Say What?

PRAY

We are going to look tonight at one of the most confusing (at least to me) chapters in the Bible! But before getting into it, we need to remember the issue that Paul is addressing so that we can understand the reason he says what he does here…

Paul is changing his subject just a little bit in chapter 14 to what a worship service ought to look like…

When we gather for worship, we should seek not to build ourselves up but to build up the body and proclaim the Gospel so that God is glorified.

What are prophecy and tongues?

verses 1-19

They are spiritual gifts.

The purpose of these gifts (and every spiritual gift) is the building up of the body for the glory of God.

Prophecy

Proclaiming God’s Word in a powerful way!

Tongues

Well I know some stuff and I think some stuff and I have no idea about some stuff…

We see tongues practiced in:

Acts 2:1-3

Acts 10:44-48

Acts 19:1-6

In each of these instances it seems the purpose of the gift of tongues being exercised was to demonstrate that the Gospel had been genuinely received.

We have so many questions about this gift because there truthfully isn’t much information given to us in Scripture about it!

We gather to build each other up!

verses 6-19

When I was 16 I got to go on a mission trip to Paris. I spoke a little bit of French, but not very much. There was one day where we got to play soccer with some kids, they were maybe seven years old. We ran around, kicked the ball, had a good time. Now if I had started talking to those kids, saying… They wouldn’t have been encouraged because they would’ve had no idea what I was talking about! They didn’t speak English, so if I spoke to them in English they wouldn’t have known! So what did I do every time one of them kicked the ball in the goal?

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! UN BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE!!!!

notes in Bible

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

When you are here on Wednesday nights, when you are at church on Sunday mornings, remember that the purpose is not for you to build yourself up…

But to seek to serve and to create an atmosphere where others can hear the Word of God and be encouraged! How do we do that?…

We gather to proclaim the Good News!

20-26

We want the lost to hear the Gospel and believe!

This is one of the purposes of the church, of each church worship service. Why then would we knowingly do something that deters people? That distracts from the Gospel?

Get a cymbal and crash it and see if they can hear you

Matthew 28:19 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

If we are called to make disciples… then we shouldn’t put unnecessary stumbling blocks in the way.

So as a church, we should be paying attention to…

As individuals, we should be paying attention to…

Lord willing, you will all be leaders in your churches one day, helping to guide and direct your church to accomplish the great commission. You need to understand what that should look like so you can be ready for the day the Lord gives you that responsibility. Whether it’s tomorrow or in 20 years. Whether it’s as a pastor or as a volunteer leader.

Since we gather to proclaim this good news, let me go ahead and proclaim it…