Glorify God Build Up The Church By Being The Church

 

The Church In Context 1 Corinthians 14

 

I.      Arguing Order 1-19

 

        Intro:  The argument set forth by Paul concludes that in love the instruction of believers is to be especially promoted in the ordering of the church.

 

        A.     In Love Prophesy 1-5

 

1 Cor. 14:1-5 (ESV) 

    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.

 

                1.     The primary element for order is love 1a

 

                        a.     If the desire for spiritual gifts is carried out in love, whose benefit would each person be concerned for?  The others! 3, 4b, 5

                        b.     It is a misuse of a spiritual gift to speaking in other languages in a corporate setting without an interpreter.  2, 4a, 5

                        c.      Love first, then build up, encourage, console, through instruction, using spiritual gifts with that power, for the benefit of others in Christ. 1-5

 

                2.     Corporately seek all the spiritual gifts 1b

 

                        a.     Sign of maturing 1-5

                        b.     Proper placed passion 1        ,5    

                        c.      Specifically directed disciplines 2, 3,4

 

                3.     Exalt above all the revelation of God 1c

 

                        a.     A greater function 1c, 3

                        b.     It produces understanding 2-4

                        c.      There is a legitimate and lasting effect 3-5

 

Intro:                What if I

 

        B.     It must be distinctly understood 6-12

 

1 Cor. 14:6-12 (ESV) 

    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.

 

                1.     The prophetic word must be distinctly understood in order to benefit you.  6

 

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?

 

        a.     The uselessness of speaking in tongues in a congregational setting without an interpreter

        b.     The benefit of revelation – OT clearified by NT particularly concerning Jesus Christ and personal application

        c.      The benefit of knowledge – word of knowledge, spiritual gift

        d.     The benefit of prophecy – Preaching God’s Word

        e.     The benefit of teaching – making clearer the Word of God,                        context and application

 

                2.     Illustrating the importance of distinct clarity in communicating spiritual truth.  7-9

 

[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.

 

        a.     The goal of communicating spiritual truth is that the listeners gain knowledge.

        b.     The distinct sounds of the flute and harp

        c.      The sound of the bugle/trumpet

        d.     The proper use of language in to communicate to your listeners.

 

                3.     Illustrating the importance of distinct clarity in understanding spiritual truth 10-11

 

[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.

 

        a.     Language developed by every people group

        b.     The purpose of language is to communicate meaning

        c.      The result of communicating meaning within a people group is knowledge.

 

                4.     Seeing the Power of God through the Person of the Holy Spirit by building up the Body of Christ.  12 

 

[12] So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

 

        a.     Knowledge – knowing God, knowing each other

        b.     Passion – desire to exalt Christ and build up His people

        c.      Power – Supernatural ability by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses

        d.     Success – Hard work of discipleship that cannot fail.

 

        C.     That others may be instructed 13-19

 

1 Cor. 14:13-19 (ESV) 

    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.

 

Intro:

 

        1.     The place for tongues in congregational worship 13-14

 

    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.

 

                a.     Not being forbidden

                b.     But is being regulated

                c.      Practical example;  Prayer

 

        2.     The purpose for understanding in congregational worship 15-17

 

[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.

 

The mind is to be engaged in the spiritual act of worship through prayer and singing 15

 

Intelligibly Exalting Christ in the Spirit 15

 

The witness of our worship 16

 

Jesus Christ; the yes and the Amen to the promises of God 16

 

Thank God for His promises to His people fulfilled by the satisfying work of Jesus Christ 16

 

Can the person next to you hear you pray?  Can they hear you sing? 16

 

Worship is directed to the audience of One; God alone!  But your worship is to be witnessed by those around you?  Does the person next to you know you worship Jesus Christ?  Can your worship be listened in on and gain the affirmation Yes and Amen? 16

 

Remember what we do here on Sunday morning, on Monday night, Tuesday night, and on Saturday morning Once a month is congregational.  Everything you participate in is to be experienced in some fashion by your neighbor.  Brother, sister in Christ or unbeliever who has come by the grace of God. 17

 

        3.     The way to edify others in congregational worship 18-19

 

[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.

 

                a.     Affirmation of the gift

 

                        1a.    Speaking in tongues is a supernatural gift                                        sovereignly distributed whom He wills

                        2a.    Paul is one such person and maybe you are to

                        3a.    But not appropriate in a congregation, without an interpreter.

 

                b.     Affirmation of the conclusion

 

                        1b.    The argument set forth by Paul concludes that                                         in love the instruction of believers is to be especially promoted in the ordering of the church.

 

                        2b.    As we gather for worship intelligent instruction is to occur through preaching, prayer and singing.

 

                        3b.    As I preach I’m being governed by the Holy Spirit in the use of my spiritual gift to communicate truth and its application to you clearly as an act of worship to God.

 

                        4b.    Prior to my preaching we lifted up our voices to the God of heaven, Creator of all things, through our mediator Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As I worshipped I heard you worship and was built up by what I heard.

 

                        5b.    When we pray together, I hear you pray as you express your love to God, your gratitude for His Son, and the petitions of your heart to the only one that can do anything about them.

 

Conclusion:         I.      Arguing Order 1-19

 

A.     In Love Prophesy 1-5

B.     It must be distinctly understood 6-12

C.     That others may be instructed 13-19

 

In love the instruction of believers is to be especially promoted in the ordering of the church. 

 

II.     The Practical Application of the Conclusion 20-40

  

        A.     Know and practice the proper use of tongues and prophecy               20-25

 

1 Cor. 14:20-25 (ESV) 

    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.

 

                1.     Thinking is involved in the proper practice of Spiritual gifts 20

                        a.     Godly maturity in our thinking is the goal

                        b.     Less time in ungodly thoughts and practices.

 

                2.     The biblical purpose of tongues and prophecy 21-22

 

                        a.     Unbelieving Israel being spoken to in a foreign language was for them a sign of judgment. 21

 

Isaiah 28:1-12

                       

War time example

 

Personal examples among people speaking other language about you.                       

 

                        b.     Tongues to communicate the mighty work of God tounbelievers.

                        c.      Prophecy is for the instruction of believers

 

                3.     The unbiblical practice of tongues 23

 

                        a.     Congregational setting

 

Why does the Church gather?

 

                        b.     The Church gathers for Worship and instruction

                        c.      Will repel unbelievers

 

                4.     The biblical reasonable and practical practice of prophecy 24-25

 

                        a.     The prophetic Word will be intelligible for both believer and non-believer

                        b.     While you are being instructed and exalting                                     Jesus Christ, the unbeliever is called into account by God.                 

                        c.      The unbelievers’ response to authentic worship in the presence of a Holy God

 

        B.     A clear order of operation for the edification of the Saints 26-33a

 

1 Cor. 14:26-33 (ESV) 

    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.

 

                1.     Biblical Elements of corporate worship 26

 

    What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.              

 

                 2.     Biblical Purpose of corporate worship 26

 

Praising God, the exaltation of Jesus Christ, through the power if the Holy Spirit.

 

Sound Biblical instruction

 

                3.     Biblical Order of corporate worship 27-31

 

a.     If there is a manifestation of the gift of tongues it is to be practiced properly and in order.

 

 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.

 

b.     In biblical instruction

 

[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.

 

                4.     Biblical Authority of corporate worship 31-33

 

God is the authority who has revealed the biblical standards of worship for the exaltation of Jesus Christ and the benefit of His people.

 

Prophets are to speak and judge the veracity of what is spoken by the standard of the word of God alone.

 

[32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

 

There should be no confusion where God has clearly spoken, here he has clearly spoken.

 

        Conclusion:

 

Intro:                Reading of 1 Corinthians 14:33-40

 

Rachel’s Testimony

 

        C.     The role of women for the benefit of instruction in the body               of Christ 33b-35

 

1 Cor. 14:33-35 (ESV) 

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.

 

                1.     Conclusion revisited

 

The argument set forth by Paul concludes that in love the instruction of believers is to be especially promoted in the ordering of the church.

 

Paul is arguing for order on the context of the Church in a corporate setting

 

        In Love Prophesy

 

        The prophetic word must be distinctly understood

 

        Both are necessary in order that others may be properly instructed.

 

The second half of our study has been the practical application of Paul’s conclusion.

 

        He chooses two spiritual gifts for examples, to know and practice properly.

 

        He gives a clear order of operation for the edification of the saints. 

 

        I would like to begin back there today to emphasize the context of today’s continuation of this practical application of promoting orderly instruction in the gathering of the Church.  Vs26-33a

 

These are specific examples of spiritual gifts and the order in which they are practiced.  Now the Holy Spirit identifies roles between men and women in the order of such practices.

 

                2.     Role defined

 

Roles in what context?  Roles in doing what?

 

If we examine the gathering set up in the text an example and the participation of its members we have;

 

        A hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation

 

        If a tongue, a few in turn, with an interpreter

 

        A few prophets to speak, in order, listeners to weigh what is spoken

 

        Then you have prophets subject to prophets, all of this implemented for order by the Holy Spirit.

 

Now we read again the rest of 33b -35

 

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.

 

        Briefly explain the problem with starting at chapter 12

 

We need 11 to interpret this portion of 14 properly so let me take you there for a brief look.  1 Cor. 11:2-16

 

Do women pray in Church?

Do women prophesy in Church?

Do women personally weigh what is prophesied in Church?

 

Do women publically contend, dispute, correct, question, ridicule what is prophesied?

 

This last one I believe is the specific interpretation of 34 and 35 in the context of chapter 14 in the context of the gathering.

 

This is the role of the competent men God has placed within a congregation.

 

Does this speak of inferiority, or value, or competence, or grades of spirituality?  No! emphatically of course not.  Simply speaking here is roles and responsibility.

        Here we are being taught order, based on creation, responsibility in roles and accountability based on how well we fulfill those roles.

 

        When women or men participate in their role and prophecy, the public analysis, judgment and comment concerning what has been prophesied falls on the shoulders of men who fill such roles.  These men, myself being one of them, will receive a stricter judgment based on our competence or incompetence in handling that role. (James 3:1)

 

                3.     Order preserved

 

While it is clear from the entire context of 1 Corinthians that Paul was writing to correct many immature, disorderly and some even sinful practices, we don’t know what he was specific disruptive practice he was dealing with right here.  What we do know is that he placed the responsibility of overseeing the order of the church on the shoulders of men who will give an account for what transpires at such gatherings.

 

 

        D.     The proper role of authority in the Church 36-38

 

1 Cor. 14:36-38 (ESV) 

    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. 

 

                1.     The Authority of God, Jesus Christ

                2.     The Authority of the Apostle, Paul

                3.     The Authority of the Scripture

                4.     The authority of the prophet

 

How are we gonna know unless we recognize these proper authorities in our instruction and our practice?

  

        E.     Instruction is the key to the appropriate use of Spiritual            gifts by God’s people 39-40

 

1 Cor. 14:39-40 (ESV) 

    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.

 

                1.     The eminence of prophecy

                2.     The permitting of tongues

                3.     The mandate of roles and order

 

        Conclusion:  Bulletin

 

Prayer / offering / announcements / benediction

 

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.