Embracing Unity and Diversity Through Spiritual Gifts
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Clearview United Methodist Church, where our mission is living in embodied faith and sharing God's love for all. Today, we gather from many places, backgrounds, and experiences, united in the Spirit. As we begin our worship, I want to remind you that whether you're here in person or joining us online, we are all part of one worshiping body. If you're a first-time guest, I hope you were greeted warmly and received a welcome mug with some goodies and information about the church. Feel free to reach out to us through email, direct message, or phone if you have any questions or need support.
As we move into our time of prayer, let's take a moment to still our minds and bodies, experiencing the presence of the Lord. We thank God for placing us in community with one another, for family and friends, and for the skills and talents used to build up and serve. We pray for those who struggle to accept the gift of diversity and for those who are excluded or oppressed. May God's Spirit be visible to us, overflowing with grace and courage to use our gifts for the building up of His kingdom.
Today is a special day in the church called Pentecost. It's the day we remember God giving us the Holy Spirit. The story of Pentecost is quite extraordinary. The disciples were all together in one place, waiting for their next instructions from Jesus. Suddenly, a great howling wind, like a hurricane, filled the room, and flames of fire appeared above their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, understanding each other despite their diverse tongues. This miraculous event symbolizes the unity and diversity of the body of Christ.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses the metaphor of the body to explain the diversity of spiritual gifts. Just as a physical body cannot function if all its parts are the same, the body of Christ needs a variety of gifts to function effectively. Each member has a unique gift given by the Holy Spirit for the common good. There is no competition among these gifts; all are equally important and necessary for building up the body of Christ.
We all have gifts and talents that can be used for the Lord, regardless of our age, background, or education level. The question for us this Pentecost is how we will use these gifts to build up the body of Christ. If you're unsure of what your spiritual gift might be, I encourage you to take a spiritual gift assessment available on our website. Discovering and using your gifts can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your spiritual life.
As we prepare to give our tithes and offerings, remember that we give sacrificially of ourselves, our skills, and our talents to build up the body of Christ. Let's pray that God uses these gifts for the growing of His kingdom, bringing healing and love to our community.
Before we conclude, I want to share a few announcements. Today, we have a community dinner at 5 PM in the fellowship hall. It's a practice run, and we need everyone to come and enjoy a free home-cooked meal. Next week is "Ask the Pastor" Sunday, where you can ask any questions you have about the scriptures, United Methodism, or anything else. Also, on June 2nd, we will be giving Bibles to the children in our church, followed by a reception with cake and cookies.
As we leave this worship service, our service to the world begins. Let's go out with many voices and gifts, but with one Spirit and one purpose: to share the love of God and be His witnesses in our communities and to the ends of the earth. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. Go in peace, my friends.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in Diversity: The story of Pentecost teaches us that the Holy Spirit brings unity amidst diversity. Despite the disciples speaking different languages, they understood each other, symbolizing the unity of the body of Christ. This unity is essential for the church to function effectively, as each member's unique gifts contribute to the common good. [50:09]
2. The Importance of Spiritual Gifts: Paul emphasizes that every member of the body of Christ has a unique spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not for personal glory but for building up the church. There is no competition among these gifts; all are equally important and necessary. [01:08:22]
3. Discovering and Using Your Gifts: It's crucial to discover and use your spiritual gifts to find purpose and fulfillment in your spiritual life. Taking a spiritual gift assessment can help identify your gifts, and using them in the church can elevate your sense of value and purpose. [01:17:08]
4. Serving the Community: Our gifts and talents are meant to be used for serving others and building up the body of Christ. Whether it's through cooking, teaching, or any other talent, using our gifts for the common good brings glory to God and strengthens the church community. [01:13:16]
5. Living Out Our Faith: As we leave the worship service, our service to the world begins. We are called to be witnesses of God's love in our communities and beyond. By using our gifts and talents, we can bring healing and love to those around us, fulfilling our purpose as the body of Christ. [01:27:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:02] - Call to Worship
[21:31] - Prayer Requests and Praises
[27:16] - Opening Prayer
[30:01] - Prayers for the Community
[40:25] - Children's Message
[45:23] - Family Meeting
[48:56] - Pentecost Story
[50:09] - Unity in Diversity
[54:32] - Significance of Pentecost
[59:48] - Many Voices, One Understanding
[01:08:22] - Importance of Spiritual Gifts
[01:13:16] - Serving the Community
[01:17:08] - Discovering Your Gifts
[01:24:13] - Announcements
[01:27:38] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
> "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
> "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
3. Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
> "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith."
### Observation Questions
1. What extraordinary event occurred on the day of Pentecost as described in Acts 2:1-4?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, who empowers the different spiritual gifts and for what purpose?
3. In Romans 12:4-6, how does Paul describe the relationship between the members of the body of Christ?
4. What are some examples of spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible passages?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the event of Pentecost illustrate the unity and diversity within the body of Christ?
2. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit and are for the common good?
3. How can the metaphor of the body in Romans 12 help us understand the importance of each member's unique gifts?
4. What might be the significance of the disciples being able to speak and understand different languages on Pentecost?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you use them to serve and build up your church community this week?
2. Think of a time when you felt excluded or undervalued. How can you ensure that others in your church feel included and appreciated for their unique gifts?
3. Identify one specific way you can contribute to the unity of your church, despite the diversity of its members.
4. Consider taking a spiritual gift assessment if you haven't already. What steps will you take to discover and use your spiritual gifts for the common good?
5. How can you be a witness of God's love in your community this week, using the gifts and talents you have been given?
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
The story of Pentecost teaches us that the Holy Spirit brings unity amidst diversity. Despite the disciples speaking different languages, they understood each other, symbolizing the unity of the body of Christ. This unity is essential for the church to function effectively, as each member's unique gifts contribute to the common good. The disciples were all together in one place, waiting for their next instructions from Jesus. Suddenly, a great howling wind, like a hurricane, filled the room, and flames of fire appeared above their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, understanding each other despite their diverse tongues. This miraculous event symbolizes the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. [50:09]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt different or excluded. How can you use that experience to help foster unity and inclusion within your church community today?
Day 2: The Importance of Spiritual Gifts
Paul emphasizes that every member of the body of Christ has a unique spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not for personal glory but for building up the church. There is no competition among these gifts; all are equally important and necessary. Just as a physical body cannot function if all its parts are the same, the body of Christ needs a variety of gifts to function effectively. Each member has a unique gift given by the Holy Spirit for the common good. [01:08:22]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Identify one spiritual gift you believe you have. How can you use this gift to serve others in your church or community this week?
Day 3: Discovering and Using Your Gifts
It's crucial to discover and use your spiritual gifts to find purpose and fulfillment in your spiritual life. Taking a spiritual gift assessment can help identify your gifts, and using them in the church can elevate your sense of value and purpose. We all have gifts and talents that can be used for the Lord, regardless of our age, background, or education level. The question for us this Pentecost is how we will use these gifts to build up the body of Christ. [01:17:08]
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV): "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
Reflection: Have you taken a spiritual gift assessment? If not, consider doing so this week. If you have, how can you more actively use your identified gifts in your daily life?
Day 4: Serving the Community
Our gifts and talents are meant to be used for serving others and building up the body of Christ. Whether it's through cooking, teaching, or any other talent, using our gifts for the common good brings glory to God and strengthens the church community. We give sacrificially of ourselves, our skills, and our talents to build up the body of Christ. Let's pray that God uses these gifts for the growing of His kingdom, bringing healing and love to our community. [01:13:16]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Think of one practical way you can serve your community this week using your unique talents. How can you make this a regular part of your life?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
As we leave the worship service, our service to the world begins. We are called to be witnesses of God's love in our communities and beyond. By using our gifts and talents, we can bring healing and love to those around us, fulfilling our purpose as the body of Christ. Let's go out with many voices and gifts, but with one Spirit and one purpose: to share the love of God and be His witnesses in our communities and to the ends of the earth. [01:27:38]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to be a witness of God's love in your community? How can you make this a consistent part of your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have some people that are good at science and some people are good at math. Some other people are good at reading and writing. Some people are good at music back here. And everybody has a different gift. And we put them all together into the church. And it does amazing, miraculous things. Because then we have everything that we need because God gave us all these special gifts. So I want you to remember that you have a special gift. And you have a special gift, Eli, no matter what. Even when we don't feel like we have gifts, we do. And we can use them to help and to serve and to love people." [45:23]
2. "So when our kids were at home, every once in a while, Tracy would call a family meeting. All right? And usually when Tracy called a family meeting, especially when it was years ago, maybe 10 or 12 years ago, the kids would always come and ask, what would you ask? Are you in trouble? Yes. Yeah. They would ask, are they in trouble? And they would also joke with their mother that, what was the joke? Do you remember? You're not helping me out here right now. The kids would joke, are you pregnant, mom? Because for several years there, it was one after another." [46:49]
3. "We have the Holy Spirit within us, not just in this tent meeting where God was seen. The temple of the Holy Spirit becomes us. We are filled with God's presence. And even though there's many pillars of fire, there's still only one God, one Spirit. Because there's many fires, one Spirit is given to every person for the common good, Paul tells us. And there were many voices, right? There's all these voices. There's voices from around the empire. But there's just one understanding. No matter what language they're speaking, there's one understanding. There's all these languages. There's communication going on. There's understanding going on. It's just amazing." [59:48]
4. "The Spirit overcame seemingly impossible barriers of language and culture, just as Jesus overcame the absolute impossible barrier of death. Because, friends, God will go to any length to share the good news and to make sure that it's told. So they're waiting there. And these tongues of fire come and the Holy Spirit comes. And all of a sudden, they can understand and speak these different languages. Can you imagine that? All of a sudden, if you could speak German or understand. German or Spanish or French or whatever language, what an amazing feeling that might be." [57:47]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Friends, the gifts of the spirit are only useful to us. They're only useful when they're employed to build up the body of Christ. And we all have them. Everybody has a gift to use and share. No matter how young or how old you are. No matter where you come from, what language you speak, what your education level is, what your economic level is. It doesn't matter. We all have gifts and talents that can be used for the Lord. The gifts of the spirit are only useful when they're employed to build the body of Christ." [01:15:46]
2. "All these different kinds of gifts. All these things were produced by the one and same spirit who gives what he wants to each person. Paul continued this idea with his metaphor later in the letter when he compared the church to a body. He compared a church to a body. He says, Just as the physical body could not all be ears. Think about that. Think about if you had an ear where your hand is supposed to be. Wouldn't be very good. Very useful, would it? Or if we were all hands and no ears or noses. Just as the physical body could not all be ears or hands or eyes. Each member of the body of Christ cannot all have the same gift. We need each other." [01:08:22]
3. "So God confused their languages, scattered them across the known world. And through the Pentecostal experience and in Paul's letter, God's spirit, pulls them all back together. Here, thousands of years later. He pulls them all back together with their unique languages to communicate with each other once again. And they could understand one another. And now they sought not to do things out of their own recognition. But they sought to do things for the recognition of God. To bring God glory and honor and praise. Many voices. And we have one understanding that's given to us. To every person. For the common good." [01:03:33]
4. "You might be sitting there wondering well what is a spiritual gift anybody have that question nobody okay all right we'll skip this part if you're wondering what a spiritual gift is or what yours might be beyond your normal talents and gifts and and skill sets if you go on the website clearviewumc.org and you go to next steps clearviewumc can take what's called a spiritual gift assessment and it has some questions you're going to have to log in and make a little account with a username and a password but it's worth it you'll answer some questions take about 15 20 minutes and it's going to tell you here are your tendencies of what you might be good at you might have the gift of hospitality and welcoming people and creating welcoming spaces you might be at the gift of teaching or the gift of prayer or generosity or you might have the gift of hospitality and welcoming people and creating you might have a gift in music or creative communication in some way so you might spend a few minutes doing that and and then if you want to talk about that and how then because the next step is not just knowing them it's putting it into practice how can i use this gift when i discovered that i had the gift of administration 20 some years ago 30 some years ago probably now i didn't know how i didn't know you could use that in the church i mean other than maybe like being the office manager or the bookkeeper right how do you use that well i didn't know how to use that in the church i learned there's other places to use that gift and for me that was the link to me finding my purpose in my spiritual life and i want you all to experience that gift as well and if i can be of help you can always call on me we share these gifts with one another to complete the body of christ so that we as clear view can be the body of christ for all the world we share those gifts just in the same way that we share in the giving of our tithes and offerings we give sacrificially of ourselves of our skills and talents and gifts to build up the body" [01:17:08]
5. "And Paul, like Jesus, Paul gathered his church in Corinthians for a little family meeting as well. Now he gathered them by a letter he had written. We call it First Corinthians. The first letter to the Corinthian church. And he sent this letter and the whole church gathered to hear somebody read the letter. You see the church at Corinth was unsure of who had gifts of the spirit and who did not. They were having some disagreement about this. And they were having a disagreement about whose gifts were better than others. But Paul insisted that everyone who was building up the body of Christ had a gift of the spirit. And there was no competition. No better or lesser gifts. All gifts, Paul said, come from God. All receive their gifts by the spirit. Not through their words. Not through their worthiness or their unworthiness. But entirely by the love and grace and hope of God. God values the contributions of all no matter how different we may be." [01:05:55]
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