"Consider Your Call with a Demonstration" - Sermon, February 9, 2020
Community UMC, Quincy
“Consider Your Call with a Demonstration”
Rev. Andrew Davis
February 9, 2020
1 Corinthians 1: 18-2:16
Although the County Fair was quite a while ago and preparations are already underway for this year’s Plumas-Sierra County Fair, one of the things I enjoy seeing are people showing what they made, what they grew, their animals, and demonstrating what they know. These last couple of weeks while being away at the Gathering of the Orders in Livermore, then at Residents Practicing Ministry Winter Academy in Sutter Creek, it was an honor to share and learn among my clergy colleagues and friends, along with learning some new administrative and leadership skills, even if it’s something I wish I had four years ago.
This morning, we return to our exploration of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and I realize that we are merrily scratching the surface, as we are only looking through the first few chapters. It seems like eternity since we started, considering how long the month of January felt. We started with considering our spiritual gifts that we aren’t lacking in, then considered what it means to have the same mind and purpose of Christ even in light of divisions and disagreements, which Paul was beginning to address in the church in Corinth. As we pick up with where we left off, Paul has given his usual salutation and small talk, then begins addressing the situation in the church in Corinth around divisions, who the people of the church belong to.
In our fairly long lesson this morning that Scott read for us, Paul challenges the Corinthians to consider their call at the end of chapter 1 and demonstrates what it means to consider the call in the beginning of chapter 2. Paul touches on themes of wisdom and salvation here, along with the theology of the cross, which I know some find very challenging. As we look at what Paul says in verses 26-30 of chapter 1, Paul is challenging the Corinthians and even us to consider how God calls us, even while it sounds like humanity lacks wisdom in Paul’s eyes (here is where we sometimes have the not so loving relationship with Paul and where he gets a little in-your-face). Paul is talking about the transforming power of God, yet admonishes us to have faith, to act in faith, and to allow God to give us the wisdom, even when it may lead to the cross.
In this season of light that we find ourselves in (especially with more sunlight later in the day), Jesus Christ is the true light who reveals who God is, through death and resurrection, along with the true wisdom of God revealed to us. Jesus reveals to us the source of life, which is God and what it means to be loved by God. A couple weeks ago when we talked about having the same mind and purpose of Christ, we can still have our differences with each other, yet it’s important that we ALL rally around the mission of the church, as we proclaim the Gospel to EVERYONE around us and everywhere we go. As Rev. Dr. Derek Weber puts it, “If we are able to move our egos out of the way and truly focus on the unity of the body and the centrality of the call, it just might be possible to be in mission together as the church of Jesus Christ.”[i] Now it’s time to demonstrate it and live into that calling. Even in the midst of times we can be foolish or irresponsible which will happen to each of us, God is still the source of life for us, God still calls to us, and God will continue offering us the free, unearned gift of grace. Considering our calling means knowing that we are God’s beloved and can lift us up where we feel down, especially in the times we feel low or despised.
As we delve into the second chapter which is relatively short, Paul shares how he comes to proclaim “the mystery of God” with a demonstration. Paul is testifying to the power of God revealed through Jesus Christ, while demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit to help the people in Corinth and us to rely on God and not so much on “human wisdom” (1 Cor. 2: 1-5, NRSV). Amidst his humble brag, Paul is passionate about sharing the Gospel with the church in Corinth and getting the people to live out the Gospel. When we think about what Paul is demonstrating, how do we live out our own faith with a demonstration and share the Gospel with those we encounter and those we meet? That’s where we rely on the work of the Holy Spirit, the essence of God and Jesus Christ that is at work with us today.
As Paul says in chapter 2, verses 10-13 (The Message translation),
The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Who ever knows what you’re thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he’s thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way.
Likewise, we need to rely on the Spirit as Paul demonstrates, as the Holy Spirit can teach us a lot when we embody the teachings of Jesus Christ in everything we do, which is ultimately the goal in the United Methodist view of salvation. We strive to be sanctified, which means having the same mind and purpose of Christ and how we use our gifts. To share the Gospel with the people in our neighborhood and the greater world. One of the things about ministry, whether as lay people or clergy is having humility, which points us back to the crucified Christ, as Christ was willing to die for us, yet demonstrates God’s saving power for us. Likewise, “We claim to want to love our enemies because Jesus told us to do so, but what evidence of that love have we shown? This world is sorely in need of a demonstration of the difference the Spirit makes in our lives each and every day.”[ii]
This last week at the Winter Academy for Residents Practicing Ministry while learning about executive leadership and evangelism from ministry coach, Rev. William Chaney, I came away with a lot of hope, even if that hope sounds foolish, but will keep demonstrating my faith through hope. Even in the midst of some changes that may happen in our parent denomination in May at General Conference, I have hope. My hope is grounded in the Gospel of Jesus and that hope is what fuels my calling as an ordained pastor and in how I minister, although challenges me to demonstrate that hope even more. In some of the things I took away from the academy, we need to be able to minister to people in a way that is authentic to us, being ourselves even though we may like Paul, do it “with weakness and fear and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2: 4, NRSV).[iii] Similarly, we “need to care enough about people to be around them,” which can more of a challenge and easier said than done.[iv]
As we consider our calling with a demonstration, I want us to look at the very back of your bulletins and read together the Mission of The United Methodist Church: <To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ For the Transformation of the World>. Now, let’s read together the mission of Community United Methodist Church, Quincy: <We are a Christ-centered community, joyfully committed to being His ambassadors. In the fellowship of His love and grace, we grow in Christ through the study of God’s word, prayer and worship; living out our faith in service to others>. What does that look like when we demonstrate it <>? To reflect on it, how do you demonstrate that? How do you live your faith? How do you grow in Christ through the study of God’s word and in service to others? While we see each other each Sunday or during the week in our church, we need to see
all the people – the people around us as we work and worship; the hurting and the hungry; the distracted and the cynical – all the people. The searchers and those who don’t know there’s anything to search for – all the people.[v]
There’s a world out there that I believe is hungry for the Gospel.
Along with the questions I just asked for us as individuals, how do we demonstrate how we live out the Gospel and our mission in a world of skepticism and cynicism? We can certainly talk about it, we can certainly share information, although people aren’t as apt to believe it unless we consider our calling with a demonstration. The main point that Paul is trying to drive home is that as followers of Christ trying to live out the Gospel in our lives today,
we must watch our language. We can’t lead with the language of faith. Telling someone “the Bible[/scripture] says ...” won’t get you very far when your hearer doesn’t accept the authority of the Bible yet. But if our insider words aren’t that helpful, what are we left with? The same thing Paul was left with when he showed up in Corinth – nothing but Jesus. And a lot of fear and trembling. In the end, it is about relationships. Ultimately, it is about a relationship with Jesus Christ. But it might begin with a relationship with you. With us. With disciples of Jesus who know nothing but Christ and are willing to demonstrate what God is doing in their lives each and every day. This is a call to be real as we go about the business of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.[vi]
It takes work!! It takes the willingness to learn, adapt, and go into places we don’t always want to go, and places that bring us discomfort. When we live out the Gospel, one particular quote attributed to St. Augustine is to “preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”[vii] As we consider our calling, listen to what the Holy Spirit says, then demonstrate that calling. Let the Jesus inside of you out, and the Jesus Christ outside of you in while striving to have the same mind and purpose of Jesus Christ. If you’re not sure where to begin, let’s talk!! Come by my office during the week at the times listed in the back of your bulletin or make an appointment or join me over coffee at Grandma Jane’s Place on Thursdays this month between 12pm-1:30pm. I will be happy to point you to resources in assessing your gifts or discuss your calling, or how to use and demonstrate your gifts in mission to our community. If we don’t engage and if we don’t live out our faith with a demonstration and without joy, we may miss an opportunity. That’s our work, yet God will give us the growth when follow Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you consider your call with a demonstration!!
Offered to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!! Amen!!
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