Sermons
June 3, 2007
Sermon
Sunday June 3, 2007 – Trinity Sunday
Spiritual Gifts
Psalm 100; Mark 10:46-52
Hillary T. West
Over these past weeks, we’ve spend some time discovering that each of us is given special gifts from God. Spiritual gifts that make us unique and necessary for the building up of the body of Christ; for being the Church. Today, we celebrate those gifts. We celebrate how in God’s eyes, he sees each of us as extraordinarily special and equips us to be who we’re intended to be.
Now this week in the life of Christ Church, we’ve been celebrating a lot. We give thanks to God for the lives of Gabriella Heppert, Devyn Pierce, Molly and James Timmerman and Andrew Shultz all born this week! Also, we celebrate the lives and ministries of Judy Bailey, Ruth Stott, Bea Gower and Rachel LaBoue, members of our body who have joined the communion of saints. There is much to celebrate in the lives of these remarkable beings. Much joy and much sadness and grief.
So, we come together, because, right now, we need each other. We need to gather and share in our happiness. We need to depend on one another for support as we shed tears. We need to lean on our fellow friends in Christ. And in doing so, we’re sharing our gifts. We may not even realize that we’re sharing. But, in our willingness to act, to be the body, to respond to God’s call to us, we’re using our gifts.
As we reach out and extend a hand of hospitality, offer a word of prayer, agree to oversee a group to prepare meals, serve as a listening ear, or just show up with a conviction to be a non-anxious presence, we’re using those gifts that God has given to each and every one of us. And, we use them with dedication, and commitment. Because we believe in the very core of who we are, that God desires this of us.
In today’s story from Mark, we learn that it’s with this same willingness, and conviction that Bartimaeus, uses his gifts. Now, Bartimaeus has limitations. He’s blind and he’s poor. He’s sitting on the road to Jericho, begging. We don’t know how long he’s been there. Beggars are common in and around Jericho. And as it is with beggars today, they’re not highly valued or respected.
So maybe, while Bartimaeus has been sitting there listening to the world go by, he’s been praying and thinking about how God intends him to use his gifts. Regardless, he’s ready to act. Bartimaeus knows exactly what he needs.
He hears that Jesus is coming along the way. And he musters up the courage to call out to him. His pleas meet resistance. But, he persists. Decisive, committed, Bartimaeus calls out again. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus calls him to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Let me see again,” he claims. He begs to be made whole, restored. Only Jesus has the power to enable him to truly see; to equip him to be who God intends for him to be.
His sight restored, and filled with gratitude for Jesus’ presence in his life, Bartimaeus moves immediately to follow. There’s no more waiting along the roadside. He’s not tentative, or hesitant. We don’t know more about Bartimaeus. We don’t know if other hardships or obstacles come along his way.
What we do know is that in Jesus Christ, he found his faith. He trusted in Jesus to remove his burdens, to help him see the path and then, he choses to act.
But, sometimes there are roadblocks along the way. Sometimes we need to spend time in preparation for taking action on our faith. So, sometimes, we wait.
Several years ago, a friend of mine discerned that she has the gifts of mercy and faith. She spent a weekend in a Spiritual Gifts workshop. After examining those times in her life where she felt most fulfilled, naming those people whom she feels possess heroic qualities, and honestly identifying those painful times in her life where she experienced healing, she unwrapped her gifts.
However, Becky wasn’t very excited about the gifts of mercy and faith. Becky’s a practical woman. At the time, she was a mom of two young children, a wife with a loving marriage and a demanding career. While everyone wants to possess the ability to have compassion for those who are troubled or suffering and give them joy, the gift of mercy, such a gift doesn’t always put money on the table.
Becky knew she had faith. She was very active in her church and trusting the Lord, was a given. But, she’d never really had to act on her gift of faith or her gift of mercy. See, even though she has the gifts, she hadn’t yet, had the conviction to use them.
And over the years, Becky has pondered about how God is calling her to use her gifts of mercy and faith.
Then, the other day she called. “I’ve had some changes at work,” Becky commented, “and I’m going to have to trust in God that all will be well. Just this week I’ve signed the papers to incorporate myself. I’m starting my own business!”
You see, Becky is a massage therapist and manicurist. She has always felt called to this work and believes it to be her ministry. But, she hadn’t made the connection of her career also being her vocation to act on with her God given gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.
She said, “Hillary, with my new business I’ll be traveling to patients in hospice and hospitals giving them what joy I can through massage and nail painting. I don’t know if it will work. There are still so many kinks to work out. I’m trusting in the Lord to move me along on this journey!”
Becky can’t hold back any longer. She is acknowledging the power of God working in her life by claiming her gifts and she’s chosen to actively serve God by serving others in a way that truly helps them.
Claiming our gifts is one thing. We can take the classes. We can tick off the answers on the gifts assessment. We can attend the Spiritual Gifts Fair today and match our gifts to the ministries of Christ Church; and hope that you will.
But, the rubber really meets the road when we choose to be decisive and make the commitment. When we trust in God’s grace to propel us into action to use our gifts. When we find that we under go what author Brian Taylor terms as a transformation of the spirit through the combination of our willingness and God’s will for us. We cease to be “religious tourists”. We can’t sit on the sidelines anymore. Our faith compels us to be who Jesus intends us to be.
So, we take the leap of faith. Be a Becky or a Bartimaeus. Have courage. Be persistent. Trust in God and what remarkable things God has in store for you. Let Jesus be your guide. Give your gifts to the world. The return is amazingly great.
Now, just to confirm that each of us is extraordinary, let’s stand and respond to the words found in your bulletin on page 2 commissioning us as people of God to go into the world, to serve and to build up Christ’s body.
The Commissioning of the People of God
Presider: Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, we are all baptized by the one Spirit into one Body. We have received grace upon grace, that we might be grace-bearers ourselves. Each has received through the Spirit the ability to give of our resources, freely, cheerfully and sacrificially.
To some God has given gifts of Hospitality, or Encouragement, or Shepherding…
People: There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Presider: To some God has given gifts of Knowledge, or Tongues, or the Interpretation of Tongues, or Discernment.
People: There are varieties of services, but the same Lord.
Presider: To some God has given gifts of Leadership, or Giving, or Prophecy.
People: There are varieties of activities, but the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
Presider: To some God has given gifts of Service, or Healing, or Intercession, or Mercy.
People: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Presider: To some God has given gifts of Teaching, or Administration, or Creative Ability.
People: To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ.
Presider: To some God has given gifts of Wisdom, or Faith, or Miracles, or Evangelism.
People: According to the measure that God has assigned.
Presider: By our baptism we’re called to discover our gifts. Through the Spirit we are shaped, ready, willing, to take heart, to respond to the call of Jesus, to get up, and with conviction to be ministers, servants…
People: …one to another and beyond.
Presider: Will you respond to God’s call to serve as the Spirit has equipped you to serve?
People: We will!
Presider: May the Lord who has given us the will to use these gifts,
People: give us the grace and power to perform them.
Presider: Almighty God, look with favor upon these people here present who live and have their being with the Spiritual Gifts that you have bestowed upon them. Give them commitment, courage, patience, and vision; strengthen them as they go out into the world to serve you and others, offering their gifts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All: May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us, that in all things we may do God’s will in the service of the kingdom of his Christ.
The Prayers of the People
Prayer Leader: Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so graciously given to us. For how you call us to be the Church serving as faithful witnesses,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For how through minds to think, hearts to love and hands to serve you have equipped us to care for your creation,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For setting us at tasks that call forth our best, for the knowledge of your will and the courage to seek it,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For lives lost who are now joined in the communion of saints, in all times and places,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For lives restored and lives made new, entrusted to our care,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For the forgiveness of our sins,
People: We thank you, Lord.
Prayer Leader: For the gift of your Spirit, that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Make us love what you command; grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises,
People: Blessed be your Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; now and for endless ages. Amen.
