Spiritual Gifts
Mike Bowler
Luke 4: 14-21 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians in about AD55 whilst he was in Ephesus. Corinth was a city situated on the Corinthian Isthmus in Southern Greece and it was at the cross roads of important trading routes. Corinth boasted two harbours and a cosmopolitan population of Greek, Roman and Jews, freemen and slaves. It would possibly have had a larger population than Christchurch has today.
Paul was writing to the Corinthian Church and his subject was spiritual gifts. The Corinthians who had become Christians had received new power in their lives, through the Spirit. This pleased Paul and he gave thanks for it. These gifts included wisdom and knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, miracles, prophecy and discernment, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues. These gifts were to build up the Christian community, and not to be used for selfish advantage over others. The community he was writing to was fragmented by those that felt that their particular gift was more important than the gift held by others. There was a developing situation that those who had received special gifts, such as the power to do miracles, or to speak in tongues, were treating others who had perhaps not received these gifts as not truly Christians. The Corinthian congregation were divided. In short, those with special gifts despised those without and those without special gifts envied those who had them.
A problem was indeed developing. Paul had to remind the recipients of his letter found earlier in Chapter 12 that although there were different kinds of gift and service, there was only one God. There are different kinds of gifts but the same spirit (1Cor12:1) There are different kinds of service but the same Lord (V5). To each one the manifestation of the Spirit was given for the common good. All the manifestations of the Spirit are the work of one and the same Spirit and He gives to each, just as He determines.
Paul then goes on in the reading we had today to use the analogy of a body, which is a unit, made up of many parts, which work together brilliantly to allow the body to function. The story of the one body and many parts is one of the most beautiful illustrations of the unity of the Church that we have been given. Paul draws the picture of the Church as a body, with each part being essential to the whole.
Steve told us last week about a wedding, where two people come together and become one, with a common purpose. Each brings different skills, abilities and experiences, indeed, differences which are to be celebrated to the union and together, they form a whole.
In Paul’s analogy, the foot belongs to the body, even though it is not a hand. The ear belongs to the body, even though it is not an eye. Just as God has designed us and equipped us with a body that has these many parts, with different functions, so that the body may function as a whole. He has also equipped us as Christians to have different spiritual gifts, we don’t all have the same gift. This diversity is intended to accomplish God’s purpose. Through this diversity, it will actually create unity.
It is a biological fact that through differences, there is strength and safety. There are estimated to be some 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence today, give or take a million or two. However, probably only 15% of them have actually been described and are known to scientists so far. The rest are still to be discovered! This vast number of different animals and plants is known as biodiversity. It helps us to not all do the same thing and all use the same resources or suffer from the same frailties at the same time. God doesn’t do carbon copies. Even within those species, each individual will be totally unique. God has indeed used differences to wonderful effect in his glorious creation.
We cannot all be good at everything. We are not all world class tennis players, mountain climbers, neuro surgeons or rocket scientists. It is probably just as well, as there probably would not be enough room in this world for all those inflated egos! These achievers would not be where they are without the large group of family, coaches, staff and support crew and others who don’t always get their names in the papers. Have you sat through the credits that roll across the screen at the end of a film shown at the cinema? After the leading actors have been acknowledged, there comes an incredible list of very talented folk who have also been needed to make the movie happen, camera and sound crew, producers, editors, stunt men, makeup and wardrobe artists, stage builders, drivers, caterers and accountants. They are all needed, with their skills, to contribute to the final whole production.
When we go to see the doctor, or possibly to hospital for a test or an operation, it is not only the doctor who is important in the treatment you receive. It is all the others, both medical and support, who contribute to the good care you receive.
On the 20th July 1969, man landed on the Moon. Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the lunar surface and said those famous words, “… one small step for Man, one giant leap for Mankind.” He acknowledged that whilst he had perhaps only taken a small step off the lunar lander, this was a monumental achievement for the whole of Mankind who had worked together to get him there. Whilst the success or failure of the mission had depended on the skills and reactions and training of this one man, it was only as a result of the abilities, knowledge and determination of so many others that that had enabled him to get there. It has been estimated that at its peak, NASA had some 400,000 people working to put a handful of astronauts on the Moon.
So what does Paul’s message to the Corinthians say to us today? Would Paul see progress and less divisions in the Christian Church today than he was seeing amongst Christians in the Church of Corinth nearly 2000 years ago? Sadly probably not a lot has actually changed over the years. Boundaries based on worship style, character, and other trivial differences still abound. However we are still one body. In verse 27, he says “You are the body of Christ” and each and every one of you is a part of it. We, the Church, are the living body of Christ.
If God wants a task done, a person must be found to do it. If a child needs to be taught, God must find a teacher to do it. If a sick person needs to be cared for, a doctor, nurse, family member or ambulance crew person must be found.
It is profound for us to understand that We are part of the Body of Christ on this earth. The body is only healthy when each part is functioning well. Each part of the body must not be jealous of another’s function or purpose. Only when each part of the body works well, is it considered truly healthy.
Being part of the Body of Christ means that we need each other. We cannot exist in isolation. We cannot believe that the work that we do is of so much importance that it outshines the work of others. We need to give honour and support to those Christians who have ordinary gifts that we have perhaps not been blessed with. Those who take God’s work and ministry out to others, who don’t get into the papers, and perhaps feel totally overwhelmed and under resourced for their tasks. We need to remember that we are all part of that Body of Christ and it is only through the functioning of others that we might exist in a healthy union ourselves.
Have you ever wondered why, when Christians accept God’s gift of salvation, they are not immediately taken up to Heaven? No, we remain here on earth for a while to fulfil God’s ministry and mission. Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life” says that the word Ministry is often misunderstood. People associate the word with the Clergy, or pastors, or those who are specially called to a particular ministry. It is actually defined as “carrying forth Christ’s mission in this world”. God says that every member of His family is a minister. Servant and Minister are synonyms, as are service and ministry. Thus as Christians we are ministers, and when we are serving, we are ministering.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of celebrating a friend’s 80th birthday party on zoom, as one does these days. Francis and his wife Ann live in Zimbabwe, and both are very humble but are fierce warriors for Christ. It was indeed uplifting to share with Francis and his friends and family who joined us on that zoom session, how our Christian walk had shared a common path together so many years ago. How Francis had been an influence on all our lives. Here was a man who has many spiritual gifts that he is happy to use. Dear Francis, you good and faithful servant.
Yes, We are going to be using spiritual gifts that may not be spectacular and showy, but are there to help us, as part of the Body of Christ, to perform the God’s work in this world. Paul, later in the passage we heard today, lists others including the gift of administration, and of helping others. We are here on earth to serve God by serving others. We must be happy with the gifts we have, give thanks to the Lord for them, and be prepared to use them. We have been given the gifts of the spirit most suitable for us, and this will be a different selection from someone else. Don’t look over the fence at our Christian neighbour and wish we had the gifts they have.
A poem found in William Barclays commentary on Corinthians:
“ He has no hands but our hands to do His work today
He has no feet but our feet to lead people in His way
He has no voice but our voice, to tell people how He died,
He has no help but our help, to lead them to his side.”
Amen.