1 Corinthians 14,20-40
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
November 24, 2002
Intro: Last week we looked at the elevated status that the church at Corinth had given to the gift of tongues thus perverting it’s purpose.
A- We saw that it’s use was:
1- Not edifying to the church as a whole.
2- Out of order
3- Confusing
4- And although they were speaking in tongues they were not exercising the gift of tongues that comes from the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:2, For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
a- The most effective way for a church to be rendered useless is:
- For individuals to seek self-glorification.
- For people to come and not understand what is going on.
- And for them to go away wondering “what just happened”.
Hebrews 10: 24-25, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ø Now since Paul has set in order the priority of tongues VS Prophecy (other Spiritual gifts).
A- He is going to now tell us the proper way to exercise these gifts (how they are to be applied in love).
1- This is how we are to judge the validity of tongues and Prophecy.
1 Corinthians 14:20, Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
A- Paul: “OK it’s now time to grow up in this matter”
1- A Spiritual growth opportunity.
a- A time for maturity as a church and individual.
- As a kid I hated these because they were hard but necessary.
· As a Pastor I hate these because they are hard but necessary.
1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
2- Corinth is a church at a fork in their road.
a- Are they going to be able to listen and obey Paul as an elder to this church from God.
- Even more so are they able to do so when they disagree.
Turn to 1 Peter 5:1-9
· Define submission
b- We all do so well when things are going as we think they should.
- BUT true: submission, dedication, and godliness is revealed when the hard things come.
3- It’s the gifting and the usage of them that bring a church to maturity.
Read Ephesians 4:11-16
B- “However in malice be babes”.
1- Our perfection and years of training in malice VS Holiness.
Read Verse 21
Isaiah 28:11-12, For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”;
Yet they would not hear.
A- The reference here is to the public speaking and interpretation of tongues (VS our private use).
1- Because God knew that the Jews would not listen in their own language God sent tongues as a sign.
a- A sign that Jesus is Messiah that the Gospel is the Gospel.
- So this would be a sign to the unbelievers familiar with Isaiah (unbelieving Jews or anyone who would read Isaiah).
1 Corinthians 14:22, Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
A- What would be the use of speaking in tongues in the midst of believers???
1- The believer is to Prophesy for the benefit of the unbeliever.
Read Acts 2:1-13 (Tongues – The preaching of the Word of God,
Prophecy, - Acts 2:37-39.)
1 Corinthians 14:23, Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
A- Remember the laughing in the spirit that regressed into barking and other various animal noises.
1- The 20/20 special and the smirks of the reporters.
a- The embarrassment of the believer.
- They think that the WHOLE church is out of their mind.
· Tongues is spoken of in the O.T.
· Laughing ??
· Barking (to be an animal is a curse)
· CCO and tranquilizer
Read verses 24-25
Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
A- TONGUES are superficial, PROPHCEY goes deep.
Read verses 24-25
A- “How is it then” = Why is it
1- Psalm = A scriptural reading or song
2- A Teaching = A favorite doctrine
3- A Revelation = New knowledge
B- “Let all things be done for edification”.
1- Let everything you do be for the purpose of house building.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Ø Now the proper use of Prophecy
Read verses 29-32 (3 things)
#1- “Let others judge”
A- Let there be a determination if the prophecy is from God.
1- Describe prophecy as it related to the church then.
a- Who is to judge???
1 Corinthians 12:10, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
#2- (V:32) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
A- The new prophecies are subject to the old ones
Acts 17:11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Read Deut 13:1-5
#3- (Read verse 33) From the prophecy peace should come.
Read verses 34-35
1 Timothy 2:11-12, Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
A- It is woman’s nature to rule over man but not God’s will.
Genesis 3:16, To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”
1- It may not be the man’s desire but it is God’s
Ephesians 5:26, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Read Verses 36 (The church at Corinth)
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
November 24, 2002
1 Corinthians 14:2
Hebrews 10: 24-25
1 Corinthians 13:11
1 Peter 5:1-9
Ephesians 4:11-16
Isaiah 28:11-12
Acts 2:1-13
Hebrews 4:12
1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Corinthians 12:101
John 4:1
Acts 17:11
Deut 13:1-5
1 Timothy 2:11-12
Genesis 3:16
Ephesians 5:26