Today’s Scripture

Psalm 128       Isaiah 62:1-5   1 Corinthians 12:1-11             John 2:1-11

 

“…and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”

 

            As we follow through the church year, the lectionary is the set of Scripture readings we follow from week to week, church season to church season.  Beginning today, the 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany, and continuing for several weeks, the Epistle readings consist of semi continuous readings of specific Letters of Paul and other apostles.  In these cases, the Epistles are not intended necessarily to complement the other readings as they do in most other parts of the church year (although there are some remarkable correspondences between these readings – Commission on Worship).

 

            Today we begin a series of readings from Paul to the Corinthians.  Paul’s writings, as all other Scripture, are not simply circumstantial, but are God’s inspired word as the Holy Spirit moves Paul to write as he does.  Therefore, as Paul writes to the Corinthians, this is God’s word to us today and to all people of all times.

 

            The Corinthian community in general delighted in public oratory and the philosophical and political positions different persons took.  The ability to speak one’s position eloquently and convincingly was a high distinction.  People admired and followed those who did speak so convincingly. 

 

            Is that not unlike our culture today?  Do we not follow the ad of which well-known person speaks on behalf of a diet plan?  Aren’t we convinced by politicians who speak smoothly and convincingly?  Do we seek out the best school for our children and grandchildren, the sports camp led by a favorite athlete or coach, which training in music or another skill is desired?  Those are status marks among us similar to the Corinthian culture.  And those people then bragged their confidences as we do today.  It is kind of like my Dad.  He would own and drive only Ford automobiles.  And he would let you know that those Fords were the best vehicles and why.  Today one would not dare wear a Seattle jacket in some establishments in Chicago land.

 

            From his introductory words in chapter one Paul cuts through this comparative and competitive thinking.  In effect Paul writes, “Who cares about who taught you or who baptized you?  It is God’s work through his word and by the power of the Holy Spirit that works faith in you.  Whether he (Paul) or the other apostles, they are no different from each other as they are the vessels who have brought not human wisdom but the Gospel, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”  [1:11-17]  From the beginning of this letter on, Paul states the reason for the church and for teachings and where the real power comes from.  Paul clearly states that all of these things point to God’s love to you in Jesus who conquered sin, death and the grave, all to achieve God’s salvation for you.

 

            In chapter two Paul makes a point that he did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom.  He came with a demonstration of the (Holy) Spirit’s power so that faith does not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power [2:4-5].

 

            In today’s reading Paul addresses that same issue in our worship lives and in the gifts each person has.  The purpose and work of the Holy Spirit is to inform mankind about Christ, to bring lost souls to faith through the Gospel teachings, and to bring these souls together as the body of Christ, the church.

 

            Paul is writing about the corporate worship life of the community of believers, what we do in the church and what the church as Christ’s body does in and through each one.  Paul instructs how each is to employ these gifts for the benefit of one another and to further the unity and advancement of the church [Luther). 

 

            Each Christian is individually called by the Holy Spirit through hearing the Gospel and enlightened with the Spirit’s gifts.  In the same way the Holy Spirit calls together all believers into the body of the church.  Although each believer stands alone in faith, each believer is not alone as he/she is a part of the church, the body of Christ.  In verse 3 Paul sums up where all of our faith and acts of faith come from, “…and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.’  That is the work of the Holy Spirit, working in and through people that their thoughts, words and deeds proclaim Christ crucified to others.

 

            The Corinthians were caught up with who can do this and who does that.  Which gift or ability in worship or devotion or prayer life is more important or higher esteem than another?  We get caught up in that too.  Why can’t I pray like so and so?  Why can’t I understand or teach like so and so?  And the list goes on.

 

            To this Paul says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good [v. 7].  That common good again is building each other up in the love of God in Jesus Christ.  That common good is proclaiming the love of Christ so that others will come to saving faith.  That common good is not to build one up over or against another.  It is for all to serve Christ in the church in order that the church in Christ serves all.

 

• There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  The Holy Spirit’s purpose is no different no matter what one’s gift is.
• There are different kinds of service but the same Lord.  Although each one at Immanuel may do different things from teaching Sunday School to changing light bulbs, it is all to the same Lord, Jesus who has saved us.
• There are different kinds of works but the same God.  God has given each one his or her abilities.  Each person is given differently but to serve the same God. 

 

            As Paul states different gifts that different person have, he sums them up in verse 11, All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

 

            We do not determine which gift or gifts one will receive or use.  We also are not to determine one gift more enviable than another.  Is the house built by roofers only?  Is the restaurant operated by the head waiter only?  Does a factory run by the foreman only?  No, there are many skills and talents that combined make up the entire organization.  Likewise is the church.  The Holy Spirit gives different attributes to each person for the purpose of building up Christ’s body, the church.  Back to Dad and his Fords again.  No matter what the make and what the model, each car transports people from here to there and according to what each person’s situation is.

 

• The Holy Spirit works continually in each individual.  We note that at Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit remained on Jesus.  It did not strike him and leave, but remained as we see in today’s miracle at Cana, that these miracles and teachings brought people to faith in Jesus and to praise God for him. 
• The Holy Spirit works continually in the church.  The Holy Spirit did not just drop in on that Pentecost, but worked continually through the disciples and early disciples in their teaching, miracles God did through them, and through all the leaders of the church through today and all time in order that more hear the Gospel message and come to saving faith in Jesus.
• The Holy Spirit works continually so that each individual builds up the church and that the church builds up each individual in Jesus Christ.

 

            It is from establishing simple faith on that the Holy Spirit keeps working in and through individuals so that through each person and through the church, what is thought, said and done points to Christ, proclaims Jesus as Lord of all to bring Glory to God, the one true God who has made you to be his own and to live under him in his righteousness forever.

 

            Follow the leader.  That leader is Christ.  Follow the leader.  You can only do that by the Holy Spirit who works in you and gives you what you have from faith to all that you do in Jesus’ name.    Amen.