Building the Church

4 Weddings and a Funeral

2 Clarifications, 1 Apologies and a Recap

Clarification 1 - The Holy Spirit is at Work Today

I think 2 weeks ago when i preached on chapter 12 some heard a few things that I didn’t say - but perhaps weren’t clear enough.

More specifically I hope no-one heard me say that the work of the HS has ended - and that He is no longer at work supernaturally in our lives and church.

I did argue that Individual charismatic gifting and elements of the Spirit’s work were for that specific time, but I think you’ll be surprised to hear how much I would credit to the work of the HS today.

So we’ll correct the balance a little today.

Apology - James was an Early Book

My other apology was simply a mistake in my research - I told you that James was one of the later books written in the NT and therefore as they prayed as elders for healing rather than used a gifted healer I suggested that the gifts seemed to be disappearing even in the early church times.

I couldn’t have been more wrong - James was probably one of the earliest books written - but was possibly transcribed and reproduced much later than the other books.

That argument isn’t therefore correct, so my apologies. It doesn’t change my view, but incase that was the one thing that convinced you - my apologies you’ll have to listen to the sermon again to understand the bigger picture.

Clarification 2 - Faithful Believers can hold Different Views

I gave the impression there are no other firmly held convictions about charismatic gifts within our church - that’s not even the case amongst all our elders. The view I gave was the one that encourages us in our practice as a church - and therefore it would be odd for me to preach a different view - but it doesn’t mean we can outright dismiss everyone else.

Outside our church there are many convictions that we would all unanimously agree to be dangerous, there are plenty of warnings in the NT about false prophets and teachers who will deceive many with signs and wonders.

But, there are also many biblical sound and wise Christians and churches who believe the gifts continue, but who also listen carefully to Paul’s warnings and corrections he gives in these chapters. And so practice them carefully.

I count them -you if that’s you here today - as true brothers and sister in Christ, and the instructions of chapter 13 to show love before these things is important for us all to remember.

Much like we differs on various things - we are totally united in Jesus. And we are a better church becasue you are with us here - even though I acknowledge it will occasionally be hard for you as we do do things in this area differently to how you would like.

Recap

In case you missed chapter 12 let me briefly recap - as it impact on the specific applications of todays passage,

In short we considered how some gifts appear to have been only for the NT times until the Bible was completed and available.

In Ephesians Paul appears to recognise the special foundational purpose of the gifts of prophesy and apostleship.

Ephesians 2:19–20 NIV

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Foundations are laid once and always relied on. We don’t keep building foundations on-top of foundations.

And in Eph 3 Paul explains how it is the work of the apostles and prophets to reveal the mystery of Christ for all.

Ephesians 3:4–5 NIV

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

And so just as the gift of apostleship has ended, (Which we all should be able to agree on) Ephesians suggest that at least in some way the gift of prophesy has also.

It makes sense then that in a church like Corinth that is reliant of the odd letter or visit from an apostle (because they don’t yet have a completed bible) - also required prophets to reveal mysteries, knowledge, wisdom and insights both about God and each other as they build the church.

For us, though, we have all of that encapsulated in the Word of God.

So back to the Corinthian context,

It’s not surprising then that we get Paul saying

1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

and

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV

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

His big point in this chapter is that the should seek the gift that most builds the church not oneself.

Build the Church not Yourself

that the most edifying and building up gift available to them for their time was prophesy.

but sadly - all they were interested in was the other gift he focuses in on here which is tongues.

Why?

Because it made them look super spiritual and impressive to speak in away that separated them from others..

So, to help us let’s consider 3 things.

1 - What is Prophesy?

Paul gives a number of clues as to what prophesy achieves - not what it is - but does - in v3

v3 prophesy strengthens, encourages and comforts.

And v4 prophesy also edifies - it does the church good.

v6 gives us some clues as to what prophesy actually is,

where Paul uses various words that he often interchanges around the term of prophesy.

So it might include revelation (something previously unknown is revealed), probably about God himself.

Or Knowledge, similar to revelation, but might include a greater understanding of something previously they were confused about, or perhaps more likely as we’ll see in later verse, a knowledge about a specific situation or person that couldn't have been known without God’s revelation of it.

He then uses the world prophesy itself - most likely someone who correctly predicts the future as we see a number of time in the NT. - particularly in Acts.

And then instruction - God given instruction for the church or individuals that require action.

Significant and important gifts when you don’t have the complete NT as we do.

You can see some examples of what Paul is describing as he explains how the gift of prophesy is a powerful tool for evangelism

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 NIV

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Secrets, revelations, exhortations, instructions that result in a powerful response by those who hear.

Paul also sees the risk for abuse or misuse, or deception with such a gift, so also gives instructions for how to carefully manage it.

1 Corinthians 14:29–32 NIV

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

So prophesy is to be orderly and controlled, not wacky.

And What is said needs to be weighed

- possibly Paul means the prophet themself needs weighing in case they need to go on a diet.

No - to check if they are a true prophet or a false prophet,

or possibly he means each prophesy given is to weighed and judged.

It seems most likely that those who do the weighing of prophesy is the other gifted prophets.

That’s why he says the individual spirit of prophets (so not the HS, but each person) is subject to the control of Prophets.

So you get the picture.

Prophesy would make known what was previously unknown or unknowable and or about specific situations within the church.

The other prophets then presumably used their own prophetic or similar gifts to determin if the church is to act or respond directly to it in praise, repentance, action or the like.

And it had significant impact of how the church was built up.

Now many of us, and many excellent churches read less significance into what prophesy was in this chapter

(which I think is hard to do)

but it does mean if you still expect the gift of prophesy today it may be with a much lower expectation of what it was then.

This is important becasue it actually means our practice of Christianity and churchmanship is probably very simliar.

Some would call knowledgable applying the bible to the church as prophesy.

Or wise understanding of someones concerns, and directing them to a scripture or practical help.

Or insightful observance and prayer for someones situation.

Or sense we should pray or do something.

I say Amen!

That’s what the HS enables us all to do and these are exactly how we are to build each other up.

I just don’t call it prophesy.

I’d call it the work of the HS through the Word of Christ empowering every believer to build up the body of Christ the Chruch.

Colossians describes this universal working of the Spirit in all of our lives -

Colossians 3:16 NIV

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

All of that is supernatural if you like - it is all miraculous - in the sense that it would not and could not happen without the power of the Spirit being at work in us. I’m just not convinced it aligns with the gift of prophesy in Corinth.

So, when you feel overwhelmed to pray from someone

When you feel convicted, or built up, or encouraged by God’s word being taught

When you choose to obey Christ instead of giving into sin

When we speak of Jesus with a colleague,

When we are praying for someone to be healed

When you speak to a friend after the service and share a bible verse,

or remind them of God’s love,

or direct them to a helpful passage to reflect on this week during a tough time,

When someones interview touches your heart,

when someones prayers restore your faith

all of that can only be the HS supernaturally at work in our lives!

Some call that prophetic ministry or gifting - I call it - let’s all be doing it more!

2 - What is tongues?

v5 - tongues also is supposed to edify - that is why there must be an interpretation says Paul.

IN other words it’s possibly not too disimilar to prophesy, just that it is in a different language.

In fact Paul is fairly scathing of the use of tongues in church UNLESS there is a prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:7–9 NIV

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

So unless it’s interpreted it’s pointless in church.

So he asks those who speak in tongues to also desire the gift of interpretation - other wise it’s of no use to the church.

v21-23 add detail but at first seem confusing.

1 Corinthians 14:21–23 NIV

In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

He sounds like he’s contradicting himself.

The quote he uses is from Isaiah and is effectively a judgement warning against Israel becasue they are disobeying God,

so the Assyrian army will invade - and yet still - even though hearing the foreign languages invading - they will not repent before God.

IN that sense says Paul uninterpreted tongues is a warning or reminder against unbelievers that they will not repent and face God’s righteous judgement!

If you’re with us today and you’d found us all talking in foreign languages - you’d think we’d lost the plot - you might think that anyway!

But that’s not Paul’s or our aim for the church.

Our aim as a church is to ask you to join us in repentance before Almighty God and so gain life and joy itself as we receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus!

So says Paul to Corinth, You might think you sound impressive and super spiritual - but you are not building up the church and you are not saving the lost who need Jesus!

It would be better speak 5 intelligible words than 10,000 (meaning an infinite number) of unintelligible ones.

Count on fingures

Jesus is Lord, let’s repent!

The place tongues was useful in the NT was when foreigners were present to hear.

As happened in Acts 2.

Acts 2:7–8 NIV

Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

And it happens again in acts 10 when the gentiles first receive the HS.

The bible seems clear that tongues then is a gift of speaking foreign languages - so unless you’re using it to speak to those who understand, it’s not of use to the gathered church.

I’m aware some read 13v1 to mean that tongues could be be a heavenly language, but Paul’s point there really seems to be an ‘even if’ type argument.

1 cor 13 1-3 “If I speak in the tongues of men or (EVEN) of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can (EVEN) fathom all mysteries and all knowledge (it being obvious noone can), and if I have a faith that can move mountains (A turn of phrase to mean the impossible), but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess (Which obviously no-one could or would or they would then be in need) to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

If anything 13v1 would suggest speaking in an angelic language would be the obvious extreme that can’t be done - as in his other examples.

That does not mean I think that everyone who practices unintelligible tongues is a nut case,

But I would be cautious about it.

Do you see it as a foreign language, and either way, Do you use it to build up the church, or convert foreigners as that seems to be the purpose of it?

Do chat to me more if this is something you’re interested in.

3 - What’s Paul’s point for us all?

You’ll be glad to know it’s a short one!

Prophesy builds up the church, tongues does not - so seek the gift that most builds up the church - and clearly building th church includes a strong emphasis on evangelism as we see in those last verse today.!

Why wouldn’t you is his point - after-all that is the best way to (chpater 13) love one another.

In our context that might mean different things at different times for different people.

Perhaps more of us need to pray and ask for the Spirit to improve our bible knowledge and reading to we can edify each other better when we chat after the service, or at HG.

It might mean more of us should seek to be bible teachers in the church.

To aspire to and pray to be Home group leaders, youth leaders, preachers, elders.

Not aspire so we look good - but aspire out of love for others - for we all need to hear the truth of God’s word.

Practical - it will also mean we’ll want to pray that we are humble enough to fill the gaps we might have - whatever your gifting.

If we don’t have enough stewards for example -the best way to love your church is to pray for some muscle and a heart for setting up the hall.

It might mean praying we’ll be bold to speak to new people at church, to share the gospel if they don’t know it.

Saying all that - So many of you already do so much, our church continues to grow and I trust our faith continues to build and people are saved.

What a joy to be part of such a Spirit Empowered, love for others, Jesus First church.

So let’s pray.