Intended Consequences (part 1)

Sermon Series: Not a Ghost Story

Sermon Title: Intended Consequences

Sermon Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; 14

 
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  1 Cor 13:8-10 (NIV)

Paul gives us specific information here that should help us fully understand the importance of the Holy Spirit in the work of the church.  Perfection is yet to come....

That's right, the Holy Spirit is needed until Jesus returns for His church.  God's intention is to be involved with every aspect of church life and to make His power available to the church through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

If God intends for the church to operate in the Spirit, then how should the church properly use the gifts of the Spirit?

- God intends for the church to operate in the Spirit eagerly

- God intends for the church to operate in the Spirit for edification

- God intends for the church to operate in the Spirit orderly

I. God intends for the church to operate in the Spirit eagerly.

1 Cor 14:1-5 (NIV)

- What is so special about prophecy?  It is God's spoken Word through us to the church.  Prophecy can be about future events or how to handle current events or situations.  Prophecy gives direction and comfort.  Prophecy strengthens and encourages.  Prophecy is for the church as a whole while tongues is for the person who speaks – unless someone interprets!

- Speaking in tongues is a beautiful gift and is also used as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The gift is one person's response to God and speaks to God.  The only one who understands is God (though the Spirit reveals to the speaker what is being said).  It is a mystery to others even though it sounds wonderful.

- I find that the closer I get to God in prayer or in worship the more I want to speak in tongues because His presence is so overwhelming.  I find comfort in the gift of the Spirit as I speak to God.  Tongues is almost like a barometer for me.  It reveals my spiritual connection with God.

- The problem during the time of Paul, not unlike today, is that the church members were seeking the tongues more than any other gift.  The church was choke holding the benefits of the gifts and slowing down its ability to minister to one another and to the world.  Tongues were great but Paul says prophecy is even better.  Why?

- Paul was trying to get the church to realize the full benefit of the church's gifts when all the gifts are used.  The church becomes less effective when it spends all its energy on a gift that only benefits one person.

- Notice that Paul is not belittling or ending the practice of speaking in tongues.  He is trying to promote the full work of the church in ministering to the people.  Tongues is only one part of a greater good.  As much as Paul wants all to speak in tongues, prophecy benefits the ministry of the church overall, again, unless someone interprets the tongue (at times even the one who speaks in tongues unless they do not have the gift of interpretation).

- I have been to so many events where tongues seemed to be the prerequisite.  They were fantastic events such as prayer conferences but it seemed to me that the events were a who's who of tongue speaking.  Don't get me wrong; I am not belittling or ignoring the work of God through tongues.  I am only suggesting that the meetings were boxing in the fullness that God wanted to share because it was only concentrating on one spiritual gift.

- The church must become fully aware of all the gifts that God places within it if the church is to operate fully in the work of the Spirit.  Tongues and interpretation, prophecy, healing, administration, knowledge, faith....all the gifts are for the fullness of the work of God in and through the church body.

- Therefore, we should eagerly seek to know the appropriate gift the Spirit has given us or we as a church fail to reach the full potential of God's work, and we as individuals squash the opportunity to fully grow in Christ.