Sermon at 1st Presbyterian Church Lockhart
In the beginning
of this Season of Ordinary Time, we see the God’s gifts, and the simple gifts of God’s people
that are used in bringing about God’s
Purpose. We see a God who loves and cares for
his people. We see the different gifts that are shown to us in the readings from
the text this morning.
Our unique talents are a gift from God. One of the gifts that I have seen was that of speaking in
tongues. I’m not talking of the kind of
tongues spoken of in
I
Corinthians. As
a supervisor, the job in the
wafer fab was to integrate operators into a highly technical production
processes. You had
to take the long technical terms and processes and explain them in simple English. You really didn’t need a degree in Electrical Engineering to
understand the processes we
were running. It could be broken down into examples
that made it easy to
understand the reasons why it
was important to follow the procedures, of handling material
and equipment in the process.
Once the people
understood why the behaviors were important, it was easier for
them to understand and learn - how
important their step was in the entire process. They could use their regular gifts to contribute in
a highly technical and extremely
complicated system. It was using their gifts and being most effective. That is
how it is, using our Gifts for
God’s call on our lives.
The miracles that are done are simple and still have the greatest impact upon those around us.
I Gifts -
The idea
of God’s gift is seen in both Isaiah, and our reading from Psalm 36 from the Old Testament. Isaiah describes
God changing the name of Zion to Hef zi ba (which means
- my delight is in her). This name
is the symbolic name for Jerusalem.
In giving Zion a new name, God takes possession and responsibility for Zion. God’s possession comes under God’s control and protection. It is God’s gift to the people of Zion. We also see God’s gift of love and caring for
this people in Psalm 36.
God’s love is simple in
such a complex way. It
reaches to the heavens, it
is faithful, it is priceless, and in it, we find
refuge in God’s protection. It is the simplest of gifts, but has the greatest of impacts.
II Simple gifts and service but the same
Spirit that God can use.
There are a lot of personality tests that are out there that can be used to determine our gifts and personal strengths. There are tests like, the Cooter Preference Test, the Meyers-Brigs behavioral test, and Spiritual Gifts tests that we use in the church.
I
Corinthians we see the description of the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, powers,
prophesy, speaking in tongues,
and interpreting tongues. All of
these are the work of one
Spirit given to individuals as He
determines. Our individual gifts are a gift
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from God. They are simple
gifts, like helping and service.
How many times have you been to a dinner
at a nice restaurant? Did you ever notice the people who set the plates and silverware
on the tables, or pour the
ice and water, or fold the napkins. Have you noticed when everything is done how easily it was done
and looks so perfect? It was all done with simple gifts of service. It was all done with hands that
cared to make the banquet perfect.
III The
Text John 2:1-11 Jesus living into his gifts.
We see in Gospel of John, Mary pushing Jesus to use his spiritual gifts. Like any good Jewish mother, she knows
how to turn a guilt screw to
get their son to do things.
Jesus pushes back and
says “It’s not my time yet”. But,
Mary, like any mom, ignores
him and turns to the servants
and tells them “Do what ever he tells you.” It forces Jesus into a
“no win” position. He complies and does what his ‘Mom’ wants him to do. He is using his gifts in God’s
call, even if the call began
with Mom.
This is not a large demonstration of his power in front of a crowd.
It is a demonstration of a
simple act of saving a wedding banquet from becoming a
disappointment and embarrassment to
the family giving the banquet.
The only ones who know about this
are the servants who have to haul the 120 gallons of water. The head Mater’D of the event is not even aware what Jesus has done. It is the simple use of his gifts, done in the background of this grand wedding feast; only seen,
by the servants, and us the readers. It shows us how God truly cares about even the small events and simple things that affect our
lives, and He uses simple gifts to
show His love for his people.
IV So, what are these Gifts all
about?”
God takes these simple ordinary gifts that we have and uses
them to fulfill His Purpose. We see that implemented, not in great acts
of power by Jesus, but in
acts of teaching, service,
and leading His disciples by
example.
We as the children of God, are called to use the gifts that God has given us in simple ordinary ways to demonstrate His presence. The simple act of listening to someone in the hospital, giving someone a drink of
water, encouraging someone to
go to school, or to finish a course, are all simple acts of our gifts that we
use every day. Sometimes we do not realize the power within us that can change the lives
of so many people around us.
We can
see, in this sanctuary, the history
of this congregation using it gifts for God’s call. The gifts of service, are written on the
plaques and stained glass windows, remembering those who served in the two World Wars. The gifts of teaching are also written on the
plaques and in the windows remembering those who taught and lead this congregation. (like Whitmore,
the McCurdy’s, and Joekel) The men and women who served as elders, pastors, choir members, women’s circle are all living examples of people using their gifts for God’s call in their lives.
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Elanore Rosevelt - “Yesterday
is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why we call it the
present.”
The Gift
We
have this gift of life
And
passed it on
And
now our children
Sing
our song.
We've seen our hour in the ring.
We've
paused to sing
Our
hymn of life
Making
all of our best
An
offering to those we've blessed
Wrapped
in our love
And gently passed it on.
Today is a
simple gift.
It is the one of the gifts that God
has given us to make a difference. Today is also a time to use
our gifts
– be it in teaching, in service, or
in leading- It is a time to use our gifts for God’s purposes.
In the name of….
….The
Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
A-men.
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