Ministry in the Church (Part 1)

Intro

Learning. A child who is learning to walk may stumble or fall down, but he or she gets up and tries again.

In the early church, the babes in Christ had to learn to walk in the Spirit. The learning process took time. Much of Paul’s writing in the Epistles is in the form of instruction to these new Christians. He taught them how to use properly the gifts of the Spirit for their own personal edification and for the edification of the church.

Speaking in tongues was an important part of their worship, and Paul gave them teaching which would strengthen this gift in both their private and public worship. He taught them how to worship together as one body, in unity and love, as partakers together of their inheritance in Christ.

Sermon’s Outline:

Prophecy Given Preference;

Regulations for Tongues and Prophecy;

Gifts Given to the Church.

N.1 - Prophecy Given Preference

1A. No Bans.

The Corinthian believers needed only instruction in the use of the gifts. This is why Paul clearly denounces the disorder that had arisen in the services, but he is very careful not to exclude anyone from speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:5 NIV

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

“To speak” can also be translated “to keep on speaking” because in Greek is a continuous present tense.

In 1 Corinthians 14 we have ten statments from Paul which show that Paul is not trying to stop tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1B. Tongues need Interpretation.

Quiz: If tongues with interpretation is the equivalent to prophecy, why do you suppose the Holy Spirit includes tongues and interpretation among the gifts? I would say to give a variety of edification to the church and possibly also because of the value of tongues as a sign of the supernatural.

Again, we must keep in mind that Paul is talking about the ministry of the gift of tongues in the congregation, not the private use of the gift in prayer when we are alone.

See Chart on Tongues (pag 157).

Quiz: Compare 1 Corinthians 14:2 and 6. To what conclusion do you come about the function of tongues when it is not interpreted as compared to when it is interpreted? When not interpreted it is a means of communication with God for edifying the person. When interpreted it edifies the church.

Quiz: Which of these statements are true?

a) Tongues may include praise or worship, giving thanks, blessing. yes

b) First Corinthians 14:16 can mean that if you speak in tongues without interpretation you put the whole church in the position of being like an outsider who does not know what the Spirit is doing. yes

c) The above verse also suggests that tongues have no value in a worship service.

d) Paul limited his own expression of tongues in the assembly because as a good shepherd he wanted to feed the flock (by teaching). yes

1C. Tongues as a Sign.

Speaking in tongues is a sign to the unbeliever that is still needed: it’s a judgment sign, parallel to tongues or languages of Isaiah 28:11:

Isaiah 28:11 NIV

Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people,

Tongues remind us also that, because of our sins, we are separated from God, cut off from His blessings; tongues are a sign to unbelievers also in that they draw attention and let them know somenthing supernatural is happening.

Quiz: Which of these statements are true?

a) It is easy for the unbeliever to see that the gift of prophecy is supernatural.

b) Prophecy (probably with exhortation) will cause the unbeliever to recognize, worship, and honor God where tongues without interpretation will not. yes

c) The scoffing reaction of some unbelievers to hearing tongues spoken on the Day of Pentecost is very similar to the results Paul told the Corinthians would come if all spoke in tongues without interpreting in a church service. yes

d) In our day, as at Pentecost, some believers have praised God in a language unknown to them but understood by someone present. yes

N.2 - Regulations for Tongues and Prophecy

2A. Directions for the Expression of Tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 NIV

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

Quiz: List briefly the four directions the Bible gives in 1 Corinthians 14:27–28 for the expression of tongues. a) The number should be limited to two or three in a meeting. b) Tongues should be given by one person at a time. c) One should interpret. d) If no interpreter is present, tongues should not be given aloud.

2B. Guidance for the Expression of Prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:29 NIV

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

We should not be afraid to submit to the judgment of others. We are all learners together. Notice also that the primary purpose of the judging is not to criticize but to see where the Spirit is leading with respect to the Word and to see how He wants to apply these prophecies in our lives.

If we exercise the gift of prophecy, we should be willing to submit our gift to the judgment of others.

The Spirit wants to use a variety of people as well as a variety of gifts in a meeting.

N.3 - Gifts Given to the Church.

3A. Christ’s Gifts.

Ephesians 4:11 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Through this, the whole Body will come to a maturity where they are no longer spiritual babies led astray by every deceiver who comes along.

The gifts of Christ here are the same as are identified in Corinthians as gifts of the Spirit. The chief emphasis in this passage concerns what God did at the beginning to establish the Church.

The Bible also indicates a continuing need for ministries that will establish the Church and bring believers to maturity.

Quiz: Which statements are true? (See Ephesians 4.)

a) They have ministries which are identified as gifts of the Spirit in Corinthians. yes

b) These persons and their ministries are given to do all the work of the church.

c) Through these persons and their ministries the whole church is to be brought to maturity so they can all do the work of ministry and edify the body of Christ. yes

d) Without these ministries the believers might stay spiritual babies and be led astray by every deceiver or false teaching that came along. yes

e) The church has a continuing need for ministries which will establish it and bring believers to maturity. yes

Questions.

1 = B

2 = B

3 = A

4 = D

5 = C

6 = B

7 = C