1 Corinthians 12:1-11, January 14-20, Year C:

Straight AheadThe Gospel text for this Sunday is John 2:1-11, the account of Jesus changing water into wine at a wedding feast. This represents the beginning of signs, something new in the life of God's people. It will be the subject of my sermon tomorrow. As I was writing the outline for that sermon, I was sitting on my deck, enjoying temperatures well above 70 degrees. Needless to say, it reminded me of another beginning--the beginning of spring, a newness of life. Our epistle text also represents a new beginning of sorts as gifts of the Holy Spirit are evident in the church at Corinth. If all of this seems a bit whimsical, perhaps it's the result of my own new beginning with this series of essays in a new year after what has been a very difficult Christmas season. Or, perhaps it's just the spring weather! Take it for what it is! At one time or another, I have probably held just about every theological position one can hold regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the "charismata," as expounded in 1 Corinthians 12. I do believe that every Christian is given some spiritual gifts; but in order to have a more complete understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they are applied in the church, it is important to read Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 as well as our current passage. I cannot bring myself to take the position of some nineteenth-century Presbyterians that the gifts of the Spirit expounded here completely died out at the end of the Apostolic Age. I see no Scriptural grounds for such a view. When the next chapter of 1 Corinthians speaks of certain things "passing away," I take that to mean that these things will pass at the end of the age. Nor can I take the position of some Pentecostals and neo-Pentecostals that such gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be thought of as normal, or are requirements for a truly spiritual Christian life. Even in New Testament times, we have no reason to think that this was the case. So what are we to do with the spiritual gifts? First, remember that the list given here is not an exhaustive list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Second, remember that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are far more important than any particular manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Third, be ware of seeking an experience of God without being grounded in the doctrine or the biblical truth of God. (Our experiences must be judged by the Holy Bible, not the other way around.) Fourth, be discerning. If someone makes a fantastic claim for themselves or regarding something they've seen or heard, be careful to test the evidence as well as "testing the spirits." (There is such a thing as counterfeit spiritual experience that is not Christian.) The power of the Holy Spirit is necessary for any genuine Christian work to be performed; and that power is available to all believers. In special circumstances, we may experience an extraordinary filling of the Holy Spirit, or an enabling empowerment for a special task or crisis. The Spirit also leads us to understand the Scriptures and guides us toward Christian maturity. These aspects of the Holy Spirit are far more important than any particular gift or manifestation of the Spirit. It must not be forgotten that the Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity--co-equal with the Father and the Son. The Spirit was involved in creation. It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates the heart which was previously dead in sin and leads a person to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. The Holy Spirit in-dwells all believers. These are some of the more typical acts of the Holy Spirit. Having said that, we must be aware that the HolySpirit dispenses His gifts to whomever He will. He is sovereign over the distribution and types of gifts. As individuals and the churchhave need of spiritual gifts, such gifts are freely given. Nobody should take pride in the spiritual gifts they may have been given. Such treasures are given only by God's grace. Finally, just as we are not to be overly eager for the sensational or the spectacular, so are we not to be overly fearful of what God may choose to do in our lives, our churches, or the larger community. God may choose to bestow His spiritual gifts in unexpected ways, at seemingly unlikely times, on unsuspecting individuals. Such outpourings of the Holy Spirit could indeed be prelude to revival--in a community, a nation, a church, or even the world! We dare notsay what God can or cannot do, or assume what He will or will not do! We must always ask ourselves this question: Are we truly open to the empowering gifts of the Holy Spirit, or are we afraid and hesitant to allow God's transforming power completely into our lives?