Spiritual Gifts pt 2

Ch 12

assertion:

spiritual gifts are in operation.

they are an evidence of a living God, not a dead idol

application:

be united in variety like a body of many parts

Ch 13

assertion:

you may have gifts but without love, they are worthless

application:

description of agape Love that we might know it and pursue it.

assertion:

everything else will pass but Love will last.

Ch 14

assertion:

good gifts have guardrails

to ensure humility

to promote mutual edification

to ensure a faithful witness to Jesus, not men

application:

guardrails on use of spiritual gifts

order in roles of men and women in public ministry

Bookends

1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)

40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

Paul’s Instructions

Read v. 6-11

If you are saying things that no one understands, how does that help?

not just a matter of tongues, but also Christianese.

+ 1 Corinthians 14:12 “12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

+ 1 Corinthians 14:19 “19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Read v. 23-25

The gift of prophecy is superior to that of tongues.

? What is Prophecy?- the clear declaration of what God is saying, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

foretelling

forthtelling

not on par with canon of scripture, but noteworthy nonetheless.

I hope that all of the ministry we do through SS, CR, youth, Bible Studies, etc is prophetic in nature, empowered by the Spirit, speaking to the hearts of our hearers and transforming lives.

? What are tongues?

the miraculous enabling of an individual to speak in a language that they have not previously learned.

Tongues is a witness to other nations that God is supremely powerful. Living God.

Tongues is an act of worship between an individual and God that expresses un-expressable thoughts by the Holy spirit. Done without intellectual understanding, and therefore has significant and specific limitations.

not magic words

not Varsity Christian

Makes for a POOR witness to outsiders if done without restraint.

nearly 100% of everything you have seen on “Christian media” is worthless garbage because:

it is not genuinely the spiritual gift of tongues

it is carried out in direct violation to 1 Cor 14 commands for order and propriety

Gift #1- Tongues

read v 26-28

let it be done for building up

only two or three with interpretation, in turn

no interpreter= be silent (practice privately)

Gift #2- Prophecy

read v 29-33a

only two or three

THEN the others (elders) weigh or judge what is said

Titus 1:7–9 “7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet

God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. Represent Him that way.

Women are to leave the public judgement of prophecy to the elders.

“5 Views on ‘Women Keep Silent’- Mike Winger, YouTube

ordained role for men

requires men to step up to leadership- no passivity

“silent” in v34 = “silent” in v28 (not just women)

clear that women did prophesy- Anna (Acts 2:36), unnamed 1 Cor 11:5,

Final Thoughts

Read v 36-40

Lest the Corinthians think too highly of themselves, Paul puts them in their proper place.

Be subject to Apostolic teaching and authority.

stark contrast to post modern individual exceptionalism (hyper-humanism)

Exercise spiritual gifts, but decently and in order.

We have a blessed duty to convey the powerful message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to each other and the world around us. We have the weighty privilege of loving and building one another up. We have an urgent call to separate our hearts from passivity and worldly servitude in exchange for the high calling of Kings and Priests in the service of our King, His Majesty, Jesus the Lord.