1 cor 14:1-9. daniel webster: “if we work on marble it will perish. if we work on brass, time will...

1 Cor 14:1-91 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!

CONSTRUCT

Vv 1-5Vv 1-5

• “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?

COMPREHEND

Vv 6-12Vv 6-12

• “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?

WHAT’S THE POINT OF ALL THIS?

People need to understand what we’re saying.People need to understand what we’re saying.

• “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!

CLARIFY

Vv 13-19Vv 13-19

• “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 1:10-12, ESV).

WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?

WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?

Pray for the power to interpret.Pray for the power to interpret.

WHAT SHOULD ONE DO?

Pray for the power to interpret. Why?Pray for the power to interpret. Why?

• “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?