Reflections on "Different Callings' I Corinthians 12: 12-31; Luke 4: 12-21

I'm not sure the third point really fit the sermon, but since that was the initial theme for the sermon, I kept it in the final sermon.  as I worked through the sermon preparation, the first two points became the primary foci of the sermon.  I really liked the Buechner illustration from the first point.  If I preached the sermon again, I might spend more time playing with the images he offers.

In some ways, I'm not sure I interpreted Paul's letter in the way he intended.  but, I could also argue that in those 19 verses that we read, Paul shifts between different themes.  Is he writing to the Corinthians in an attempt to get them to put aside their differences and get along with each other?  Or is he trying to point out how their different callings complement each other?  Or maybe both?

As an aside (and a test to anyone who heard the sermon today and served on the PNC that heard me preach at Fairborn Presbyterian Church for my neutral pulpit 17 years ago), the commentary on volunteers was used by me in that sermon.  

“Different Callings” January 24, 2016; Call Mini-series; Luke 4: 12-21; I Corinthians 12: 12-31

Introduction: Two weeks ago, we reflected on what it meant to be called by name, the personal nature of God's call for each of us.

Last week, as we honored Kathy Wehrman for her work here, we noted the gifts she shared with us in her calling as our Program Director.

This week, we reflect on our collective calling as the body of Christ, including some personal aspects of that calling as well.

Move 1: We begin by noting that God calls the body of Christ into being.

a. The body of Christ did not just magically appear.

1. There was not a flash mob gathering of everyone who wanted to be a part of the body of Christ.
2. Or a bunch of people answering a “help wanted” ad hanging from a bulletin board at the local grocery story.
3. God called the body of Christ into being.
4. The term body of Christ both a description, Christ's body on earth after Christ has ascended to heaven, and a job description, to do the tasks Jesus would have done if he were physically in our midst now.

b. Frederick Buechner, the Christian writer describes the calling of the body of Christ like this: God was making a body for Christ, Paul said. Christ didn't have a regular body any more so God was making him one out of anybody he could find who looked as if he might just possibly do.

He was using other people's hands to be Christ's hands and other people's feet to be Christ's feet, and when there was some place where Christ was needed in a hurry and needed bad, he put the finger on some maybe-not-all-that-innocent bystander and got him to go and be Christ in that place himself for lack of anybody better (http://frederickbuechner.com/content/weekly-sermon-illustration-body-christ; Frederick Buechner Center's blog)

b. We may use the term volunteers in our church life –as in, we need a few volunteers for the Breakfast club, but make no mistake, the church can only act as the body of Christ because God calls us and when we respond.

1. Think about all the people who join with Jesus in his work.
2. Do they come to Jesus and say, “Hey, we want to volunteer a couple of hours of our free time?” Or, “my kids need some volunteer hours for school, do you have something for them to do, Jesus?”
3. Maybe that happened, but the stories we have about those who chose to become disciples are stories of Jesus saying, “come, and follow me,” like he did with those who were fishing.

Jesus looks out at them in their fishing boats and announces, “Drop your nets.” And they do.

4. Or stories like Zaccheus – a person who was compelled to join with Jesus because eh felt himself called to a new way of life.
5. Volunteers typically give their time for a specific project or moment. And, if things don't work out, they can un-volunteer.
6. Our calling to be the body of Christ is not a momentary calling, but the reason we are here.
7. I know we are not going to get rid of the term volunteer, but the body of Christ is about God calling people to give their lives over to being Christ’s presence in the world. (the comparison between volunteer and disciple was discussed in an article by Gayle-Bach Watson)

God calls the body of Christ into being.

Move 2: Our calling as the body of Christ is about the ministry.

a. When Jesus announces the beginning of his ministry, he uses the prophet Isaiah to declare what his mission will be.

Tweet – 140 characters

Spirit of Lord upon me; good news to poor; proclaim release of captives; sight recovered; oppressed go free; year of Lord's favor

High expectations for himself and for those who will join with him.

As we look back over Jesus' ministry, we would probably conclude that Jesus achieved his goals for ministry.

But, but Jesus eventually ascends to heaven, and God calls the body of Christ into being to continue Christ’s ministry in the world.

a. WE know that part of what we love about being connected together is the nurture.

1. We read about the early church and their expressed need to support one another and care for each other.
2. In fact, when we tell stories about what we love about being a part of this community of faith, the stories often reveal the power of community to nurture.

b. But our calling has to be about the ministry, as well.

1. Those words from Isaiah that began Christ's ministry are the game plan us for the body of Christ.
2. Our calling is to be at work doing those tasks.

3. William Wilimon tells the story of visiting one of his favorite churches when he served as bishop in AL. The church serves breakfast to 200 homeless people every morning. One visit he noticed a man in the kitchen washing dishes, up to his elbows in the dishwasher (the church believes that the homeless ought to be served on the nice china of the church). Willimon noticed that the man washing the dishes was a lawyer, a member of the largest, most affluent Methodist church in their conference.

“I think it's wonderful that you are here, washing dishes for the homeless,” Willimon said to him.

“Good for you,” he mumbled, not looking up from his dishes.

“have you always enjoyed ministry with the homeless,” Willimon asked.

“Who told you I enjoyed working with the homeless?” He asked. “Have you met any of the homeless out there? Most of them are crazy, so addicted or so messed up that nobody, not even their family, wants them home.”

“Well, Uh, I think that makes it all more remarkable that you are here doing this,” he said. “how did you get here.”

“I'm here because Jesus put me here. What are you doing here?” Journal of Preachers, Volume XXXII, Number 4. Pentecost, 2009 (9)

4. what are we doing here? If it's not bringing good news to the poor or proclaiming release to the captives or healing the blind and the sick or freeing the oppressed, then we are not living into our calling as the body of Christ.

Move 3: A final thought on our calling as the body of Christ.

a. Paul uses the image of the body to describe the body of Christ.

1. the many different parts that are needed to be the body, literally, reflects the many different people and their gifts that are needed to be the body of Christ
2. This is not just an acknowledgment of the varied gifts people have, but the need for all those varieties of gifts to do the ministry to which we are called.
3. The ministry opportunities are as broad and deep as the needs of the world around us.
4. None of us alone can manage the ministry.
5. But, as Paul puts it, “god has arranged” for the many parts of the body of Christ so that we can engage in the ministry to which God calls us.
6. Even as we pursue our calling as the body of Christ collectively, our individual calling and the talents we have join together. That's the only way we can do it.

b. Colleague – youth ministry.

1. She's been doing youth ministry for eighteen plus years. Way longer than the average burn-out for doing youth ministry.

2. And the excitement for her calling oozes out of her.

3. I asked her, “Do you ever plan on leaving?” to which she quickly replied, “as long as I can keep doing youth ministry the way God calls me to do it, than why would I leave?”

4. She also told me about how over the years her call has changed, both in her approach to youth ministry and in adding some mission aspects to her work.

5. her sense of God is a testimony to both the God who calls and the way in which God's call for us may shift as the needs for ministry change.

Conclusion: God calls the body of Christ into being. God gives you gifts to live out your calling. Go and be the body of Christ.