“To become a Christian” sounds like an achievement, like becoming a millionaire. I thought of it rather, and think of it still, more as a lucky break, a step in the right direction.” (Buechner, Frederick. Listening to Your Life. HarperOne. Kindle Edition.)

The theme I have selected for February are the different gifts of the Spirit that Paul speaks about in his various letters.  Those gifts include: 

Romans 12: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 includes healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 

Frederick Buechner speaks of the beginning of his “becoming” a Christian. He says: “Though I was brought up in a family where church played virtually no role at all, through a series of events from childhood on I was moved, for the most part without any inkling of it, closer and closer to a feeling for that Mystery out of which the church arose in the first place until, finally, the Mystery itself came to have a face for me, and the face it came to have for me was the face of Christ. (Buechner, Frederick. Listening to Your Life. HarperOne. Kindle Edition.)

As Christians we are to considering our spiritual gifts on a regular basis throughout our lives. Why? Because as Christians, we bear the very image of Christ to the world, and we are to see the very image of Christ in all people we meet. And that takes real strength and spiritual maturity to understand this relationship. Therefore, there are spiritual gifts inventories that you can find on the internet, and I highly recommend you complete one this year. Some inventories also give you examples of ways to utilize those gifts. But the most important thing to remember is this: the gifts we have are not ours, they are divinely given gifts given by the Spirit to be used as G-d desires.  And the gifts we have today may not be the gifts we had ten years ago, and may not be the gifts we have ten years from now. But gifts are to be used, not hoarded. And, all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to work together, like the members of the body (as Paul so beautifully taught, 1 Corinthians 12:12) to produce the full working of the Spirit among the members of the church.

So, February will be about the gifts of the Spirit.  Hopefully they will warm the heart and challenge the faith as we approach the season of Lent.

Pastor Dave

“They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” Mark 1:21-28

“First events give insight into the larger themes and, particularly, a distinct understanding of Jesus’ mission and character in each of the Gospels. In Matthew, Jesus is a teacher and (new) lawgiver like Moses. In John, he creates unexpected and unimaginable abundance. In Luke, he is the one who releases those held captive, heals the ill and infirm, and proclaims good news to the poor and the Lord’s favor to all. And in Mark…he picks a fight with an unclean spirit. Mark’s Gospel, that is, starts with a confrontation. Whatever dramatic value beginning with a fight scene might initially promise, however, there is little doubt of who will win this showdown. The spirit protests Jesus’ very presence, and Jesus casts him away with a command as authoritative as it is succinct. And because of Jesus’ bold teaching and power over this spirit of oppression, his fame spreads quickly. Keeping in mind the importance of first events, we can read this scene as Mark’s signal that Jesus has come to oppose all the forces that keep the children of God from the abundant life God desires for all of us. And that message matters because it is still the case: God wants the most for us from this life and stands in opposition to anything that robs us of the joy and community and purpose for which we were created.” (First Things First, David Lose, …in the meantime website, January 26, 2015)

Jesus came to set the world ablaze with his radical teachings – love your enemies – turn the other cheek – you know, teachings that the people of his day had not heard before. Everyone who listened to the teachings of Jesus heard something that either fit with or upset their worldview: Blessed are you who are poor – blessed are you who are hungry – blessed are you who mourn – blessed are you when people hate you and revile you on account of the Son of Man – the first shall be last – take the seat at the back of the table, not at the front. But his teachings were and are “amazing” because they have the authority, a personal authority from G-d.

Maybe that is why the man with the unclean spirit came to the Synagogue that day. While many there struggle with the teachings of Jesus, the demon spirit knows that Jesus is the “Holy One of God” – because Jesus is G-d.

Look, we all have “unclean” spirits clinging to us – hanging onto us, or we to them. And these unclean spirits carry authority over us because we give them authority to take away our trust in G-d – taking away our ability to put complete faith in Jesus’ authority over our lives. And Jesus will appear to us again, and again, and again through the Word of G-d and the Sacraments: cleansing us through the waters of our baptisms – and nourishing us at the table.

My friends come to the table – you who mourn, you who feel reviled, you who feel unclean, unwanted, unloved – come.  Listen to Jesus Christ – your sins are forgiven – hear the words of the Lord that carry the power to heal and to love – be amazed at the inclusivity of his teaching – let is confound you, let it astound you – let it change your life – Come, be healed, and be made clean.

Pastor Dave