Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. What do you think the Holy Spirit is like? When Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, John saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove – a bird of peace. When the Holy Spirit arrived on the disciples at Pentecost, there were appearances like tongues of fire! And there was a mighty wind. At another point, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was like the wind – you can’t know where it comes from or where it goes (Jn 3:8). That’s what it’s like to be born of the Spirit.
You can’t pin down the Spirit to particular customs or practices. In today’s reading, Paul names a few gifts of the Spirit that people might exercise. He is careful not to suggest that one is more important than another.
One of them is speaking in tongues – a special prayer language given by God. It may be a blessing to the person who has this gift. But Paul is concerned that it should be more than that. Paul says that “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). For the common good: that means for everyone – so everyone can benefit. So when Paul mentions “speaking in different kinds of tongues”, he follows it with “the interpretation of tongues” (1 Cor 12:10). One person may have that first gift of tongues; it’s not useful for everyone unless someone else has the second gift to interpret those tongues. Teamwork!
Paul knows that some gifts are spectacular – everyone sees them. Others may not be so obvious. A person with a message of wisdom or knowledge might speak very softly or plainly. A good church will listen to them, too – not just to the loud voices.
Is it all about voices? No – voices are important, and we must train ourselves to be listeners if we’ve been trapped by “dumb idols” (1 Cor 12:2). But it’s not all about voices. In verses 4, 5 and 6, Paul names gifts, service and working (or activities). God is at work in our service and everyday activities, not just in what we say.
Are we always called to things that thrill us? The Holy Spirit may bless us this way sometimes, but not always. What happened after Jesus was baptised? We learn that the Spirit drove him into the wilderness – into the desert – to be tempted for forty days (Lk 4:1-13; Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13). That was a hard time. Paul’s missionary journeys were often directed by the Holy Spirit, who warned of prison and hardship (Acts 20:23).
So, do you just do the things that you’re really good at? In a small church, there are many tasks to do, and we can’t always call on experts to do them.
Let’s celebrate where our members are doing the humble as well as the honoured tasks. I won’t name names, but maybe you will recognise some of them.
A preacher stands before us and offers words that open the Bible’s meaning to us. This person also puts up and puts away our banners before and after the service. The banners give a message to the community – for the common good.
A hymn enthusiast stands before us and leads us with a traditional hymn. This person also picks up litter around the grounds of another church before he attends his first service somewhere else. This quiet service expresses care for the public amenity – another act for the common good.
A musician leads on Sunday morning, but also opens himself to conversations that lead people to God. He prays for these opportunities, and he prays for many.
Another musician plays an instrument before us, and has also done this on the street. But his street work has also included bending down to care for people’s feet.
We have a person with many talents who does humble kitchen work. Not everyone sees this volunteer, but the work is important. It serves the common good.
Not everyone is reached by music. Not everyone is reached by words. So we can see musicians and preachers acting in practical service.
One of our number has set up a YouTube channel and recorded our church activities – both in worship to God and in service to our fellow human beings. But this same person also volunteers with food service and clears leaves from the ground before our Sunday worship.
We all long for the experience of fulfilment. God’s Holy Spirit is the motor for our lives. But the key is not to long for the experience, but to desire the effect. Let’s pray to be useful: let the Spirit lead us together in work for the common good!
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