Sermon Notes "Can We Build It?" Based on 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Introduction: As I titled this sermon, I immediately thought about a show that Mitchell used to watch as a kid.  So, we are going to watch the Bob the Builder Theme Song. It’s amazing to me how children’s TV theme songs can teach us something about the church.  Did you hear some of the lines-Can we build it?  Can we fix it?  It lists all of the characters and how they work together with their different abilities.

Pursuit (vs. 1) (intentional flow from love to gifts to prophecy)

·         What does it mean to pursue something?  What comes to mind when you think of the word pursuit? A high speed chase by the police, a career, a dream, a person.

o   Dictionary-to chase, to strive to gain or accomplish, follow, carry further or advance, engaged in vocation or hobby; Greek Word-carry out or participate in an activity; press forward; strive to

·         Pursue Love (agape)

o   See Chapter 13

§  Gifts without love are annoying or even gain nothing (1-3)

§  Love is and Love is not (4-8)-Who does this perfectly? No one except God.

§  Things that will end (prophecies, tongues, knowledge) and things that will remain (faith, hope, love)

o   You have heard love is a verb.  And I agree.  However, is that what Paul is saying here?  Do you immediately go to what you are to do?  Let me invite you to consider that what Paul might be asking us to pursue is not something to do but God himself. 

§  I have a friend who often says if we truly grasped how much God loves us (this agape love), it would transform the way we love others. I actually pray for us as a church and for myself that we would understand God’s great love for us and that it would overflow out of us to Him and to others.

·         Earnestly Desire (Strive for) Spiritual Gifts

o   Benefits the church, for the common good, abuse of them should not cause us to reject them

o   See Chapter 12

§  I don’t want you uninformed (1-3)

§  Manifestation Gifts given by and empowered by the Spirit for the common good (4-11)

§  Two Lies (I do not belong & I am not needed)-(12-26)

§  Two Truths (27-31)-(You are the body (Christ as the head), each is a part-all are gifted)

o   Dictionary-long for, crave, wish for, passion; Greek Word-active interest, passion or enthusiasm; set one’s heart on; deep concern, be jealous

·         Especially Prophecy (3 ways used in Scripture)

o   That is not to say that the other gifts are without value, but that the Corinthians have been wrong to focus their pursuit on the gift of tongues when the gift of prophecy provides more of what the church desperately needs (edification) and is more consistent with the concern for others that is the mark of love.^[1]

o   Everyone-testify or make known Jesus, Joel 2:28 “I will pour out my Spirit…your sons and daughters will prophesy”

o   Gift (teacher/speaker)-forth telling, proclaim Jesus,

o   (Office) Prophet (foretelling, spokesperson for God)-equipping others to prophesy

o   Only gift that is in all three lists (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, Romans 12)

Purpose (vs. 2-5)

·         Tongues

o   To God not man (Prayer, worship, spiritual warfare)

o   Utters mysteries

§  Paul wants us to understand that they are not merely babbling. In fact, not only are they expressing content, but it is Spirit-inspired content^[2];

o   Builds up self

§  Not selfish and not negative as we perceive it to be, but a way that God encourages or edifies the believer through prayer and worship.

o   I want you all

§  Later in the chapter Paul will make clear that he speaks in tongues regularly, in private, and has no problem with people speaking in tongues alone with God^[3]

o   Unless interpreted

·         Prophecy

o   To man for upbuilding (edification), encouragement (support), consolation (giving relief in affliction) Or NIV (strengthen, encourage, comfort)

§  Personal Story-More Presence in Hillsboro, Brad affirming that gift, opportunities to encourage at Newton YMCA, Lincoln Perk, to HMBC individuals

o   Builds up church

§  prophetic ministry, by its very nature, must flow out of a deep concern for the well-being of those who need to be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted. As Paul describes it, it is certainly not a ministry marked by a cold communication of theological or other truths, but one marked by commitment to and compassion for other members of the body.^[4]

§  OT, NT, and Today (Brad a few weeks ago)

o   Even more & greater (the edification of the entire body, the understanding of the body)

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^[1] Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 669). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[2] Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 671). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[3] Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 674). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[4] Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 672). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.