May 17, 2015
Evening Service

Paul is in the middle of explaining the spiritual gifts to the church at Corinth and clearly states the purpose they are given is for the profit of all (I Cor. 12:7).  In chapter 13 he detours slightly and touches on the importance of love.  It must be the basis for everything we do (I Cor. 13:1-3).   He ends chapter 13 with this thought:

1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope and love these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

 As we begin chapter 14, Paul continues to expound upon the gifts, having clearly made the point that all gifts are to be used in love.

1Co 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

·         To prophesy can mean to foretell the future, but in this case it means to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to exhort (encourage and build up).

·         Paul places emphasis upon the teaching, explaining, and instructing the scriptures to other believers.  He feels it is of great importance that we as followers of Christ must know and understand our scriptures we have been given.

·         How many times have you been encouraged from this pulpit to read and study your Bible for yourselves?  We meet three times weekly putting great emphasis on God’s Word, but that is not enough. One who prophesies, or preaches, must also point his listeners to read for themselves that what he is saying lines up with the Word of God.  Look what Luke wrote in the Book of Acts about the people of Berea:

 

Act 17:10-12 And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. They, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  (11)  And these were more fair-minded than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so. (12) Therefore many of them believed, and quite a few of honorable Greek women and men.

·         As Paul prophesied (preached) the people of Berea studied the scripture to verify what he had said lined up with the scriptures.  They found it to be true and the result was that many believed.

·         A “false” prophet makes future predictions that do not come to pass.  A “false” preacher teaches doctrine of man that does not line up with the scripture we have been given (our Bible).

·         It was in the darkest time of the church (the Dark Ages) that this proved to be a tremendous stumbling block.  Believers were not freely given access to the scriptures and only heard what the church leadership wanted them to hear.  They were persuaded falsly to do many terrible things in the “Name of Christ,” not knowing they far outside of God’s will.

·         Jesus warned us of these false prophets in Matt. 24:24

Mat 24:24 For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect.

·         These signs will be so great that if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived.  Do you see the importance of knowing your Bible?  It goes along with the gift of prophesy that will encourage you to know and apply scripture to your life.  Our Bible is the only offensive weapon we have to fight our enemy (sword of the Spirit.)

·         When confronted by Satan, Jesus rebuked him by quoting scripture; we need to be able to do the same when tempted as well.

·         We recently finished Paul’s letters to Timothy and in the second one he warned Timothy (and us) of imposters that would come to deceive us and gave the solution to overcome them.

 

2Ti 3:13-17 But evil men and seducers will go forward to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  (14)  But continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, (15) and that from a babe you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

·         The solution is to “continue in the things you have learned.”  We are to continue to study our scripture, striving to walk within them, thus building our faith because of verse 16 for the result of verse 17.  (Romans 10:17)

·         Paul wrote these letters to Timothy and all other potential prophets (preachers) as a commandment for them (us) to follow.  In chapter four he charges Timothy:

 2Ti 4:2-4  Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.  (3)  For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear.  (4)  And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.

·         Paul’s emphases on the gift of prophesy seems to make perfect sense now.   It is by the using of that gift for the “profit of all” or the edification of the church that we are equipped to battle those who do not teach “sound doctrine.”

·         Back in I Cor. 14 he explains further the importance of prophesy compare to the gift of unknown tongues or languages.

 

1Co 14:2-4 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.  (3)  But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  (4)  The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up, but he prophesying edifies the church. 

·         As we put love as our primary purpose first, it is obvious why Paul would rather us prophesy (preach) than speak in unknown tongues.  The whole church is edified, exhorted, and comforted.  We are pointed to the scriptures to strengthen our faith and encourage us to keep growing in our walk with the Lord.

 

Lord, grant us the desire to tell others of Your goodness and stay true to Your Word.