onethessthree8
'For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord….'One body, many members…(Part Four)
Part Four ‘Earnestly desire the greater gifts’ (vs.31) (Click here if you missed part 3)
This is the final instalment of study. Did you know that your gifts are chosen for you by the Holy Spirit? No matter what you desire, you are not going to get it unless the Holy Spirit has already chosen it for you!
It’s important here to realise that in this verse Paul is addressing the whole church and not individuals, as if one could collect a ‘full set’ of desired gifts. He is talking to the local Corinthian church and saying that as an assembly they should desire to have in their midst a good selection of the gifts that edify.
He’s saying that the best gifts are those that are most useful to the congregation, rather than those that are the most gratifying in a spectacular sense to you as an individual.
The spiritual gifts given to each person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. There are many gifts, and individuals have different gifts. Some people have more than one gift!
It’s important to remember that one gift is not superior to another. All the gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and their purpose is to build up Christ’s body, the church.
The gifts are given to enable us to achieve in increasing degree, by mutual exercise, the fruit of the Spirit. It’s the fruit that God is after, and every congregation should be much more concerned with the fruit or outcome of the spiritual activity than they are with the gifts of the Spirit.
The authentic church, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is vibrant and stunning!
By all means…(even the iphone)
‘Be all things to all men’. That was the Apostle Paul’s recipe for communicating the good news of Jesus Christ.
At CCK we take engagement with our City very seriously. The Brighton Marathon is one example where we will be cancelling our two morning services and marshalling the event using 300 of our members. This is how we build permissions and bridges for communicating the gospel.
Here’s another. This one, however, has a global reach……we are about to submit an ‘app’, and the media have cottoned on to us! http://bit.ly/cFQS5o
One body, many members…(Part Three)
Part Three ‘And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it’ (vs. 26) (Click here if you missed Part Two)
A few years ago, I had an invasive knee operation in an attempt to repair a sports injury. Following the operation, it swelled up and got very sore. The rest of my body was so concerned that it sat up all night for many nights, just to keep it company!
Notice my body didn’t just say, ‘Oh, go to sleep! Go off and hurt over in the corner and let me go to sleep.’ No, it suffered with it all night long. That is what we as the body of Christ, the church, should do also.
The same principle is also at work with regard to honour. If some member of the body performs an outstanding activity that opens the door for say the salvation of many people, or even a few people, and ministers the grace and the love of Christ, then everybody touched by that will be blessed by it! It will cause them to regard the body in greater honour than before.
So the responsibility for the reputation of the body rests with every one of us, and how we act is going to determine how other people see the church at work in our culture today. We belong together, and we suffer together.
One body, many members…(Part Two)
Part Two ‘For the body is not one member but many’ (vs. 14) (click here if you missed Part One)
Paul says that if your foot were to say, ‘I just can’t do all the things the hand does. It’s so flexible, on the end of that long arm, and it is used all the time. My toes just aren’t like those fingers; I just can’t do what the hand can do, therefore I really don’t belong in this body’, it would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? That does not make the foot any less a part of the body. The foot is deceiving itself.
The apostle is saying that if you think of yourself as a member of the church, the body of Christ, and you say to yourself, ‘because I can’t stand up and preach or teach or lead a meeting, there is really nothing I can do in this church’, you are deceiving yourself! You are still a part of the body. You have simply shut your eyes and ears to truth. You need to open them to see the part God has given you.
We must remember, there are no insignificant members of the body. We all too easily develop the wrong idea that it’s those who lead our churches that have all the gifts.
If the work of the church is to heal the broken-hearted out in the world, to bring deliverance to the captives, to open the eyes of the blind, and to preach the good news to the poor and despairing of heart, then we come to the church to get ready to fulfil it out there! Without exception, it is clear that there is definitely a part to play for every member.
A vicar once received a letter like this……
Dear Vicar, there are 566 people in our church, 100 are elderly, leaving 466 to do all the work. 80 are youngsters in education, leaving 386 to do all the work, but 150 of these are tired business people, which leaves 236 to do all the work. 150 of these are busy with children, leaving 86 to do all the work. 15 live too far away to be regulars and 69 say they’ve done their bit, which leaves just you and me! I’m exhausted, so good luck to you!
Everyone’s meant to be involved because God has given gifts to all of us!
One body, many members…(Part One)
Ok, this is a four-part study in 1 Corinthians 12. I know I blogged about chips in my last post, but I was feeling peckish.
By way of intro, the church (which I love) is both a building and a body, and the aspect that buildings and bodies have in common is that they are places in which to live. The beauty of the church is that it is both the building in which God lives and the body through which He works. This is the theme of Chapter 12. The church is not an organisation brought into being to operate nice meetings, but it consists of all those who are a living body, growing and developing within the world, not apart from it, in order to touch the world with the reality of the love of God.
That is what the church is. It is unique! No other organisation approaches it in purpose, scope, power or abilities.
Part One ‘But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good’ (vs. 7)
When it comes to gifts, sometimes we just can’t get our heads around the wrong thinking that they are talents or skills that others have! Another problem is that we think they all have to come through the Sunday morning service, or from the church leadership. It’s not like that at all!
Gifts get exercised when you are with your neighbours, when you are at work; or when you are in the car; or with children or older people. It will be an opportunity that comes on a plate for you to use the gift of teaching, or helps, or encouragement, or giving, or whatever it is that God has given you. We get to be servants in action, with the opportunity to use our gifts! God loves to equip His people. This is foundational. What has God given to you by which you can function within the body of Christ?
Notice three things about this verse. Firstly, Paul writes ‘To each one is given…’ In other words, no one is left out! You have one at least, and probably more, because God chooses a combination to suit just you, ideal for your personality, and puts you right where he wants you, not only in the church among the other believers, but out in the world as well. That is where you begin to function as a member of the church.
Secondly, Paul says ‘…the manifestation of the Spirit.’ It is not your natural abilities, as we are so quick to assume. It’s a supernatural function! The gifts of the Spirit are not your regular abilities or talents, like amazing musical or athletic ability. But spiritual gifts are given for functioning in the realm of the spirit.
The function of spiritual gifts is to enable the human spirit to live as it was intended. Natural abilities and spiritual gifts do, of course, blend together wonderfully. Take for example an outstanding singing ability being able awaken a sense of worship!
Thirdly, Paul says gifts are given for ‘…the common good.’ In other words, they must serve others. It has no other purpose in being given to you except to build up and edify others. It is for the good of all. You are going to need others’ spiritual gifts just as much as they are going to need yours.
Look out for Part Two….
Harry Ramsden in India…
It’s official. Famous chip shop chain plans to open in Indian continent! Funny that our influence on Indian cuisine which started with curry (yes, the British Army invented it – the word curry, that is), has now stretched to the good old chippy and all its healthy attributes. Do you think they’ll do deep fried Mars Bars too?
Cod n chips...
For the record, Indian culture has flavoured its food with their exquisite spices long before the British Army turned up. There. Hope that’s broken the ridiculous myth that our dubious Empire antics also affected the dinner table!
Mr Boparan, the new Indian owner of Harry Ramsden’s, said that once the UK business is operating properly, he wants to open branches in numerous Indin cities and other major nations like China. As fish raises few religious objections in India, the proposal demonstrates the country’s receptiveness to Western fast food.
The world’s biggest fish and chip chain was originally started by Harry Ramsden in a hut in Guiseley, West Yorkshire in 1928. Within three years, Mr Ramsden opened a “fish and chip palace” nearby modelled on The Ritz and sold the business in 1954. The Guiseley branch is the biggest fish and chip shop in the world, seating about 250 customers.
Mr Boparan said: “Harry Ramsden’s is a great British institution and we want to put it back on the map by focusing on the fundamentals of superb service, exceptional value and the very best tasting fish and chips you can buy.”
Yum.
Hope does not disappoint…
Uh oh! Just when you thought it was safe to read blogs again in 2010…….not another reflective post about the changing of the decade! Ok, I admit it. I am feeling all soft about the New Year and what it might hold. But gimme a moment to persuade you of a hope-filled 2010.
I have no idea what 2009 was like for you…….but I can gaurantee it comprised a confusing mixture of the following : mundane work; great fun with loved ones; moments where you felt rejected; times where you felt you could burst with joy; days where you wondered where God was; and so on and so on……..
Life is not straightforward. In fact, Jesus spoke plainly about this being so (John 16:33). And our response? Well, if your emotions follow the ups and downs of life, your reactions will also be mixed. You will be relying on how you feel, and respond accordingly. Living life in this way is exhausting!
But there is another way to respond…..logically. In his letter to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul tells it how it is in Romans 5:1-11 , laying truth out for us so we are without excuse in understanding the extent of the mercy of God.
So whatever 2009 brought, treat yourself to an eternal perspective. It’s what God would want you to do, and it’s why He puts lasting and robust joy in you by His Holy Spirit. Someone once told me, ‘happiness depends on what happens to you. Joy, however, is a steady assurance of a future hope, so live your life accordingly.’ Deal.
Grey hair or baldness?
Grey hair or baldness? Funny what you think about during the Christmas holidays! But interestingly the bible has something to say about both….
Grey hair (my happy experience)……is earned! Click here if you don’t believe me!
Yeah baby!
Here’s the deal. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die (boo!). When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color – like grey, silver, or white – as it grows. As we get older, fewer pigment cells will be around to produce melanin. Eventually, the hair will look completely grey.
People get grey hair at any age. Some people go grey at a young age – as early as when they are in school, whereas others may be in their 30’s or 40’s before they see that first grey hair. How early we get grey hair is determined by our genes. This means that most of us will start having grey hairs around the same age that our parents or grandparents first did (check ‘em out, quick!).
Some people think that a big shock or trauma can turn a person’s hair white or grey overnight, but scientists don’t really believe that this happens. Just in case, try not to freak out your parents too much!
Baldness? Well, it’s an idolatrous practice according to Lev 21:5. Or a terrible judgement in Jeremiah 48:37. And Elisha was ridiculed by kids in 2Kings 2:23! I’m beginning to prefer the grey hair thing…….
Fight!!!
Just checked out my Dad who has a delightful thatch aged 68, not thinning in any way. But like my mum, he has white hair. Ok, presumably that’s how it goes when the grey fades. I’m cool with that!
Three trees at Christmas…
Tis the season to be jolly! That’s the mood being pressed upon us by the culture at this time of year, and I guess you can look at it in a number of ways. From a secular standpoint it’s any old excuse for a jolly (alcohol-induced, mind-numbing, drown-your-sorrows-away kinda jolly), especially in depressed economic conditions where finances are not only tight, but uncertain. This type of ‘jolly’ is characterised by denial and hopelessness. Charming!
Or there’s the ‘three trees’ perspective:
Tree Number One – In the perfection of Eden there was a tree (of knowledge of good & evil). ‘Enjoy everything else but don’t touch this tree’ was God’s command. But Eve was deceived, and ate. There stood Adam, passively watching, abdicating all responsibility, and eventually also partaking. This tree produced death.
Tree of Knowledge
Tree Number Two – Then there was a tree which, upon face value, looked like death again. But the life of the God-man who was nailed to this tree was perfect (unlike the first Adam) and pleasing to God. His death on a tree of His own substituted for ours. It’s death we deserve, but He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin, to be sin for us that in Him (Jesus), we might become the righteousness of God. An amazing tree!
Jesus' tree
Tree Number Three – It’s the one in my living room. Isn’t it weird that we should bring a tree into the house! Apparently there is some argument about whether it was 16th Century Scandanavian pagans or Christians who first adorned their trees and brought them into their homes. But I’m not worried about the origins of the tradition (pagan or otherwise), because for me the gifts around the tree always remind me of tree number two where the ultimate gift was given. Jesus’ gift of life.
Christmas tree
So, is it the season to be jolly? It certainly is……delighted for the gift of Jesus.
Snow joke….
Cheesy title, I know. But it was just to get you to check out this cracking little feature on my blog where you can actually make it snow! Is it snowing yet?? Easily pleased you might say. You’d be right, because I love snow, fake or otherwise. It used to snow in Brighton when I were a lad, but not now (rev 18.12.09 – we had 4″ last night!)
I know people whose theologies stretch to praying for parking spaces (ooh, that was harsh!). Well that prayer doesn’t work in Brighton (highest revenue-generating City for parking in the nation!) …………but I am unashamedly praying for snow!
Actually, it’s the mammouth carbon-footprints (of these exact same people who are trying to park in Brighton) that has put paid to any decent snow in the UK anymore! They’ve raised the overall global temperature by a degree or two, so all we get is a bit of slush to throw at each other.
I’m always amazed by the fact that each flake is individual and unique from another. A typical snowflake begins by forming around a speck of dust. From this unassuming beginning, it grows into a tiny hexagonal prism, just a few microns in size. The initial symmetry of the snowflake results from the intrinsic molecular structure of ice.
Utterly unique...
As the crystal grows, it’s often blown about in the sky. The air and temperature around the crystal are constantly changing. Snowflakes are extremely sensitive, and even a small change in these conditions can lead to different growth patterns.
The final shape of the crystal reflects these growth conditions. The longer the snowflake is blown about in the skies, the more complex the resulting snow crystal. No two crystals have the same history so they don’t grow in the same way. As a result, no two have ever been the same, or ever will be. Amazing! With my biblical worldview, it motivates me to worship. Simple as that.
To really appreciate the beauty of snow, try the Alps. Or leave my blog open on your laptop and enjoy the flurry!
Rather stunning!
