The earth contains a great variety of different forms of lives – not one is similar to the other. Even among humans- no 2 persons are exactly alike, not even identical twins. There is diversity but one origin i.e. God.
A similar pattern is found in the church. When a person becomes a member of the church, he is grafted on as an additional part of the body of this one organism i.e. the living church. Therefore a paradigm shift in our thinking is necessary – as part of the organism, we no longer live for ourselves only but for each other.
What can we learn from this passage?
There are 2 basic components :-
1) Our Basic Unity in Christ
2) Our Diversity in Christ
Our Basic Unity in Christ
Many Christians think of themselves so much as individuals and how they differ that they forget their unity in Christ. The apostle Paul tried to correct this mistake by comparing the church to a human body. Having a healthy self-esteem is important but we should not overrate that we think we are indispensible and that the church cannot function without us. John 16:5 reminds us Jesus is the vine and we are but the branches- apart from Him we can do nothing. By eternal standards, we are not capable of very much, but in Christ we are valuable and capable of much. If a person evaluates himself by worldly standards of success and achievements, he may miss out his true value in Christ.
Our Diversity in Christ
As a biology teacher I taught a topic called ‘Variation’ which explains the differences between same species based on the interplay of genes and the environment. This gives rise to great diversities within the same species. God also builds His church with a great deal of diversity among the members through the giving of diverse spiritual gifts.
Jesus left us with a wonderful parting gift. After he ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit descended and there was an explosion/multiplication of God’s power. The Holy Spirit is the real presence of the Living God working simultaneously among all the believers.
How does the Holy Spirit work?
1) Brings about Power Evangelism
Pastor John Wimber describes power evangelism as the Holy Spirit helping us to be effective witnesses for Jesus in our weakness.
Once on a plane, Pastor Wimber was directed by God to approach a total stranger and to ask him what he knew about a person by the name of Susan. The man turned plane and asked Pastor Wimber to accompany him to the upper deck , away from his wife, and there he broke down and confessed that he was having an affair with Susan. Pastor Wimber told him to repent immediately or he will die that very night. The man repented and gave his life to the Lord. Then he returned to his wife, broke down and confessed all to his wife. His wife also gave her life to Jesus.
2) Inspires Godly living – godly thoughts and actions
One important evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit is purity. God is holy and when the Holy Spirit comes upon a man, He inspires the man to live a godly life. (2 Cor 4:7 ) In Acts 4:33 – when filled with the Holy Spirit, timid apostles testified with power.
3) Gives us spiritual gifts to build up the church
Spiritual gifts can be divided into 2 groups :- power gifts (includes healing, miracles, discernment of spirits, etc) and gifts for building up the church.
An important truth we need to know is that each one has been given at least one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10 ). No one who wishes to serve is left without a spiritual gift. If we say we have no spiritual gift to be used, we are like a vestigial part of the body, of no use, and may be routinely removed.
And a certain man, who was lame from his mother's womb, was being carried. And they laid him daily at that temple gate which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered into the temple. …….But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!
There are 2 lessons I want to point out here.
1) ‘what I have’ – we must have the mindset that we DO HAVE special gifts for ministry.
2) ‘I give you’ – we must be other-people-centered because spiritual gifts are not for keeping but for giving away.
God’s gifts differ in nature, power and effectiveness. God will give spiritual gifts that are necessary and appropriate for each one to carry out his responsibilities. As we use our gifts, God will give us the faith and power to use them more. Our part is to use our gifts faithfully.
A bison’s neck make-up and tendency is to look down while a giraffe’s is to look up. The bison eats the grass on the ground while the giraffe eats the leaves above. Some people’s tendency is to look up and see the big picture while another group’s tendency is to look down and see details. Both are important. God intends for different gifts to work in harmony. Each gift reveals God’s divine character.
Spiritual gifts not only bless the church but also the community surrounding us.
We are to eagerly desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1 ). God will not force spiritual gifts on us.
There are 7 spiritual gifts mentioned in Romans 12:3-8
Prophesy
Teaching
Service
Exhortation
Giving
Mercy
Leadership
The challenge is for us to discover and use our gifts for the building up of the church. It would be difficult for one person to have all these gifts. We should be thankful for the different people with the different gifts. Let one person’s strengths balance another person’s weakness.
Ask God where you can use your gift which God gives to every believer. If you feel a prompting, listen … serve – do not miss God’s call. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary tasks.
Thanks to Sister Siew Lan for the very comprehensive sypnosis of my sermon. The only mistake I noted was that the pastor who shared the testimony was Pr. John Wimber (not Weber). Hope that error can be rectified.
Mr. Chiam.
Mr. Chiam.