January 17 Sermon
This time in the church year is
called “Epiphany” – a word that means manifestation or revelation. We began with the epiphany with the visit of
the mysterious wise men - the manifestation of Christ as the Savior of all
Last Sunday’s epiphany, Jesus’
baptism, revealed Him as fully human and truly God. This Sunday’s gospel, John 2:1-11,
illustrates that same truth. Jesus and
his disciples are on the road, and apparently the first place they go is to a
wedding reception - the big blast after the wedding – lots of eating and
drinking, music and dancing – just a good time.
How odd of God to show up at a party and enjoy
himself. It reminds us Christ shows up
where we are. He not only comes to us, but abides with us – sticks around. He does not separate the
religious from the secular, the worldly from the sacred, as we often do. So here is Jesus,
with his disciples, enjoying a party. And if you think Christians aren’t supposed to have fun –
that following Jesus is dull – please remember this picture of Jesus and his
followers enjoying that great wedding celebration. I suppose they liked a good time – and wanted
to keep the party going. It again shows
that he is really human – liked to be with others, feasting – but read on.
When they run out of wine, what does he do? Changes water into wine – not a little but a
lot. By the way, that’s
His first miracle – a sign that he really is the Son of God. And a hint that
Jesus came that we might have life and have it in abundance – for the supply of
new wine is both fine and abundant.
After Sunday School a
parent asked her son: “What did you learn from today’s lesson about Jesus going
to a wedding and turning water into wine?" It was apparent he hadn't thought about that. But finally
he said, "If you're going to have a wedding, make sure you invite
Jesus!"
The boy was on to something. Make sure you invite Jesus to whatever you
are doing.
In this Epiphany season, we celebrate the truth that
God chose to come to us as an ordinary man – and He continues to work though
ordinary people like you and me. God
comes to us and speaks through common, very human forms. He doesn’t separate
the secular from the sacred, the worldly from the religious. And Christ shows us
that the human can convey the divine.
For example, God is building His church by bringing
together different people like us, who have a variety of gifts and abilities to
match the diverse activities of the church – all for the common good. He would use us – each one of us – to
continue Christ’s mission on earth.
“Now to each one is given some
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... It is the same God
who inspires them all in everyone.” 1
Corinthians 12:7, 11
“In
everyone... To each”. God has inspired gifts in each and everyone of us.
The Bible teaches that you are
gifted. Each of you have been given special
gifts, talents -- and each of you different
gifts.
And those talents were given for a purpose -- for the common good.
“Each one should use what ever gift
he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in
its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
God empowers us through the Spirit to speak and act
in a variety of ways…
In the
Pentecostal tradition, people will often stand up and speak very authoritatively
to the congregation. A man once stood up
and declared, "Thus saith the Lord: Even as I
was with Abraham when he led the children of
His
wife nudged him and whispered something. He quickly stood back up and said,
"Thus saith the Lord: I was mistaken. It was
Moses."
The
Word of God can come through human instruments, which would be you and me. But since we’re human, there may be some static on the
line. We have to be open to the possibility
that we may be mistaken. That’s why we need our brothers and sister to share our
insights with - to either correct or confirm.
The church is composed of many different types of
people from variety of backgrounds with a multitude of talents and
abilities. But
despite the differences, we have one thing in common: Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit of Christ
that is the basis of our unity. We don’t lose
our individual identities, but have an over riding oneness in Christ. We have different interests and priorities,
but are untied by His Spirit into one body, the
church.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties
of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of
them in everyone.
12:4-6
There are different gifts, acts of service, works,
but the same Spirit inspires them all. Gifts and abilities are given by the Holy Spirit to each
person that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers,
the church.
Following Jesus entails learning to discern and
utilize our strengths, talents, and also learning to
utilize the talents of others. The
church is the place where a diversity of gifts are discovered
and honored. None of us has all the
talents we need to fulfill the mission of Christ. Therefore he gives
us brothers and sisters in the church whose strengths compliment ours. We need one another’s gifts – and we have
been blessed with a diversity. There is no hierarchy of gifts – some are not
superior to others.
A Coast Guard Cutter received a distress signal from
a sinking pleasure craft. The coast
guard radio operator replied “What is your
position. Repeat what is your position.”
The reply from the sinking boat: “I’m the executive vice president of First
Global Bank.”
The gifts of the spirit are not
based on some hierarchy or merit or position The Spirit gives to each
person as the spirit desires.
One strength is no more important than any other.
Paul would urge us to discover how we can serve with
the gifts and talents God has given us. They were granted you that you might serve,
thus enhancing your spiritual growth and that of the community.
All these are activated by one and the
same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12:11
Gifts must be activated – put into use. Sometimes it’s a
process of trial and error.
I’m thinking of a guy in another
congregation who wanted to serve in his church in someway. He decided he try singing in the choir. Singing was not his strength, and he was eventually asked to leave the choir. Then he tried managing the Sunday
school. That was not his strength
either. It was a disaster.
Then at some meeting
someone was lamenting the sorry state of church lawn and grounds. He spoke up and said
“I can do that.” He had a gift for yard
work. That began a tradition in that
congregation of “Saturdays with George”.
On Saturday folks of all ages would be enlisted
by George to beautify the church grounds.
It’s a ministry you might call “landscape
evangelism” - making the appearance of the church inviting to those who drive
by. But the
point is it took George three tries to find his strength – his talent. And once he did, his
work for the Lord was a joy, appreciated by all.
In any enterprise, the most productive people are
those who can spend their time doing tasks that they like to do. It’s no surprise
that we most like to do those tasks for which we are best qualified. As we discern how to put our talents into use
in service, we find meaning and fulfillment. But few
of us know all the things we are really qualified to do. Many of us are better at identifying our
weaknesses then our strengths.
Over the next few weeks
I’ll introduce you to various ministries and show you a few opportunities to
serve. As fallible human beings, things
are never completely clear, so often it’s a matter of
trial and error. You accept some new
opportunity and try it - see if that task fits you and brings
satisfaction. If not, then try something
else. So we’re
offering a 30-day risk-free, no obligation trial offer. Volunteer for a new ministry, and if that way
of serving isn’t right for you, then you can give it
up - no questions asked.
We are called to be
servants of God, each contributing the gifts he or she has been given so that
the whole community might better reflect the unity and diversity given by the
God we serve.
The next hymn sums up the sermon
We are all one in mission, we are all one in call
our varied gifts united by Christ the
Lord of all