“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 it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, ESV)
It gives me a smile to walk through a store selling Christmas trees with lights. They are so beautiful. They light up not only the room, but this darkest of all months of the year. As the sun shines less in these winter days, the Christmas trees can bring out the beauty of this dark season, shining like hope in the midst of darkness.
As I enjoyed some Christmas tree lights recently, they got me thinking about 1 Corinthians 12. Many stores display Christmas trees but with different light combinations. Some are covered in multi-colored lights. Some are filled with just white. Some people love the multiple colors, me among them. Others love the tree filled with pure white light. As I thought about these differences in preference, it hit me; people like different things. They are inspired in different ways. Despite living together, a husband and wife may have two radically opposed views of what matches, what paint color would look good in a room, and what constitutes good fashion. Twin boys or girls can diverge on their personalities, their likes and dislikes, and their favorite foods. Poet William Cowper noted these differences in preferences and the great diversity of life in this world and concluded that “variety is the spice of life”. He didn’t see diversity and differences as a bad thing, but as adding flavor and beauty and uniqueness to our world.
Some people don’t know how to handle diversity let alone differences of opinion. They want others to think like them, feel the same way about issues, fall into line. People who are very rigid in their demands that others must believe as they do often run into problems. A matter-of-fact parent may have trouble understanding a child who is overly artistic. A “tree-hugger” may have problems fitting in with a family in the logging business. A highly logical child may not like being around relatives who enjoy public displays of affection. A shy student may feel totally out of place with a classmate in the debate club. People are different. One type of person may not understand or feel welcome surrounded by a different group of people. Some groups may not want independent thinking. Some people despise free-spirited individuals. Where would you fit in?
The Bible displays a great variety of leadership styles, methods of operating, and functional attitudes. Some Biblical personalities were known for their rigid stance. Gideon sent home any of his army who felt afraid before battle. Cephas was reluctant to incorporate gentiles into the early Christian church. Cain hated his brother for being different. Jeremiah thought any carved statue even resembling an idol should be cast out. On the other hand, there were others who were very open to differences and cooperation. Paul was excited about ministry among the gentiles. Isaiah called Cyrus, King of Persia, a messianic figure, though he was not even a Jew! Jesus even opened up himself to do miracles among foreigners when they exhibited faith. Sometimes, a rigid stance was more faithful. Sometimes, being more accommodating was faithful. It depended on the situation, God’s call, and the Spiritual work being done.
Today’s scripture focuses on the variety and diversity of the spiritual gifts given by God. The very first words of 1 Corinthians 12:4 state clearly that “there are varieties of spiritual gifts” and “there are varieties of service” to God. 1 Corinthians 12 goes on to name a good number of the spiritual gifts including (but not limited to) prophecy, wisdom, faith, knowledge, healing, and speaking in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 and the verses following, the scripture clearly delineates that healthy churches need all the gifts, not just one. Thus, your church needs a variety of spiritual gifts. Each gift helps and supports the others. No gift reigns supreme. All God-given gifts are for the “common good” of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). The variety of gifts in the church gives the congregation greater abilities and a wider outreach.
When a person or church rejects the acceptance of other God-given spiritual gifts, it weakens the faith and causes division.
A young woman was very gifted at speaking with the deaf using sign language. She enjoyed being able to communicate with the deaf, who were often isolated because of their disability. One Christmas, she decided to share her gift with her church. She asked the leaders if she could play a contemporary Christian song during worship and have a group of people proficient in sign language offer up their services. One leader became upset saying, “There is only one deaf person in the congregation. Why do we need to play this modern music? Why do we need to have you all get up and perform? Church isn’t supposed to be a performance?”
The young woman was not dismayed. She asked the leaders to trust her vision. She met with the pastors to explain further her hopes. In the end, the performance by the group not only inspired the church but has inspired millions when the video of their performance was shared widely on social media.
What would have happened if those in the church would have tamped down this woman’s enthusiasm to reach the deaf with the gospel? What would have happened if the leaders would have been swayed by a few rigid and short-sighted leaders?
Though scripture speaks openly about the varieties of God-given spiritual gifts, it also mentions that these gifts are inspired by “the same Spirit” and “the same Lord”. Yes, God meant for there to be spiritual diversity in the church. However, God also desires you to worship only ONE Lord and follow the leading of only ONE Spirit. On that, you must not sway. You must be rigid. You must hold fast. Sometimes, those who love diversity may fall into the trap that respecting other gods or believing unholy myths are more beneficial to the church. They may fall head over heels for things like political correctness in the church and in all of life. They do not realize that political correctness will at times reject Jesus Christ as Savior and promote all religious practices as equal. This can only lead to a watered-down faith and unholy alliances.
Your faith must never become too rigid. If it does, you may lose the awesome witness of the Holy Spirit! Also, don’t let your faith be watered down by losing sight of the reason for the season! God is praised by the unity of the faithful AND by those who are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
During a particularly difficult time in my ministry, I came to my office early on Christmas Eve to pray. After twenty minutes, and with a heavy heart, I put on my robe and grabbed my Bible to walk into the sanctuary and lead worship. As I walked up to the rear door of the sanctuary, an usher handed me the lapel microphone. As I was attaching the microphone, a young child no more than eight rushed up to me and hugged me with all her might. She looked up at me and said, “I love you, Pastor Dave! I hope you have a great Christmas! It’s going to be wonderful this year!” Though I like to hug, her public display of affection was over the top. However, in this case, I let her enthusiastic spirit heal my soul and lift my heart. All through that service, I looked at things through her eyes. I saw the beauty in the Christmas decorations. I listened anew to the Christmas story read from Luke 2. I needed that young girl to share with me her joy for the season that night. I needed her different perspective on our world. It was her Spiritual gift to me.
This Christmas season, let all the decorated trees with their beautiful lights remind you that there is beauty in God’s creation of variety. Let the trees also remind you that ONE God sent ONE Savior to be your Lord. Enjoy the many colors of this season! Enjoy the ONE God who wants to enjoy every part of it with you!
As I enjoyed some Christmas tree lights recently, they got me thinking about 1 Corinthians 12. Many stores display Christmas trees but with different light combinations. Some are covered in multi-colored lights. Some are filled with just white. Some people love the multiple colors, me among them. Others love the tree filled with pure white light. As I thought about these differences in preference, it hit me; people like different things. They are inspired in different ways. Despite living together, a husband and wife may have two radically opposed views of what matches, what paint color would look good in a room, and what constitutes good fashion. Twin boys or girls can diverge on their personalities, their likes and dislikes, and their favorite foods. Poet William Cowper noted these differences in preferences and the great diversity of life in this world and concluded that “variety is the spice of life”. He didn’t see diversity and differences as a bad thing, but as adding flavor and beauty and uniqueness to our world.
Some people don’t know how to handle diversity let alone differences of opinion. They want others to think like them, feel the same way about issues, fall into line. People who are very rigid in their demands that others must believe as they do often run into problems. A matter-of-fact parent may have trouble understanding a child who is overly artistic. A “tree-hugger” may have problems fitting in with a family in the logging business. A highly logical child may not like being around relatives who enjoy public displays of affection. A shy student may feel totally out of place with a classmate in the debate club. People are different. One type of person may not understand or feel welcome surrounded by a different group of people. Some groups may not want independent thinking. Some people despise free-spirited individuals. Where would you fit in?
The Bible displays a great variety of leadership styles, methods of operating, and functional attitudes. Some Biblical personalities were known for their rigid stance. Gideon sent home any of his army who felt afraid before battle. Cephas was reluctant to incorporate gentiles into the early Christian church. Cain hated his brother for being different. Jeremiah thought any carved statue even resembling an idol should be cast out. On the other hand, there were others who were very open to differences and cooperation. Paul was excited about ministry among the gentiles. Isaiah called Cyrus, King of Persia, a messianic figure, though he was not even a Jew! Jesus even opened up himself to do miracles among foreigners when they exhibited faith. Sometimes, a rigid stance was more faithful. Sometimes, being more accommodating was faithful. It depended on the situation, God’s call, and the Spiritual work being done.
Today’s scripture focuses on the variety and diversity of the spiritual gifts given by God. The very first words of 1 Corinthians 12:4 state clearly that “there are varieties of spiritual gifts” and “there are varieties of service” to God. 1 Corinthians 12 goes on to name a good number of the spiritual gifts including (but not limited to) prophecy, wisdom, faith, knowledge, healing, and speaking in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 and the verses following, the scripture clearly delineates that healthy churches need all the gifts, not just one. Thus, your church needs a variety of spiritual gifts. Each gift helps and supports the others. No gift reigns supreme. All God-given gifts are for the “common good” of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). The variety of gifts in the church gives the congregation greater abilities and a wider outreach.
When a person or church rejects the acceptance of other God-given spiritual gifts, it weakens the faith and causes division.
A young woman was very gifted at speaking with the deaf using sign language. She enjoyed being able to communicate with the deaf, who were often isolated because of their disability. One Christmas, she decided to share her gift with her church. She asked the leaders if she could play a contemporary Christian song during worship and have a group of people proficient in sign language offer up their services. One leader became upset saying, “There is only one deaf person in the congregation. Why do we need to play this modern music? Why do we need to have you all get up and perform? Church isn’t supposed to be a performance?”
The young woman was not dismayed. She asked the leaders to trust her vision. She met with the pastors to explain further her hopes. In the end, the performance by the group not only inspired the church but has inspired millions when the video of their performance was shared widely on social media.
What would have happened if those in the church would have tamped down this woman’s enthusiasm to reach the deaf with the gospel? What would have happened if the leaders would have been swayed by a few rigid and short-sighted leaders?
Though scripture speaks openly about the varieties of God-given spiritual gifts, it also mentions that these gifts are inspired by “the same Spirit” and “the same Lord”. Yes, God meant for there to be spiritual diversity in the church. However, God also desires you to worship only ONE Lord and follow the leading of only ONE Spirit. On that, you must not sway. You must be rigid. You must hold fast. Sometimes, those who love diversity may fall into the trap that respecting other gods or believing unholy myths are more beneficial to the church. They may fall head over heels for things like political correctness in the church and in all of life. They do not realize that political correctness will at times reject Jesus Christ as Savior and promote all religious practices as equal. This can only lead to a watered-down faith and unholy alliances.
Your faith must never become too rigid. If it does, you may lose the awesome witness of the Holy Spirit! Also, don’t let your faith be watered down by losing sight of the reason for the season! God is praised by the unity of the faithful AND by those who are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
During a particularly difficult time in my ministry, I came to my office early on Christmas Eve to pray. After twenty minutes, and with a heavy heart, I put on my robe and grabbed my Bible to walk into the sanctuary and lead worship. As I walked up to the rear door of the sanctuary, an usher handed me the lapel microphone. As I was attaching the microphone, a young child no more than eight rushed up to me and hugged me with all her might. She looked up at me and said, “I love you, Pastor Dave! I hope you have a great Christmas! It’s going to be wonderful this year!” Though I like to hug, her public display of affection was over the top. However, in this case, I let her enthusiastic spirit heal my soul and lift my heart. All through that service, I looked at things through her eyes. I saw the beauty in the Christmas decorations. I listened anew to the Christmas story read from Luke 2. I needed that young girl to share with me her joy for the season that night. I needed her different perspective on our world. It was her Spiritual gift to me.
This Christmas season, let all the decorated trees with their beautiful lights remind you that there is beauty in God’s creation of variety. Let the trees also remind you that ONE God sent ONE Savior to be your Lord. Enjoy the many colors of this season! Enjoy the ONE God who wants to enjoy every part of it with you!