Paul shows us how and when to use the gifts of tongues and prophesy within church, as well as church order in general. Let’s see the nations saved for Christ.
1 Corinthians 14: Prophecy and Tongues
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?
8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,
11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
21 In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."
22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Orderly Worship
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
Things to think about…
Pursue love and the spiritual gifts - especially prophesy Paul says, 1Cor 14:1. A good call by Paul! What is the message without love and what is love without meaning? We need both words and actions to back up a true witness for the gospel. Not everyone is easy to love or even talk to, but we can do all things through Christ. So that when you ‘prophesy’ you do so to build up, encourage and console, vs 3, as well as build up the church, vss 4,5.
Paul makes his point on the use of tongues that they are not babble, but even known languages can be babble (tongues - foreign languages, 1Cor 14:11,21) if not understood. Paul confirms that the mind must be used in worship, not just the spirit, 1Cor 14:14. Without an interpretation of the language Paul is saying the mind is not being used and hence the gift of languages should not be used, vs 28, if others are not able to agree with what you are saying they cannot with any conviction say ‘Amen’ to your prayers, vs 16.
Paul says in the context of understanding the use of tongues and prophecy is that we must not be children in our thinking, but be mature, 1Cor 14:20. Tongues are for unbelievers (who know the language being spoken), vs 22 but prophecy edifies believers and those who will believe when the secrets of their hearts are disclosed, vs 25. Paul is saying when an unbeliever comes in and hears a language (a tongue) that he doesn’t know he will consider those in the church to be mad, but a prophecy in a language he understands edifies his heart, vss 24, 25.
Paul wants order in the church. This is his whole point with regard to the church service with regard to singing, praying, tongues, prophecy and accountability with what is said by those who speak, 1Cor 14:26-33. Order allows peace to be fostered in the church and Paul prescribes this for every church, vs 33.
Some women were speaking in the church, possibly with the intent to gain knowledge, 1Cor 14:35 – a good thing. Paul however is concerned with order in the church and says the women should ask their husbands at home rather than cause confusion by their questions at church when everyone is gathered together. Women clearly prayed and sang, so Paul is not meaning complete silence for women in church – he is concerned about order within the church, 1Cor 14:40. May we have godly men both in the home and in the church that can teach their families about Christ. It is a sad reality that some men in our day have dropped the ball here within the church and at home by forfeiting their responsibility to lead with godliness. Lead your families spiritually men.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon and reading topic for this week – Sermon “Proclaiming Christ”
Reading – 1 Corinthians 2
1. How would you describe your present level/ability/fervency of witnessing your faith in Christ at the moment?
2. Our witnessing must not just surround the fact that we go to a good church, listen to great music, preaching, etc. Paul says that we proclaim Christ and Him crucified, 1Cor 2:2. Explain why the cross and the resurrection are vital components of any witnessing done in Jesus’ name.
3. Doug mentioned that in order to effectively witness and share our faith we have to know Who and what we are talking about. The only way this can happen is if we are disciplined in reading God’s Word every day. Describe your current bible study/reading program. Please subscribe to the Chuwar Baptist devotions page if you have not so already. The same bible study program is on our website under RAPP Ups – Reading and prayer point Updates. www.chuwarbaptist.com . This program goes through the OT once and the NT twice every 3 years. Sundays sermons follow the weeks readings.
4. God reveals things to us by the Spirit. When we pray - “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”, Rom 8:26. Discuss this verse and what it means, as well how you understand its application in your current prayer life.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
2. Term break up for Kids@church and Recharge Youth this week.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Sunday’s message from 1Cor 12, 14 - “Receiving your gift” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Doug’s message on Sunday. Doug also handled the sound issues. Thankyou Melinda for managing the desk on Sunday
2. New cell groups.
3. Praise and worship – thanks Rod, Rin, Molley, Riley, Zac, great job.
Announcements
1. The Amazing race - Recharge final week before breakup – 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday at church. $2 coin donation. Melinda Fourie heading up this ministry.
2. Men’s brekky TBA. But will be down at Colleges Crossing within the next month or so on a Saturday morning.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
