The
God of Order & Peace
Biblical Theology is critical for those of us who live in the World but are not of The World! It is the foundation of our identity: disciples of Christ who actively seek spiritual maturity. The scriptures are there to show us we need to mature and to tell us how that happens.
This
letter Paul wrote, as dictated by God, points out our ways and
reveals God’s ways. This Scripture tells us how to be (Identity)
based on who God is: God of Order & Peace
Spiritual
Maturity is about living from a place where the basis of your life
honors God. Who you are, what sets your priorities, what motivates
choices… God’s ways or yours?
In
this passage, Paul ends his instructions on Spiritual Gifts, Love &
Others Focus with a call to Spiritual Maturity!
Spiritual maturity is when we live from a place of putting God and others 1st in Love. When we do this we will see order & peace: SHALOM!
This passage begins with, repeats in the middle, and ends with ‘Dear Brothers and Sisters’
1st
Corinthians 14:20-40
Dear
brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of
these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be
mature in understanding matters of this kind.
- What
are these things? Spiritual Maturity measured by wisdom, unity and
love
- Maturity
in understanding takes time, humility, teachability, activity and
passion
- Matters
of this kind are the areas God addresses in this letter:
- Wisdom
/ Servanthood / Relationships / Idolatry / Body Life / Love /
Spiritual Gifts
It
is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people
through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But
even then, they will not listen to me,” says the Lord.
- This
is a warning against missing God’s Voice by being proud &
unteachable
- The
call to maturity in Christian Discipleship is not about shows of
‘Spirituality’
So you see
that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for
unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not
unbelievers. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand
these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking
in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.
- In
The Gospels & Acts: The speaking of ‘Unknown Languages’ is to
unbelievers
- Believers
can trust and apply true prophecy (it always matches up with
Scripture)
- Paul
had been given reports about the Corinthians church services
- A
lake of order is resulting for a lack of love and an abundance of
‘Spiritual Pride’
But if all
of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t
understand these things come into your meeting, they will be
convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their
secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees
and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”
- The
Spiritual Gift of Prophecy: People speaking as directed by God’s
Spirit
- It
has supernatural ‘Spiritual Power’, and God uses it for HIS glory
- As
they listen…Only God brings conviction of sin, only God can expose
thoughts
Well,
my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together,
one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special
revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will
interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen
all of you.
- The
summary: everyone playing a role in an orderly way results in SHALOM
- We
give ourselves over to Christ for the good of HIS Body, we’re all
strengthened
- Order
& Peace are sources of strength to the Body of Christ
No more than
two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time,
and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present
who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and
speak in tongues to God privately.
- The
need for balance in worship, the Corinthians were overemphasizing
tongues
- If
God wants a ‘Tongue’ to be understood, HE will provide translation
- If
not, it is not meant for the church body (God makes that choice)
- This
is a reference to the Spiritual Gift of Unknown Languages in private
prayer
Let two or
three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. But
if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation
from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all
who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that
everyone will learn and be encouraged.
- The
others who evaluate it are Elders (Men) responsible for Theology &
Doctrine
- Mature
Christians defer to others & don’t seek’Their’ word, but God’s
Word
- Again
the goal is that ‘Everyone’ is blessed: Community Worship = Body
Edified
- If
these messages are coming supernaturally from God they will happen
in order
- If
of God it will be done in and result in peace: SHALOM
Remember
that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take
turns. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the
meetings of God’s holy people.
- Paul
is describing those who are being guided by God and so they act like
Him
- They
are part of God’s order…disorder and striving are not of The Lord
- A
true Prophet of God is never wrong (O.T. Standard, wrong once: put
to death)
- Counterfeiting
Spiritual Gifts is ‘Dangerous Business’…
Women should
be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to
speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have
any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is
improper for women to speak in church meetings.
- These
two verses must be understood & applied in context of the
previous text
- The
silence of women is regarding the evaluation of Prophetic Offerings
- Twice
previously in this letter God has declared ‘Spirit Gifts’ are for
men & women
- This
is referencing mature, married women, submitted to husbands headship
- This
encourages couples to engage & learn about theology &
doctrine together
- In
that place: Men & Women sat separate, so asking in church caused
disruption
- The
order of the meeting honors God: The God of Order & Peace
Or do you
think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only
ones to whom it was given? If you claim to be a prophet or think you
are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a
command from the Lord himself. But if you do not recognize this, you
yourself will not be recognized.
- The
Corinthians were doing things ‘Their’ way instead of the ‘Apostolic’
way
- The
true Gospel of Jesus Christ is consistent with O.T. Revelation (same
God)
- God
has always been about Order & Peace
- The
Word of God was O.T. Scriptures, the Teaching of Christ and His
Disciples
- There
must have been false claims of Prophecy born of ‘Trying to be
Spiritual’
- Paul
knew that He was Writing with God’s direct authority! Whoa!
- If
they were unable to see God was guiding Paul, God was not guiding
them.
So, my dear
brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid
speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and
in order.
-
These are complex
issues, so to approach them ‘Biblically’ we must BE ‘Family’
-
In order to BE
mature we have to think, act and love as God does: order & peace
-
The use of
spiritual gifts like Prophesy can be messy; work it out, don’t ban
them
-
Gift use MUST
line up with an accurate reading and application of Scripture
- BE
SURE: We cannot honor God & represent Christ if we don’t do
things HIS way
Application
Questions:
In
what areas of Your Discipleship do you see a need for more mature
understanding?
How
can we make Midtown a place where unbelievers can clearly understand
Christ?
How
does 1st Cor. 13 influence your understanding and
application of 1st Cor. 14?
What
is your experience with gifts of Prophecy & Tongues? Was their
practice Biblical?