It’s a Gift

By Jesse LeMay

                Some people just seem to be born with certain talents, abilities, and characteristics. My grandmother was one of those people. She had incredible artistic ability. God is often given the credit as the source of such traits. The late Hall of Fame baseball player Willie Stargell once said, “Baseball for me was instinctive, born within me, given to me as a gift from God.” While not everybody can draw or paint as well as others, or even play a certain sport at the same level as a professional athlete, each of us possesses a certain God-given gift. Such abilities are most importantly utilized in the church. Because we have these gifts, God wants us to use them as members of Christ’s body.

                Paul wrote to the church in Rome explaining this very concept. He compared the body of the church, individual members existing in one body, to our human bodies, and how they too have different parts meant for different functions (12:4-5). We each have certain “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (12:6a). Listed next, while not exhaustive, are seven of those gifts that God has given to His children (12:6b-8).

                First is prophecy. Some have the ability to speak God’s word in a unique way. Second is service or ministry. Certain Christians just seem to have that “servant” mindset that Jesus encourages us all to have. Third is teaching. Being able to teach well so that others can effectively learn is definitely a valuable gift needed in the church. Fourth is exhortation. There are those who can encourage and motivate others to do that which is needed better than others. Fifth is giving generously. This could be monetarily and materialistically, but also in giving their time. Sixth is leading in diligence or earnestness. The Lord’s church will always need those who work hard in leading the flock. Seventh and final is the gift of showing mercy with cheerfulness. Never lacking are those who are hurting physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Some more than others seem to mercifully express their empathy; however, it should be done cheerfully.

                God has given each person a gift that can be used in the development of Christ’s body. While we may seemingly possess one gift over another, we can always strive to develop those which may not come naturally. What is your gift?

Unsinkable

By Jesse LeMay

                On April 15^th, 1912 the infamous and thought to be unsinkable RMS Titanic began its descent to the bottom of the frigid Atlantic. No less than 1,500 people would lose their lives on that day, many of whom were among the richest in the world. The Titanic was termed “unsinkable” by Shipbuilder magazine due to its fifteen watertight bulkhead compartments (history.com). Despite such engineering the ship would indeed sink after striking an iceberg just before midnight on the 14^th. One of the factors that led to so many deaths was that there were only sixteen lifeboats on board. There simply was no way of escape for many of the passengers on board. That tragic event is still recognized today as one of the greatest disasters of all time. As Christians, there are some lessons that can be taken from this accident that correlate with Scripture.

                In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul described the events of the downfall of the Israelites in the wilderness, saying that they were an example for all who followed, and that “he who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (10:12). We often think we are “unsinkable” and that we have “watertight compartments” which will prevent sin from creeping into our hulls. When it comes to our faith however, there are icebergs all around us that could be our downfall. Those icebergs are temptations and sins that we may not even see clearly. Just as the iceberg that hit the Titanic paid no mind to the fact that there were wealthy people on board, sin makes no distinction between persons either.

                Thankfully for us there is always a way out. God will not allow us “to be tempted beyond” what we are able to overcome, always providing “the way of escape” (10:13). Paul gives a list of potential sins that could bring us down ranging from idolatry to grumbling (10:7-10). These and others could be the “iceberg” that sinks our ship. Equally, there is no temptation too great that cannot be averted. Just as Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations with the word of God, we also must understand that He and His word are our lifeboats. Are we unsinkable? Absolutely not! However, if we trust in the Lord and rely on His strength and His holy word, we will never end up at the bottom of the sea.  

Something Greater than Jonah

By Jesse LeMay

            Many people today desire for God to show them a sign. This is nothing new however, mankind has always been this way. Jesus was asked by the Pharisees to produce a sign (Matthew 12:38). He responds by rebuking their “evil” request and says that the only sign which will be given is the “sign of Jonah,” which meant that Jesus would be buried three days just as Jonah had been in the “sea creature” three days (12:39-40). Most Christians know the account of Jonah, and certainly the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Other than the relation of the “three days,” there are some additional fascinating correlations as well.

In Jonah’s prayer he said he had been cast into the “heart of the seas” (2:3). Jesus stated He would be in the “heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). Next, Jonah mentions that “all Your breakers and billows passed over me,” and that he had been “expelled” from God’s sight” (2:3-4). While Christ was in the tomb, all the people of Jerusalem were living their lives as normal, passing over Him. He too had been expelled from everyone’s sight once that stone was rolled over the tomb. Jonah said, “weeds were wrapped around my head,” and that he had “descended to the roots of the mountains” (2:5-6). All the gospel accounts tell us that Jesus’ body was “wrapped” in linen cloth, and that His tomb had been cut out of the rock, which would have been the side of a mountain. Twice Jonah mentions God’s “holy temple” (2:4, 7). Also speaking of His body’s time in the tomb and ultimate resurrection, Jesus answered the Jews who were asking for a sign, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). He was the temple, because He was God in the flesh!

In His response to those Pharisees, Jesus spoke of how the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching, and then He said, “behold, something greater than Jonah is here” (12:42). While in the fish Jonah prayed to the “LORD his God” (2:1). In reality, He was praying to the very one who would offer the “sign of Jonah” nearly eight centuries later as proof to the world that He was indeed the great I AM. Something greater than Jonah is here indeed!