One body…many gifts

May 28, 2023

Scriptures: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

We are all familiar I think with the story of Pentecost…that defining ‘birth moment’ in the history of the Christian faith when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus, appearing as tongues of fire dancing on their heads and prompting them to begin sharing the word of God and teachings of Jesus in many diverse languages which, prior to that moment they had no knowledge of. And our reading goes on to say that at that time there were Jews from every corner of the world in which they dwelt visiting the city of Jerusalem. Our passage from Acts tells of at least a dozen different locales from which they came, all with a language native to their own country. And all who were totally amazed to hear these followers of Jesus speaking in their own native dialects as they recounted the story of our Lord.

And in thinking about this wonderful event I was reminded of the many mission trips we took our Youth Group on years ago, visiting various towns and cities in the Northeast and serving local communities as a part of a group of some 300 other youth from different churches. The youth were divided up into small groups of a dozen or so, all from different churches and together with a couple of adults were sent out each day during the week to repair homes, build ramps, teach vacation bible school, clean up yards for homebound seniors, and any number of other community service projects. And along the way and throughout the week the youths in each group bonded and became good friends, even though they were often from very different family and social backgrounds at home. Working together to help others in need gave them a purpose, but laboring side by side and sharing their own life stories with each other helped them to open up and grow in appreciation of the truth that we truly are all members of one family in our Lord.

But it was in the evening, after the work of the day, and after a shared meal, that the whole group would gather for worship, singing songs and listening to inspirational speakers. And one of the most meaningful parts of the evening worship each night was something that was called ‘God-sightings’. This was an opportunity for the youth themselves to stand up and share with all the others there, things that happened during their day that seemed to have the handprint of God on them. Early on in the week the kids were hesitant to step up and share, but as the week wore on, more and more of them realized that indeed they too had experienced a moment during their day when they were sure that God had showed up.

And I bring this up because I imagine that it was not unlike the wonder and enthusiasm of that first Pentecost to hear these kids share openly about the ways they felt they had encountered God during that day. It was also a delight to watch as the week produced testimonies that were increasingly detailed and what would seem to be of small or little significance…truly a joy, because the kids were able by the week’s end to see that indeed God is intimately interested in even the smallest details of our lives…and, that the Holy Spirit is both capable and willing to weigh in on all the questions or decisions we find we have or need to make, no matter how big or how small.

In a sense, the kids learned a ‘new language’ during that week, within the company of complete strangers…a language of holiness that served to create a community where there was none when they arrived. It was an ‘immersive worship experience’ which the kids looked forward to every night, and which they talked about frequently in our late night debriefs with just our own youth groups.

And that memory reminded me of the fact that this practice of sharing ‘God-Sightings’ was something that not only helped our youth to grow in faith and spiritual depth, but also in some fashion became a habit of our church. The adults and youth who returned from those trips brought back a desire to continue sharing what God was doing in our midst, and over time it truly has not only helped us to grow in faith, but has become somewhat of a defining characteristic of our faith life together.

And especially of late, having come through a pandemic together, with all which that asked of each one of us, and having seen the ways in which all of the challenges we have faced have been met with energy and grace, as well as seasoned with a full measure of the Holy Spirit’s assistance, it seems, at least to me, that we are not only getting better at sharing the wonder of our God, but doing so more frequently and openly as well. It is as though we too are now in the ‘later stages of our own mission week together’, trusting more, feeling encouraged, and stepping up to say that, ‘indeed, that was God too!’

I must share that it is a joy for me to watch and to listen as more and more of you have found your voice and have begun to share your own ‘sightings’ of God in our midst. In fact, it has always been my understanding that my real responsibility as pastor was to enable each one of you to live into the unique gifts and blessings you were each given by God, and to encourage you to do so visibly and boldly.

So in a sense, ‘God-sightings’ per se, are something we are doing now more and more often…and that truly is the visible witnessing part of our call from the Lord. Sharing the love we have received in a way that those who are still seeking God…get a sense of the holy whenever they look upon, or listen to the results of the life we live together.

And that brings us to Paul’s word from our reading today in 1st Corinthians. The Apostle takes great pains to share that truly we are called as a community of faith living actively and visibly…called to share our faith in such a way that others are surprised and curious at ‘whatever it is’, that seems to move and inspire us. Paul also makes it clear that no single one of us has what it takes to do the whole job…that each of us is gifted by the Holy Spirit in ways that are each critical to the functioning of us all together. Different gifts, different abilities, all specifically selected by the Holy Spirit for each one of us, and all to enable us to play our own individual role in sharing the story of our faith. Anyone who says they ‘have no gifts’ or ‘particular talents’ need only to read these words from Paul to understand that it takes every one of us to share the story of which we each are a part.

We are only a church…when we are a church together…for in that unity of purpose we find not only the strength and encouragement we need to move forward, but the resources to do the work of God we have been asked to do as well. For you see, ‘active faith’ truly is a group effort, it takes all of us together…‘to-gather’. While a personal faith is critically important as we are strengthened and encouraged to stay true to the will of God in our lives, faith that moves mountains and fosters real substantive change only really happens when ‘two or more are gathered…’.

The Spirit of holiness in this place and within the hearts of those here is alive, and very, very active. And, our most important job as ‘keepers of that light of faith’, is to enable that shared faith to work its way out in each other through active  and shared words and work.

Last week Bruce and his son Matt stopped by the Grange while Danny Doyle and I were working in the Soup Kitchen. And as Bruce looked around he began to comment on how much had been accomplished since we first set up scaffolding in the large room and he and Greg tried to scrape and prime the ceiling as well as remove the old heating ducts. Needless to say much has happened since then, and I have shared with you the many times I have seen the hand of God at work in bringing that project closer to completion. But as we worked and Bruce shared his own sense of amazement I was moved deeply as Danny began to witness to Bruce how many times we had been blessed during the course of the project. ‘It seems as though’, Danny began, ‘that every time there was a need, that need would somehow be met. Time and time again, whatever we needed just seemed to show up! And for what seemed like the first time, I just listened…not feeling the need to chime in…for the Holy Spirit was moving in a powerful way as yet another ‘God-Sighting’ was shared. I cannot tell you how wonderful that was for me…as though the work we have been doing together…the joys and blessings, along with the hardship and blessings we have experienced was all worth it…and all a part of God’s plan.

In the Book of 1st Peter in Chapter 2 we hear Peter instruct us saying, ‘Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, andlike living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ’.

Indeed, like living stones we are being built all together into a ‘spiritual house’…and indeed we truly are a ‘holy priesthood’ of our loving God. So, let us live like every day is Pentecost…for in some sense, at least in our experience here, it truly is! And whenever you are blessed to be able to share a ‘God-Sighting’ of your own, do so boldly…for you never know who may just need to hear it!

…amen