“Gifts in Action”

Luke

The Rev. Kisten H. Thompson

October 24, 2004

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

          “Have you heard?  Jesus is in town!  He’s over at Benjamin’s house.  People are coming from everywhere to hear him, to see him to be healed by him.  They say the power of the Holy Spirit is on him!  Listen, we should take David to see him”.

          “How will we get him there?  He can’t possibly get there without help.  And you and I can’t lift and carry him, it’s too far.”

          “Look, if we get two more, say James and Malachi-they’re strong and if we carry him on his mat.  Each of us can take a corner…and we can take along some rope so he won’t fall off his mat.  We can do it!”

          And the idea was born-someone with the vision, the heart, the gifts of compassion and leadership saw a way to bring a friend closer to Jesus.  He gathered his team, and step by step, gift by gift, they moved their friend, who was paralyzed, closer to Jesus.  And their friend was healed!

          Sometimes the enormity of a project or idea, or ministry or mission seems overwhelming, too much to bear.  You’re tempted to think, “I could never do that.”  “I don’t have the time.”  “I don’t have the ability to do that.”

          And yet, remember that you are gifted by God for a purpose.  God gives you gifts and wants nothing more than for you to use them to help others and bring people one step closer to Jesus. 

          When people join together, each using their own particular gifts, talents and skills, so much can be accomplished.

          My sister never dreamed she would travel to Vietnam on an Aid Expedition.  And yet last June she found herself traveling with 28 other volunteers halfway around the world to take street shelter kids to camp.  She was asked not long ago why she went and this is what she said… (Roll clip from New Brighton Now, October edition)

          Lori has the spiritual gift of helping and mercy.  She became a part of a team that worked together to bring joy and freedom to children if only for a few days.  Did she bring any of those children closer to Jesus?  I don’t know but I do know this.  She herself was brought closer to Jesus.  Her son who accompanied us on the trip was brought closer to Jesus.  And through her sharing of her story, she brings others closer to Jesus, step by step, gift by gift.

          All of you are busy in your own lives.  I know that you worry or wonder or even don’t believe that you “can do one more thing”.  If anything, you need to decide what to let go.  And this whole idea of using your gifts to deliver for Jesus, to deliver God’s love by using your gifts sounds like one more thing to do.

          But I would encourage you to frame your thinking differently.  Envision what you are doing now in your life, wherever you find yourself in life.  Ask yourself, “How can I use a “spiritual lens” to shape what I am currently doing in my life?”

          To give you a humorous example, I came across an article in the magazine, “Relevant”.  There are rumors of a spin-off of American Idol.  Apparently contestants will perform “inspirational” songs leaving America to decide who is the most “gifted”.  The article says, “Being that the show is Christian programming, the criticisms of the contestants may be a little less edgy than the show’s predecessor.  Here are some quotes from Simon Cowell and what he would say if he were to be a little more like Simon Peter…

“My advice would be if you want to pursue a career in the music business, don’t” becomes, “Maybe the choir isn’t your strongest gifting.  There’s always room to serve in the parking lot ministry.”

“If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would by drowning.” Becomes” If you really want to save people, become a lifeguard, not a Christian singer.”

“That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard” becomes “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard.  But God works all things for good.”

          We are not Simon Cowell, nor even Simon Peter, but what would happen if we viewed all of our actions, all of our lives, with that spiritual lens?  What would happen if we believed that we did not have to do everything ourselves but that if we take just one step, use one gift, we could bring people closer to Jesus?

          What would happen then if, as you prepare to volunteer in your child’s classroom that you pray for the children you serve.  Or that you ask the teacher if there is anything they would like you to pray about?  These are small pieces, like the corners of the mat that held the paralyzed man.  But pieces and corners can be picked up and along with others, carry people, step by step, gift by gift, closer to Jesus.

          Today we witness the baptism of a father and his son.  The members of Jeremy’s small group carry him to the font where he will be touched, cleansed and healed by Jesus.  Little Jeremy’s sponsors will lift and hold him close to the waters.  Each sponsor has a special gift that they have used in developing their relationship with Jeremy.   Each sponsor steps with both Jeremy’s, walking beside and carrying them closer to Jesus.

          Our scripture passage today ends with verse 26, “Amazement seized all of them”.  Everyone who was in the house witnessed the healing power of Jesus for the paralyzed man.  They witnessed the man rising to his feet, praising God and rejoicing.  And don’t you know that the four friends were rejoicing as well?  This is what can happen when people are brought close to Jesus.

          My prayer is that as you consider how to live into God’s vision and use your God given spiritual gifts, rather than being discouraged, you are encouraged.  Rather than feeling you have to do it all, you are eager to offer your particular piece.  Rather than feeling overwhelmed, you are discerning where and how and when to serve.    My prayer is that you frame your serving with that “spiritual lens” so that all that you do has an eye to bringing someone closer to Jesus, using the particular gift that only you can contribute.

          It took four men to bring their friend before Jesus.  We are not in this alone.  We each have our part to play.  We are all in this together.  We walk step by step, gift by gift, closer to Jesus, for our own sake, for the sake of others.  For as we serve, as we use our gifts, as we bring people closer to Jesus, we, too, are brought closer to the One who forgives sin and restores our joy.  May amazement and wonder fill our hearts and souls this day.

Amen.