1 Corinthians 14- 03.24.22
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 14:1, 3 NIV
“Follow the WAY of LOVE and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy…the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”
OBSERVATION:
Paul is reminding the Corinthian church of some basic fundamental principles that ought to govern the public worship services. Apparently there was a tendency for some of the Corinthians to “lose control” of themselves as they exercised their gifts. Paul had to remind them of the fundamental principles: strengthening, encouragement, and comfort——ALL delivered Through Love AND in an orderly manner. And to remember that these gifts were meant to build up their fellow believers. So, they were to be careful they were not looking to emphasize their own personal edification-building themselves up as it were-to the detriment of their fellow believers. Paul basically explains since we are ALL part of the same body-what hurts one hurts the WHOLE body. (12:21)
UNDERSTANDING:
The Church at Corinth was a little over Zealous with their spiritual gifting. Paul had NO desire to discourage them, but wanted to give them a framework and clear guidance for understanding so they could use these gifts to Reach the Highest Goal…Pointing Others To Jesus in Love.
Paul also explains about the advantage of Prophecy over Tongues, stating BOTH are important gifts of the Spirit. However, goes on to say, “anyone who speaks in tongues edifies themselves” (vs 4a) but the One who prophesies edifies the church (vs 4b). Paul values the gift of tongues in his own life and wishes it for every believer (vs 18). Paul explains the value of the gift of prophecy for the church:
Edification- Strengthening. a construction term, and speaks of our being ‘built up’ In The Lord. A Prophetic Word will STRENGTHEN someone.
Exhortation- Encouragement. Like a speech from the coach in the locker room Before The Big Game. A Prophetic Word will ENCOURAGE someone.
Comfort- Consoling Comfort. This comfort doesn’t just cry with someone hurting, it puts its arms around them and helps to carry the load. A Prophetic Word will COMFORT someone.
LIFE APPLICATION:
LOVE Others and Eagerly DESIRE spiritual Gifts….especially….prophetic gifting
Lord Jesus,
Your Word says to Follow the WAY of LOVE. To Love God with all my heart, soul and mind and to love others as I love myself. Sow Your Love for others deep and deeper into my heart so that I am burning to share it with others. I eagerly DESIRE the spiritual gifts and especially prophecy SO I may be used as a Witness for You and a servant to edify Your church for Your glory in all things. In Jesus Name I pray.
Tina Kudelka
1 Corinthians 15-3.23.22
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, Paul is proving Christ’s resurrection to those who are denying it at the church in Corinth. In addition to proving Christ’s resurrection, He is also encouraging the church that this is why they must stand firm in the work of the Lord. The resurrection was real!
Understanding-What does it mean?
Christ's resurrection was real and important!
Without the resurrection, our Christian faith is in vain. Basically, it is empty, worthless, fruitless and ineffective. (2)
“Christ's resurrection rests on the evidence of many eye-witnesses, including Paul himself, and is the great fact preached as the groundwork of the Gospel: they who deny the resurrection in general, must deny that of Christ, and the consequence of the latter will be, that Christian preaching and faith are vain.” (1)
Life Application
We should not only live a saved life, but a transformed life! Because of Christ’s resurrection from the grave, we have hope and purpose!
It wasn’t enough for Jesus to die for our sins. He resurrected to show that He conquered death so that we could conquer sin and death also!
I love the picture of baptism. It’s a symbol of death to the old and resurrection to the new! Our labor in the Lord is not in vain because Christ paid a price to allow us to have relationship with Him, and then resurrected so that we could live a new life of honor and service to Him alone.
Thank You Jesus that you didn’t give me what I deserved. All I deserve is hell, but You love me too much for that. Thank You for new life in You because of Your resurrection. Thank You that I am able to serve You and live out my calling because of what You alone did for me....for us. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Sources: (1) biblestudytools.com, (2) New Oxford American Dictionary
1 Corinthians 14-3.22.22
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 14:26 "...When you come together, each of you has a hymn or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up."
OBSERVATION:
Paul earnestly advised the church to worship the Lord by following the way of love and by eagerly desiring the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy.
UNDERSTANDING:
When we come together to worship the Lord, how important it is that we come prepared, with our hearts filled and ready to be poured out! God uses us, and He has given us all spiritual gifts to be used to encourage and build one another up in the Lord. There are different kinds of gifts, different kinds of service, and different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
LIFE APPLICATION:
As Christ-followers, we've ALL been called to be contributors! Paul emphasized the importance of eagerly desiring the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy because the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
I pray as we grow in our faith that we will take the steps of being prepared and filled up, so that we will be ready and available to eagerly use the gifts that God has given us in order to strengthen and build up the body of believers as a springboard for serving others.
-Robin Orefice