Opening Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, grant us Your gifts. Amen.
Text: First Corinthians 12:2-11
You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Devotion
Everyone who speaks by God’s Spirit praises Jesus and proclaims His glory. If anyone says he has God’s Spirit and does not with word and deed confess Jesus Christ to be God’s only-begotten Son, is a liar; God’s Spirit does not speak in him. But all who call Jesus Lord and praise His divine grace and power and live in His doctrine and walk in the light, they have the Holy Spirit, for no one else can teach them this. Here is the keynote by which God’s Spirit is known. The meek and holy Savior’s love belongs to His believers. He is their only hope, and they are His own; they live by Him, and they live in Him and for Him.
This one and the same Spirit fills the Christians’ various gifts of grace, just as one and the same human spirit strengthens our various members. Each believer has his own special gifts and his own special service in God’s kingdom. The congregation in Corinth was abundantly rich in gifts of grace, but for that very reason they were exposed to many temptations; for the greater the gifts of grace, the greater the temptations, – temptations to pride and disorder and infiltration by false spirits. That’s why Paul writes this. He gives them the rule mentioned above about how to judge spirits and he teaches them in love and meekness to serve one another with various gifts.
Our congregations too have received their talents; the gifts of grace have not ceased in the Church, but are found there in what is useful. Here is a saying of wisdom and a saying of knowledge, prophecy, and faith; and here and there gifts of miracles go forth if the Lord deems it necessary. We must simply be faithful and use properly what He has given us, then the diversity of gifts also would now show itself to be very wonderful. But we let the spirit of anger subdue us and hinder the best use of our gifts. Earthly cares hover over us like a swarm of locusts on our hearts; they block the sun and eat up the plants. God help us in these miserable days! The Spirit of love must unite us, so that what we sing becomes a reality: “How fair the Church of Christ shall stand, A beacon light in all the land, When love and faith all hearts inspire, And all unite in one desire To be a family and agree To live in peace and unity” [Kingo: ELH 418:1]. O then the various gifts of the Spirit should flourish as well. Are you working for this? How do you use your talent in this regard? Let me remind you that what is called meekness is very significant to the development of love and peace under one and the same Spirit.
Closing Prayer
O that we might use all our powers in Christ’s love for the growth of the Church and to adorn all our conduct with His holy humility! Then gifts would increase and be multiplied. I sincerely pray for this, merciful God; grant us this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
O Holy Ghost, Most gentle Host,
My cold heart now be meeting;
Pour out Your grace In ev’ry place
In true devotion lead me!
Without Your hand Still no one can
Jesus our Lord be calling;
Within our heart Your light impart,
Else comfort far is falling.
Spirit of truth, Send ever forth
Your Word to ev’ry nation!
Grant it success! Satan distress!
Let all know Your salvation!
Ægidius: O Hellig Aand, Med Naadens Haand L 508:1.2.11 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Ach Gott und Herr (ELH 581); alternate hymn: O Christ, our true and only Light ELH 198:4-5