Transcript Slide 1

1 Cor 14:1-9
• Daniel Webster: “If we work on marble it will perish.
If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear
temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on
men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high
principles, with just fear of God and love of their
fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something
which time cannot efface, and which will brighten
and brighten to all eternity.”
• The work of teaching Scripture is so important.
• The work of teaching Scripture is so important.
– Those who teach touch eternity.
• The work of teaching Scripture is so important.
– Those who teach touch eternity.
– Dennis Jones: “Fellas, we are changing the population of
heaven!”
• The work of teaching Scripture is so important.
– Those who teach touch eternity.
– Dennis Jones: “Fellas, we are changing the population of
heaven!”
– In whatever way we teach, we are changing the population
of heaven.
• First century worship allowed more individuals to
speak.
• First century worship allowed more individuals to
speak.
– “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation” (1 Cor 14:26,
ESV).
• First century worship allowed more individuals to
speak.
– “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation” (1 Cor 14:26,
ESV).
– The context of miraculous gifts necessitates that we see
each of these teaching tools as miraculous.
• Problems in the way the Corinthians exercised their
gifts.
• Problems in the way the Corinthians exercised their
gifts.
– Some were bragging about the “superior” gifts God had
given them.
• Problems in the way the Corinthians exercised their
gifts.
– Some were bragging about the “superior” gifts God had
given them.
– Many were speaking at once.
• Problems in the way the Corinthians exercised their
gifts.
– Some were bragging about the “superior” gifts God had
given them.
– Many were speaking at once.
• “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and
each in turn, and let someone interpret” (14:27, ESV).
• Problems in the way the Corinthians exercised their
gifts.
– Some were bragging about the “superior” gifts God had
given them.
– Many were speaking at once.
• “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and
each in turn, and let someone interpret” (14:27, ESV).
• “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is
said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be
silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn
and all be encouraged” (14:29-31, ESV).
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• Love isn’t going to boast that my gift is better than your gift.
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• Love isn’t going to boast that my gift is better than your gift.
• Love isn’t going to cause me to feel that I need to speak over you to
make sure I get “air” time.
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• Love isn’t going to boast that my gift is better than your gift.
• Love isn’t going to cause me to feel that I need to speak over you to
make sure I get “air” time.
– Paul, in our passage, writes about the purpose of tongues &
prophecy.
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• Love isn’t going to boast that my gift is better than your gift.
• Love isn’t going to cause me to feel that I need to speak over you to
make sure I get “air” time.
– Paul, in our passage, writes about the purpose of tongues &
prophecy.
• The purpose of prophecy is instruction.
• To combat these two extremes:
– Paul has written of the superiority of love.
• Love isn’t going to boast that my gift is better than your gift.
• Love isn’t going to cause me to feel that I need to speak over you to
make sure I get “air” time.
– Paul, in our passage, writes about the purpose of tongues &
prophecy.
• The purpose of prophecy is instruction.
• This morning, we want to think about the “Master Teacher.”
WE ALL TEACH IN ONE WAY
OR ANOTHER!
Vv 1-5
CONSTRUCT
• “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,
especially that you may prophesy. 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. On the other hand, the one who prophesies
speaks to people for their upbuilding and
encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks
in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who
• “prophesies builds up the church. 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” (vv 1-5, ESV).
• “Earnestly desire” (ESV) or “desire” (KJV) is the
term from which we get the English “zeal.”
• “Earnestly desire” (ESV) or “desire” (KJV) is the
term from which we get the English “zeal.”
• The idea of “zeal” is closely tied up in this word—it
means to want something really, really, really badly.
WHY WOULD PAUL TELL
THESE BRETHREN TO DESIRE
EARNESTLY THESE GIFTS?
• It all has to do with the PURPOSE of these gifts.
• It all has to do with the PURPOSE of these gifts.
“The one who prophesies speaks to people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (v
3).
• It all has to do with the PURPOSE of these gifts.
“The one who prophesies speaks to people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (v
3).
• These gifts were given for the benefit of the body of
Christ, not individual Christians.
HOW DO WE USE THE GIFTS
WE’VE BEEN GIVEN?
GOD EXPECTS US TO USE
OUR GIFTS FOR HIS
PURPOSE, NOT OUR OWN!
• “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much
will be required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Lk
12:48, ESV).
• “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much
will be required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Lk
12:48, ESV).
• Parable of the Talents.
• “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much
will be required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Lk
12:48, ESV).
• Parable of the Talents.
– When the landowner returned home, he called his servants
before him to give an account.
• “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much
will be required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Lk
12:48, ESV).
• Parable of the Talents.
– When the landowner returned home, he called his servants
before him to give an account.
– The servants presented the talents to their master.
• “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much
will be required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Lk
12:48, ESV).
• Parable of the Talents.
– When the landowner returned home, he called his servants
before him to give an account.
– The servants presented the talents to their master—The
talents didn’t belong to the servants to do with as they
pleased, but they were to be used for the benefit of the
master.
DO WE USE OUR TALENTS
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
BODY OF CHRIST?
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Upbuilding” literally means “construction.”
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Upbuilding” literally means “construction.”
• Often used of the act of construction & more frequently of the
finished product (i.e., a building).
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Upbuilding” literally means “construction.”
• Often used of the act of construction & more frequently of the
finished product (i.e., a building).
• Figuratively, the term refers to building people toward maturity.
• Helping people reach maturity is so important.
• Helping people reach maturity is so important.
– “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12,
ESV).
• Helping people reach maturity is so important.
– “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12,
ESV).
• Apostles & prophets were to help the infant church reach maturity.
• Helping people reach maturity is so important.
– “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12,
ESV).
• Apostles & prophets were to help the infant church reach maturity.
• Evangelists & teaching-shepherds (same office) help Christians of
any age reach maturity.
• Helping people reach maturity is so important.
– “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12,
ESV).
• Apostles & prophets were to help the infant church reach maturity.
• Evangelists & teaching-shepherds (same office) help Christians of
any age reach maturity.
– As we teach, we are helping people reach maturity.
DO WE REGULARLY HELP
PEOPLE REACH MATURITY?
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Encouragement” (ESV) could also be rendered
“exhortation” (KJV).
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Encouragement” (ESV) could also be rendered
“exhortation” (KJV).
• Applied to a person, the term refers to a mediator, an intercessor,
and occasionally an attorney.
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Encouragement” (ESV) could also be rendered
“exhortation” (KJV).
• Applied to a person, the term refers to a mediator, an intercessor,
and occasionally an attorney.
• The concept is aid, assistance, or help.
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Encouragement” (ESV) could also be rendered
“exhortation” (KJV).
• Applied to a person, the term refers to a mediator, an intercessor,
and occasionally an attorney.
• The concept is aid, assistance, or help. Prophecy was to help the
hearers as they sought to please God.
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
– The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to go back to
Judaism.
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
– The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to go back to
Judaism.
– The Spirit guided the author to help them as they sought to
do what’s right.
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
– The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to go back to
Judaism.
– The Spirit guided the author to help them as they sought to
do what’s right.
• Hebrews was to help these Christians remain faithful rather than
fall away.
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
– The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to go back to
Judaism.
– The Spirit guided the author to help them as they sought to
do what’s right.
• Hebrews was to help these Christians remain faithful rather than
fall away.
• The author is encouraging these Christians to do what’s right.
• “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly” (Heb
13:22, ESV).
– The Hebrew Christians were being tempted to go back to
Judaism.
– The Spirit guided the author to help them as they sought to
do what’s right.
• Hebrews was to help these Christians remain faithful rather than
fall away.
• The author is encouraging these Christians to do what’s right.
• As we teach, we encourage people to do what’s right.
ARE WE ENCOURAGING
OTHERS TO DO WHAT’S
RIGHT?
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Consolation” (ESV) or “comfort” (KJV) refers to
“encouragement.”
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Consolation” (ESV) or “comfort” (KJV) refers to
“encouragement.”
– The idea in this word is to provide solace or comfort.
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Consolation” (ESV) or “comfort” (KJV) refers to
“encouragement.”
– The idea in this word is to provide solace or comfort.
• The verb occurs twice in Jn 11.
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Consolation” (ESV) or “comfort” (KJV) refers to
“encouragement.”
– The idea in this word is to provide solace or comfort.
• The verb occurs twice in Jn 11.
• “Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them
concerning their brother” (Jn 11:19, ESV).
• The one who prophecies speaks to the people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and consolation, v. 3.
– “Consolation” (ESV) or “comfort” (KJV) refers to
“encouragement.”
– The idea in this word is to provide solace or comfort.
• The verb occurs twice in Jn 11.
• “Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them
concerning their brother” (Jn 11:19, ESV).
– The idea is helping someone with his/her grief.
ARE THERE NOT MANY
TIMES WE SEEK GOD’S
WORDS FOR COMFORT?
ARE WE COMFORTING THE
HURTING WITH SCRIPTURE?
Vv 6-12
COMPREHEND
• “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? If
even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp,
do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know
what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct
sound, who will get ready for battle? 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. There are
• “doubtless many different languages in the world, and
none is without meaning, 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. So with
yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of
the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church”
(vv 6-12, ESV).
• For Paul, the whole issue about tongues in the
assembly centers around intelligibility.
• For Paul, the whole issue about tongues in the
assembly centers around intelligibility.
– Musical instruments must make distinguishable notes so
that the melody is understandable.
• For Paul, the whole issue about tongues in the
assembly centers around intelligibility.
– Musical instruments must make distinguishable notes so
that the melody is understandable.
– Bugles must give distinct notes so that soldiers can prepare
for battle.
• For Paul, the whole issue about tongues in the
assembly centers around intelligibility.
– Musical instruments must make distinguishable notes so
that the melody is understandable.
– Bugles must give distinct notes so that soldiers can prepare
for battle.
• If you cannot understand the language, you might as
well be in a foreign country.
WHAT’S THE POINT OF ALL
THIS?
People need to understand what we’re saying.
WHAT’S THE POINT OF ALL
THIS?
• “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the
mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man
boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in
this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the
LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and
righteousness in the earth” (Jer 9:23-24, ESV).
• “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the
mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man
boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in
this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the
LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and
righteousness in the earth” (Jer 9:23-24, ESV).
• If we do not speak understandably, how will people
ever come to know and understand the LORD?
• “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3,
ESV).
• “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3,
ESV).
• If people who hear us do not understand us, how will
they know the only true God, Jesus Christ, and have
eternal life?
• We must teach understandably!
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are.
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are. Jesus talked about water and then
moved to eternal life with the woman at the well.
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are. Jesus talked about water and then
moved to eternal life with the woman at the well.
– Speak in comprehensible terms.
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are. Jesus talked about water and then
moved to eternal life with the woman at the well.
– Speak in comprehensible terms. Jesus’ parables applied
eternal truths in comprehensible terms.
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are. Jesus talked about water and then
moved to eternal life with the woman at the well.
– Speak in comprehensible terms. Jesus’ parables applied
eternal truths in comprehensible terms.
• Young preacher: “And now, my friends, if you do not
believe these truths, there may be for you grave
eschatological consequences.”
• We must teach understandably!
– Start where people are. Jesus talked about water and then
moved to eternal life with the woman at the well.
– Speak in comprehensible terms. Jesus’ parables applied
eternal truths in comprehensible terms.
• Young preacher: “And now, my friends, if you do not
believe these truths, there may be for you grave
eschatological consequences.” Elder: “Did you mean
they’d be in danger of hell?”
LET US TEACH
UNDERSTANDABLY!
Vv 13-19
CLARIFY
• “Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray
for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue,
my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 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. 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? For you may be giving thanks well enough,
• “but the other person is not being build up. I thank
God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five
words with my mind in order to instruct others, than
ten thousand words in a tongue” (vv 13-19, ESV).
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
– “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is
unfruitful.”
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
– “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is
unfruitful.”
• Apparently, speaking in tongues often occurred in prayer.
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
– “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is
unfruitful.”
• Apparently, speaking in tongues often occurred in prayer.
• “One who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God” (v 2,
ESV).
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
– “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is
unfruitful.”
• Apparently, speaking in tongues often occurred in prayer.
• “One who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God” (v 2,
ESV).
– God deserves worship!
• The one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the
power to interpret.
– Not just for building up others.
– “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is
unfruitful.”
• Apparently, speaking in tongues often occurred in prayer.
• “One who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God” (v 2,
ESV).
– “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and
honor and power, for you created all things, and by your
will they existed and were created” (Rv 4:11, ESV).
• The worshiper seems to have had no idea what he
was saying; the mind was unfruitful.
• The worshiper seems to have had no idea what he
was saying; the mind was unfruitful.
– “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied
about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired
carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ
in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of
Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them
that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things
that have now been announced to you through those who
preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Pt 1:1012, ESV).
WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?
Pray for the power to interpret.
WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?
Pray for the power to interpret. Why?
WHAT SHOULD ONE 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” (v 15, ESV).
• “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” (v 15, ESV).
• The mind needs to be involved!
• “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” (v 15, ESV).
• The mind needs to be involved!
• Gr term for “mind” means what the English does.
• “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” (v 15, ESV).
• The mind needs to be involved!
• Gr term for “mind” means what the English does.
– The term refers to the center of thinking/cognition.
• “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” (v 15, ESV).
• The mind needs to be involved!
• Gr term for “mind” means what the English does.
– The term refers to the center of thinking/cognition.
– “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk
24:45, ESV).
• “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” (v 15, ESV).
• The mind needs to be involved!
• Gr term for “mind” means what the English does.
– The term refers to the center of thinking/cognition.
– “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk
24:45, ESV).
– Praying or singing with our mind means that understand
what we sing or pray.
DO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT
WE SAY & DO DURING
WORSHIP?
DO YOU NEED TO ENGAGE
YOUR MIND IN OBEDIENCE?