Scripture Passage
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
3 No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Sermon Script
I once had this thought.
Why are some people interested in one thing and not another? Why do we not all have the same interest?
Our grade 12s have been receiving their acceptance letters. Congratulations!
But they didn’t all apply to the same program. Some chose to go into business, some into science, and others into engineering. (I was hoping for some humanities!)
They didn’t choose the programs they did in order to be different. It was because that was what they were interested in. They were drawn to it. For me, it was the fine arts.
In that sense, we can say that our interests are more than just our conscious decision. It is an integral part of who we are. That is what I find both mysterious and fascinating.
I believe God made us this way for a reason. I don’t think it is an accident. I believe God gave human beings different interests and skills, so that our world can be a wonderful place.
Imagine if everyone was an engineer. What would we do if we were sick and ill? That is why we have people who are doctors.
Imagine if everyone liked and did the same thing. The world we live in would be very dull and dysfunctional.
It is because we have different interests and skills that our world goes around as it does. We all need each other.
The same goes for a place like church. God has blessed us with diverse groups of people. We all have different interests and skills. Some may be connected to what we study, but some may not.
God created us differently so that we can edify his community in creative ways.
In that sense, differences are a good thing. They are a cause for affirmation and celebration. Yet, people tend to treat differences as a cause for competition.
I am not talking about the healthy kind of competition. One where we challenge and encourage each other to be better.
Rather, I’m talking about competition that is built on things like jealousy, envy, and fear. One that leads to fights, hatred, and division.
I think we are very familiar with this kind of competitiveness. In fact, we live in a competitive world called ‘school’.
We live under a constant pressure to outperform others. That includes our own friends.
With others, we play the comparison game all the time. We are envious of who they are and what they can do, simply because we are not like them. Or, we are overly proud of who we are and look down on others who are not like us.
All these can have a toxic effect on your mindset and well-being. It also shapes the atmosphere of the community you are in.
That was the Corinthian church in a nutshell. It was a divided church.
People who had the gift of tongues (speaking spiritual language) looked down on those who did not. They felt that they were superior to others. They saw their gifts as being better.
It created all kinds of friction amongst the members. People formed their own cliques in the church. It was a mess.
When Paul heard about this situation, he wrote them a letter to address the issue. Part of it is the passage we read today.
Listen again to what he said:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
Notice how Paul doesn’t use the word ‘skills’ or ‘talents’? Instead, he uses the word ‘gifts’. The original word in Greek contains the word ‘grace’.
Our gifts are not of our own choosing or making. Our gifts are freely given to us by God. That is why we call them gifts.
God didn’t give them to us so that we can boast about them. God gave them to us so that we can use them to serve and bless others, as he intended. Paul knew that.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The fact that we have different gifts doesn’t mean we are different in our worth and value. So, it doesn’t have to be a cause for ruthless competition.
The fact that we have different gifts means that we are all uniquely made in God’s image, and for his good purpose. It means that we can all contribute in different ways.
In that sense, our differences should lead to cooperation – not competition. We are called to work together in harmony. Not for our own glory – but for the glory of God. That is what church is.
We recently had our Mission Dinner. It is one of my favourite events of the year, even though it can be quite stressful leading up to it. Lots of work goes into planning the event.
But that all fades away when the event finally takes place. So many people from our church come together, lending their unique gifts in different ways.
Those who can cook, they prepare the delicious meals for everyone. Those who can serve, serve the guests. Those who are musical, perform for the guests. Those who are organized, plan and oversee all the details. Those who are young and fit, wash the dishes. Lucas and Jonathan did that all night.
There is no feeling like seeing everyone work together in the spirit of harmony, for a meaningful purpose.
God has equipped you with different gifts. There are many kinds of gifts. The ones you saw in today’s passage aren’t everything.
Paul also mentioned others in Romans—
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)
Whatever gifts God has given you to be a blessing to others, recognize them and use them. Don’t withhold your gifts out of fear and insecurity. They will rot if we don’t use them. Share them generously. That is how you develop your gifts.
Do what you do with all your heart. God will provide the rest.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for humans. (Colossians 3:23)
Sharing our gifts is what it means to work together for a common good. When we each do our part, that is when our community will come alive. That is when we become a church.
Today is Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised came down upon God’s people, and the church was born.
The Spirit that God sent us is not the spirit of division.
The Spirit God sent us is the Spirit of UNITY. The Spirit is the SOUL of the church. The same Spirit is working powerfully in our community, through each of our gifts.
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