“Until the Gong Rings—Called by Our Baptism and Talents” 1-7-07 ICor. 12:4-7
The Gong show took place on American television between 1976-80, but it had an amazing effect on our culture. People still talk about it, and many of these shows like “Celebrity Idol”, “Talent Search” or “Let’s Dance” model some things after this forerunner of the tv talent show. Each show presented a contest between amateur performers of often dubious talent, with a panel of 3 celebrity judges. If the judges considered an act to be particularly bad, they hit a gong to end it immediately. Originally, the panel had to wait 20 seconds before they could gong an act; this was changed to 30, and then 45. If the act survived without being gonged, they were given a score by the judges. Chuck Barris, the host, would say things like, “I don’t know why they did that, I liked your act, but I also like taking a tick bath.” As you know from watching or hearing about some of these shows, many people think they have a certain talent when in fact they don’t have much talent in that areannot everyone sings, dances, or acts. . The Bible says that we are put here for a reason, and that each of us who believe are called to do something with our lives. Par of our task on earth is discovering what is and is not our gift, our strength, our talent. The scriptures say that each one is given a gift by God.
We are all called, and we are all given gifts. I Peter 4:10 says that “each one has been given a gift.” We are called by our baptism to follow Christ. But this baptism also calls us to use our uniqueness for God’s glory. Last week some of the guys in the church climbed up on the roof and fixed some flashing around the chimney. Not everyone likes climbing ladders, and many wouldn’t know how to fix that flashing. Some can cook a great bbq, or teach, or sing, but we are all given some talent, and it takes all of us working together to make the church go. It also takes all of us together- and working cooperatively to make the world go properly. We each have a part to play. I remember when the garbage workers went on strike in Chicago in 2003 and it piled up on the streets, and rodents and pests started creeping around, and people complained about the stench. Some say anyone could collect garbage, but when it is not done, we are in a stinky mess. We all need each other to do the tasks God has called us to do. It is like a puzzle. It is God’s puzzle designed for Lake Murray Presbyterian Church. If one of the pieces is missing, if it is still in the box (not getting started), or lost somewhere else (when it should be with the other pieces), the whole puzzle doesn’t make quite as much sense.
USE YOUR GIFTS WITH PASSION- God gives us gifts, and God gives us the opportunities to use them. But we must search for those opportunities. One of the great verses in Esther is when her uncle reminded her that God gave her a great gift of beauty and gave her a position as queen and he urged her to use her beauty and her position to save her people from certain extermination. He said, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” One of the great problems is our society is we are talking about “they too much.” We assume there are experts out there making things happen in government or in industry or even in the church. “They” will solve the problem. I don’t know who “they” are, but people who are taking advantage of the gifts God has given them. Part of the purpose of this time and talent sheet is to quite honestly let you see that we in the church desperately need you. There is always some lagging in every church between what we need and what you volunteer for. Sometimes more people sign up than we can use for certain things. Often there are some gaps. But do not leave it up to the experts. A contractor was getting ready to build a rather large commercial building. It was quite a task before him. He stood at the edge of his site with his crew of thirty workers. They all looked at the plans together and the contractor explained them. Then the contractor asked, “What equipment do we need?” They said they had enough to get started right then. They loaded up a big wheelbarrow full of shovels, a jackhammer, a safety helmet, measuring tape, chalk line, stakes. Then they gave it to the contractor and said, “Here you are—all you need to get going.” We’ll be right here supporting you, just call us if you need any help.” The contractor looked at them in disbelief. But that is sometimes how we treat the church. We’ll come and be spectators- like the workers looking in from the outside. We’ll say, “Oh we’re right behind you preacher, just go ahead.” Frankly, this church isn’t like most in this regard. There are a large group of people who come out to do things that need to be done. But there are still a large group who come only to “get something” out of church, and not to give something for the betterment of the body. I have been delighted that the youth of our church have chosen to not just study but also to serve- they adopted Open Arms, and they have various service projects. Someone said that there are different parts of the body- some are the heart, some are the brains, and some are the hang nail. Don’t be the hang nail! When we have the Good Works Blitz, or a church work day, bazaar, Sunday School, committee, or whatever. But for the church to really work properly, the staff and the elders and deacons need to make use of the people, and as people, we need to be available to do the work when we are called. If everyone has a different gift, and we are a variety, it is important to know what unites us.
WHAT UNITES US IS OUR CALLING AND OUR PURPOSE- It is interesting in I Corinthians 12 that Paul speaks of all these gifts given to individuals, and then speaks of how they are all united. In our day of appreciation of diversity and individualism, what unites us is so very important.
1) Our baptism- it is interesting that he speaks of our baptism while speaking of our gifts and talents (12,13- Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…for we are all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body. Paul was emphasizing that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free male nor female for we are all one in Christ Jesus- and baptism is a symbol of our common call by our common God. We have been commonly washed by the God we have in common. The old way of speaking of it is that we have been sealed. Once you’ve had the water on you, you have been initiated into Christianity. When you take the marble today from the font, remember your baptism, and part of that remembering is that we are part of one body. If you have differences or disagreements with a church member, remember they are washed away at the baptism font.
2) Our work- the body is made up of many parts, but must work together. The eye tells the feet where to go, but the feet must go for the eye to see further. I have watched a lot of football over the holidays while I was on vacation. The best team is where everyone knows their assignment and they are good at carrying that out. There common work of getting the ball over the goal unites the team. There is no more important work on this earth than glorifying and enjoying God. That is our purpose. Entertainment, comfort, making money, is not the chief end. There is only one work that will follow you into eternity, and I encourage you to invest yourself in it. Cell phone companies promote their network plans. Your network is your family or friends that you regular call for free. The church is a network- it is a group a net that works together for a higher good.
You know there are people who put off involvement with the Lord and His church. They are always saying that one day they will be involved, but they never get there. If you want to be a person of faith, a godly person, then you must exercise your faith, and exercise your godliness. You cannot simply wish or even make a New Year’s resolution to be a better Christian or person and then not act on the gifts, talents and frankly calling that God has given you. The football team that tries to save up all its scoring until the fourth quarter is taking a mighty big chance, because by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, you might be beaten up. Young people, you are in the first quarter of your life. Use your minutes wisely. Do not simply play with your life, but learn in order to do something with your life in the future. And do not just learn, but serve. You who are in the second or third quarters, your duty is not just to coast, or just exist. Get in the game. You who are in the fourth quarter of your life, it is crunch time. How you finish is so vitally important. You have perspective and you are able to see what works and what doesn’t. Finish well.
All of us here are called and we are equipped for that calling. The coach in the sky is calling our name to get out on the field. I will never forget the first time I played basketball for a team. I was six inches taller than most kids my age, but I was a naïve rookie, so I sat on the bench. The whole first game I sat on the bench. The second game, the coach called my name to get out on the court. I was nine years old, and I didn’t know I needed to go b y the scorer’s table. Then the scorer told me to sit down so he could see. Then I just started to go out on the court- but he said to wait until the buzzer sounded to go in. I really wasn’t ready to go in when it was my time, and it through me for a loop, I played terribly because I felt so uncomfortable. Are you ready to answer the calling of your baptism, the calling confirmed by communion, the calling confirmed by your time and talent? There will be no gongs sounding- no judge to tell you, that you are no good. Instead, I would say the warning is not to hide the talent you have been given.