The Work of the Spirit

Last week we explored the tension between the external signs – the visible church and its sacraments – and the internal work of the Spirit as we seek to walk in maturity as disciples of Jesus. Historically, many Christians have emphasized either one or the other, but I believe it is important to acknowledge the role of both, and that, ideally, the Spirit works through the external signs to draw us nearer to God’s heart. The question for us, however, is whether we gather with an expectation of the Spirit’s work in our midst, or not.

For the next three Sundays I’d like to explore the work of the Spirit, reflecting on the assigned passages from 1 Corinthians 12-13. As a group, the Christians in Corinth “lacked no spiritual gift” (1:7), yet they misunderstood the purpose of spiritual gifts because they misunderstood the nature of the Spirit.

Questions of “spirituality” loom large in our culture, and, within the church, there is often confusion over what it means to be “spiritual,” and, specifically, what it means to use our spiritual gifts for the purpose God intends. Paul deals directly with these issues in 1 Corinthians 12-13, which comes in a section of the letter addressing conduct in public worship.

It is appropriate, then, that as we gather for worship over the next three weeks, we’ll examine what it means for us to experience the Spirit, who longs to work in and through us for the sake of the gathered congregation. May we gather in such an expectation.

Peace,

Chris