The proper use of gifts in the church service

Last week we talked about the proper uses of prophecy and the problems that can develop.

the use of Spiritual gifts can get messy, but that does not mean that we refuse to move forward with them.  We need to learn how to properly use them and walk in grace with each other when we make mistakes.

  1. Eagerly Desire Vs 1
  1. The desire for the gift of prophecy must be increased in the body.
  2. Prophecy is the ability to edify the body of Christ
  3. Anything that builds up the body is encouraged
    1. Galatians 4: 19 Pains of childbirth until Christ fully formed in you
      1. Childbirth all consuming
      2. Christ formed
        1. Our minds would line up with Christ
          1. Renew our minds so we know the will of God for our lives Romans 12: 2
          2. Pray you are full confident int he will of God Colossians 4: 12
        2. Our actions would line up with Christ
          1. Have complete knowledge of his will then we will produce every kind of good fruit. Colossians 1: 9, 10
    2. Maturity in Christ is the main objective of the spiritual gifts
  4. This is what we are to eagerly desire.
    1. The focus is on the whole body being built up

2. Three things about tongues Vs 2 – 4

  1. The person is speaking to God Vs 2
  2. You will be speaking mysteries Vs 2
    1. This lies outside the understanding of the speaker and hearer
    2. God doesn’t need to hear His own mysteries so it has to do with something happening in us or through us.
    3. It is for personal edification. Vs 4
      1. Though it is powerful, it is not for the church when it comes together.

AGAIN IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT ALL OF THESE CHAPTERS HAVE TO DO WITH WHEN THE BODY COMES TOGETHER, NOT INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT OF JESUS

3. Prophecy edifies, exhorts comforts Vs 3

  1. edification the community is built up in its life of faith.
  2. Exhortation (See Acts 15: 31)
    1. The admonition of a father to a child
    2. Mutual encouragement.
  3. Comfort
    1. Word for comfort has to do with the gospel itself. (was no gospel so it is the message of Jesus)
    2. this is the indirect sharing of the gospel through others rather than direct comfort from God.
    3. This would mean it is comfort given in the earthly sphere.

4. Paul sums up his thoughts in this area Vs 5

  1. I wish that you all…so it does have value in private and personal prayer
  2. It is further explained that in public, prophesy and build up the body.
  3. Not that prophesy is better as a gift, but when the body comes together, more can be accomplished.
  4. Tongues have a value when they are interpreted.
  5. Tongues will happen int he body and prophesy will happen in the body, the spirits must be tested.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT PROPHESY HERE IS ALSO PREACHING.  THEIR SERVICES WERE NOT LIKE NORMAL CHURCH.  THEY WOULD SHARE FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THEN TALK ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID.  THIS IS HOW THE WORDS WHERE CHECKED BY THOSE WHO WERE SPIRITUAL LEADERS

5. Utterances are Useless without a clear sense Vs 6 – 12

  1. Examples of what is happening in the church service
    1. Utterances (tongues)
    2. Revelation instruction disclosure of truth
    3. Knowledge More advanced study of the christian faith
    4. Prophesying disclosure of divine mysteries
    5. Doctrine an utterance which took the form of instruction
      1. The church is still starting and there are not a lot of false doctrines, but they are coming and Paul will deal with them in some of his other letters.
  2. Meaning clear as a musical instrument cannot be understood unless it is clear. Vs 7,8
  3. Notice the bite in the words they would not understand Vs 9
    1. Filling the air with empty words
  4. They would not understand any better than someone speaking a foreign language. Vs 10
    1. he is not saying all tongues are foreign languages, he is saying someone speaking a foreign language has meaning to the speaker, but not the hearer.
    2. If it don’t grasp the meaning of what is being said, then we are all foreigners to each other.
  5. Excel in gifts that build up the body Vs 12