Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 1 Cor. 12. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- We remain in the Epiphany season – looking at the ways in which the glory of God’s love is shined into all the world through the church.
- There are times when we wish that we could see miracles of God, Christ doing marvelous things. We would like to be able to tap into the power of God and the various “charismatic gifts” of God described in our text.
- However, our text makes clear that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Two things must be remembered: to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit; each and every one of us is given some gift by the Holy Spirit. But, it is the Spirit’s decision as to what we are going to receive. Second, these gifts are for “the common good.” That is, the common good of the church, God’s family, the body of Christ. So to receive much will require that we give much – this is the dynamic of love, and service within the kingdom of God.
- None of this should discourage us from asking God to grant us these gifts! We deeply desire the “common good.” And we deeply desire to love and serve others with good gifts from God.
- And while there are no direct promises to us of a continual giving of miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit, that should not keep us from seeing, utilizing, and thanking God for the Spirit’s gifts that are given to us even today! And this is important, for according to these Words of God “CHRIST’S GLORY IS REVEALED IN THE CHURCH.” First and foremost we must always remember that:
I. It Is The Holy Spirit Who Shines The Light Of God’s Love In Christ Jesus Into Our Hearts And Minds, So That We Can Know And Believe In Jesus And Praise Him
Text: “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.”
Statement: You see, the greatest gift of God, the greatest miracle, is the turning of a human heart back to truthfulness, back to repentance, and into the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God. This is supernatural and miraculous work – that of the Holy Spirit! We see the effects of the Spirit’s work all around us within the church! You yourselves are all evidence of the love and the magnificent power of God!
Application: You remember that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” This refers not only to the beginning of faith but also to faith growing stronger and deeper in our hearts and minds. Thus the church delights in the Word of God, Holy Scripture, for by it “CHRIST’S GLORY IS REVEALED IN THE CHURCH!” For this love, for this application of forgiveness and eternal life within the church, we give God our thanks and praise!
Transition: But there is more, more gifts given to us by the Spirit of God. And as I said, these are given to everyone, but to each one as the Spirit determines, and this, always for the common good! We must always remember that:
II. The Holy Spirit Gives Us Gifts, We Who Believe In Jesus
A. These Gifts Display The Very Power Of God
Text: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but is the same God Who EMPOWERS them all in everyone.”
B. These Gifts Are Given For The Common Good, For The Blessing Of Everyone In The Church
Text: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
1. The gift of wisdom – its utterance, communication
2. The gift of knowledge – its utterance, communication
3. The gift of great and remarkable faith – “fides heroica”
4. The ability to heal is at times given for the benefit of those afflicted with various physical diseases and maladies
5. The ability to perform miraculous feats is at times given – to bear witness to the reality of the power and love of God
6. The gift of prophecy – preaching and teaching the Word of God – continues to be given abundantly throughout the church
7. The gift of “spiritual discernment” is also given to some within the church, to protect others from false prophets and antichrists
8. Finally, the gift of languages – as described in Acts 2, the Day of Pentecost, is given at times to help with the communication of the Gospel, the glory of God’s love for us in Christ
Statement: All of these gifts are “empowered in all” by the same God, the same Holy Spirit, thus revealing “CHRIST’S GLORY IN THE CHURCH.” Not all of these occur all the time, but as needed, and as determined by “the same Spirit Who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”
Application: So we must have discernment to actually see and understand the marvelous power of God at work in the church – in bringing people to faith and salvation, through Holy Baptism and the Word of God, the Gospel. And we should not be unwilling to receive and even seek other gifts from God by which the whole church will be blessed! We do not get to pick and choose which gifts shall be ours, nor do we get to use the spiritual gifts as we please. Rather, the Spirit of God, in His great wisdom, determines what gifts will be best for us. And these gifts have a purpose within the “common good” of Christ’s church.
Conclusion: So let us rejoice in the glory of Christ that is revealed within the church every day, and especially Sunday, through His Word and Sacraments. By all means let us participate in that glory through faith in Jesus – this is the Spirit’s will and work in us.
And let us eagerly seek spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, that His empowerment and blessed ministry to the church might also be seen in us! While we might think that the miraculous and powerful gifts are best, it is actually the preaching and teaching of the Word, and the utterance of God’s wisdom and knowledge that are most powerful. These are gifts that God wills to give to each of us.
And let us give thanks and praise to God that we are not pagans, led astray to mute idols, but children of the Living God! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.