1 Corinthians 14
Paul continues to speak to the Corinthians about order in the church - public gathering - and the reasons for spiritual gifts. There was a need for him to speak about the gift of tongues and prophecy specifically. His point is that the time of public gathering of the church is for the purpose of worshipping God and the spiritual gifts are for the purpose of edifying - building up - the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts are given to individuals to be used in the context of the gathered church. If tongues (unknown languages and/or utterances) is used in the gathered church, then it must be understood by those gathered - it must be interpreted. So, believers gathered would be encouraged, taught, exhorted, rebuked - and unbelievers would see/hear the power of God in their midst, and (prayerfully) believe in Christ!
Prophecy is the same - the preaching and teaching of the Word - and/or folks sharing something God has given them for the particular believers gathered - also must be clearly spoken for those gathered. Otherwise, it is for naught. In the last part of this chapter - vs34,35 - is (also) controversial, but need not be. Is Paul saying that women should not speak in church? No - read 11:5; and chapter 12-14 - clearly women are gifted by God to prophesy and speak and pray in public worship. Paul is speaking to this particular congregation, where in, apparently there was much disorder and disunity. In the Corinthian culture women weren't allowed to question men in public, and in the church this was happening with questions that could easily have been answered 'at home' (p2085, NIV Life Application Study Bible).
"God, help us to seek You with pure hearts, to desire unity, purpose, and building up of Your Kingdom, in the midst of the church gathered. Forgive us for the times we strive to 'have our own way', to show off and show up; fill us to overflowing with the 'rivers of Living Water', such that the "words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts would be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight" (Ps 19:14); and would be for the building up, edifying toward salvation for those unbelievers, and growth for those who are saved. Thank You Lord."
Showing posts with label spiritual gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual gifts. Show all posts
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
One body, many parts
1 Corinthians 12:12-29
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body" (vs 12).
Wow, envision the body of Christ, all believers, as one body - like your body is one and mine is one. Our physical bodies have many parts - eyes, ears, elbows, feet, etc. So what if you had a really painful earache? How would that effect the rest of your body? You would feel really lousy, wouldn't you? You would find it hard to really be active because you hurt so much!
The Apostle Paul analogizes the body of Christ, the church, as being just like our physical bodies. When one part of the body is suffering, it effects every other part...when one person is suffering, it (should) effect us all. Our physical bodies are not divided, we don't think, "well, I don't really need this hand, I'll just lobe it off!" Yet, when we judge, talk against, gossip other believers or whole local gatherings/churches of believers - it is like hurting or dismembering a part of our own physical bodies! WOW.
Also, Paul points out that each member of believers has been given at least one spiritual gift - a gift, something given by the Holy Spirit to be used in building up and helping the whole body of believers grow/heal/be fed/etc. He lists some of those gifts in 27-31; this is not an exhaustive list. Other Scripture speaks to additional gifts God gives, in Roman 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11-13 for example. Paul states that just like individual members of the body of Christ, each gift is needed - no one gift is "better or more important" than another gift. That goes against our worldly thinking, doesn't it?
If we are honest, each one of us has thought, "oh, I'm glad I have this ____ instead of ____; or, I wish I could _____like him/her." When we do that we discount how God has made others and ourselves. We actually discount God. Each one of us are needed, valued, and necessary. In fact, Paul points out that unlike the world that thinks those who are weak/dishonorable can be put away or forgotten, the body of Christ is to actually honor those who are weak!! .....And all of us have weakness - the Scripture says, in fact, that we 'can boast in our weakness, for God's power is perfected in our weakness, then when we are weak, we are strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)!!!
"Lord, forgive us for putting others down, ourselves up as well as ourselves down and others up. Forgive us Lord for shunning those members and gifts that we think are less honorable or weak or less important. God, heal our minds in such ways that we think the way You do, that we honor others as well as ourselves in the body of Christ. That we know, realize, and accept/receive that each one of us are 'fearfully and wonderfully made; that each one is valuable and precious" (Psalm 139). Oh God, give us Your eyes to see, Your heart to know, and Your Spirit to live. Thanks for loving us God. We love You. More Lord, more."
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body" (vs 12).
Wow, envision the body of Christ, all believers, as one body - like your body is one and mine is one. Our physical bodies have many parts - eyes, ears, elbows, feet, etc. So what if you had a really painful earache? How would that effect the rest of your body? You would feel really lousy, wouldn't you? You would find it hard to really be active because you hurt so much!
The Apostle Paul analogizes the body of Christ, the church, as being just like our physical bodies. When one part of the body is suffering, it effects every other part...when one person is suffering, it (should) effect us all. Our physical bodies are not divided, we don't think, "well, I don't really need this hand, I'll just lobe it off!" Yet, when we judge, talk against, gossip other believers or whole local gatherings/churches of believers - it is like hurting or dismembering a part of our own physical bodies! WOW.
Also, Paul points out that each member of believers has been given at least one spiritual gift - a gift, something given by the Holy Spirit to be used in building up and helping the whole body of believers grow/heal/be fed/etc. He lists some of those gifts in 27-31; this is not an exhaustive list. Other Scripture speaks to additional gifts God gives, in Roman 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11-13 for example. Paul states that just like individual members of the body of Christ, each gift is needed - no one gift is "better or more important" than another gift. That goes against our worldly thinking, doesn't it?
If we are honest, each one of us has thought, "oh, I'm glad I have this ____ instead of ____; or, I wish I could _____like him/her." When we do that we discount how God has made others and ourselves. We actually discount God. Each one of us are needed, valued, and necessary. In fact, Paul points out that unlike the world that thinks those who are weak/dishonorable can be put away or forgotten, the body of Christ is to actually honor those who are weak!! .....And all of us have weakness - the Scripture says, in fact, that we 'can boast in our weakness, for God's power is perfected in our weakness, then when we are weak, we are strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)!!!
"Lord, forgive us for putting others down, ourselves up as well as ourselves down and others up. Forgive us Lord for shunning those members and gifts that we think are less honorable or weak or less important. God, heal our minds in such ways that we think the way You do, that we honor others as well as ourselves in the body of Christ. That we know, realize, and accept/receive that each one of us are 'fearfully and wonderfully made; that each one is valuable and precious" (Psalm 139). Oh God, give us Your eyes to see, Your heart to know, and Your Spirit to live. Thanks for loving us God. We love You. More Lord, more."
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