Scripture Reading--I Corinthians 12:12-27
All
Christians are Charismatics.
That’s one of my favorite sermon titles based on this text by the
renowned preacher and teacher, Fred Craddock.
It’s an arresting title because most of us would never associate
ourselves with a label used to describe Christians who wave their hands
enthusiastically in worship, go from one faith healing service to another, and
speak in tongues. But if I understand
Craddock’s strategy with that title correctly, he wants us to realize that
however we label ourselves—liberal or conservative, charismatic or mainline—if
we are Christians, we are all charismatic.
We have all received gifts or charismata
from the Holy Spirit. Paul’s claim is
that the body has many different members. For Paul, the church is a community
where worldly divisions and hurtful labels are overcome. The church is the place where, through
baptism, Jews, Greeks, slaves, and free—are all one because they share the same
spirit. One could make the argument that
a church like Centenary has become what it has become—a place of hospitality,
diversity, and affirmation for all—because it is truly “charismatic.” We are trying to be a place that recognizes
that our unity is not a human construct or based on any ideology, but a place where
unity amidst diversity is received as a gift from God. As Paul argues, to truly experience the
fullness of Christ’s love and grace, we need all the different parts that make
up the body if we are to be whole. How
is your Christian faith stretched and enriched by being part of a church that
sees diversity as an essential expression of God’s intention for all humanity?
Thought for the day: Every person in the body of Christ is important! We all have something others need--and others have something we need to be whole as well!
Prayer: O God, even when it is hard to accept others who irritate or annoy us in the church, help us understand that we all need each other if our experience of God is to be complete. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment