At such times, God affirms that the church is important and necessary, including our regular meetings. At the same time, we see how much Christians value the church and our meetings. It is sad when it turns out that for others it is not necessary and not necessary.
We hope and pray that God will use His Word today to translate your views and feelings about the importance of the Church into God’s plan and purpose. Pa Corinthians A long letter to the Corinthians shows their feelings and appreciation for the Christians who built the church in Corinth.
The way it talks about idolatry and worship, service and mission, submission and leadership, and the Lord's Supper in Chapters 8-11, and the spiritual gifts and ministry in the church that we are now studying, shows the importance of chapters 12-14. Is. Church meetings, church relations, order of our church services.
It is only right that we want spiritual gifts to be available for service in the church. As no wish! At 12:30 pm he said, "Find the highest gift with all your heart." And at the beginning of our text today, in 14: 1, He also said, "Seek out all the spiritual gifts." But as we studied in the Cape. 13 More important than spiritual gifts or their use is the "best way" of love (12:31).
It doesn't matter what we do in service without love. So this chapter is in the middle of this part of chapters 14 to 14, because the central, fundamental, love is as a stimulus that we need to have meaning and please God in everything we do. So here in verse 1 it also begins: “Desire love! Seek spiritual gifts, especially those who can speak God's message. "
For Paul, all spiritual gifts are important. But because of the Corinthians' tendency to speak in tongues over other gifts, Paul will demonstrate here that if there is a category of spiritual gifts, this prophecy is more than speaking in tongues, unless one explains it.
As I said in previous sermons, there are different perspectives on spiritual gifts. Some say that speaking in tongues is speaking a language unknown to the speaker, while others say that it cannot be a language and it sounds like ecstatic speech. Others say that prophecy is like courage in preaching the word. Others say it is a spontaneous revelation from God.
Others say that these spiritual gifts, like tongues and prophecy, no longer exist, since the Old and New Testaments are a complete revelation. Others say it is still happening today, but be careful to say that it does not add to God's revelation in Scripture because it is our highest and sufficient authority on matters of faith and ministry.
Spiritual gifts for the edification of the church (14: 1-5) In vv. 2-5, in proving why prophecy is superior to uninterpreted tongues, insists that this is because the purpose of any spiritual gift in ministry is to strengthen the church, for the edification of the church. Said in 12: 7, "for the common good." Here, specify what this property is. And if this purpose of using spiritual gifts is the basis, we can understand why Paul said that his desire for them was "especially for you to prophesy" (14: 1). He repeated it in the see. 5: “I wish everyone could speak in tongues, but I'd rather they speak to God. It is more important to speak a message from God than to speak in tongues, unless someone explains what they are saying to strengthen the church. "
Paul had no problem with the usefulness of the tongue in the church when he was an interpreter. But if not, this is the problem. So the V.V. 2–4, compared to the continuous tongue. Who speaks in tongues? "God is speaking and not man" (v. 2). It is the opposite of "talking to people" (v. 3). Does anyone without an interpreter understand speaking in tongues? "Nobody understands him," "He speaks the mysteries with the help of the Holy Spirit."
Contrary to prophecy, “their faith” is strengthened, “their heart is strong” and they find comfort (v. 3). Is there value in speaking the tongue? Strengthening His Faith for the Speaker (v. 4), therefore, is even more important because it not only strengthens the speaker but also "strengthens the church" (v. 4)
Because of this, the gift of prophecy and any related gifts, such as preaching and teaching the word, formal or informal, public or private, in church or at home, are more important to Paul and our church. Or on social networks. Paul's words here are in opposition to our individualism, which promotes our self-centeredness in the Christian life. You go to church and are satisfied if you were emotionally excited, or encouraged, or your faith was strengthened, or you were blessed. And it's good if you get it from God. Because God tries to do us good. Until then, you just can't even think. God not only saves you so that you can experience his mercy and blessings, God saves you specifically so that you can experience this kindness by serving others for the building of the church. remember this.
Now, in Art. -11-11, it will explain why prophecy is opposed to speaking in the mother tongue without interpretation, further encouraging and benefiting the church. And this has to do with the role of human understanding. Paul used a series of rhetorical questions, case studies, and real-life illustrations to express his point. Verse: “Therefore, brethren, if I come unto you, and speak in tongues, what shall I do unto you, except I speak unto you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by divination, or by prophecy? Nothing! ”What can you learn from words that you do not understand? If you've been reading a book for a while but don't understand, you've finished reading the book, but what have you got? Therefore, he added the importance of the words understood from God: "... I will benefit you only if I teach you God's revelation, knowledge through him, God's messages and teachings." For the word of God to be useful, there must be interpretation (2 Tim. 3: 16-17).
The same is true of the ministry of the church. If our natural personality is in the first part, then here there is emotionalism or empiricism. It's not just after you've had an emotional worship experience at church. So I will try to explain to you exactly what the Word of God says because I am convinced that you will not benefit from the words that I have heard you, even if I cry, or if you are excited, laughing, crying or otherwise. .
Our mindset and understanding are important. Biblical theology and theology are important to the edification of the church. Brother, in the Christian life, do not think only of yourself, of what is good for the church.
And don't just seek an emotional experience. Priests / elders engage with someone who strives to learn, understand, discern, and discipline the truths of God's Word that they have been taught. And no matter how much other church members do to you, try to do the same for others.
The same applies to church service. In the first part, when confronted with our natural individualism, there is emotionalism or empiricism. We are not alone in church after an emotional worship experience. That is why I am trying to explain to you what God’s Word says, because I am convinced that you will not benefit from the words you hear from me, even if I screamed, if you were aroused, laughing, crying, or otherwise.
Our mindset and understanding are important. Theology and biblical theology are important in building the church. Brother, in the Christian life, think of what is good for the church, not just about you. And don’t just look for an emotional experience. Strive to learn, understand and understand the truths of the Word of God taught to you by the pastors / elders and everyone involved in disciplining you. And no matter how much other members of the church do to you, try to do the same for others.
very beautiful blog