Gifts in Worship
Messy Life (1 Corinthians) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Let me mention a few things to
From the Engage Conference…
Foster care training begins in late January. If you or someone you know is interested, please have them get in touch with me.
If this is a remote interest, I’d encourage you to pursue the class.
We’re going to open this up soon to others outside the church…so keep praying about this.
I’ve heard a lot of chatter an interest in the Guardian ad Litem program
This is a tremendous opportunity to help children in need…if you’re interested…I have some information I can get to you.
Find Your One
I am already hearing about how you are going out and talking to others.
This morning we’re talking about one of the most controversial topics in the church today.
Speaking in tongues
Have they ceased?
Is this a spiritual gift still being given out today?
I’ll never forget the day a young man, a university student, came by my house in Togo to tell me that he didn’t think I was saved because I didn’t speak in tongues.
In his mind…and the mind of many…
The primary evidence of salvation is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit indwelling (living in you) through speaking in tongues.
Robert was his name. He was a great guy. But he fell for something that was experiential over biblical.
It is of course correct that Holy Spirit indwells believers during this church age, but that does not manifest itself through tongues…it manifests through a changed life
Now, we at Sheets believe…and I believe…that this gift of speaking in tongues is not for today.
I’ll explain why in a few minutes.
Don’t lose the context of what’s happening in Corinth.
There was a group that Paul seems to be addressing a lot
…that focused more on themselves than others.
inward focused
Their rights over God’s glory.
Paul has already exhorted them to pursue what was best for the church…to be outward focused
He has reminded them to pursue love.
So when he comes to this matter of tongues, it’s not hard for us to understand that this gift was being misused.
That is clear from the passage.
Similar to what we saw in chapter 12, the gift was receiving greater emphasis than the purpose of the gift.
Paul opens up in verse 1: 1 Corinthians 14:1 “1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts…
There is a right way and a wrong way.
Like so many issues we see in the Corinthian church, this is not something that we are struggling with at Sheets…
it IS an issue in the larger context of christianity in the US and world,
but there are principles to learn…principles that transcend this specific issue.
If you’re here this morning and wondering why in the world we would cover this passage
Here’s the reasons:
One…we prefer to study through books of the Bible because we understand everything better in it’s context
Two…it’s the thing I just mentioned about principles. The Bible doesn’t specifically address every potential issue we may face, but it does provide principles that guide us through anything.
Let’s read the passage… follow along as I read.
1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.
2 For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.
4 The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.
6 So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7 Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized?
8 In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?
9 In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning.
11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
12 So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.
13 Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding.
16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you;
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.
21 It is written in the law, I will speak to this people by people of other tongues and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
22 Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all.
25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”
Prayer
Last week, my alliteration was off the charts incredible.
You were all wowed!
This week, I felt like I had to lower the bar so you don’t start to expect those sorts of things!
So I have…one point only…that is not alliterated.
So first…and last…but I have a lot to say about this…
Build Others Up
Build Others Up
In chapter 13, Paul said that loving others was paramount!
It makes sense then, that he would transition into chapter 14 with a reiteration of that principle.
But he does more than just that…he gives an imperative…a command…pursue love!
But the tense of this imperative reminds us that this is something that has to be worked at…it’s ongoing.
You don’t wake up one day having perfectly achieved love…
Not in your marriage…and not in out other relationships…you work at it!
Pursue love…that’s an ongoing effort!
Paul uses this verb in this way in other writings as well…always with the goal of seeking conformity to God’s will.
He’s a few examples.
19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
Phil 3.12,14
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
In every instance, it’s ongoing…and it leads to greater maturity in Christ…and the strengthening of the Body
Love does take work, doesn’t it!
But it’s part of God’s plan for our growth!
So by including in verse 1, he’s reminding us not to move on from love.
He’s reminding us that even in our worship, we should keep on pursuing love.
Paul then helps us understand why.
2 For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.
Speak in tongues…he says ok, that’s to God
Speak prophecy…that builds others up!
If we miss these two verses, we miss the meaning of the entire passage.
First…why tongues…
Tongues were always directed to God as part of a person’s praise or prayer
They verify a message…that’s how they’re always used during the Bible.
Verse 22 says
22 Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
What message needs to be verified or authenticated?
Well, that varied throughout time.
In the time of Paul…it was the
The revelation of the church…
Do we know everything today about God and His plan?
No. But we have the completed Scriptures.
Any quote on quote new revelation would have to be 100% in line with what Jesus said and the Bible.
So, I contend…new revelations in this age have ceased.
I don’t see any purpose for tongues in this present time
Is it possible there could be tongues following the church age? I don’t know.
But there is no purpose for tongues today…they’ve ceased.
And the one who SPOKE (past tense) in tongues, did so to God…for God…
No one understood what was being said…it was a mystery.
Second…what is a prophecy/why would people speak prophecies
We first saw this in back in 1 Cor 12.10
10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues.
Even though that’s the first time we see a mention about prophecy, this discussion started way before chapter 12.
Look at 8.1
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Love builds up! Don’t forget that.
In verse 3 of chapter 14…we see that prophesy includes the words or purpose of encouragement and consolation.
These are two very similar words.
So love builds up…prophesy encourages.
Is Paul connecting love and prophesy here? Let’s look further at the passage…
In verse 16, he’s advocating not for tongues but for prophesy…encouragement…because it causes others to give thanks…building up
16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
Take a look at verse 19…we see prophesy involves exhortation and encouragement that comes along with the instruction of people…building up
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Then verse 24…prophesy leads to conviction both for insiders and outsiders, who are called to account, and it finds the secrets of their hearts exposed (v. 24). It builds up.
24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all.
And verse 25…the result of this is worship…
25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”
So if you’re not tracking what I just said…here’s a summary of what Paul is saying:
Tongues aren’t bad…they communicate to God not man.
But Prophesies…they build up the church…they build up the church…they build up the church…and lead the church to worship.
If you’re like me, you’re thinking, wow that’s really interesting…buuuuuut…what does it mean to prophesy.
Go back to verse 3…
3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.
So encouragement…builds up…that’s what prophesies do.
But what is a consolation. I haven’t discussed that yet.
Consolation is actually a word that doesn’t happen a lot in Scripture.
We see it in some form only a handful of other times in the NT.
Phil 2.1…
We see it in John’s Gospel a few times…
But in Paul’s writings, it stands out when we get to 1 Thess 2 and 5.
12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
The world console is all about giving words of encouragement to those who have lost loved ones in death, or to standing alongside “the fainthearted,” or helping those going through hard times.
Paul wants them to encourage and console those going through hard times in order to strengthen their faith.
Maybe you think this interesting.
But don’t miss the placement of where this chapter is and what happens next…
Chapter 15…
The Gospel chapter…
But after verse 10 of chapter 15, Paul gives one of his most important treatise…the importance of the resurrection of Jesus.
Who needed encouragement? The Corinthian church…
Jesus died and rose again
Who needed consolation? The Corinthian church
Because Jesus rose, you and your loved ones in Christ will also rise!
Way back in 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul said…
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
And here in chapter 14…that foundation is built up…
Give a prophetic word…that’s better…
And that prophetic word is simply…chapter 15…
excited
JESUS!
He conquered death
He conquered the grave
JESUS!
You can build yourself up to if you want to through tongues…again…I believe they’ve ceased anyway
But let’s take the principle of what Paul is teaching here over any argument about tongues.
Superior knowledge may be to speak in tongues…great…you have knowledge…it’s puffed you up.
Just like the young man in my church in Togo who came to me to let me know that I actually wasn’t saved because I hadn’t had an experience.
He thought he had superior knowledge.
But Paul, giving a principle, is teaching here that
Jesus is the foundation…
Give words of prophecy that build up
That encourage
The console…
What kind of words?
Go ahead and speak the Gospel
Go ahead and tell them about Jesus
Go ahead and tell them that Jesus died in my place
And that Jesus rose to demonstrate His authority over the greatest enemy, death
If you want to make an impact in the church and in this community…
Follow what Paul says in verse 12…
12 So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.
Church, Paul’s message for the church at Corinth, and us…
Build up others.
Proclaim the truth.
Tell others about Jesus!
Last thing…maybe you feel inadequate…
Remember this…
The educated people were puffed up with knowledge.
They weren’t doing what God wanted.
But the others…perhaps lacking formal education and experience as public speakers…
They were the ones looking outward…building up…despite the challenges they faced.
You can build others up…you can Find your One!