Many Gifts, One Church

Division

We live in world of deep divisions. In a country that sometimes seems more divided than united. Unfortunately sometimes that division even creeps into the body of Christ.

Jesus prayed in John’s gospel for the unity of believers.

John 17:20–21 NRSV

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

In the church at Corinth division crept in and threatened the unity for which Jesus prayed. Throughout the book of 1 Corinthians Paul continually confronts divisions in the church. Today’s division is over spiritual gifts. Paul emphasizes that though there are many gifts of the spirit, it is indeed the same spirit that gives these gifts and works through them. Why? So that the world may believe, Jesus is LORD.

Despite the division that threatens the unity of this country, through the power of the Holy Spirit the church can and should be an example of unity. It starts here with us. The Holy Spirit has gifted each one of us differently. It takes all of our diverse gifts working together through the Holy Spirit, so that the world may believe, that God sent Jesus Christ into this world. What is your gift?

Many Gifts, One Spirit

Jesus is LORD!

The first confession of the church. Romans 10:8-9

Romans 10:8–9 NRSV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

We do not arrive at this confession on our own, but through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Many gifts, One Spirit

*Gifts

*Services

*Activities

*One Spirit, One Lord, One God

All gifts are equally important for the common good of the community.

They work together for the good of the church. They work together through the Holy Spirit that others may believe, Jesus is Lord.

The gifts of the Spirit are not holiness merit badges. They are God’s response to the needs of our communities. The list of gifts here isn’t exhaustive, but a good starting point.

The Holy Spirit began a good work in you leading you to confess Jesus is Lord. That same spirit isn’t done with you. He has gifted you for the good of this church, and the good of the community of Leicester VT. What has God made you passionate about? Who has God burdened your heart to reach? Wrestling with these questions will begin to show us how the Holy Spirit has gifted us. Let us encourage one another in those gifts, and may the Holy Spirit use them, that the world may believe Jesus is Lord.

One Church, One Body

In a world ripe with divisions, we must remember as the church we are united in the same Holy Spirit that has uniquely gifted you for ministry. Ministry is not something to be left to the paid staff but is the responsibility of each and every one of us. As followers of Christ our diverse gifts work together for the common good of the community. We are united into one church, one body of Christ in and through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Your challenge and my challenge today is to realize the Holy Spirit has given you gifts. Let’s work together to find out those gifts and may the spirit use them that the world may believe, Jesus is Lord.

John 17:20–23 NRSV

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.