May 19, 2024
Evening Service

Review:

·      I Corinthians 12 is known as one of the “Gift Chapter” along with Romans 12 which Paul explains the many gifts God has made available to His Church. Read I Cor. 12:27-31

·      That led into Chapter 13 which is the “Love Chapter” as Paul defines love and shows very clearly what it looks like in practice. Read 13:13

·      Remember the reason why Paul wrote this letter.  He was writing to show the church there the things they were doing wrong and how to make it clear how to do correct them.

·      The 14^th chapter deals with bringing order to the church service.  With all the gifts in place and everyone eager to use them, the service had apparently become quite chaotic and needed order.

·      Paul begins with speaking of the gift of prophecy here which is not referring to foretelling the future, but actual preaching the word.  This was teaching that explained, encouraged and comforted the entire church through God’s Word.

 1Co 14:1-6 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.  (2)  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.  (3)  But 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.  (5)  I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.  (6)  But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

            Tongues here is speaking in an unknown language and was used on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) so everyone there, though they spoke different languages could understand what was being said.  Often when the one in tongues speaks, he does not even know what is said but an interpreter was needed to share the message.  There are fellowships today who, I believe, mistakenly tie speaking in tongues as evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.  This was not taught anywhere until sometime in the early 1900’s.  Tongues are a gift, but not as evidence (I Cor. 12 passage do all?).  Paul here begins the argument that though tongues is truly a gift, prophecy or preaching is a better one to pursue.  He continues”

 

1Co 14:7-12 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?  (8)  For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?  (9)  So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.  (10)  There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.  (11)  Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.  (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.

 

          He is explaining that the speaking in tongues without an interpreter is like playing an instrument without distinctive notes.  Without being able to understand what is said how can the church be edified or built up?  It is this edification that the gifts are given.  He now sets the church straight on this matter for the future.

 

1Co 14:13-19 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.  (14)  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.  (15)  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.  (16)  Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?  (17)  For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.  (18)  I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; (19) yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

            If one speaks in a tongue and does not understand without an interpreter it is unfruitful to all.  The purpose of the gifts again is to build up the church.  So Paul commands that if you have the gift of tongues, pray to be able to interpret.  He then commands us to pray with the spirit, but also with understanding.  He tells us to sing with the spirit and with understanding.  How can we be blessed the words of a song if we do not understand them?  The music is wonderful but the true meaning of the song comes from the words.  For all to be edified is the goal and Paul sums it up well in verse 19 (reread).  He now goes to the next level of thought.

 

1Co 14:20-25 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.  (21)  In the law it is written: "WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES AND OTHER LIPS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE; AND YET, FOR ALL THAT, THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME," says the Lord.  (22)  Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.  (23)  Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?  (24)  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.  (25)  And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

            For the unbeliever to come into a service in which tongues are used, it seems like they “are out of their mind.”  It sounds chaotic and brings no results other than confusion.  Clear preaching of the Word “convinces and convicts” unbelievers brings them to come to a point of decision as we discussed this morning with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus revealed her state of sinfulness and a need for a Savior.  In Isiah 1:18, the Lord says “Come let us reason together though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow.”  Reasoning is words of understanding.  We should decide to follow Jesus with our heart and mind not out of fear.  Paul continues his commands for the church service.

 

1Co 14:26-33 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.  (27)  If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.  (28)  But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

 (29)  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.  (30)  But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.  (31)  For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  (32)  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  (33)  For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

          I can remember being in some Bible studies where we discussed the gift of tongues and it almost always led to confusion or strong disagreement.  Paul sets it very straight for us here.  If someone speaks in tongues there must be an interpreter, if not stay quiet.  Let there be only two or three and no more.  He then tells us to have two or three preacher speak one at a time so all can understand.  Just as Paul emphasized in Chapter 11 that the communion service was to be done in a “worthy manner” so should the rest of the service follow suit.

            Today, we have evolved into the routine of the service where we sing songs of praise, offer prayer requests, partake of the communion service and have one speaker bring a message.  Many times quality should win over on quantity.  If we had three speakers, would we be able to grasp enough of each one to be profitable?  Most people cannot do that.  Truthfully, if we extended the services today beyond our 1-1 1/2 hours many would complain that it is too long to keep their attention.  I believe we should try to expose our congregation to a few central points that they can take home with them and dig deeper.  If we are overwhelmed with information, many times we fail to process any of it.  The messages here are designed to wet our spiritual appetite that we many dine on that teaching throughout the week at home.  Paul now adds more to his commands.

 

1Co 14:34-40 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.  (35)  And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.  (36)  Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?  (37)  If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.  (38)  But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.  (39)  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.

            Paul here again reaffirms his teaching to Timothy that a “woman is not to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” (I Tim 2:14) Standing here in front of you speaking is a form of my showing authority over you.  That is what Paul is forbidding, women preaching or holding positions of authority within the church which would place them above men.  The women are commanded to be silent from that point of speaking.  However, to testify, make prayer requests, or even sing songs of praise it is important that women are given that opportunity in the service.   Especially in our Bible study format, like on Wednesday nights, ladies are free to contribute but not to lead the study if men are present.  Ladies are encouraged to lead other women and children in Bible studies.

            Paul makes a very powerful statement in verse 37, that we need to grasp on to (reread).  He is not writing his memoirs of what he thinks is appropriate, he speaks in the full authority of God given to him through his apostleship.  These are not good ideas or suggestions, but commands of the Lord.  A church allowing a woman to serve as a pastor is in direct disobedience to the commands of God.  This is a red flag to a true Bible believing follower of Jesus and should cause us to seek another place of worship.

            This chapter in particular is summed up in verse 40.  “Let all things be done decently and in order.”  Confusion or chaos is not to be part of a worship service.  There should be a reverence for the presence of the Lord and a humble willingness to obedience to His commands.