Romans 12:6 & 1Corinthians 12-14

Don’t Be Ignorant About Spiritual Gifts

 

Intro. In 1Cor. 12 Paul wrote “ I don’t want you ….. Ignorant ….

But the fact of the matter was the church in Cor. Was ignorant & filled w/ many abuses concerning the ministry of the H.S. in their assembly !

 

A) Their problem was really 2 fold in that they lacked  an understanding of the function / purpose & operation of these manifestations of the Spirit !

1)  And they lacked understanding as to the Motive of operation !

 

B) So they were ignorant & there were abuses / which led Paul to address this letter to them / that he might instruct them & clear up some of the misunderstandings

 

C) Their ignorance was understandable / they lacked information  / but we are w/out excuse/ our problem isn’t that we lack info / but we have ignored info.

1)  So we  have same kind of abuses going on today / we are ignorant w/out excuse !

 

 

But we don’t want to be guilty of that here at Calvary so we study / look at what Paul said / & how it applies to our fellowship !

A) Last week we began in Ch. 12 & outlined the gifts or manifestations of H.S. listed here in 1Cor. 12

 

B) We learned there are Diff. Gifts / Diversities of ministries / same Spirit …wills / and Same body !       Goal is Edification - ( body built up & grow )

1)  only happens when the body is functioning as a unit - each knowing/ fulfilling his part !    ( Paul used Ill. Of the human body V.14-31

 

 

C) Concluded in v. 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.     Love !

 

 

1Cor. 13 is probably one of the most well known passages & most often quoted in all of the bible !

A) Weddings / funerals / studies on marriage / dating / Christian love / servanthood   in which all are certainly applicable

 

B) But the thing I want us to grasp tonight is the context in which this ch. Was originally written - in this whole discussion on the ministry of the H.S. working in the body

1)  And the whole Purpose Paul was writing was because of the abuses & the ignorance that was apparent there in Cor.

 

 

V.1-3  Love lacking Worthless ! 

A) Most gifted / talented but no love - worthless   ( noisy gong hurts peoples ears - smelly stench that makes people sick! )

 

B) V.4-8a  The Qualities of love /

1)  kind/ patient / not proud        ( Again remember the context )

          Gifts/ abuse /  kindness seeks edification / not proud - focuses on the giver of the gift & not the gifted !

 

C) V.8b- 13 The permanence of Love

1)  Love remains & love s the Greatest !

 

 

Ch. 14:1 Pursue love    ( lovelessness was the root of their problems )

A) Pursue = Dioko = ( to follow , hunt, chase after w/ intensity ) Pursue love

          Go after it

 

B) And desire spiritual gifts especially that you may prophesy !

1)  Pursue love / desire gifts - ( gifts determined by the spirit -as He wills

Some today have this reversed - pursue gifts & desire love !

 

C) Delight …………  desires of the heart !         Delight leads to love !  He is Love !

1)  I am to pursue love because the goal is Edification /

Here in Ch. 14 Paul reveals that when talking about the gifts of the Spirit in the body edification involves 2 things / Understanding & order

A) to illustrate these principles Paul focuses in on 2 of the gifts to contrast their place in the body & function in edification / Prophecy & Tongues

 

B) Prophecy = speaking forth the word of God ! and in v. 3 Paul declares that he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

1)  Both Fore telling ( Predictive - Agabus ) & Forth telling ( Proclaiming

          Preaching )

 

C) Purpose of both is for edification / exhortation (stir up ) & comfort !

 

Tongues - speak in an unknown language / Acts 2 Praise & Worship

V.2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God,/ Problem no understanding for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

 

So the goal is edification & Paul says and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy  because he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.4  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

 

Prophesy edifies the church - tongues self !

V.5  I wish you all spoke with tongues,( great for you )  but even more that you prophesied;( great for the church )  for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

 

Now when there is someone there whom the H.S. equips to interpret / then the whole body is edified as we are reminded at how awesome the Lord is !

A) So we start to get the idea that  understanding is important to the Lord - He wants us to know his heart & how He functions !

 

B) V.6-25 Paul begins to illustrate the importance of  understanding in edification V.6-12   read

 

C) Here Paul uses 3 simple Ill. To make  his pt. That there needs to be understanding  if there is to be edifying spiritual ministry !

1)  Musical instruments / trumpet calls to battle / & daily conversation !

 

D) If the Musical instrument does not give a clear distinct sound nobody will recognize the music being played ( what is that )

1)  Trumpet in battle - not clear charge or retreat !

 

E) Many Languages in world / but if I can not understand who cares it is no use to me !    ( Interpreters in Yugo / Hungary )

 

Tongues is great but if there is no one who can interpret it is like being in a foreign country !  ( Very frustrating )

v.12  Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

 

 

V.  13 Therefore   For this reason / the importance of understanding . … 13 -22

A) Understanding is a key for the prophet of all so if speak in tongues / pray that you can interpret / or better yet just Prophesy !

 

B) Tongues a sign to an unbeliever how?     2 ways  

1st Pentecost - heard & marveled how speak in our lang. ?

Courson at Bible school !

 

2nd    With interpretation /   How know my Lang. ?

 

Prophesy is for those who believe !  

A) H.S. doesn’t seek to build up the unbeliever /  or encourage the unbeliever or comfort the unbeliever

1)  Convict -  Satan seeks to build up comfort / encourage the unbeliever to stay in His sin!

 

 

V.  23 - 40 Paul begins to focus on the 2nd key principle for edification that of order ! V. 23-25

A) All speaking in tongues crazy !   Circus !

 

B) Convicted & judged by Prophecy - why  ?   Remember prophesy is speaking forth the word of God - Word is powerful / sharper……….

1)  Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the word!

 

C) Blown away & convicted not by the Chaos ( God is not the author of confusion !    But by the word!

 

V.26-28  Specific Guidelines

A) V.26 edification

 

B) v. 27 Each in turn

 

C) V.28 keep silent = control

 

 

 

 

V. 29-32   Prophesy

A) Judge = Prove  how?   By using the word! 

 

B) v.30   Love -  preferring the other person

 

C) v.32  Prophets have control

 

 

V.33 

 

 

 

 

V.34-36

 

 

 

V.37-40