1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Epiphany 2 Series C
Grace, mercy and peace are yours from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(1 Cor 12:1-11 NIV) "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. {2} You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. {3} Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. {4} There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6} There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {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 the message of wisdom, to another the 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 gives them to each one, just as he determines."
Dear friends in Christ,
Do you like the gifts you received for Christmas? Are they still in good condition? If you have any cookies left they are probably stale. Have you had to wash out any stains on that new outfit? The new toy you just had to have – are you still playing with it or is it broken and ignored?
As the month of January marches on have you lost your Christmas joy in your daily life? If you have – or even if you haven’t – the Holy Spirit has something to say to you in our lesson from the Word of God for today.
We Are God’s Gifted People
1. Give Thanks For These Gifts
A. Crown of Righteousness
Paul reminds you that your faith is your greatest gift from God. He puts it right at the top of the list. He says, “No one says, ‘Jesus is Lord’, except by the power of the Holy Spirit.” If it hadn’t been for the Holy Spirit working faith in your heart you would not know that baby whose birth we celebrated just a few short weeks ago was your Savior. But you do know! In our first lesson for this morning Isaiah compares your salvation to crown jewels. What is the greatest jewel you have ever received as a gift? A diamond engagement ring? An anniversary band with multiple diamonds in it? No matter what it is God has given you something better. He has given you a crown of righteousness. Through faith in Jesus you have the crown of righteousness. Heaven is your eternal home. For this gift we give thanks to God.
B. Rescue from death
God’s gifts to you are many and great. Have you ever been driving down an icy road and prayed for God to keep you safe? Have you prayed a silent prayer as the airplane was about to take off that it would not crash and that you would arrive safely at your destination? Have you whispered the words, “God heal me”, before the doctor put you under for surgery? God has kept you safe. He protects your life. He guards you from accidents. He heals your wounds. But all these gifts of God don’t compare with the greatest gift he has given you. He has rescued you from eternal death through faith in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus suffered and died so you won’t die eternally. The Holy Spirit gives you faith to trust in this redeeming work of Christ. For this gift we give thanks to God.
C. Daily Gifts
Eternal life and salvation are not the only gifts from God. Paul mentions many others in our lesson.
(1 Cor 12:8-10 NIV) "To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the 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."
This list is by no means complete. Other portions of Scripture add things like this:
(2 Cor 8:7 NIV) "But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
(Eph 4:11 NIV) "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,"
God promises to give generously to you from these gifts. What has he given you?
• Knowledge – Do you know a great deal about many different things? Are you well informed and well-read?
• Wisdom – Do you understand things clearly? Do you have the ability to make sound judgments after gathering all the facts?
• Faith – Paul has already mentioned this one. Trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit has given us all this one. Do you wish your faith was stronger at times? Do you wish that you could trust the Heavenly Father as strongly as Jesus did? Jesus could sleep unafraid on a boat in the middle of a storm. Or do you wish you had faith like the three men in the Old Testament who faced the fiery furnace and trusted in God to rescue them from the flames. God did rescue them. Or do you wish you had faith like Daniel who faced the den of lions and trusted in God to rescue him. God did rescue him. He sent an angel to close the mouth of the lions. God alone can give faith and God alone can strengthen faith. He promises to strengthen our faith through our study of his Word.
• Language – Has God given you a gift to work with foreign languages? How can you use that gift in the service of the gospel?
• Called Worker – Has God given you the ability to communicate clearly with adults or with children? How can you use this talent to lovingly share the message of salvation with others, adults and children?
• The Grace of Giving – Do you excel in the grace of giving? No matter what you income you can excel in the grace of giving. From the widows mite to the rich man’s fortune all gifts given to God joyfully, regularly and in proportion – a planned percentage – are pleasing in God’s sight and a blessing for the giver.
Do you have all these gifts? Would you like a stronger faith, a deeper trust, a more generous heart? Then talk to the Spirit who gives them. Go to him in prayer. Seek his wisdom, his power, and his grace which enable you to live a God-pleasing life.
2. Use God’s Gifts For the Good of Others
(1 Cor 12:4-7 NIV) "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6} There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {7} Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
Practically every week in church we say the Lord’s Prayer. In that prayer we talk to God about the gifts he gives us. We say, “Give us today our daily bread.” Have you ever wondered why the Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us today our daily bread” instead of “Give me today my daily bread?” I believe this verse has the answer to that question. (Read Verse 7 Every gift is given for the "common good," for the good of all. God has not given us gifts and then said, “Use them for yourself. Save it all up for the future. Don’t share with others, least of all my church.” The temptation to keep things for ourselves is as old as the world. Adam and Eve fell into it, when they took something for themselves that God didn’t intend for them to have. Don’t think for a minute that this warning doesn’t apply to you. We want to have for ourselves what God doesn’t want us to keep for ourselves.
Think about this. We work and work and save and save for our own retirement, but do we give as much time and as many of our talents and thankfully donate as much of our resources to giving others the treasure that lasts for eternity? It’s time for us to recognize that we ARE God’s gifted people. He has given us wonderful gifts and talents, which he wants us to use in service to him and his people everywhere, When we do this, we will find that God works through us to make his kingdom grow. His gifts, plus our faithful efforts, with the Holy Spirit’s power, will bring good into the lives of others beyond our greatest dreams.
Let us go to God in prayer:
O Lord, cleanse my heart and refresh my soul. Hear my cry for mercy. I have sinned against you and your will. I have been selfish with the gifts you have given me. Forgive me.
O Lord, my heart rejoices in you – in God my Savior. You have heard my cry for mercy and have forgiven my sins through the sufferings and death of Jesus. Comfort my heart and restore my joy in your word and your will.
O Lord, send the Holy Spirit into my heart and life. Through the working of your Spirit teach my heart to love you and you alone above all things. Do not let these words that I have touched my heart today leave me when I leave your house of worship. With your help may I live a new life guided by your grace and built up by your power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.
