2025 Week 10
Hello, Springers!
Excitement is in the air for tomorrow night’s annual Missions Auction at Valley Springs! This will be my first experience of the event and I’m looking forward to it.
Bringing our church family together, encouraging our generosity, and learning more about God’s mission both locally and globally will be time well spent.
On this occasion I’m reminded of two passages in Paul’s letters that should encourage us this weekend.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, the Spirit inspired Paul to write: 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.
Everyone in the body of Christ is given gifts for the common good. There are a variety of gifts because there are a variety of needs in the body. So there are different services and different activities, but God’s work in his people empowers every service and activity in which we participate.
When we use our gifts, we show the truth of Romans 12:4-5 that in Christ, we belong to each other though we have different functions. Going on in Romans 12:6-7 Paul says: 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.
Notice here that gifts of teaching and speaking are put right alongside gifts of mercy and generosity. This is important. Let me explain. Each week you see me or Pastor Matt preach and teach. It takes great faith to prepare lessons and sermons and put them before you. Paul recognizes here that it also takes great faith to show mercy and generosity.
I’m excited that this weekend at the auction, those with the gift of generosity will have an opportunity to display it, not for show, but for the common good – because God has given us to each other in order to build his kingdom.
This is beautiful work and God is good to us. See you tomorrow evening when the doors open at 4:30pm. The program begins at 5:30pm.
in Christ,
Pastor Tag