1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
As we approach the end of the season of Easter, we draw closer to Pentecost. It is then that we will hear the story again of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and their ability to share the Gospel and everyone who was there heard in their own language (Acts 2). What an amazing miracle that must have been to witness as these followers of Jesus shared their faith.
I often wonder how that might have worked. Was there some kind of holy translation that happened in the minds of each of the hearers? Did each disciple speak a different language and somehow all were able to discern the message in their own language? Something else all together?
Is that the last time God’s Holy Spirit poured out a miracle like this?
I don’t think it was the last time it happened. I believe the Holy Spirit continues to pour out on us even to this day. I know the miracle this time: each one of us has unique gifts given to us through the Holy Spirit to further the message of the Gospel. All of the various gifts are important.
It is always important for us as the Church to recognize the many and various ways that the Holy Spirit is poured out on God’s people. In the Church, and that includes St. Paul Lutheran Church, there are all the gifts we need to do the work God has for us to do.
Over the next several months, St Paul will embark on a journey of self-discovery. Preparing to call a pastor is more than just hiring a good preacher. To do this well, the unique ways that St Paul is gifted by the Holy Spirit need to be named: humbly, honestly, and with great joy.
The ways in which St Paul is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit is not the same as any other congregation. For sure, St Paul is a part of the larger Body of Christ. St Paul is connected to other Christians across time and space. But St Paul is a unique and gifted branch of the vine. St Paul has unique and important Spritual Gifts.
You are invited to enter into this time of discernment and joy to find how God’s Holy Spirit is poured out on you.ow there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
As we approach the end of the season of Easter, we draw closer to Pentecost. It is then that we will hear the story again of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and their ability to share the Gospel and everyone who was there heard in their own language (Acts 2). What an amazing miracle that must have been to witness as these followers of Jesus shared their faith.
I often wonder how that might have worked. Was there some kind of holy translation that happened in the minds of each of the hearers? Did each disciple speak a different language and somehow all were able to discern the message in their own language? Something else all together? Is that the last time God’s Holy Spirit poured out a miracle like this?
I don’t think it was the last time it happened. I believe the Holy Spirit continues to pour out on us even to this day. I know the miracle this time: each one of us has unique gifts given to us through the Holy Spirit to further the message of the Gospel. All of the various gifts are important.
It is always important for us as the Church to recognize the many and various ways that the Holy Spirit is poured out on God’s people. In the Church, and that includes St. Paul Lutheran Church, there are all the gifts we need to do the work God has for us to do.
Over the next several months, St Paul will embark on a journey of self-discovery. Preparing to call a pastor is more than just hiring a good preacher. To do this well, the unique ways that St Paul is gifted by the Holy Spirit need to be named: humbly, honestly, and with great joy.
The ways in which St Paul is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit is not the same as any other congregation. For sure, St Paul is a part of the larger Body of Christ. St Paul is connected to other Christians across time and space. But St Paul is a unique and gifted branch of the vine. St Paul has unique and important Spritual Gifts. You are invited to enter into this time of discernment and joy to find how God’s Holy Spirit is poured out on you.
