Others Focused Spirituality

Remember the phrase: It is better to give than to receive? Don’t hear that as much as you used to.

The dominant culture today is: ‘It’s about me and what I can get’ We are socialized, taught to be self serving in many ways, it becomes 2^nd nature

This letter to the Corinthians constantly has a different message: Live for others The constant theme of focus on others, is a hallmark of the New Testament Scriptures.

Last week the passage defined love by God’s standards and how we are to love others. This passage is a straight forward addressing of a problem, that GOD ‘Inscripturated’. He wanted this to be something we heard about directly from Him (thru Paul)

We do not have a culture of this sort of thing @ Midtown, but we should be on the look out for it

Today we hear from God’s word the importance of staying in that mode of love for others as we develop and use spiritual gifts in the community and for the good of the body

1^st Corinthians14:1-19

Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you.

• We heard last week that in God’s Kingdom, Love is # 1!
• Once you have the love part, Spiritual Gifts will be a blessing to OTHERS
• Prophesy being ranked above speaking in unknown languages

You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

• There is a place for Spiritual Self Strengthening, but it is secondary to others
• Speaking from God’s viewpoint, by His Spirit, blesses others.
• As a disciple of Christ, which is more valuable?

I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

• God pairs ‘True Tongues’ with the gift of interpretation
• Then it has the effect God desires: strengthening the whole church!
• It is always about the good of the body BECAUSE THAT gives God the most glory!

Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.

• At this point Paul recognizing his role is all about helping others know Christ

Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

• If we are using gifts God gives us ‘With Love’ we will hit the right note
• It’s about working together as a Body / Band / Army

There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

• Importance of understanding ‘Tongues’ are ‘Languages’ not ‘Ecstatic Speech’…
• Don’t create divisions with ANY use of Spiritual Gifts…
• ‘Tongues’ get you a lot of attention…creates comparison…
• Unhealthy Culture of ‘Spiritual Attention & Accolades’ (not our bag @ Midtown)

So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

• There is such a thing as speaking in unknown languages: ‘Prayer in The Spirit’
• Cultivating depth of prayer with God by His Spirit is desirable
• There is a place and purpose for such things

For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.

• This implies that the best is when we praise God together
• God is driving home the importance of ‘Unity’ in HIS Body
• That ‘Unity’ must be intentionally strengthened by each of us serving in LOVE

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

• When we gather it is all about OTHERS!
• Being Christ’s Body is aways meant to be about others
• Easier said than done…and that is the point of active, continual Discipleship
• This is setting a pattern for what church services do: they help people!

Application Questions:

What is your WHY for Love being your highest Goal?

How can you avoid ‘showing off’ your spirituality and instead strengthening the ‘Body’?

What would regularly developing your Spiritual Gifts in a love centered way look like?

What things can you do consistently when we gather as a Body to help others?

Harmony & Care For Each Other As Christ’s Body

This message is so key for us, especially crucial as we build a Biblical culture here

God has placed each of us into a Body / Church

We are together to optimize the declaration of God’s Glory

The church is God’s plan A to bring about the redemption of all creation

So we learn to need how to be good stewards of that

1^st Cor. 12:12-31

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

• Different part may be from very different backgrounds
• The ‘Whole’ is more than just the sum of the parts, they make a new thing
• What makes us an ‘Attached’ and ‘Connected’ part of Christ’s Body is The Spirit
• The Holy Spirit indwells all believers the same, we have been ‘immersed’!

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body?

• You don’t have to be any part but the one God has made you to be
• All parts count, every member of the body is important and useful
• Being confused about the role you play is ok, as long as you don’t stay that way!

If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

• Some roles get more attention, but every role is needed at some point and time
• Learning to trust God is part of maturing, letting God have His way with you
• We are created to operate in harmony, God has put us together in His wisdom

How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

• As Jesus’ church we embrace our differences, but lay them down to be united
• We must realize our need for each other; and give as well as receive blessings
• The reality is that we need each other to grow to bless as much as possible

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care.

• God’s economy is opposite the rest of the world (first is last, last is first)
• When we look at each other through God’s eyes we see everyone’s value
• We are to live in consideration of those who need more care
• Everyone needs encouragement, some more than others

So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

• God’s formula for community is extra honor & care for those that need it
• It is harder to care for some people than others, but we do it for Christ’s sake!
• Harmony comes from everyone being interrelated and intertwined
• Real Deal ‘Doing Life’ together is hard and wonderful

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles,second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

• This goes for Midtown just like it does for the church at Corinth
• List of roles God gives to people (He has appointed them FOR the church)
• Apostles: Entrepreneurs for the Gospel / Moving the church forward
• Prophets: Speaking from a God given perspective into the church
• Teachers: Instruction in the Scriptures, the Gospel and Discipleship

Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

• Obviously not everyone can play every role
• We should all ask: What does the church need and how can I serve?
• Spiritual Gifts are important but they are not the end all be all of following Christ
• A way of life is what drives you and is entwined throughout everything you do

Application Questions:

What does it mean to you to be ‘Baptized into One Body by One Spirit’?

What part of the body are you? Are you trying to be a part you are not?

How can you show that you are good with the way God has arraigned OUR body?

What does it look like for you to live a life of interdependence with this church body?

What can you do to promote harmony and care for others in this church body?

Spiritual Gifts Helpful Hint: Discover YOUR gifts by doing stuff & see how God blesses!

The Vision of Midtown: John 13:34&35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

We get there by Intentional Discipleship / Biblical Theology / Active Participation

At the Center of it all and what motivates it all is The Cross of Christ

1^st Corinthians 11:17-34

But in the following instructions, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together. First, I hear that there are divisions among you when you meet as a church, and to some extent I believe it. But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!

• The purpose of church meetings: Glorifying God & building us to do more of that
• Necessary divisions of people in the church for Godly / Ordained reasons

When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk.

• The focus of the gathering is not on Christ but on themselves
• This is displayed in the behavior of self-indulgence
• There is a lack of unity and a lack of consideration for others

What? Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say? Do you want me to praise you? Well, I certainly will not praise you for this!

• If you want to be self focused you can do that at home, not in Jesus’ church
• There is a place to party and there is a place to Worship: an important difference
• We are to negatively reinforce ‘UnBiblical Behavior’ (Building Biblical Culture)

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

• Since Paul was not there Christ must have directly instructed him regarding this
• We are to intentionally experience ‘Remembrance’ of the ‘Ultimate Sacrifice’
• This experience should effect they way we treat each other; uniting us in love
• The problem the Corinthians were having was ‘Taking Christ for Granted’

In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

• The Cross was the ultimate fulfillment of all of God’s promises: New Covenant
• The power of the New Covenant (salvation in Christ) is based on Christ’s blood
• Blood is symbolic of the life force of any being: God’s ‘Life Force’ saves us!
• What is more powerful than the life force of the Creator of EVERTYTHING?
• This Observance / Sacrament celebrates salvation in Christ until His return
• Because what Communion represents is SO IMPORTANT we must do it properly

So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

• Sinning against Jesus’ Body: The Church / Jesus Blood: The Gospel
• The basic definitions of unworthy are: ‘Unrepentant’ / ‘Unsurrendered’
• We examine ourself to be sure we are not harboring such attitudes BEFORE
• This Worship (Communion) is to be entered into AFTER repentance & surrender

For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

• Taking Communion with an attitude that dishonors Jesus Church is dangerous
• Knowing the Truth and taking it for granted is ‘Not Healthy’

But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

• Self examination / transparency with God
• Embracing attitude of Repentance; asking God to show you how you have sinned
• If we honestly examine ourselves before God, He teaches us as His children
• Weak…Sick…Dead…condemned along with the world… SERIOUS BUSINESS

So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other. If you are really hungry, eat at home so you won’t bring judgment upon yourselves when you meet together. I’ll give you instructions about the other matters after I arrive.

• It is important that we are united and considerate of ‘This Body’
• Prioritize worship when we gather as ‘Christ’s Body’
• Focus on the ‘Good of The Body’ (going to church for others)
• Paul is going to come…for the good of others…

Application Questions:

What would be some examples of ‘Biblical’ divisions in a church?

How might we stay ‘Interested’ in the Lord’s Supper?

Why is it important we are careful to earnestly announce Christ’s death?

How might you take ownership of your discipleship during communion each week?

Limiting Your freedom For Christ’s Sake

Paul is our example of a Surrendered Servant, empowered by God’s Spirit to do whatever it takes to help propagate the Gospel and seriously training for the task!

Our unity is around Christ, our worship is for Christ only and our freedom is constrained for Christ’s sake…

1^st Corinthians 10:19-33

What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.

• Jesus said in Matthew 12:30: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
• If something does not glorify God it is against God
• We give demonic forces power when we participate in ‘worship’ of them

You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.

• Mixing other worship w/ the worship of Christ it is no longer worship of Christ
• There is NO spiritual neutrality

What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?

• God will execute HIS justice
• We act like we think we are stronger than he is.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

• The confusion between freedom TO obey and freedom TO disobey
• The exercise of your freedom to the detriment of others is not of Christ
• The way of Christ is to place our freedom under HIS control (surrendered life)
• The Way of Christ is to put other’s first

So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

• Sacrificing to demons has no direct effect unless you knowing participate
• God is sovereign over all

If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.

• We have to intentionally get out of our ‘Christian Bubble’
• Take a shot, accept the invitation, just be ready to stand for what you believe
• This is how we are in the World but not of it
• We must prepare for dealing with the offer to participate in worship of demons

At the end of chapter 9, Paul equates discipleship with ‘Training’ / ‘Preparing’

(But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.)

• Once you know about it you should abstain to ‘not cause a brother to stumble’
• Romans 12:19-21: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

• 1^st question: Why? For Christ Sake!
• 2^nd question: If there is no one else who will be hurt, totally!

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

• Are we willing to seek God’s glory whether we have full freedom or constrain it?
• We are called to be mindful of other, following the example of Christ

Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

• Become more self aware so that you don’t offend anyone if you can help it
• Thinking about others more than yourself…our Savior did it to show us how
• Philippians 2:3-5: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

Application Questions:

How does participation in ‘Un-Godly Things’ influence your relationship with Christ?

Does willing participation in demonic activities exclude you from Biblical salvation?

How might it be possible for something to be ‘Spiritually Neutral’?

What specific things to you think should constrain your freedom in Christ?

How much of your daily focus is on your needs verses the good of others?

What influences you and enables you to actually do things for the glory of Christ?

Training for What Matters Most

Paul is in the middle of addressing an attitude of church members who view and treat hired Clergy as people who have an obligation to ‘feed’ or ‘disciple’ them in the particular way they believe they should be fed and discipled….

God’s called Leaders / Clergy do not have any such obligation…They have an obligation to the Lord and to the Church Body.

The world evaluates their leaders from a consumeristic, self-focused point of view.  Are we not to be the opposite? The last is first, first is last goes for all of us!

God says thru Paul’s life: Here is how you do it.

God’s example: Paul’s others-focused life, to show the Corinthians & Us how it’s done.

Paul gives us an example of commitment, attitude, action and Motivation.

Last Week: 1 Corinthian 9:13-14

Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

1^st Corinthians 9:15-27

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.

• Paul is not interested in his career or his position in the leadership (politics)
• His integrity is his reward

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.

• He humbly admits it’s not about him…he didn’t choose it, it chose him…
• If supported his preaching the Gospel is is good if unsupported, better

What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

• The offer is made without creating an ‘Obligation’…it should elicit a ‘Response’
• No one will have the ability to manipulate him because he give to all the same

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

• Paul no longer sees himself as a Jew… He had to become like them
• ‘Walk a mile n a man’s moccasins’

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

• Gentiles were basically all non Jews
• The principal of being under God’s Sovereignty by willful decision still holds
• Again the point is to relate and join God as HE works in people
• ‘The Weak’: marginalized people… We cannot just be available to those we like

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

• Whatever it takes, no matter who it is, the standard is to do what you can!
• The motivation is the message, the message is the motivation
• The blessings of Christ are fully found in the things done FOR OTHERS!

How did Paul prepare for such work? It took some time…He trained for it like a sport

Approximately 8 years from the Damascus Road to him beginning missionary work

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

• If you sign up to race you run…but how should you prepare to win?
• People train at crazy levels to win things that are worthless
• We can train to get things that are eternal

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

• Because there is so much at stake we should focus
• This is serious biz and we need to sacrifice like Paul
• You can do your best so

Application Questions:

Should YOU be training for the chance to do professional ministry, why or why not?

What’s a current situation where YOU could ‘become like’ someone and share Christ?

Is YOUR approach to growth focused on you or on others?

How can you begin training for ministry like YOU have trained for other things?

Describe in detail your motivation, YOUR ‘Why’ to be a disciple who makes disciples.