Posted on Apr 25, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Prophecy may involve predicting future events, but its main purpose is to communicate God’s message to people, providing insight, warning, correction, and encouragement. The gift of speaking in tongues was a concern of the Corinthian church because the use of the gift had caused disorder in worship. Speaking in an unknown tongue is a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit, but the Corinthian believers were using it as a sign of spiritual superiority rather than as a means to spiritual unity. Spiritual gifts are beneficial only when they are properly used to help everyone in the church. We should not exercise them only to make ourselves look or feel good.
Posted on Apr 24, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
In chapter 12 Paul gave evidence of the Corinthian’s lack of love in the utilization of spiritual gifts; chapter 13 defines real love; and chapter 14 shows how love works. Love is more important than all the spiritual gifts exercised in the church body. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle working power have little effect without love. Love makes our actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone.
Posted on Apr 23, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole. The parts are different for a purpose, and in their differences they must work together. Christians must avoid two common errors: 1) being proud of their abilities, or 2) thinking they have nothing to give to the body of believers. Instead of comparing ourselves to one another, we should use our different gifts, together, to spread the Gospel of salvation.
Posted on Apr 22, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Anyone can claim to speak for God, and the world is full of false teachers. Paul gives us a test to help us discern whether or not a messenger is really from God: Does he or she confess Christ as Lord? Don’t naively accept the words of all who claim to speak for God; test their credentials by finding out what they teach about Christ.
Posted on Apr 22, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Paul acknowledges that there are differences among church members. When they develop into self-willed divisions, however, they are destructive to the congregation. Those who cause division only serve to highlight those who are genuine believers.
