The Greatest Gift

As a Christian, we benefit from the greatest gift, but sometimes we have a hard time showing it or others have a hard time seeing it. If you believe in Jesus Christ, it is only because of the greatest gift. What is the greatest gift? Well, I’m going to hold off from telling you right now or we would get out way too early. But I’ll give you an example: When I was in college, I saw an old station wagon with a bunch of Christian bumper stickers run into another car as it was backing out. The lady driving the station wagon jumped out and spoke in tongues at the other driver. I say tongues because it is not a language I would use. At that moment, that lady had set aside the greatest gift. Paul writes about the greatest gift in a letter written to the Corinthians. The Corinthians had many spiritual gifts, but they were abusing the gifts and losing focus as to what the gifts should be used for. Today, we will review Paul’s writing because we too have a lot to learn from Paul.

He writes:

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Each one of us has different skills, talents, abilities, and personalities. For a church to be successful, we need to all be able to work together. Each and every person can contribute something to the church. You can make a difference. Redeemer can make a difference to Shreveport, Bossier City, and to God’s Kingdom. We can be known as a church that is on fire with the Holy Spirit or ... a church that can’t get along with anybody. If Redeemer is going to make a difference, it is going to be by all of us working together for the common good of God’s Kingdom. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. You must quit complaining and criticizing and start focusing on Jesus Christ. If we can’t get along at home, if we can’t get along in our marriages, if we can’t get along at church, ... how will we get along in heaven. You must put aside your differences and work together. A finely tuned car runs great, but pull the wire off one spark plug and watch how the engine struggles to run... soon fowling out the other spark plugs to the point that the engine shuts down. The battery wire has a simple task, but if it becomes corroded or disconnected, the engine will not start. If one person becomes disgruntled, it affects the whole family or church. This simple principle works in families and marriages. Children... listen to and obey your parents. The Fourth Commandment is "Honor your father and mother". Let’s also remember to honor our Father in heaven which is the First Commandment. And to the mothers and fathers, you should not put down their children, but encourage them and lift them up. Parents, listen to the tone of your voice as you address your kids, is warm and calm or loud and harsh? Husbands and wives, you need to love each other and talk to each other. If you are not getting along, realize that this is your spouse for life. You can either hate your marriage or learn to love it. The choice is yours! Also, communication is vital. When communication breaks down, so do marriages, families, and churches. Most problems can be overcome by communicating with the other person, but not with everyone else.

You do have something to contribute and you can make a difference. You are brothers and sisters in Christ! Look around, those who die while remaining faithful, these are who you will spend eternity with!

Paul explains further:

28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Not everyone is an apostle, a prophet, or a teacher. Not everyone is called to preach or to serve the Sacraments. There are many who want to be preachers, yet they have problems communicating to people. There are many who want to teach, but teaching may not be their skill. These are not the only way to serve the congregation! These are highly visible positions and are numbered by Paul as 1) Apostle, 2) Prophet, and 3) teacher. These positions are all teaching positions and are usually appointed by God. The others listed are more servant related. The gifts of miracles, healing, helping others, administration, speaking in different tongues which can be used to serve God’s Kingdom. He is the one who has given you these gifts. It is you who can use them for or against God’s Kingdom. Most of you know what your gifts are, it is a matter of using them to greatest benefit of the church. You may have a pretty smile and a twinkle in your eye, ... the perfect makings for a greeter. You may enjoy working with children and becoming a teacher or working with the youth. You may have a green thumb and can work the flower beds. You may enjoy cleaning up and you can serve on the trustees. I remember back in high school, I worked at Astroworld where I hauled garbage and cleaned restrooms. It was not the most desirable job to have out of all the jobs, but I enjoyed it and did it to the best of my ability to serve God. I never would have expected it, but I received Employee of the Month. You may be a good at talking with people and would make a great evangelist. You may have a singing voice of an angel and can sing solos, or you may be able to hold a note and perfect for a choir.

But a wrong attitude can short circuit the best system. There is one gift that has not been mentioned, yet is so vital as to make everything work. Without it, the best of skills are useless. It is called LOVE!

Paul writes: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

LOVE is what makes all these things work together. As you look around at the different people in here, you are to love them. Yes, there are differences, and thank God we are not all alike! God created you special, each having different characteristics and talents. If you don’t have love for each other and for the church, then we have NOTHING!

Paul continues: "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Many of you are giving a lot of your time, but if we spend our time tearing down others, or criticizing others, are we acting out of Love? If we get our feelings hurt and walk away, then someone else has to take on the responsibility. At the same time, if you like to hurt other’s feelings, is this bringing glory to God’s Kingdom? Where is the Love?

Some of you may not know what love is, or maybe you need to be reminded. Paul tells us what love is! Paul writes:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

We need to hear this over and over again. We all need to be reminded of what is LOVE! Paul wraps up the readings from today by stating: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Love is the Greatest Gift! This is highlighted by Jesus teachings when Jesus states: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." I want you to know why you are to love God and love your neighbor. It is not because you have too, but because you want to. You have a God who loves you! He knows you are a sinner! He knows that you will continue to make mistakes. He knows what you have done, but He still Loves you anyway. Let me tell you how much He loves you. If you recall, Paul said Love is not self seeking and does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. Love preserves and does not fail. Love does not keep records of wrongs. Well,... God knew you needed help... so he sent His Son Jesus to bring a message to you! A message of Truth, Hope and Love. Jesus came to die on the cross for the sins you have committed. You are the one who should die for your mistakes, but Jesus Loves you and has taken the punishment for you. Paul said love is not self-seeking. Jesus died for you, not for himself... Jesus didn’t need forgiveness, you do! He came from Heaven so that you can go to Heaven. This act wasn’t self-seeking, but was for you. Jesus loves you! He doesn’t keep a list of your wrongs, but forgives you and will not hold any of your sins against you. They are forgotten, ... wiped clean! Jesus is Love. He has brought you faith, forgiveness and eternal life. The greatest gift of all is the Love that God has for you. When we realize what Jesus has done for us, this naturally causes you to love others. You love others, because you are loved! The Love that God has for us spills over to those around us. His Love will never fail. As we focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how much He loves us, we are overjoyed and carry that love out into the world. Let us rejoice in the greatest gift, the gift of Love! Amen.