Month: January 2022

“for now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known” 1 Corinthians 13:12 

The above is quickly becoming one of my favorite verses. It comes from the famous love chapter that we hear at almost every wedding. But after extolling the virtues of love, Paul turns his eye on our future. We are aiming toward this future when all will be known and revealed and it will be a place of faith, hope and love. But right now, we must admit that we don’t see the world clearly. I think that’s what I like about this verse. It’s honest that we barely understand what’s going on around us, we certainly can’t claim to know each other very well—let alone God. But even while we are confused and lack understanding, God is there loving us and knowing us better than we know ourselves. I confess that I understand less about this world the older I get. I look forward to that day when all will be revealed. In the meantime, I trust in the God who knows me and all of us fully.

-Pastor Travis Norton

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“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose” 1 Corinthians 12:18 

Where do you fit in the body of Christ? That’s an important question we all must wrestle with, but it comes with an important assumption. You fit in the body of Christ. Each one of you have a place, designed by God. And besides fitting, you are a valued part of the body of Christ. Paul goes out of his way to make sure that we know that every part of the body matters. There are not more important Christians. The Pastor is not more important than the Sexton or the Parishioner. The top donor is not more important than the baby in the nursery. We all make up the body and need each other. Now that that’s out of the way, back to the original question—worthy of our time and discernment—where do you fit? What’s your part? 

-Pastor Travis Norton

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“to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” 1 Corinthians 12:7 

What is a spiritual gift and how do I get one? The New Testament is full of talk of spiritual gifts. People healing and prophesying and speaking in tongues. Paul talks about wisdom and knowledge and faith. Miracle working and speaking in tongues always gets the attention. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still handing out spiritual gifts to help the church accomplish our work to share the good news of Jesus with the world. I believe you have a manifestation of the Spirit. We’ll talk this week about recognizing and growing in the gifts God has given you. 

-Pastor Travis Norton

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“John answered all of them by saying, “ I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16 

John the Baptist had an interesting view of who Jesus would be. Fire and  judgement was top of mind for John. What does it mean for Jesus to baptize with the Holy spirit and with fire? We are beginning a new sermon series today on what it means to be the church. Most of our time will be spent in Corinthians, but we begin with baptism. When we are baptized we are joined to Jesus and sealed with the Holy Spirit and assured that we are the wheat Jesus gathers and not the chaff that he will burn. I like the image of being baptized with Holy Spirit and connected to God in that that way. But fire? That scares me a bit. Maybe that’s where we need to hear a word from God this week. Fire that refines and purifies. As we enter the new year, we might ask God to refine and purify our faith. What would that look like for you? 

-Pastor Travis Norton

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