wife on the other hand, like Jason and others in our congregation, has a beautiful voice that enhances our worship experience.
I sometimes wish, as I am sure some of you wish, that I had the gift of being able to sing. Oh how I wish that could sing and play and lift up the hearts of all those around me with song, but cannot. I also wish I had the gift of a photographic memory and the ability to speak foreign languages, but I do not.
The problem with my wanting what I do not have, is that I have focused on the negative instead of the positive gifts that God has given me to use in this congregation. In the Epistle reading for today, the twelfth chapter of the first letter to the members of a Christian church in Corinth the Apostle Paul speaks at length about gifts and about how the people of God should regard them.
Let’s get into the text. I want you to notice as we go through the text that Paul is not speaking about individuals even though individuals are being talked about. Paul is talking about two truths in this text. The first six verses address the first truth. All good things that are done by each of you in faith, spiritual gifts you have, service you do, and activities that you do in the congregation come from one source and that source is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity. In other words everything good that you do, whether you are a member, friend, or visitor of this congregation, comes from God alone.
The second truth that you need to take notice of in this text is that spiritual gifts, what Paul is addressing in this reading do not belong to you, for you to use when you feel like it. They are given to you for the common good of the congregation. In other words, you might have a particular spiritual gift or gifts, but since you are a participant in this congregation they are not your gifts, but the congregation’s gifts.
Paul breaks down the gifts which is certainly not a complete list of spiritual gifts into 4 categories. The first category is made up of wisdom and knowledge. These gifts are not about being highly intelligent as those of the world would think, for wisdom is the wisdom of God as in knowing the salvation story. Knowledge is being able to apply that wisdom for the good of the congregation to fulfill the mission of the congregation.
The next category is faith. This is more than saving faith, for all that believe and trust in Jesus as their Savior have saving faith. The faith that Paul is talking about are a special gifts of faith that seem to not be as active today, as when Scripture was being written. They are the spiritual gifts of healing, and the working of miracles.
The next category is the gift of prophecy and being able to distinguish between spirits, as in being able to tell the difference between God’s Spirit and other spirits which can mislead a person or, for that matter a whole congregation. The gift of prophecy is being able to correctly communicate God’s Word to those who are listening.
The last category concerns the speaking and interpretation of tongues. This category, is widely disputed, as to its use today. The word that is translated tongues means languages and was used when Peter and the disciples at Pentecost were moved by the Spirit to talk in the foreign languages of the people there that day. Today it is taught by many that if you have the gift to speak in extinct languages you have a higher level of faith than the rest. Paul speaks elsewhere to the value of speaking and interpreting of tongues, so I will not address speaking in tongues any further today.
When we hear a list of spiritual gifts we like to rank them because we believe that they belong to us. And since we believe they are our gifts we feel we can use them as we see fit. If we feel like sharing them we will do it, or if we don’t feel like, or if things aren’t going our way, we just might take our gift and go home.
The problem is that is not what God’s Word teaches concerning spiritual gifts. They do not belong to us personally. They are not for our use. They are given to individuals for the good of the congregation.
When we think they are ours then we believe that they are to be used to show the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, so that the congregation can be blessed by what we do. Verse 7 of our text does not teach that either. The gifts given to each person is given so that the work of the Holy Spirit is shown to the congregation. Spiritual gifts are given to individuals, not for one’s own glory, but for the glory of God to show the work of the Holy Spirit for the good of the congregation.
What I have just told you became crystal clear as I studied the Greek text of verse 7. This verse brings together everything that Paul is trying to tell a congregation which has members who think they can do their own thing because they have special spiritual gifts. I hope this does not get too technical but I want to go through this verse one or two words at time, so you can see what I mean.
Take a look at verse 7, so you can follow along. Paul writes, “To each”. Notice he does not say to some. This tells me that everyone in the congregation receives spiritual gifts to be used for the common good. No one is left out.
The verb “given” tells us that the spiritual gifts which each have are not ours, but God’s, for the Holy Spirit is the one doing the giving of the spiritual gift, pretty important information for people who think that the spiritual gifts they have are theirs, to use as they see fit.
Then Paul tells us the reason they are given. He writes that what is given is the “manifestation of the Spirit.” In other words what is given to each member of the congregation are spiritual gifts that that when used properly show the glory of God and not self. The focus is on God and his work in the congregation.
The last point Paul makes is that the gifts are to be used for the common good of the congregation. In other words they are not given to be used by just a certain part of the congregation for its use, or to self, for one’s own personal use, but for everyone in the congregation, so that all can be enriched.
What does all this mean? It means that just as we are stewards of all that God gives us we are also stewards of the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit has given to each one of us, stewards for the common good of the congregation.
Now you might be thinking that you don’t have a spiritual gift that can be used in the congregation for it common good. Let’s take a look at verse 11 to see what God through St. Paul has to say about that. He writes, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually, as he wills”.
What he is saying is that each one of you has received spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit for the good of the congregation. Some of you have been given more of some gifts than others, but all have been given a gift or gifts that this congregation needs at this time and place. They are given to you so that this congregation as a member of the body of Christ can do its work in the community and world as our mission statement states.
If God has and he says that he has given to people the gifts that this congregation needs at this time and place; for us not to use the gift is to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in this congregation. In the fulfilling of this congregation’s mission statement which is the reason we exist there are many opportunities for people to use their gifts that are empty because no one has said they will help.
Outreach needs people to help with greeting our visitors. Nursery needs more volunteers to help out one Sunday every, I think it is 3 months, so that families with babies can have childcare while they worship the Lord. There are still opportunities for altar care. We need someone who will be in charge of fellowship without that being filled there will not be anymore fellowship dinners. Since Dewey is now an elder there is an opportunity for someone to be the recording secretary for the council and voter’s meeting. Mary is changing to outreach chair, so there is a need for a person to be in charge of our stewardship program. Since Dewey and Bob are now elders we need more ushers in the 10:30 service, so our worship goes smoothly. Hand bells need some more people. Choir can use more people. Then there is the Kaffe Klatch and the LWML groups. Oktoberfest where we raise the money we spend on missions. I am sure I have left out some area of service where you can use the gift that God has given you for the common good of the congregation. Open you hearts to the call of the Holy Spirit, don’t hinder his work, not because you have to, but because of what God has done for you in his wonderful gift of salvation. Amen.
1/17/10
Text: I Corinthians 12:1-11
Title: For the Common Good.
I would like to conduct a little poll here today consisting of two questions. You have to wave your hands in the air to vote. You can wave one hand, or both, to indicate your favor. Let's practice. Question one; Who would like to hear me really sing out today to really let go and put all of myself into a hymn, or better yet, into a solo. Come on, put up your hands if you would like that. Now put up your hands if you would rather have Jason, or Penny, or pretty much anyone else sing.
The reason I conducted this straw poll is to make a point about gifts and how we regard them and ourselves. While I love to sing I know and you know that singing is not my gift to be used in the congregation; well actually to use anywhere. My wife on the other hand, like Jason and others in our congregation, has a beautiful voice that enhances our worship experience.
I sometimes wish, as I am sure some of you wish, that I had the gift of being able to sing. Oh how I wish that could sing and play and lift up the hearts of all those around me with song, but cannot. I also wish I had the gift of a photographic memory and the ability to speak foreign languages, but I do not.
The problem with my wanting what I do not have, is that I have focused on the negative instead of the positive gifts that God has given me to use in this congregation. In the Epistle reading for today, the twelfth chapter of the first letter to the members of a Christian church in Corinth the Apostle Paul speaks at length about gifts and about how the people of God should regard them.
Let’s get into the text. I want you to notice as we go through the text that Paul is not speaking about individuals even though individuals are being talked about. Paul is talking about two truths in this text. The first six verses address the first truth. All good things that are done by each of you in faith, spiritual gifts you have, service you do, and activities that you do in the congregation come from one source and that source is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity. In other words everything good that you do, whether you are a member, friend, or visitor of this congregation, comes from God alone.
The second truth that you need to take notice of in this text is that spiritual gifts, what Paul is addressing in this reading do not belong to you, for you to use when you feel like it. They are given to you for the common good of the congregation. In other words, you might have a particular spiritual gift or gifts, but since you are a participant in this congregation they are not your gifts, but the congregation’s gifts.
Paul breaks down the gifts which is certainly not a complete list of spiritual gifts into 4 categories. The first category is made up of wisdom and knowledge. These gifts are not about being highly intelligent as those of the world would think, for wisdom is the wisdom of God as in knowing the salvation story. Knowledge is being able to apply that wisdom for the good of the congregation to fulfill the mission of the congregation.
The next category is faith. This is more than saving faith, for all that believe and trust in Jesus as their Savior have saving faith. The faith that Paul is talking about are a special gifts of faith that seem to not be as active today, as when Scripture was being written. They are the spiritual gifts of healing, and the working of miracles.
The next category is the gift of prophecy and being able to distinguish between spirits, as in being able to tell the difference between God’s Spirit and other spirits which can mislead a person or, for that matter a whole congregation. The gift of prophecy is being able to correctly communicate God’s Word to those who are listening.
The last category concerns the speaking and interpretation of tongues. This category, is widely disputed, as to its use today. The word that is translated tongues means languages and was used when Peter and the disciples at Pentecost were moved by the Spirit to talk in the foreign languages of the people there that day. Today it is taught by many that if you have the gift to speak in extinct languages you have a higher level of faith than the rest. Paul speaks elsewhere to the value of speaking and interpreting of tongues, so I will not address speaking in tongues any further today.
When we hear a list of spiritual gifts we like to rank them because we believe that they belong to us. And since we believe they are our gifts we feel we can use them as we see fit. If we feel like sharing them we will do it, or if we don’t feel like, or if things aren’t going our way, we just might take our gift and go home.
The problem is that is not what God’s Word teaches concerning spiritual gifts. They do not belong to us personally. They are not for our use. They are given to individuals for the good of the congregation.
When we think they are ours then we believe that they are to be used to show the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, so that the congregation can be blessed by what we do. Verse 7 of our text does not teach that either. The gifts given to each person is given so that the work of the Holy Spirit is shown to the congregation. Spiritual gifts are given to individuals, not for one’s own glory, but for the glory of God to show the work of the Holy Spirit for the good of the congregation.
What I have just told you became crystal clear as I studied the Greek text of verse 7. This verse brings together everything that Paul is trying to tell a congregation which has members who think they can do their own thing because they have special spiritual gifts. I hope this does not get too technical but I want to go through this verse one or two words at time, so you can see what I mean.
Take a look at verse 7, so you can follow along. Paul writes, “To each”. Notice he does not say to some. This tells me that everyone in the congregation receives spiritual gifts to be used for the common good. No one is left out.
The verb “given” tells us that the spiritual gifts which each have are not ours, but God’s, for the Holy Spirit is the one doing the giving of the spiritual gift, pretty important information for people who think that the spiritual gifts they have are theirs, to use as they see fit.
Then Paul tells us the reason they are given. He writes that what is given is the “manifestation of the Spirit.” In other words what is given to each member of the congregation are spiritual gifts that that when used properly show the glory of God and not self. The focus is on God and his work in the congregation.
The last point Paul makes is that the gifts are to be used for the common good of the congregation. In other words they are not given to be used by just a certain part of the congregation for its use, or to self, for one’s own personal use, but for everyone in the congregation, so that all can be enriched.
What does all this mean? It means that just as we are stewards of all that God gives us we are also stewards of the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit has given to each one of us, stewards for the common good of the congregation.
Now you might be thinking that you don’t have a spiritual gift that can be used in the congregation for it common good. Let’s take a look at verse 11 to see what God through St. Paul has to say about that. He writes, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually, as he wills”.
What he is saying is that each one of you has received spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit for the good of the congregation. Some of you have been given more of some gifts than others, but all have been given a gift or gifts that this congregation needs at this time and place. They are given to you so that this congregation as a member of the body of Christ can do its work in the community and world as our mission statement states.
If God has and he says that he has given to people the gifts that this congregation needs at this time and place; for us not to use the gift is to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in this congregation. In the fulfilling of this congregation’s mission statement which is the reason we exist there are many opportunities for people to use their gifts that are empty because no one has said they will help.
Outreach needs people to help with greeting our visitors. Nursery needs more volunteers to help out one Sunday every, I think it is 3 months, so that families with babies can have childcare while they worship the Lord. There are still opportunities for altar care. We need someone who will be in charge of fellowship without that being filled there will not be anymore fellowship dinners. Since Dewey is now an elder there is an opportunity for someone to be the recording secretary for the council and voter’s meeting. Mary is changing to outreach chair, so there is a need for a person to be in charge of our stewardship program. Since Dewey and Bob are now elders we need more ushers in the 10:30 service, so our worship goes smoothly. Hand bells need some more people. Choir can use more people. Then there is the Kaffe Klatch and the LWML groups. Oktoberfest where we raise the money we spend on missions. I am sure I have left out some area of service where you can use the gift that God has given you for the common good of the congregation. Open you hearts to the call of the Holy Spirit, don’t hinder his work, not because you have to, but because of what God has done for you in his wonderful gift of salvation. Amen.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 5:00 PM
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