God's Ultimate Desire for Spiritual Gifts
Our Blueprint for a New Testament Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
PRE-INTRODUCTION
PRE-INTRODUCTION
Acknowledge special music
MAIN-INTRODUCTION
MAIN-INTRODUCTION
[Get Attention | Raise a need | Orient Theme | State Purpose]
ATTENTION GETTER
ATTENTION GETTER
A few weeks ago, I gave an illustration about Biblical faith. In that illustration, I talked about ordering a brand-new Ipad. I used it to illustrate the difference between blind faith and Biblical faith. I also used it to show Biblical hope. However, today, I want to give a slightly different illustration.
Father’s Day is this next month. Suppose for a moment, my boys got together and ordered me a very nice Father’s gift. And, let’s imagine for a moment that they purchased from Amazon a brand new Ipad as a gift for me. In ordering it, they requested that it be packaged as a gift with gift wrapping and a nice bow. When ordering, I get a message from Amazon that a gift has been bought for me and delivered to my address. Over time, I receive a tracking number and track it being delivered to my home. Remember that I have no idea it is a brand-new Ipad. I know that someone has thoughtfully purchased a gift for me on Amazon and is having it delivered to my house. A few days later, the gift arrived.
Again, my wife notifies me that it is there. She is eager for me to come and open it. I come home from the office, go into the house and see the gift lying on the dining table. I pick it up and admire the excellent wrapping and its pretty bow. I then take the gift and set it back on the table without opening it. I walk away. My wife looks at me and says, “Are you not going to open it?” I tell her, “Nah, I don’t need to open it. Just looking at the wrapping is good enough for me.” And with that, I walk out of the room. Fast forward, several days have now gone by. I still haven’t opened the gift. However, during those days, I constantly complained about my old Ipad and the keep wishing I had a new one. Yet, the whole time sitting in the unopened gift is a brand new Ipad freely purchased and given to me. Yet, instead of opening the present, I ignore it and continue to struggle using old and outdated equipment.
Some of you would say I was a complete and utter fool. Who in this world receives a gift from Amazon and doesn’t open it? More importantly, I know the gift is from my boys for Father’s Day, and still, I do not open it. At this point, not only am I being a fool, but I am also disrespecting that they sacrificed their money to purchase me an expensive gift. How is that going to affect my relationship with them? Additionally, I would be so happy and productive if I just opened and used the present.
NEED
NEED
I contend that many believers do this very thing regarding spiritual gifts. We already established in 1 Corinthians 12 that God gives believers at least one spiritual gift when they accept Christ as their Savior. However, unfortunately, too many believers never open their spiritual gift(s) and use it. Instead, they are like my illustration. They leave it sitting on the dining room table unopened. Yet, if they just opened it and used it, they would find how much more fulfilling their spiritual life would be. In fact, they would discover how productive they could be for the Lord. Yet, there it lies, unopened and not utilized.
God desires you as His children to open and utilize your spiritual gifts. That is the essence of these three fantastic chapters - 1 Corinthians 12-14.
THEME
THEME
Today, as we get into our study of chapter 14, we must remember that this chapter is the last chapter of three, focusing on spiritual gifts. It all started with chapter 12.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
In that chapter, we learned this basic spiritual fact. God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift to be used for His glory and service.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Later, the Holy Spirit ends this chapter by stating...
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
From there, chapter 13 encourages us to pursue our spiritual gifts, but we must be careful. Utilizing our spiritual gifts without practicing Biblical love is useless and pointless. Thus, Biblical love (sacrificial actions for Christ and others just as Christ demonstrated towards us) is the most essential part of living the Christian life. That is why we ended with 1 Corinthians 13:13
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
As we come to chapter 14, the Holy Spirit dives right back into spiritual gifts. However, this time, He focuses His attention on two spiritual gifts - the gift of prophecy and the gift of tongues (languages). In doing so, the Holy Spirit stresses this chapter’s two critical themes. The first is one we will begin to see right away. It is this.
All spiritual gifts are for the EDIFICATION of others and not for edifying SELF!
The second theme is found in the second half of this chapter.
Everything within a local church, including spiritual gifts, must be done in DECENCY and ORDER.
Those are the two major themes. To stress these two spiritual principles, the Holy Spirit uses the gifts of prophecy and tongues as an illustration. In doing so, we learn other Biblical principles surrounding these two gifts.
PURPOSE
PURPOSE
My purpose this morning and over the next couple of messages is how spiritual gifts are always used for EDIFYING other believers. They are never to be used for enriching or lifting up SELF.
SUB-INTRODUCTION
SUB-INTRODUCTION
Before we dive into this, I need to remind you of an important message from 1 Corinthians 13.
Look in our Bibles at 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
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.
If you recall, we considered these verses on April 16 in a message titled “No Updates Required!” If you want, you can go to our website and listen to that message again. In that message, I stated that the complete Word of God curtails specific spiritual gifts. It curbs the two gifts we will study in chapter 14. In fact, look again at verse 8 and note that those two gifts are singled out. It speaks of the gift of prophecy and tongues. These two gifts are at the heart of chapter 14. In that message, I explained how these two gifts are no longer needed today. With the completion of Scripture, we hold all the prophecies we need to know. There is no new revelation outside of Scripture. To add or take away from God’s complete revelation is a hazardous proposition. Note the words of Revelation 22:18-19
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.
Now, in a sense, preachers and teachers of God’s Word do prophesy. What I mean is this! As they preach and teach God’s Word, they relate the prophecies in its pages to those who will hear and learn. Consequently, they are prophesying. The only difference is that we tell what is written. In the days before the completion of Scripture, the Holy Spirit spoke directly to men who penned the prophecies of this great book.
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
That is no longer the case.
As for tongues (languages), note again 1 Corinthians 13:8
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.
It is essential to understand that the Greek word in the original manuscripts of “tongues” literally means “languages.” As we will discover in chapter 14, it does not mean some “unknown” or “mysterious” language only God knows. It simply means “known languages.” Again, before God’s Word was complete, God utilized the supernatural ability of men to speak in multiple languages so that people could clearly understand the Gospel. Additionally, the gift of tongues was used in exceptional cases to verify the authenticity of God’s Word as it was spoken verbally. All was needed before God’s Word was completed and written for all to read. Thus, based on Scripture, it is my contention that the gift of tongues, as noted in the New Testament, is not for today and is no longer a valid gift. An argument that I believe becomes more robust when you study Chapter 14. So, if you disagree with me, I simply ask that you stay with me, have an open heart to Scripture, and allow me to show you the truth of this great chapter.
Having said all that, let’s dive into chapter 14 by reading five verses.
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
The Ultimate Goal of Spiritual Gifts and Biblical Love is to Speak the Truths of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 14:1)
The Ultimate Goal of Spiritual Gifts and Biblical Love is to Speak the Truths of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 14:1)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Validate the point – explain why you have drawn this particular point from a text
You will note that the Holy Spirit starts chapter 14 with two declarative statements.
The first is “follow after charity [aka Biblical love].” This is the transition from the Holy Spirit’s teaching on Biblical love to spiritual gifts. However, He commands that we, as believers, “follow after” Biblical love. The words “follow after” have the connotation of pursuing. Our entire life as believers should be a constant pursuit of God’s love. We are to love Him as He loves us, and we are to love others even as we love ourselves. We must pursue those two objectives if we do nothing else in this lifetime.
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The second command in our text is “desire spiritual gifts.”
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
This brings us back to the beginning of chapter 12, when the Holy Spirit revealed that each believer has a spiritual gift. Now, He is telling us again to go after that spiritual gift. Make it your passion to know what spiritual gift you possess and use it. Desire it. The word “desire” means actively, passionately, and enthusiastically utilizing the spiritual gift(s) God has given you.
Those are two commands. They are not requests. The Holy Spirit does not say that if you like pursuing Biblical love, do it. Nor is He saying that if you feel passionate about serving Him, do it. No, He is saying that you must love as He loves and serve as He served.
By the way, Christ exemplified both aspects. Christ loved us even while we were yet sinners. You read and study the gospels and find Christ’s love for the Father and for others demonstrated repeatedly. He also served the Father with perfect submission and obedience. God is not asking for something that He has not already done.
What is the end goal of us pursuing Biblical love and passionately using our spiritual gifts? Look again at our text.
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Please do not confuse the word “prophecy” with the gift of prophecy. The word “prophecy” means delivering a prophetic message about proper behavior before God or events God promises will unfold. We often get so caught up in trying to define something that we overlook the simplicity of it.
For instance, men still prophesy today. However, the difference is that prophecy must come from God’s inspired and preserved word, the Bible. God recorded everything we need to know about the proper behavior of men before Him. It is written and revealed in Scripture. Additionally, we can find in God’s Word everything God wants us to know about the future. As we teach and preach from God’s Word, we are teaching and preaching prophecy. Thus, it is different now than when God was going through the process of being written. God utilized men as His mouthpiece, and they preached and recorded all the Holy Spirit inspired them to preach and write.
Here the Holy Spirit reminds us that prophecy is the ultimate goal of both Biblical love and spiritual gifts. In other words, God desires that we constantly proclaim His truth to others. We are going to see this theme repeated throughout this chapter. Each time we love God and others Biblically, we affirm the message of love in God’s Word. Furthermore, when we utilize our spiritual gifts, we encourage others to follow the truths of God’s Word. Everything about the believer’s life centers around the truth of God’s Word. We are to hear His Word and do His Word. When we do, we preach His message to everyone who sees our life. In this way, we make His Word the focal point of our testimony. We are, in essence, prophesying.
Explain the point – Probe the meaning of the point and use illustrations to help people understand the point.
Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost illustrates this beautifully. Remember, Peter is the disciple who denied Christ three times at Christ’s trial. Later, after Christ’s resurrection, Christ confronted Peter about his love for Christ. Three times Christ asked, “Lovest thou me?” What was Christ doing? He emphasized the importance of Biblical love in the life of those who choose to follow Him. After this, Christ ascends to Heaven, leaving Peter and the other disciples with a significant commission. They were to be “witnesses” for Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. A few days go by, and Pentecost comes. Peter preaches, and miraculously, everyone hears his message in their native tongue. God utilizes the gift of tongues. As Peter preaches, he prophesies. He tells them what God expects of them. His message on that day is still the message of today.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Now note further the message and the reaction of the crowd.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Note a couple of essential things. Peter, who had just learned the importance of Biblical love, pursued loving God and others as Christ desired. In doing so, he was used by God. On the day of Pentecost, both gifts were utilized, the gifts of tongues and prophecy. However, what was the most crucial element of that day and that event? It was not a spiritual gift. It was the message. God gave the spiritual gift of tongues that day so others might clearly understand the message. Thus, it is always the Gospel message that must be preeminent. That is the essence of this entire chapter.
Apply the point – apply the issue in ways that are practical to everyday living
The application for us and our church is simple.
No matter what we do, we must pursue Biblical love utilizing our spiritual gifts to make the Good News of Jesus Christ clear and accessible for all to understand.
Anything that muddies the Gospel message must take a backseat. It is that message that demonstrates God’s love for all. Thus, we must ensure that it comes across loud and clear in all we do here at our church. Spiritual gifts are great blessings from God. However, spiritual gifts are not the message. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as payment for the sins of men is the message. He must be preached and with great clarity.
The Spiritual Gift of Languages Creates Confusion,not Clarity (1 Corinthians 14:2)
The Spiritual Gift of Languages Creates Confusion,not Clarity (1 Corinthians 14:2)
Validate the point – explain why you have drawn this particular point from a text
Note now verse 2, which reads:
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
This verse is often taken out of context and misused. Understanding a few things about this verse as we dive into it is essential. First, we have the word “unknown.” The term “unknown” is not in the original Greek. It was added by the translators to clarify the context.
Context is the second important thing we must understand. As we already know, the context is tongues or, better, languages. The idea is that some believers possessed a spiritual gift that enabled them to understand and/or speak in other languages. Some of those languages were sometimes unknown or foreign to most people present. For example, the majority of us here today speak utilizing the English language. It is our native tongue. If someone from Nepal were to visit us who did not know or understand English and began to speak in our midst, all of you would think within yourself that is a tongue/language unknown or foreign to me. You would not understand a thing they said. Thus, the context of this verse is the same. The only difference is that God enabled certain believers with a supernatural ability to know and understand the “unknown” language spoken back then. To further advance the context, note that the verse indicates that whoever speaks in an “unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; (here is the reasoning) for no man understandeth him.” Go back to my example. If a Nepali believer were here in our midst speaking, no one here (except for my wife and me since we know a certain amount of Nepali) would have the foggiest idea what they were saying. Yet, God would understand because God speaks all languages since He is the author of all languages. Essentially, that Nepali believer would be speaking mysteries to us. The word “mysteries” means “secrets.”
Explain the point – Probe the meaning of the point and use illustrations to help people understand the point.
Now here is the essence of this verse and part of the entire conversation of this chapter. How practical is the spiritual gift of tongues in advancing a clear message of the Gospel and/or God’s Word? The answer is that not very effective at all. In fact, some of the Holy Spirit’s argument is that it often confuses the message instead of helping. Think about it. The amount of information lost in translation can be pretty significant. As a missionary early in my ministry, I did not know and understand the language as I did later. I would preach, and others would translate. I had no idea early on what they were saying as they translated. For all I knew, they could have been preaching a message entirely different than me. However, as I began learning the language, I could ascertain what was being said. At the time, I utilized two other men as translators. I soon learned that both men took two different approaches to translating my messages. Remember this in the local church context, just as the Holy Spirit describes here. The Nepalis did not understand English. Thus, when I spoke in English, I relied upon a Nepali believer who understood English to translate what I was saying from the Word of God into Nepali.
One of the men was not as strong in English as the other. Later, I realized that he often translated what he thought I was saying. The other translated word for word as best he could all that I said. There is a big difference there. Often, the essence of the message was lost by the one translating thoughts instead of words. In doing so, confusion often reigned in those who heard. Later, clarity was better as I could preach (read) my own messages. However, the message was hazy even then, as the Nepalis had to endure my pronunciation of their language. I am sure that I murdered it.
The overall point is this. Utilizing the spiritual gift of tongues might be a fantastic gift. Still, it is not the most effective when relaying a clear message of the Gospel. Yes, God might understand what is being said, but not the ones who need to hear the message. The ones who genuinely need to hear cannot know because it is “unknown” or “foreign” to them. Thus, it is a message that only God understands. The only problem is God already knows the message since the message is about Him.
Apply the point – apply the issue in ways that are practical to everyday living
The application is simple. We, as believers, should always desire spiritual gifts that bring clarity to the Gospel. The advantage of tongues is not one of them. Too many times, it brings about confusion. In fact, if you think about it, the true purpose of languages was to bring about chaos. Remember the Tower of Babel. After the flood, there was only one language. The earth’s population began to increase. However, there was a primary spiritual problem. Men were not spreading over the world as God instructed. Instead, they gathered in one place and were filled with pride. As a result, men decided they could build a tower that would reach Heaven and reach God. It was then that God struck them with multiple languages. What was the result?
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
God gave languages so that there might be confusion. However, out of the chaos came order. All the families of the earth united with those who spoke their language. Then, each language group scattered worldwide, fulfilling God’s intended purpose of replenishing the earth.
Again, here is the point. The gift of tongues (languages) is not the best gift for clearly giving the truths of God’s Word. It often ends in confusion, not clarity. A theme that you will see repeatedly in this chapter.
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Here is what we have learned already.
The ultimate goal of all spiritual speaking gifts is to clearly give the Gospel message. The spiritual gift of tongues is not a great gift for clarity. Instead, it often confuses the message. However, the spiritual gift of prophecy is different. Note our next point.
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy Contributes to Spiritual Growth (1 Corinthians 14:3)
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy Contributes to Spiritual Growth (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Validate the point – explain why you have drawn this particular point from a text
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Before we go much further, let me remind you that the gift of prophecy is a gift that I believe continues to exist today but in a different way. Prophecy, in its basic form, is speaking the truths of God to others. It is something we still do today. In fact, that is what I am doing even now. However, before the canon of Scripture was complete, God spoke directly to men, who then spoke His word to others. Today, we have the completed Word of God in our hands. Therefore, we now speak God’s Word from Scripture to others.
Now, in this verse, the Holy Spirit reiterates how effective prophecy (speaking God’s Word to others) truly is versus the gift of tongues. Tongues often cause confusion. Yet, prophecy results in edification, exhortation, and comfort. Thus, prophecy is a much better gift to be utilized in helping others grow spiritually.
Explain the point – Probe the meaning of the point and use illustrations to help people understand the point.
This should be a simple thing to understand in light of the entire context of God’s Word.
Apply the point – apply the issue in ways that are practical to everyday living
Languages Edifies Individuals (1 Corinthians 14:4a)
Prophecy Edifies All Who Hear (1 Corinthians 14:4b)
Edification is the Endgame of All Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 14:5)
Edification is the Endgame of All Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 14:5)
Validate the point – explain why you have drawn this particular point from a text
Explain the point – Probe the meaning of the point and use illustrations to help people understand the point.
Apply the point – apply the issue in ways that are practical to everyday living
Conclusion
Conclusion