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Introduction

Pre-Introduction

Acknowledge special music

Main-Introduction

ATTENTION GRABBER

Cellphones, computers, and other modern technology are constantly updating.

NEED

Praise God; there is no need to update our Bible. Unlike cell phones, computers, or other books, revising or updating them is unnecessary.

THEME

Praise God; we have His completed Word in our hands today. That was not the case during the time of the first-century church. It was not complete. Nevertheless, according to our text, God foresaw when it would be complete. Now that it is complete, we find, as God prophesied, several spiritual gifts curtailed by its completion. Consequently, God’s Word is the channel for spiritual cultivation and clarity in our lives today.

PURPOSE

This morning, I aim to help you see the importance of God’s Word and how it completely changed the landscape of spiritual gifts.

Sub-Introduction

If you recall, the Holy Spirit gave us 1 Corinthians so that He might address problems within the local church. Part of the Corinthian church’s problem was their lack of understanding concerning spiritual gifts. As we know, the Holy Spirit addressed this issue starting in chapter 12. In chapter 13, He warns us to utilize our spiritual gifts with Biblical love. Spiritual gifts minus Biblical love are useless. They are nothing.

In our text, the Holy Spirit emphasizes that spiritual gifts are unique but temporary. The proper focus of our service to the Lord must always be grounded in His eternal Word. For this reason, the key verse is verse 10, which says

1 Corinthians 13:10 KJV 1900

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

I contend that this verse speaks about the completion of God’s Word.

God’s Word is Complete

State

One of the significant advantages of living today is that we hold the complete Word of God within our hands. It is complete. This excellent book contains everything we need to know about God and His plan for our lives. It does not need updating in the same way as computer software or our phones. No, it is complete, and it is perfect.

Anchor

The reason I contend that this verse speaks about God’s Word is simple. It says, “When that which is perfect is come.”

Validate

When Paul penned this letter to Corinth, God’s Word was unfinished. They did not have all of the Scripture. Only the Old Testament was in written form. This letter to Corinth was not even part of the canon then. The early first Century believers only had access to the Old Testament, often called the Law and Prophets. Unlike us, they did not have the four Gospels, the Book of Acts, and all the epistles. Thus, when the Holy Spirit says, “...when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away...” He is referencing that God’s Word would be complete and, as we already know, God’s Word is perfect.

2 Peter 1 gives us a synopsis of how God gave us His Word.

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

God chose to reveal Himself to men over 1100 years. The Old Testament contains 39 books written over 1,046 years. The New Testament came about much faster. The Holy Spirit gave us the 27 books of the New Testament in about 50 years. There were close to 40 different men involved in writing God’s Word. Yet, they all wrote another chapter in God’s great plan. One of the most amazing things about God’s Word is that we have in our hands a complete collection that contains two testaments of 66 books, all written, assembled, and preserved so that we might know Christ and His salvation for men. How can that be?

2 Timothy 3:15–17 KJV 1900

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God’s Word is divinely inspired. The word “inspiration” means God-breathed. God plainly spoke His Word to men who, in turn, recorded everything God wanted us to know. God’s Word, the Bible, tells who we are, why we exist, why things are so incredibly messy, how we are to relate to Him, and how everything can be made right through Him. Thus, it is PERFECT TRUTH. It is the only TRUTHthat we have in this world today.

How, then, does this have anything to do with our text? Let me remind you that as Paul penned these words to the church of Corinth, God was literally using Paul to complete His Word. He used Peter, John, James, and others similarly. When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, there was no New Testament. And, as we already noted in an earlier sermon, God’s Way of authenticating His Word through the apostles was miraculous signs and spiritual gifts. We will learn more about this as we get into Chapter 14. However, it is essential to understand that the Holy Spirit gave spiritual gifts to authenticate His Word as it was written and completed.

Explain

Let me illustrate this using some accounts from the book of Acts.

Pentecost (Acts 2)- Paul preaches, and everyone hears the message in their native language.

Acts 2:6–9 KJV 1900

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Here we see the use of a spiritual and miraculous gift - the gift of languages (tongues). What was the purpose? It authenticated that God’s power was upon Peter and the apostles. It provided credibility to the fact this was a message from God. All that heard the Gospel in their native tongue listened, amazed at what was happening. As they did, we know the result.

Acts 2:41 KJV 1900

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Two verses after that, we read this.

Acts 2:43 KJV 1900

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

From that moment on and throughout the entire book of Acts, we see the apostles doing miraculous things as they go from town to town, preaching the Gospel. Later, as men started local churches, God enabled many within those churches to do amazing things with some extraordinary spiritual gifts. Each time, He used them to authenticate the message they were preaching. However, as we noted in our text, the use of some miraculous acts and some spiritual gifts would end. Look back at our text and note verses 8 and 9.

1 Corinthians 13:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

The Holy Spirit states explicitly that spiritual gifts will fail. They will cease. He says, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” In other words, that which is “perfect” is not complete, and thus, we only know and peach in part as God reveals it to us. Yet, here we stand today, with that which “is perfect” complete and in our hands.

(Apply)

I am thankful that I can stand here today, holding the complete Word of God in my hands. There is no guesswork involved regarding what God wants us to know. All we must do is open, read, and study Scripture. It unveils God’s mind, reveals God’s will, describes God’s work, and calls us to have faith in God. God’s Word tells us who we are, why we exist, why we are so messy, how we can relate to God, and how everything will someday be made right. Again, all you have to do is pick it up and read it.

Since God’s Word is complete, certain aspects of spiritual gifts are no longer needed. That is the point made in verses 8 and 9.

God’s Word Curtails Certain Spiritual Gifts

State

Look back to those two verses.

1 Corinthians 13:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

This verse teaches us that identifiable spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and tongues, were temporary gifts. They exist today but in a much different way. The use of these two gifts, prophecy and tongues, is changed due to the completion of God’s Word.

Anchor

Note specifically the language used here.

1 Corinthians 13:8 KJV 1900

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

“Faileth” is a different Greek word than the one used when it says

“whether there be prophecies, they shall fail.”

The first word, “faileth,” describes the state of charity (Biblical love), which means to suffer defeat, failure, or ruin. In other words, true Biblical love can never suffer defeat and will never fail.

However, the second word, “fail,” in our English translation comes from a different Greek word. In this instance, it means to be inactive or to become idle. Thus, there is a time when prophecy as a spiritual gift would become inactive, inoperative, or useless.

Note what the Holy Spirit says about the gift of tongues. He says

“whether there be tongues, they shall cease.”

The word “cease” means to have an end. It means that they are temporary.

The gift of prophecy will become inoperative, and the gift of tongues will end.

Knowledge (a gift specializing in perceiving, learning, and reasoning what is of God) will also become idle or inoperative.

Why? Note verse 9 again.

1 Corinthians 13:9 KJV 1900

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Remember the context. This letter was written to the local church at Corinth before the canon of Scripture was complete. When I say “canon,” I am referring to the entire 66 books of the Bible, which we know as the inspired Word of God. They only had a “part” of God’s revelation if it was not complete. God was still revealing Himself to men at that time through writing the New Testament. Consequently, Paul states, “...we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”

Explain

I began this message by discussing that computers and computer programs continually update and revise. A newer phone is already hitting the market when you purchase a new phone. Along with every upgrade and update, your new phone is rendered old and outdated. We experience the same thing with news reports. No sooner than a news report is issued, there are more recent things to report. Everything man produces is constantly changing. It changes so quickly that we soon learn not to trust it.

That is not the case with God’s Word. Over time, God slowly revealed Himself to men. However, as you can see from studying Scripture, His revelation was with purpose. However, His revelation ended when the Holy Spirit used the last writer to pen the last book of the Bible. Now, today, everything we need to know is contained right here in His Word. It doesn’t need to be updated or revised. God does not change, and His Word does not change.

Psalm 119:89 KJV 1900

89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.

Matthew 24:35 KJV 1900

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

1 Peter 1:25 KJV 1900

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Unlike computers, iPads, cellphones, cars, appliances, and other man-made items, the Bible never needs to improve. There is no newer or better version, for it is already the best since it comes from God.

(Apply)

Here is the application. Since God’s Word is complete, God no longer utilizes men to write His Word. Thus, the gift of prophecy in the sense of a man or woman revealing to us God’s will is not a gift of today. This gift, as well as tongues, has been curtailed. By that, I mean that we are to speak God’s Word just like men and women spoke the Word of God during the Old and New Testaments. The difference is this. God no longer speaks directly to men to put into ink revelations concerning Himself and His will. That is done and completed. Instead, today, we are to speak and proclaim His Word as revealed in His written Word. Any revelation outside of God’s Word is a false revelation. Note this verse found in the last chapter of the last book of God’s Word.

Revelation 22:18–19 KJV 1900

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The warning, then, is this. Don’t listen to anyone who claims to have a new revelation from God, especially if that new revelation does not match the Word of God. They are adding to it.

Furthermore, we also find that the gift of tongues no longer exists. As noted, this gift started and continued to authenticate the people speaking God’s Word, testifying they were indeed from God. This gift also ended with the completion of God’s Word. As you might imagine, before the completion of God’s Word, anyone could claim they were of God and speaking for God. I imagine there were many a shyster who tried to deceive others, claiming they were from God. How could they truly know a person was speaking under God’s control? Faithful men of God had the ability from the Holy Spirit to speak God’s Word so that all who listened heard in their native tongue.

Now, along with that spiritual gift came a whole host of instructions which we will see in 1 Corinthians 14. That gift is no longer needed today, for we have God’s completed Word. Today, we have God’s Word translated into many different languages. Almost every person can purchase or receive a copy of God’s Word in their language. Thus, they can read all that God wants them to know. We will deal more with this particular gift in the next chapter.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 KJV 1900

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The Holy Spirit wants us to know that the gifts of prophecy and tongues are no longer necessary. His Word is complete. That thought brings us to our last point this morning, as found in our text.

God’s Word is the Channel for Spiritual Cultivation and Clarity

State

The following verses seem odd and out of place for most people. However, I believe they are much easier to understand when you place them in the context of what we just learned.

1 Corinthians 13:11–12 KJV 1900

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Anchor

The Holy Spirit utilizes this verse as an illustration of our individual growth. We all remember what it was like to be children. When we were children, we enjoyed our youth. We ran, played, and did many childish things. There are not many children who act like adults. Unfortunately, as we grow older, we lose much of our childhood. The older we become, the more responsibility we must take upon ourselves. We put away childish things. Maturity, hopefully, sets in, and we act more mature. At least, that is what should happen to most people.

‌Verse 12 gives us a different illustration. In this verse, the Holy Spirit utilizes a pane of glass. Here we find someone looking through a dirty or dark window. You may be able to see images or outlines, but there is no distinction between features. There is no clarity when you look through a filthy window.

Validate

Here is the point! God’s Word provides two essential functions in our lives today.

‌First, God’s Word is the stimulus for spiritual growth and maturity. You cannot survive spiritually without a steady diet of God’s Word. This is repeatedly noted throughout all of Scripture. We are constantly encouraged to grow and not be spiritually immature believers. In other words, we are not to be spiritual babes or children. God expects us to mature.

1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV 1900

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV 1900

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV 1900

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Ephesians 4:14 KJV 1900

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Second, God’s Word provides spiritual clarity.

Psalm 19:8 KJV 1900

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

It is through God’s Word that man gains spiritual insight and understanding.

John 20:31 KJV 1900

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Romans 15:4 KJV 1900

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV 1900

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Explain

I will give you one quick example from Scripture found in the Old Testament. The entire nation of Israel suffered great judgment from God. If you recall, Israel divided into Southern and Northern Kingdoms after Solomon’s reign. Both kingdoms endured both good and evil kings. Unfortunately, there were more bad kings than good. The last good king of the Southern Kingdom was King Josiah. It was during King Josiah’s reign something interesting happened. Josiah decreed that God’s house, the Temple, be repaired and hired carpenters, builders, and masons to restore the Temple. As they began work on the Temple, the scribes made a remarkable discovery.

2 Kings 22:8 KJV 1900

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

2 Kings 22:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

After reading the book (which was the Law of Moses aka God’s Word), King Josiah understood its importance to the entire nation. He then decreed that everyone should gather in Jerusalem, and King Josiah read “all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord.” When he did, revival swept over the entire nation. The reading of God’s Word resulted in spiritual maturity and clarity. King Josiah, the scribes, the priests, and the people wept, repented, and determined they would serve God. They once again understood their duty before God.

(Apply)

God’s Word is the channel for spiritual maturity and clarity. A truth that still holds today. It is our great privilege to have the complete Word of God in our hands. In addition to His Word, each person who places their faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is given God’s Spirit. His Holy Spirit always works in conjunction with His Holy Word. Thus, each believer has a unique opportunity to know and understand all God wants them to learn by simply reading His Word. As you commit to reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture, God’s Spirit helps you grow spiritually and provide clarity.

There is a little thing called spiritual illumination. Illumination is when the Holy Spirit opens your spiritual eyes to the truth of God’s Word. My father-in-law always termed it as a spiritual “Aha” moment. I am sure some of you have experienced this. It happens when you are reading Scripture. As you are reading the passage, you suddenly understand it. It is like a light bulb is turned on in your head. You may have said, “Aha, I get that now. I understand.” Well, my friend, that is the Holy Spirit illuminating your mind. As He does, He utilizes His Word, providing clarity and the opportunity for further spiritual growth. We must stop acting as spiritual children. Instead, we are “grow up” into the maturity of God’s Word. Today, we no longer see through a glass darkly. No, today, we can, in a sense, come face to face with who we indeed are. We know even as we are known.

Conclusion

We have His completed Word today, which was not the case during the first-century church. It was not complete. Nevertheless, God foresaw when it would be done. Now that it is finished, we find, as God prophesied, it curtails the spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues. God’s Word is today’s only viable spiritual cultivation and clarity channel. No updating is required. The only requirement is faith in its promises and obedience to its principles.