Soccer, Unity and Gifts

Soccer, Unity and Gifts.  1 Corinthians 12.4-11

Hello. 

School is out for summer … sorta.  While Dylan (18 and just graduated) has hung up his soccer cleats—ne’er to play again, he says, Danny is in the midst of summer soccer league.  He is playing his heart out, and legs off, as he was pulled up to play with the varsity team—(15 years old, will be a sophomore, and on the small side). If you know anything about soccer, you know it takes eleven players to field a team; each player with a specific role to play.  If any one of them lets down, the ball gets through, and a goal may be scored; on the other hand, when everyone is playing their individual positions well, the team thrives.  It is a lot like that with the Christian community. 

When we come to individually place our trust in the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us.  At that time, we are endowed with a spiritual gift, which is to be shared to bless and encourage the people of God.  “From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” ^{Ephesians 4.16} Our gifts are intended to build and unify the body of Christ.  And besides, we individually realize our highest purpose when we exercise our spiritual gift(s) as well.   Salvation - - > filled with the Spirit + gift utilized = dynamic, purposeful life. 

Believer, you are gifted . . . did you know that?  In the following passage, Paul highlights the gifts of the Spirit. (I have underlined the specific gift, and given an explanation of that gift—though there are differences of viewpoint on some of the definitions, particularly as defined by varying denominations.)  This is fascinating stuff, if we understand the import of what this means to us as individuals, as well as to the Christian community to which we belong! 

1 Corinthians 12.4-11        Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.   There are different ministries, but the same Lord.   And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything.   A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:

to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit

-> spiritual insight which is informed by God

to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit

-> insight which can take that spiritual wisdom and apply it

to another, faith by the same Spirit

-> more than saving faith, this is faith which produces miraculous results

to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit

->the ability to heal/faith to ask for physical healing

to another, the performing of miracles ->faith to call down miracles of various kinds

to another, prophecy

->includes foretelling – prediction of future events

        and forthtelling – exhortation about God’s will for present circumstances

to another, distinguishing between spirits

->We think Paul meant the ability to discern what is truly of the Holy Spirit,

    and what is counterfeit

to another, different kinds of languages [tongues]

->speaking in unknown languages

to another, interpretation of languages. ->interpretation of unknown language

But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each one as He wills.

Paul makes it clear—each redeemed person is given a gift (or gifts); it is the Holy Spirit who determines the gift. No one gift is meant for all to have.  Back to my opening illustration of soccer -  ‘Friend, do you play your position on the soccer team?’  Do you know your spiritual gift, and ‘play’ with it?  The health and unity of the team depends on you—that is to say, the utmost health of your Christian community depends on each one knowing and exercising her spiritual gift.  It depends on you!

Which position does Danny play?  He is a midfielder—responsible for collecting the ball, seeing the field, and positioning the soccer ball in such a way that a forward can put the ball in the goal. Your team depends on you knowing your gift, and contributing . . . are you?

Christine

PastorWoman.com