“Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:1 

I love the bluntness of Paul’s writing sometimes! In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is telling the church the truth about spiritual gifts. They are struggling with supremacy, but I feel like we might struggle with inferiority. 

There is a universal truth as it pertains to the church. We need each other. In fact, the Bible is adamantly clear that without the contribution of each member, the church does not properly function. This is the substance of Paul’s discussion in 1 Corinthians 12. There were those who possessed the most coveted and thereby most respected spiritual gifts, and to those, they bestowed greater honor. Within the church, they were considered the most important. To dispel such a divisive notion and to promote unity, Paul makes some assertions. Notice what he says in 1 Corinthians 12:19-22, “And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”

Why? Because truthfully, if we all possessed the same talents, the same abilities, the same strengths, and even weaknesses; where would the body be? The answer is simple. It would be lacking what you can contribute whether great or small. Friends, the truth of the matter remains. We need each other. Although you may not be able to do what others can; there is no gift given by God that is not both useful and beneficial to the growth and vitality of the Stuart-Mt. Vernon UMC! 

This is why our May sermon series will focus on spiritual gifts. We will talk about what they are, why they are important, and what we do with them. To make this even more fun, we’ll be incorporating the new Disney movie “Encanto” into the messages. I invite you to come to watch it with me Friday, April 29th at 7pm in the sanctuary. I’ve seen it “several” times and I’ll watch it several more! If you can’t make it, but still want to see it, let me know!

Spread grace and love like Jesus, 
Pastor Jenny