Sermon 020198

1Co. 14:20-25                      Mature Thinking About Activities in Worship                       2/1/98

Series 23.30                                                                                                                       ABCC

I.     Review                                                                                                                             608

q      Edification of the church must be our goal when we gather for worship (v. 4,5,12,26b)

q      Paul is not addressing all the sp. gifts in this chapter - contrasting tongues to prophesy

q      A church is out of balance when the majority of believers pursue a dominant gift or ministry.  Therefore, we need to work hard at maintaining BALANCE in ministry

II.    Activities in Worship Service are Dependent on the Congregation’ Thinking (v. 20)

A.     The Christian should not be childish in thinking about worship (v. 20a)

The gift of tongues is not proof that you are spiritual or that your worship service is spiritual.  Childish thinking results in childish & non-edifying worship.  Childish thinking about worship also affects unbelievers.

B.      The Christian should be mature in thinking about worship (v. 20c)

Mature thinking results in edifying worship for the congregation & benefit to unbelievers.  Our thinking must be controlled by the scriptures; not opinions or feelings or tradition – We must worship God the way He says to!

C.      The Christian should be child-like regarding evil (v. 20b) – innocent (Rom. 16:17-19), sincere yearning for truth (1Pe. 2:1-3)

III.   Mature Thinking About Tongues & the Unbeliever in Worship

A.     Tongues (foreign languages) are a sign of God’s displeasure with unbelief (v. 21) - Assyrians

B.      Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever (v. 22a,b) - Assyrians were a sign to unbelieving Israel.  God was speaking thru the Assyrians, yet Israel could not understand their language & Israel was not led to repentance.  Likewise, tongues are a sign to unbelievers – not that you are spiritual or even that God is speaking - but it is a negative sign that leads them to wrong conclusions (v. 23) & their own judgment !. = disadvantage

Mature Thinking About Activities in Worship, pg. 2

IV.  Mature Thinking About Prophesy & the Unbeliever in Worship

A.     Prophesy is a sign to believers (v. 22c) – of the favorable presence of God that leads to repentance & edification

B.      Prophesy discloses truth about the unbeliever (v. 25a)

C.      Prophesy can result in the conversion of the unbeliever (v. 24-25) – his ultimate good

D.     Prophesy is not the same as preaching

·        Prophesy is spontaneous & unplanned (Ac. 21:10-11; 1Co. 14:30); preaching is preplanned & requires preparation (1Tim. 4:15; 5:17; 2Tim. 2:15)

·        No instructions for 2 or 3 preachers to each preach sermons during a worship service as w/prophets (v. 29)

·        Preaching is to be done by men called by Christ & gifted to do so (Eph. 4:8-13; 1Tim. 2:9-3:7; 5:17)

·        Women are at liberty to prophesy, but not to preach (1Co. 11:5; 14:26; 1Tim 2:9-3:7)

Therefore, what can we do to avoid thinking in a childish manner & becoming a hindrance in worship service?

1.       Keep you mind renewed by diligent study & meditation in the scripture (Rom. 12:1-2a)

2.       Keep you soul built up in prayer (Jude 20-21)

3.       Ensure that your love of Christ is increasing & that you are willing to obey Him as He reveals His will (Rom. 12:2b-3; Jn. 14:15)

4.       Ensure that your love for believers & unbelievers is genuine & that you desire their good (Php. 2:3-4)

5.       Keep you mind fixed on the goal for worship – glorify God & edify the church!