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Each week Pastor Sarah blogs on the Scripture for Sunday's upcoming sermon. Use this entry as a way to prepare your heart and mind for worship. See you Sunday!
Sunday’s Scripture ~ Revelation 3:14-22.
Devotion Focus ~ I Corinthians 12:4-6.
I savor the words of this week’s devotional Scripture text – how beautiful and holy is this good news. God gives each of us gifts. God activates each of these gifts in us. And the telos – the end, the goal, the totality, the fullness – of these gifts is the common good.
Not just for some. Not just for those we love. Not just for those that love us. Not just for those with whom we agree. Not just for those we know. Not just.
This common good that God empowers and equips us with gifts to cultivate is for all.
As United Methodists we affirm “there is but one ministry in Christ, but there are diverse gifts and evidences of God’s grace in the body of Christ. The ministry of all Christians is complimentary. No ministry is subservient to another. All United Methodists are summoned and sent by God to live and work together in mutual interdependence and to be guided by the Spirit into the truth that frees and the love that reconciles” (¶131 BOD 2016).
Jesus says in John 8, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (v. 36). The worship band Hillsong affirms this Scripture in their song “Who You Say I Am” by answering the words of Jesus singing, “I’m a child of God! Yes, I am!”
Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed!
I’m a child of God! Yes, I am!
How has being engaged in the ministry of Jesus set you free? How has prayer, worship, giving, service, and witness unbound you? How has your participation in the family of God and the Body of Christ made you whole? What is the greatest gift you have received because of the unity of our shared ministry? I encourage you to use these questions in your reflection time this week. Share your answers with someone you trust. And rejoice. Always rejoice. For what our God says is true, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greaterworks than these” (Jn 14:12).
Prayer: “I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”* Amen.
*"Here I Am, Lord," The United Methodist Hymnal 593.