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This article is an extract from my short book, Jesus, Disciple, Mission, Church (JDMC). The bite-sized piece below is roughly two percent of the book.
Gifts for building
It really should be self-evident that the Holy Spirit is involved in the fivefold gifts of service – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers (APEST). These are gifts indeed, and Christ himself is the giver (Ephesians 4:11-12). Paul explains that we are most certainly one, but that these gifts of grace are handed out in individual measure to each of us (Ephesians 4:1-7). We are one, we all receive, yet we all receive individually as he chooses (1 Corinthians 12:27-30).
And if there’s any doubt in your mind about the role of the Holy Spirit in all this, read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Verse 11 is very clear! ‘All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.’
Jesus himself chooses how to distribute these gifts of service. What gifts can you identify in one another? Tell one another what you see, this is a good way of encouraging one another.
A living organism
We know that we need to see the church as a living entity and not as an organisation or institution built and managed by human ability. But what part does the Holy Spirit play in this?
I must begin by pointing out that only the Spirit of Christ can reveal this truth to us. Jesus often told parables to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of heaven, and some of them involve living things. The kingdom is like yeast or a mustard seed; it grows and develops and expands as only living things can.
Now the church is not the same thing as the kingdom, but if church is not part of the kingdom we are in serious trouble! The church, too, is described as part of a living thing; church is the body and Jesus is the head. It’s significant that a body only remains alive as long as the head is attached. Cut off an arm or a leg and a body may continue to live, but cut off the head and it dies immediately. And how is the church attached to Christ? It is the Holy Spirit who makes the connection; he is the Spirit of Christ, yet he has been implanted in you and me, the members of the church. And he works in us (Luke 12:12, Acts 1:5-8, Romans 8:26) and amongst us (Acts 9:31, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:3-4) as we gather together. The Spirit of the Head is present within every individual part of the body.
Considering church as you have experienced it, talk about aspects that are like an organism and aspects that are like an organisation. Are there ways you can help things move more towards the organism end of the spectrum? What part might the Holy Spirit play in this?
More than community
We need to work together in a community where we will be significantly stretched by sharing in making tough decisions, facing difficulties, supporting one another, and pressing forward together. The challenges we face will be diverse, but whatever they are we are surely going to need the encouragement and wisdom and guidance and insight of the Holy Spirit. Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 2:15, Acts 12:1-19.
We all share in the presence and work of the Spirit in our lives. How does this feed into community life, and in particular how does the Holy Spirit draw the community into facing challenges and difficulties? Talk about your own experiences and those of other people you know.
Some practical help
Many believers and followers of Jesus are familiar with the activity of the Holy Spirit, individually and in meeting together. Others may have little or no personal experience of him. The key to listening is not hard, it’s basically a matter of paying attention. Our lives are often too busy and too rushed to do this, but there’s a simple exercise called Virkler that can help. If you don’t think you’re hearing the Holy Spirit fluently and frequently, why not try Virkler for yourself?
It’s a curious name – why ‘Virkler’? That’s simple! The person who first suggested this straightforward practice is called Mark Virkler.
There are four steps, sometimes called the four keys.
- Clear the clutter of everyday things from your mind.
- Imagine being in Jesus presence.
- Pay attention to the thoughts that pop into your mind.
- Write down what you are shown, as you receive it. Review and process the material afterwards.
There’s no space here to explain Virkler in detail, but in my experience it can be extremely helpful. If I feel there’s a need, I’ll write about it in more detail in another article here on JHM. If I do, I’ll place a link to it here.
See also:
- Jargon and the Holy Spirit – JHM
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Read the book
This was extracted from Jesus, Disciple, Mission, Church (JDMC), pages 39 and 40. Download the whole thing or read it online – GetJDMC.scilla.org.uk
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