Going through the Book of 1st Corinthians

Verses 1-17

4.6.2006

1 Corinthians 1: 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. NIV

· V:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

· V:2 Who is this book written to?

o Local Church - To the church of God in Corinth (Prague),

§ to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,

o The whole Church - together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

o Unity is based on this fact – nothing else!

· V:3 Grace and peace to you from God

o A Christian greeting of the day

§ Something we should revive today

· Grace – God is with you and for you

· Peace – it will be good with you!

o Jak se maš?

§ Maybe we shouldn’t ask people, maybe we should tell them how they are doing?

· V:4-9 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

o 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge

o 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

o 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

o 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

o 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

· 10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

o that all of you agree with one another so

o that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

o 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

§ 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?

· Personality based division

· We need to stop looking at the delivery boys and look at the message!

§ 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.*

Verses 18-31

18.6.2006

1 Corinthians 1: 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” NIV

· 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

· 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

o Our direction we are going will determine our view of the things of God.

Matthew 7: 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. NIV

· Those that are Perishing (The wide path that leads to destruction (the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.)

§ A daily choice and process of life or death

§ Question: Do you think some people will go to hell?

· What will send a person to hell?

o Rejecting Jesus Christ, right?

o What does that mean?

§ Just saying no once, or a daily rejecting of his Holy Spirit and the words of Christ?

§ What is disobedience? Which direction is it taking us? Is sin a change of direction? Is repentance a turn around?

§ Some of us are turning in circles going no where and do you know where nowhere leads to? NOWHERE! But Jesus said if you are for me, then you are against me.

§

o Those that are Being saved (The narrow path that leads to eternal life)

§ What can I do to be saved?

· Receive Jesus Christ, right?

· What does that mean?

o A one-time prayer or a daily going with him, obeying him, being saved!?

o Abide in me and I in you..then bear fruit, please God, ask what you will.

o You can try to base it all on your human wisdom, influence, nobility, the evidence of signs and wonders, the miracles of God, you can try to base it on your social status, race,

o Oh we are so smart.

V:19 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

o the world through its wisdom did not know him (cannot)

o Destroy, frustrate, God made foolish the wisdom of the world

§ In our attempt to know God this way we can only limit our understanding and get the wrong picture of him.

o Jews demand miraculous signs Signs are not evidence of salvation

o It’s all so foolish!

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

o God didn’t chose the smart things, the things and the ways that make sense to us.

o Which path are we looking to travel the one of dignity, to never look foolish, never look weak, never be rejected or despised, the path that looks like failure sometimes?

o Foolish? Does he mean ridiculous? Not really!

o I think he means NORMAL. You see we are always looking for above normal, super human, super smart, intelligent etc…The super people, race, etc…

o God just wants to use normal people to do his work.

o In the view of the world the Cross is irrelevant, a religious story with no modern value. Total Foolishness!

o He is the way, hidden in him is all that we are and need.

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

o Only those that really believe that everything is in him will continue to seek and follow his ways.

o God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Romans 5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (not ourselves). 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. NIV

Verses 2:1-16

25.6.2006

1 Corinthians 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. NIV

· demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power

· NO MESSAGE = NO POWER

§ V:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

§ Christ Crucified

· V:8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

· 1 Cor. 1:24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

· Romans 15:18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. NIV

· NO POWER = NO MESSAGE

· THE POWER

o The power of the Gospel to save, open the understanding, reach the heart.

Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. NIV

2 Corinthians 5:19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. NIV

o The power of the spirit, to work the gifts of the spirit.

· When he dealt with our sin’s he also dealt with the result of our sin’s

o Sickness, spiritual blindness, etc…

o Because we don’t understand and we are resting on the wisdom of man instead of the power of God.

o The power of being led by his Spirit into a deeper walk with him.

· The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,

o for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

o Spiritual Insight in ourselves

§ V:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:

§ The spirit of God helps us to have a true and honest look at our own lives, so that we do not need for others to examine us.

o “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

§ When we have the spirit of God in operation in our lives we are united in mind, in agreement, of the same mind as with the Lord.

1 Cor. 3:1-22

02.07.06

1 Corinthians 3: Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, NIV

3 kinds of People Spiritual, Carnal, Worldly(unsaved)

· People who only look at the outside of things are immature and still babies.

o

· People must realize that Jesus is the only foundation to build your life on

o

· Anything you build with natural materials will burn in the fire.

· 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

· All our natural treasures make bad building materials.

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” NIV

· Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple

o The unseen, you are the building materials of this temple.

1 Peter 2: 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. NIV

1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. NIV

· If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

· How can we destroy God’s temple? (you are that temple)

§ Abuse comes from not knowing the true use or purpose of something. To Forget it’s purpose.

§ If I use the wrong manual to operate something it will lead to abuse, misuse, lack of maintenance etc…(The wisdom of this age)

· What is the wisdom of this age?

o Seeing the external and things that man can understand, only.

o he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.

§ Fill it with things that do not glorify God.

§ God will destroy him!?

· OK I know how to destroy the temple how do I build it?

o offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God

o do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share

· So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,

o These are all experiences that will challenge or help us to build the true temple of God. None of them are meant to stop at and glorify or use as building materials.

1 Cor. 4:1-21

09.06.06

1 Corinthians 4: So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit? NIV

· men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

o Men ought to… but sadly they usually don’t

o it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

§ V:9-13 prove faithful when going through what others don’t have to go though and still stay called.

o My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

§ He is not talking about normal sin!

§

o Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.

§ Once again you and I cannot see the secret things in a man’s heart. We will therefore always judge things wrongly.

· The hidden things, men’s motives…even our own?

o We as people seem to judge things only by the outside (as shared last week. That is a sign of immaturity)

§ How do we judge things today?

· Natural success, size of churches, meetings, external signs of growth (not internal)

· I have never been to a leadership meeting that makes theses kinds of promises!

o Except mine (in Ostrava)

o How many of us look for these things when looking for a man of God to follow?

§ V:9-13 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles

· on display at the end of the procession,

· like men condemned to die in the arena…

§ made a spectacle to the whole universe

§ We are fools for Christ

§ We are weak

§ we are dishonored

§ we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands

§ we are cursed

§ we are persecuted

§ we are slandered

§ we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world

· “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

o Be humble enough to stay with the Word of God.

§ 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

o This is our only standard to judge by. Do people live and keep the word of God?

o This is the only safety net, and measuring stick that we can safely live and compare ourselves to so as not to be self-deceived.

§ 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us!

· Could this have been some of the earliest correction of the teaching of confession without reality teaching?

· Are we going beyond what was written? Creating another (NO SUFFER) Gospel?

o Really it is old stuff. Acting, talking like the outside represents the inside.

· How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!

· A Father will care enough to confront.

V:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

o Taking the responsibility to share the Gospel to people and love people puts us into a position to speak into their lives.

· Some of you have become arrogant…

o V:19… I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

§ The arrogant ones are usually the ones with no power, no

· What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

o When I was a child and my parents corrected, and punished me for things I did wrong I sometimes said things like “I hate them…I don’t love them…why did they do this to me?)

o This was a sign of my immaturity too. You see they were not to blame for my punishment, I WAS!

1 Cor. 5:1-13

16.07.2006

1 Corinthians 5: It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” NIV

· there is sexual immorality among you

o you are proud

§ v:6 Your boasting is not good

§ What do you think was wrong with these people? Why Pride and boasting?

· The problem that they had is the same that the church around the world has today, the wrong kind of tolerance.

· Accepting people’s differences…?

o Loose lifestyles in church, Homosexual sins, homosexual churches, as a normal alternative lifestyle.

· tolerance

o 1 : capacity to endure pain or hardship

o 2 : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own

o 3 : the allowable deviation from a standard (with God – none)

o 4 : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult with repeated use or exposure (an addict’s increasing tolerance for a drug) (can we become hardened, tolerant to the word and spirit of God?)

o

· IS GOD TOLERANT?

o Yes or no?

Romans 2: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance (suffering long #1 def. the capacity to endure pain or hardship) and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. NIV

· Ro. 2:2 …God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

o The bible teaches tolerance about things that are not addressed by God’s word and that do not lead to sin. Ro 14:1-23 - Romans 14:23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. NIV

1 John 3:19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. NIV

o James 4:17 Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning. NCV

§ V:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

o God is tolerant to those that don’t now the truth.

· V:3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.

o I am connected with you in spirit

§ Less metaphysical than his soul.

· I am concerned, involved, what is affecting you is affecting me…

· V:2 Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief

· and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?

o hand this man over to Satan,

§ so that the sinful nature may be destroyed

· what will it take to destroy the sinful nature?

§ and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

· The real purpose of this drastic measure – perhaps save the man.

· Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are.

o the yeast of malice and wickedness

o

· I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

o 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

o 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

· Are you not to judge those inside?

o God wants us to become mature enough in the word and will of God to be able to judge between what is right and wrong within the family of God.

Hebrews 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. NIV

1 Cor. 6:1-11

27.8.2006

1 Corinthians 6: If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. 9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. NIV

· dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?

· Dare he?

· This is a normal practice for us today in our society. The Church is not seen as a valid source of anything.

o Not medicine – not law – not understanding of GOD’S creation

o Today not even spiritual matters

§ Gurus, astrology, spirit healers, new age, esoteric, etc…

· What are the ungodly missing in order to be a good judge that the saints are not missing?

· GOD! God’s word, God’s point of view on things, what is important and what is not.

o Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?

· Do you not know that we will judge angels

· V:5 is it possible that there is nobody…?

o Have we abandoned our place in the world? Have we left wisdom outside of the church?

6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

· How we live in front of unbelievers seems to be an important point here.

o I know we live in a world that cares about what others think.

o Do we care today what people think about the kingdom, about God?

· …you have been completely defeated already.

o We have already abandoned the position of the Church to the world.

· Why not rather be wronged – cheated?

o Can you imagine that? To love the Kingdom of God so much that I would sacrifice my life for it?

o Not seek my own rights.

· You yourselves cheat and do wrong and you do this to your brothers.

o Here is the worst accusation that Paul can make and it is true today too.

§ Do we make a difference between brothers and the world?

· Yes, often we treat brothers worse.

· Why have integrity, honesty, ….

o We have forgiveness, grace and mercy.

· Most Christian businessmen that I know would rather hire non Christians than Christians, WHY?

· 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

o Live like it.

1 Cor. 6:12-20

3.9.2006

1 Corinthians 6: 12 “I am allowed to do all things,” but not all things are good for me to do. “I am allowed to do all things,” but I will not let anything make me its slave. 13 “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. 15 Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! 16 It is written in the Scriptures, “The two will become one body.” So you should know that anyone who joins with a prostitute becomes one body with the prostitute. 17 But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. 18 So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. 19 You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, 20 because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. NCV

· “I am allowed to do all things,” but not all things are good for me to do.

· “I am allowed to do all things,” but I will not let anything make me its slave.

· “I am allowed to do all things,”

§ Really? Literally?

§ The external legal boundaries have been as far as we are concerned removed. We no longer need the law (externally) to tell us what to do, we have the laws of God written on our hearts, we have the Holy Spirit convicting us.

· but not all things are good for me to do.

o Should I do it because it is legal?

o If marijuana is legalized in CZ will you smoke it?

· but I will not let anything make me its slave (brought under the control of)

o addiction is an enemy

§ What are some of the things that we can become a slave to?

· drugs, Alcohol, food, TV, internet, sleep, …

§

· The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

· “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

o Just like your stomach is for food, your body is for the Lord.

§ Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute!

· Am I making Christ a sinner too?

§ So run away from sexual sin. (The wisdom of Joseph)

§ Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.

· This sin is an exception as sins go.

· Somehow they believed that they could serve God and live in sexual sin.

§ You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you.

· Your body is a temple, a place of sacrifices of praise. Glorify God in our bodies.

§ You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves,

· because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies

I Cor. 7:1-9

10.9.2006

1 Corinthians 7: Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

· Now for the matters you wrote about:

o These were questions that they had written to Paul

o The Answer - It is good for a man not to marry.

o Question? Maybe should we give our whole life to serve the Lord and ignore the natural things like getting married? V:29-40 say more abut it.

· But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

o There is so much immorality

o Have his own wife or husband

§ Could they have asked if it was alright to share their spouses? Probably.

o The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

· The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.

o Question? What if my wife or husband doesn’t want have sex with me?

§ 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

· except by mutual consent

· for a time

· Then come together again

o

· I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am.

o But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

o DO YOU have the grace to stay single? Most do not.

· Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.

o But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry,

§ This should be a good sign if you have the grace or not, do you have trouble controlling yourself? Are you burning with passions?

o for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Cor.7:10-16

17.09.06

Divorce

1 Cor. 7:10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband(divorce). 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Matthew 5: 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. NIV

Man is always trying to lower the standard of God to make his sinning easier. Jesus raised the standard again. Divorce was problem then and is a problem now. A 50/50 chance.

Why is Divorce a sin? (Obvious because God said, but why?)

Breaking a covenant that God made with you.
Separating oneness (the two are no longer two, but one.)
Causes other sins (adultery when she remarries, and someone marries her, because she is still one with another)

Matthew 19:3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” (Deu. 24:1) 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” NIV

· Is it lawful

o For a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?

o Living on the limits of the law

· they are no longer two, but one

o practical reason, not only spiritual or legal

o Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

o Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

§ Adultery separates, divides, and destroys the oneness that God made. It’s more than a physical act; it destroys something deep on the inside. The spiritual covenant is broken.

§ v.7:11…or else be reconciled to her husband. (reestablish a covenant ((based on God))

· Moses permitted you to divorce

o They said Moses commanded, Jesus said permitted

o Permissive will vs. perfect will

o Because your hearts were hard. (1Cor.7:15 …God has called us to live in peace)

o Not this way from the beginning.

§ Before the law, marriage was a choice, held together by a covenant and love.

§ Before sin came into the earth, there was no need for the law

· The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

o The disciples said if there is no way out it is better to stay single!?

§ It must have been so in the minds of the men of the day that there was a back door to marriage.

§ It would be better to stay unmarried (a self made eunuch.)

§ 11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.

A word for those that were divorced before knowing Christ, are divorced from a Christian, who have knowingly divorced with full knowledge and lastly who are remarried either to someone who is was divorced or you were divorced and remarried.

9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
He said adultery not the unpardonable sin.

Move on with God. Learn to walk with God and your new spouse in the right way and never do it again. Go and sin no more.

Answer questions!

1 Cor. 7:12-40

24.09.06

1 Cor. 7:12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer (does not say unfaithful) and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Sanctified – set apart, protected, seen as covered not saved.

Changing your circumstances doesn’t make you more spiritual!

17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him
To which God has called him.

18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Physically this is not possible! The Jews were the people of the circumcision, so if you were Jewish don’t renounce it, and if you are not a Jew don’t become one. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to….

We can’t enjoy where we are because of where we are going.

Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

If God Knows, That’s Enough

When the novelist, Dr. A. J. Cronin, was a practicing physician in a small Welsh mining community, he worked with a remarkable nurse. For more than twenty years Oliven Davies had served the people with competence, patience, and cheerfulness. Her friend, the doctor, resented the inadequate salary with which her selfless work was rewarded.

“Late one night after a particularly strenuous case, I ventured to protest to her as we drank a cup of tea together. “Nurse,” I said, “why don’t you make them pay you more? It’s ridiculous that you should work for so little.” She raised her eyebrows slightly. But she smiled, “I have enough to get along.” “No really,” I protested and persisted, “you ought to have an extra pound a week at least. God knows you’re worth it.”

“There was a pause. Her smile remained but her gaze held a gravity, an intensity, that startled me. “Doctor!” she said, “if God knows I’m worth it, that’s all that matters!””

35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

1 Cor. 8:1-13 08.10.06

1 Corinthians 8: Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God. 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. NIV

We know that we all possess knowledge.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Knowledge puffs up – causes me to elevate myself above others.

Knowledge puffs up because these things become our opinions, which we often share with others.

Love builds others up first.

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

But the man who loves God is known by God.(The man who loves people is known by people)

The true use of knowledge is not complete until we love (God and) others.
We have to not only grow in knowledge but…

Puffing up (appear bigger than we are)

Have you ever seen those fish, or frogs that their only defense is to blow up larger than normal to appear big to their adversaries?

Some things that happen to our Christian walk when we get puffed up –

Idealistic imaginary, intention based lifestyle, - in our minds we know = we are pursuing the best, but not living it.
Laziness and self deception, - what we know = doing
bad habit, = we tolerate bad habits because we know what is right
Predictability, loss of flexibility, stiff, legalistic = we get stuck in a rut, a pattern of going in the same direction.
pursuing comfort = we relax in our spiritual walk and pamper the flesh
personal preference, = we begin to elevate our personal wishes above God’s will for our lives
Pride in our accomplishments = we begin to think that it is US who is accomplishing everything in our lives.
Lack of heart to reach the lost in our world. = we forget about the dying world around us.

(we must repent of these things)

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. (when we become puffed up we will become a stumbling block to the weak)

V:10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge… won’t he be emboldened to…

a weak conscience

Not trained to obey the voice of his spirit, and the Spirit of God.

Maybe more people have this weakness than we know?

you who have this knowledge

The knowledge of the truth should strengthen the voice of our conscience.
We also become responsible once we know.

Won’t he be emboldened to…?

We are showing the way, giving permission, encouraging them that it is OK.

V:11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge

Matthew 18: 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. NIV

When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ

sin against your brothers - SIN Wound their weak conscience – we weaken them even more*.
you sin against Christ – not just them, but God

If your response is: I am not responsible for them, they should be…then I have the signs of knowledge without love.

Therefore, if what I eat (drink) causes my brother to fall into sin; I will never eat meat (drink alcohol) again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

if what I eat (drink) causes my brother to fall

What about my walk with Christ? Is my life influencing others to live like me? Am I causing people to run for God or to go to sleep?

You may be the only Bible people read.
You teach with your life whether you say a word or not. You set the standard for this Church as well as I. Your Prayer life, faith, attendance, giving, love, obedience…all tell the weaker ones what is good and OK for them.
Am I living puffed up on the knowledge that I have content to continue along telling people with my lifestyle that this is normal?

I will never… again, so that I will not cause him to fall Can we like Christ live for others? If not then we are puffed up with our knowledge and have not learned to walk it out in love.

1 Cor. 9:1-15

22.10.06

1 Corinthians 9: Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 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. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. NIV

V:3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.

We will not be accepted all the time.

Two major accusations were pointed at Paul. What were they?
Defense, people judge us.

What could the accusation, judgment have been?

1. Who do you think that you are?

Am I not free? - Doing what I do by choice.

My choice show an act of my will

Am I not an apostle? -

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? –
Our relationship with Jesus will give us authority!

Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? -

Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! -
For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. –
Our fruit will give us credibility!

Luke 4: 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

2. You are doing this just for the money.

4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

Paul took the opportunity to share this point and he felt a freedom to do it because he was not receiving any benefit from them.
The Bible is clear on this subject; ministers of the Gospel should be taken care of by the people they minister to.

V: 15 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. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.

He was showing them that even though he had a biblical right based on the word to have support, he did not take it. WHY?

To remove any accusation that it was about money. It’s about God and them, not himself. It’s not about me!

Our motivation for serving God should never be money. Even though as a called minister of God that has proven his calling by producing the fruit has the right to such support, he has to always remember it is about serving God and man for Christ’s sake.

12.11.06

1 Corinthians 9: 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 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. 21 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. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (with you). 24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. NIV

Overcoming our prejudices

Prejudice = to prefer one above another.

I can be the one that I prefer above another. To prefer what I want before what you want and need.

Romans 10: 12 for there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, NIV

But today we are still making a difference.

Barriers that Jesus broke because of his great love.

He chose normal men (fishermen) (we can look down on those that don’t have the status that we desire.)

He chose professionals (we can prefer people we admire)

He chose tax collectors (despised people were chosen)

He spent time with the woman at the well (she was a man chaser)

He ministered to the unclean (the sick)

Those caught in adultery and the prostitute (sexually unclean)

The religious people (prefer your style above people)

The practicing of an unconditional love that crosses barriers! When we lose this we begin to go in the wrong direction.

I make myself a slave a servant…(waiter)

If I can’t serve someone I am probably prejudice. I think I am too good to come to your level or even below to serve you.

I became like them – to win them

I moved in their direction
I became like, not became

I was willing to understand, to limit myself and my personal freedoms to be able to relate without offense and win them with my demonstration of love and be able to remove anything that might cause them to not want to listen to the message of the Gospel.

23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings (with you).

The motive was to share the Gospel (Good news) with you
Together experience the blessing, not just chase the blessing for myself.
V:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Not to win, but to win them
Feel for people but don’t feel with people.

You can identify with people, but be careful not to become just like them to win them.
Dangers don’t fall in!

I Cor. 9:24-27,10:1-13

How to stay in the game, continue the race, not be knocked out and rendered useless.

24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. NIV

Let’s prepare to win, not just participate.
Don’t lose your zeal to win.
Remind yourself it requires strict training.
A constant developing, a constant re-evaluation, a consistent redirecting.

Motion vs. momentum
Action vs. direction
Activities vs. production (fruitfulness)

1 Corinthians 10: For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Established equality and unity

5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.”
8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Ephesians 5: 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Matthew 5: 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NIV

9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.
10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

How could anyone that has fallen into such sins think for a moment that he was standing firm?

13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV

Temptation…common to man

Quit acting like your situation is harder than anyone else’s, or that you have a bigger temptation.

Idolatry(what I want, I think, I feel, creating a God after my own image), - true worship, seek first the kingdom of God
sexual sins (taking everyone is there for me and my gratification), - putting others first, giving
tempting the Lord, (living outside the declared will of God and still expecting him to bless you) - believing, but outside his will
grumbling (complaining, murmuring, critical, impatient, etc…) – prayer

he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear

o What comfort and what a conviction!

§ No more I can’t, but I won’t, it’s my choice! Phil 4:13...I can do all...through Christ…

§ So you are falling to temptations even though you can defeat them, God has limited them. That isn’t comforting that is convicting!

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV

There is a way out take it!

We an fall into a place where God has shown himself strong, where he has led all of us by his mighty hand, but yet fall to a place of stand still. A place of motions, actions and activities, but no fruit, freedom, power and momentum, just beating of the air.

Do you feel you have lost some of your fire, direction, not preparing anymore to win?

Let us pray for you.

1 Corinthians 10: 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he? NIV

Zephaniah 1: 4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molech, NIV

Double life, Double minded = nothing

Cannot love God and the word, cannot serve two masters, a house divided against itself will fall!

Jan.7, 2007

1 Corinthians 10: 23 “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake— 29 the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. NIV

Beneficial

Giving a benefit Constructive*
Building up, adding to.

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Just because I am allowed to do something doesn’t mean I should do it. Why?

Because of what it will do to others.
Wait a minute this is not only talking about what I do having a negative influence on someone, but it is asking the question “does it have a positive, benefit, is it building something into other’s lives?

Is this talking about what I get out of it?
How often do we do things so that others will get a benefit, or be built up, or move closer to God, or build up a different view of God?

Do it all for the glory of God

The ultimate goal!

Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.

I try to please everybody in every way.

V:32 Do not cause anyone to stumble…
whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God

Religious, non Christian or your brothers

Ouch!

For I am not seeking my own good

What I do for me, affects me.

but the good of many,

what I do for others affect many

So that they may be saved.

How important is this to me that others get saved? Really?

1 Corinthians 11: 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you. 3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. 6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head. 11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. NIV

Authority of God

the head of Christ is God
the head of every man (husband) is Christ (and single women and men)

1 Corinthians 7: 32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. NIV

the head of the woman(wife) is man (Husband)

The authority structure of Marriage

Authority and blessing flow down, when submission and obedience flow up.

Christ is submitted and obedient to God – he received authority and blessing/power

All power in heaven and earth Man* is submitted and obedient to Christ – he receives authority and blessing/power
This is the only source for his position as head of the household.

Anointing, ability, wisdom, love, etc… come from him too.

Wife is submitted and obedient to her Husband – she receives authority and blessing/power

Yeah my wife doesn’t do this! Maybe it’s because you don’t do it with Christ?

The influence of Traditions

The women were using their new found freedom to do many things that were becoming a stumbling block to believers and non believers and Jews. 1 Cor. 14:34-35 (Women keeping silent in Church)
All these different directives from Paul about foods, hair, talking, and any other tradition of the time was to address the human tendency to “Do what he wants to do” without consideration for others.

Jan 21, 2007

1 Corinthians 11: 17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions. NIV

For your meetings do more harm than good.

Can you imagine that going to Church does more harm to people than staying home? *

I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you

Unity is the sign of God and his Church and division is the first sign that we are not the Church.
Superiority and selfishness was exposed at these “Love feasts”

We can always think we are such loving people until we have to get closer to other people.

The rich would show up with their banquet tables covered with the best and not even share with the poor that went hungry. People would get drunk.

The original idea behind the Love feasts was sharing.
Children can be seen to show selfishness at the earliest age. Not wanting someone to invade their space, touch their toys, or talk to their Mom…

When we have a love feast in the Church the idea is sharing. When we have a love feast and we ask everyone to bring something to share, I don’t. I just eat from others without a thought. I only think about myself. And when it is time to eat I am the first in the line. Hmmm. V:21… Each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. V:33 when you come together to eat, wait for each other*

There are other ways that this “I don’t care” attitude can be in the Church.

Separation according to wealth and status was evident. * Those that had and those that had nothing.
Those that were popular vs. unknown
Cliques were in the Church

The Church should be inclusive, not exclusive.

19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.

Wheat and tares

Matt.13:24-30, 1 Cor. 1:10, 2Pet 2:1-2, 1Jn 2:19

Matthew 13: 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ” NIV

- Explained -

Matthew 13: 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. NIV

There will always be among us weeds.

20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat

We can do something thinking it is the real thing, but it is really something else. What were they doing then?*

Playing

Tissue to blow your nose vs. a healing cloth. In Ostrava.
Can we fool God? Can we tempt the Lord and have God’s blessings.

Feb. 11, 2007

1 Corinthians 12: Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. NIV

A point that I need to make is for many verses we have dealt with a basic problem that the Corinthians had as Christians, “Selfishness”. This sin influenced every area of their lives, even their services to the Lord as we saw in their practice of the communion in chapter 11. This has to be considered as we continue on into chapter 12, and the following chapters.

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant

Spiritual gifts

Spiritual
Gifts

I do not want you to be ignorant.

How can some be ignorant of something?

No desire (willfully staying away from them)
No teaching
No practice

What are some dangers of ignorance of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Misuse, abuse, false imitations, false gifts

Misuse – attempt to use the gift for the wrong purpose or motive

I.e. for profit, fame etc…

abuse – mixture of flesh with spirit

gifts and opinions
prophecy and gossip

The imitation of a gift (not a gift at all)

Emotional hype, the form and no power

False gifts

The gift of discernment (suspicion)
Casting out things that cannot be cast out
Power over people’s wills

Ignorant of their

Origin
Purpose and Use

So he would be teaching them in the following verses and chapters about these things.

2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

The practices of pagans

when you were pagans

We can bring our former life and thinking with us into our Christian practices.

Logical natural thinking (not mathematics, science, etc…)

Romans 8: 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. NIV

Gossip, revenge, unforgiveness, control, competition, etc… * Natural minded – ignoring the spirit realm as a place to get the answers we need for life.

Medicine before prayer
Ask man before we ask God
Natural solutions instead of spiritual ones

you were influenced and led astray

influenced and led astray

The spirit of this world is all about influencing and leading us in another direction for our lives. * Choose your ism. Communism, capitalism, humanism,

to … idols

True gifts lead people to God not to personalities, causes, or bondage.

There must have been spiritual battles going on in the name of the Holy Spirit.

no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God

There must have been a lot of speaking and much of it was against the things of God. * We don’t have those kinds of battles going on, do we?

Most of the time not publicly, but it is happening.

The spirit of God says we should consecrate ourselves more to the Lord. (public word)

I don’t think that the spirit is saying that, I think he is saying we should

“Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There were those that were claiming to use the gifts from God without believing in Jesus.

We forbid those that were casting out devils in your name…they are not against us.

There were Jews and Gentiles saying that they were using the power of God, but yet were saying that Jesus was an imposter and not the son of God.

No man comes to the Father except through Jesus and the Father is the source of the Holy Spirit. The Father sends him.

A side note:

Denying Jesus and still wanting power will open the door to demonic powers and deception.

Being double minded is the first step to deception – self deception
The gifts will still operate in your life even if there is sin there.

Eventually the deception will take over to gratify the flesh.
The spirit of God will be grieved
We will deny the Lordship of Christ with our lives.

Prayer: Father help us not to be ignorant of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Feb. 25. 2007

1 Corinthians 12: 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Different kinds of gifts ( a variety) He determines who gets what gifts (in general)

It would almost seem like there were only a few gifts, because we don’t see them that often.

Can you help me to name some gifts? How many are there?

They are all gifts that come from the spirit of God.

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

He gives them to each one, just as he determines.

He will teach and train us according to how we can best be used.

i.e. (there are exceptions) some people are more vocal and will be trained to use vocal gifts. Some have bold personalities and may be used with the power gifts. Remember the mad who left and gave talents according to their abilities?

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

Different kinds of service (administration – WHO will be used with this gift, WHAT gift will be used. (specifically) WHERE the gift will be used. HOW the gift will be used, WHEN the gift will be used. * same Lord

He is in control of the administration

6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Different kinds of working (operation – what is the purpose, overall goal?)
same God works all of them in all men

Let me paint you a military picture

Overall commander (General) = God the Father – determine the objectives

Local Commander (Captain) = Jesus – Administrates the strategies

Troop leader (sergeant) He trains and leads on the front.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good

is given for the common good

These powers are not given for personal gain.

I had a rifle in the army, a uniform, training; I represented the United States Army. Which had a purpose – the common good

4.3.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

Through the Spirit! The gifts of the spirit can be seen as a transfer or opening of the spirit realm, kingdom of God into a fallen (separated from connection to the spirit realm, (death), natural world.

Not through the mind (thoughts, human knowledge)
Not through the emotions
Not through signs (circumstances)

This is seen as unusual because our daily observations of a world without God seem normal to us.

V:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,

The Word (the message) of wisdom is regarded among Charismatics and Pentecostals to be the supernatural revelation of wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The gift of wisdom seems to be the ability to make decisions and give guidance that is according to God's will.

A transfer of what God has already prepared for those that love him…

1 Corinthians 2: 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 but God has revealed it (this wisdom) to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. NIV

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature

One of the reasons that I believe that we do not see this gift that often is because there is a spiritual maturity required to receive and handle the wisdom of God that is revealed.

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age

The word of wisdom may be a manifestation of a God-given insight or perspective into a situation. Thereby giving a spiritual viewpoint that we did not have.

Spiritual truths – biblical wisdom

Insight into the truth of the Word of God.

Jesus’ life was full of this gift, because he was constantly making transfers from heaven, from his Father to the world. These are the teachings, that so astounded people. These revelations from God throughout the Bible were his method to transfer the word of God to us. Only God could have been there in all these situations to be able to impart to the men of God who wrote the Bible.

John 7: 14 not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?” 16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. NIV

Matt.7:28 amazed at his teaching with authority, Matt. 22:33 astonished…, Luke 23:5 stirs up…

2 Peter 1: 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. NIV

2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

Ideas, courses of action the specifics of our situation (do this…)

Maybe as small as a word, maybe an idea that will help the world.

The advances of science that help people are in my opinion wisdom released from heaven because of his love for us.

When we receive/obey these words of wisdom other gifts can be released.

Acts 9:10-16 Ministries started - calling of Saul through Ananias. Mark 11:2-3 daily Provision released*
John 21:5-6 Miraculous provision released

11.3.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

Through the Spirit! The gifts of the spirit can be seen as a transfer or opening of the spirit realm, kingdom of God into a fallen (separated from connection to the spirit realm, (death), natural world. A divine connection to the spirit realm.

The gifts are not ALWAYS ON!

Some people wonder how you can be used by God one moment and the next be totally lost as what to do. Powerful one moment and powerless the next.

We don’t own the gifts and we don’t determine when they operate.

We live by faith – not gifts

V:8 to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

The "Word of Knowledge" is used by some to describe events that are unknowable. For example, a Christian knowing detailed information about a stranger is considered a "Word of Knowledge" and allows the Christian to minister to strangers more effectively.

Luke 19:5 Zacheaus come down, I must stay at your house today.

You may also find more references in 1 Samuel Chapters 9 & 10, Acts 9:11-16, and Acts 10:9-17

Mark 2:8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?

Luke 5:22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

Luke 6:8, Luke 11:17, Matt 12:25

Some things to think about:

The gift is very specific.

A man is walking down the street, and walks up to a woman he has never met and names a problem in her life, such as psychological problems, secret addictions, recent deaths, or illness. Most words of knowledge contain precise detail, such as a name, the part of the body that is sick, or a problem few people know about. Thus, the probability of coincidence is virtually eliminated.

I have seen God be very vague about info, but I think it is in Christian meetings primarily because he doesn’t want to embarrass his children.

Some people can be in-training and God will only trust them with a little info.

Why?

Talk too much
Puffed up with pride
Add or take away from the word

But some people are imitating the gifts and wanting to fill the altars by being intentionally vague. God is showing me that there are people here that have been disappointed by people, you have been hurt, there are sick people here.

There is someone here with a prostrate problem, God tells me it is a man…HaHa!

The gift is not for embarrassing people into believing

The gift does not operate all the time, where we walk around like “Bruce Almighty or the one where Mel Gibson gets hit on the head and then can know all women’s thoughts.

The gifts are not to tell people things about themselves that they might not have known.

1 Corinthians 2: 11 for who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. NIV

I have seen abuse by people who say that they are being used by the spirit of God and are telling people things that are silly. i.e. what they felt in their mother’s womb, what happened before they were born, they tell them things that the person has no memory of (because it never happened and they begin to believe things happened to them that didn’t i.e. you were abused as a child, etc.. spiritual blame shifting((Freud in the spirit)).

Sometimes called spiritual counseling. DANGER!

This kind of ministry causes people to doubt themselves and makes them dependant on the spiritual person to reveal the truth…

What about people who suppress thoughts and events in their lives because they can’t deal with it?

They still know about it, they just deal with it yet. God can draw them out of it with his love and power.

The gift is to tell people that God knows things about them that no one else knows except them. It convinces them because the delivery person could not have known except God had told them. The strength of this gift is that God knows the secrets of their hearts.

What can be known about what is or has been vs. the word of wisdom what can be known about what will be or what one should do or what God will do.

Many teach that the two gifts, the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom work together often because they are often connected revelations. * But the word of knowledge can work with other gifts too. Like the gifts of healings, miracles, etc…

The gifts of the spirit are not primarily for the Church to use for itself. These are gifts primarily for reaching the people without the spirit.

The goal is for God’s people to walk close so that God can deal with the secret things, so he can show his love and care daily and demonstrate his power as something included in the family relationship, not an extra release from heaven to earth. He wants us to live by faith in his presence.

When this is not the case he does minister to the body through the gifts.

But what separates Words of Knowledge from other times of revelation is that words of knowledge rarely occur during times of worship. In fact, many words of knowledge are delivered in times where a person is going about their everyday life.

18.3.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

Through the Spirit! The gifts of the spirit can be seen as a transfer or opening of the spirit realm, kingdom of God into a fallen (separated from connection to the spirit realm, (death), natural world.

A divine connection to the spirit realm.

V:9 to another faith by the same Spirit,

So what is being transferred from heaven? FAITH! Is this unusual?

Define:

The word "faith", translated from the Greek πιστις (pi'stis), was primarily used in the New Testament with the Greek perfect tense and translates as a noun-verb hybrid; which is not adequately conveyed by the English noun.

Pi'stis in the New Testament context is a physical action, based upon a mental belief and sustained with confidence.

Belief, in this context is non-synonymous with faith because, belief primarily conveys the mental action, thought of confidence, trust, and/or firm persuasion, not the physical act. Depending on the context, the Greek word may also be understood to mean "faithfulness" or "fidelity" which is the sustaining of faith filled acts. LOYALTY (cf. 1 Thess 3:7; Titus 2:10).

All faith is a gift.

Saving faith - faith which gets you into Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV

The Fruit of faith

Is a gift

Romans 12: 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. NIV

Needs to be perfected, developed, and grown.
We have all been given THE MEASURE, but it will stay undeveloped if we do not follow the developer.

We all have the same potential.
These signs will follow them that believe. The miraculous will follow your faith.

Hebrews 12: 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... NIV

As we follow Jesus and walk his path we will allow him to develop our faith.

This leaves us with the question can we develop faith with him? * Trust and do = Peter walked on the water, etc…

Because you said vs. because I believe?

One based on Jesus and the other based on our faith in our faith.

Can I stay on faith for another moment?

Faith does not operate alone. Faith and Hope always operate together.
Hope is the visual part and faith is the action part.

Hebrews 11: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (with our natural eyes). NIV

Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NIV

Many people stop in their faith because they don’t develop their hope, the visual part.
Jesus said I only do what I see the father doing.

John 5: 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. NIV

Maybe we should have the goal to say “I am only doing what Jesus has shown me to do” He shows me what to do.

When I see it then I know what faith needs to do. * I say what he says and I do what he does.

We need to pray till we hear him say it and pray till we see him do it.

Then we will know what to say and do. Crazy? No! This is having our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and developer of our faith.

Let’s look at the gift of faith.

The Gift of faith - It is the ability from God to believe for an extraordinary act of God. i.e. healing, miracle, raising from the dead, etc…

It is a gift – v:8 … is given through the Spirit …v:9 to another faith by the same Spirit * In a lesser degree (as faith grows) it is the same for normal faith. You can see beforehand what will happen and you act it out.
The contrast being, this is a gift for a specific purpose and period of time vs. the faith that is also a gift but must be developed and grown.
A transfer of a developed faith by God through the spirit for a specific purpose.

It comes as a complete package

Hope what you are to do
Power to do it

It’s almost like following a script, acting out a play that you have seen or are seeing in your spirit.

You know before you begin how it will turn out. You are simply acting it out from that point. Almost like being able to see the future and walking it out.

Some examples:

· A man named Lazarus was sick… JN 11:

John 11: 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” NIV

John 11: 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” NIV

John 11: 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” NIV

John 11: 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” NIV

John 11: 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” NIV

Jairus’s daughter was dying.

Luke 8: 41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. NIV

Luke 8: 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. NIV

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

Through the Spirit! The gifts of the spirit can be seen as a transfer or opening of the spirit realm, kingdom of God into a fallen (separated from connection to the spirit realm, (death), natural world. A divine connection to the spirit realm

V: 9 to another, gifts of healing by that one Spirit

The gift of healings refers to supernatural healing without human aid; it is a special gift to heal diseases.

Healing from God comes to us in different ways. As we have seen in each of the gifts before there is a primary level that can and should be practiced by the word of God and our faith that we develop for health.

The spectrum is from the natural God revealed knowledge of nature and medicine (1 Tim.5:23 a little wine for your stomach) to the gift of the spirit “gifts of healing” because of his love and mercy.

God’s best is health, not healing. But as we will see health is not always possible in the world we live in.

All healings are miraculous but not all miracles are healing. Often confused with the gift of Miracles.
If they are Bible practices we can imitate them, if they are gifts, then we cannot imitate them.
Let’s divide healing into two categories

Healing available to all believers i.e. for self and prayer for others

This you can develop with your faith
This has to do with the faith of the prayer and receiver.

Your faith has made you whole. Faith in Christ.

This is by grace

Condition to receive – Position, obedience and faith

Supernatural intervention of God i.e. Gifts of healing

This is God’s choice; I cannot activate this gift by my faith. On/Off
This has to do with the availability of the delivery person.

The faith of the recipient has little (I didn’t say nothing to do with it) to do with it.
Holiness either.

Gifts (plural)

Why do we need multiple gifts?
Healing is a gift received by the sick - not something possessed by the one praying. The delivery person often senses God flowing through them and they assume they possess it. (like water flowing through a hose) Notice too that it says gifts not rewards. Healing is not a reward to be earned; it is a gift from God to be thankfully received.

Sicknesses of the Soul and body

Soul * body

Different methods of administration

Laying hands
Speaking the words
Prayer
Obedience to instruction
Extraordinary healing miracles Acts 19:11-12 clothes and aprons
Spontaneous manifestation – God shows up and people are healed

Different ways of manifestation

God’s effect on natural process of healing (human body functions) * God’s effect on the sickness directly (supersede the natural process)

He causes the healing process to happen (slow) when the body can no longer do it.

God removes the sickness (instant)
God heals and does a miracle of restoration too.

Heals the leprosy and grows back body parts

Does God heal anything else but people?

Yes, but I believe this would fall under “miracles” not this gifts of healing.

Healing the whole man

Sickness because of the devil (direct)

Body

Demonic attacks

Demon caused accidents, catastrophes, weather? (Tsunami, storm etc…?) Soul*

Demon oppression

Influencing our thoughts, many types of mental diseases,

Occult practices
Humanistic lifestyles (allowing the devil by ignoring him)

Demon possession

Usually these have to be allowed

Either by self or by those in authority over you.(parents)

Occult practices, curses, etc…

Sickness because of the devil (indirect) the door of the first Adam.

James 5: 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. NIV

This is about Christians to Christians, not unbelievers. Christians have healing in their covenant with God. Sin separates us from the faith to receive the provided healing. If I wander from the protection of Jesus, I wander into the hands of the enemy who is out to destroy me.

I cannot apply this scripture to non believers.

Body

Because of the fall – Sin nature

Natural process of decay and sin in the world

Erosion of nature (weather patterns, earthquakes, polar melting, etc… increase of viruses, bacteria, mutation, new diseases… * Battle of decay (dying ever earlier) (medicine and God battle same enemy (death) (groans for the day it will be perfect again.)

The body doesn’t function like God originally intended it to.

Soul

Because of the Fall

Decay in relationships causing wars, stress, broken hearts, depression, mental diseases, fighting, hatred, selfishness…

Sickness, diseases that are man made

Body and soul

Man made accidents, car crashes etc…

Lifestyle sickness – overwork, no exercise, and wild lifestyle hazards… *

Man made diseases – consume related disease and death

Smoking related diseases, alcohol related diseases, eating related diseases…

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

To another miraculous powers

The gift of miracles is being able to perform signs and wonders that give authenticity to God's Word and the Gospel message.

Reasons for miracles

Let’s look at the first miracle of Jesus.

John 2: 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. NIV

He thus revealed his glory (v:6 I have revealed you…)

Revealed his glory?

John 17: 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. NIV

The Basics for miracles John 17

I have brought you glory on earth

by completing the work you gave me to do

obedience gives him Glory

I have revealed you

To those whom you gave me out of the world.

I am not hiding Jesus
I am sharing you with those that are closest to me.

Now they know

that everything you have given me comes from you

I am dependant on the Father

I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.

I share his word with people as my source.

They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

I prove I am a good representative and a follower of Christ.

Then it is safe to use me because I will not steal the Glory!

He was revealing a different facet of who the Father is and his Glory with each miracle.

Ask the people….His love, power, concern, that he is God alone.

Water to wine

Jesus wasn’t advertising a new business idea; he wasn’t interested in making wine for the party. He saw the first God given opportunity to glorify his Father.

Feeding the 5000 / 4000
Catching the boat load of fish
Coin in fish’s mouth

Cursing the fig tree Walk on water*
Calming the storm
Raising the dead (a miracle not a healing.)

I am the resurrection and the Life)
John 11: 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11: 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” NIV

Combo healing and miracles

Remember I said all healings are miraculous but not all miracles are healings. Miraculous restoration (not healing)*
Born Blind John 9: 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.

Healing like miracles do give God glory, but healing can be easier explained away to natural (god given, but not recognized) causes or man’s skills.

Man can heal the sickness, but only God can grow new organs.

People didn’t have any problem believing that God was all powerful, they had difficulty believing that he was powerful TODAY, here and now, in our daily lives. That his word was true today.

The miracles we read about in the Bible are for us “Then miracles” But for them they were “Now” miracles.

Miracles are not to prove who YOU are, but who The Father is.

Matthew 4: 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” NIV

· his disciples put their faith in him

John 20: 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. NIV

Miracles are not to relieve us of our responsibilities in life, or to simply make life easier.

Many want to live by miracles instead of living by his word.

Some want God to ignore that we don’t live his word and provide everything by miraculous power.

Can he? YES! Will he? Probably not, unless he will be glorified.

Example of the man who got lazy and would not sow, but wanted a miracle harvest. Will God forgive him? Will he get a harvest anyway?

You reap what you sow is God’s normal operation.
Miracles are his exceptions.

15.4.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

To another prophecy,

The gift of prophecy is being able to proclaim a message from God.

Remember our breakdown of the gifts?

The Revelation gifts

Gift of the Word of knowledge
Gift of the Word of wisdom
Gift of the Discerning of spirits

The Proclaiming gift

The Gift of Prophecy (today)
The Gift of Tongues
The Gift of the Interpretation of tongues

The Power gifts

The Gift of Faith
The Gifts of healing
The Gift of Miracles

Acts 2: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. NIV

It seems that we are to desire spiritual gifts, but there seems to be a gift that is more available to the general body of believers.

1 Corinthians 14: 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. NIV

The proclamation gifts

1 Corinthians 14: 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. NIV

Speaks to men for their

Theses are proclamations of God’s will, thoughts, intentions, presence, love, etc… for the purpose of…

Proclaiming revealed events to come

(Confirming the plan, the timing of God for men, not the future of the world etc…)

Acts 13: In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. NIV

Strengthening

oikodomē; (the act of) building, a building:— building(8), buildings(3), edification(5), edifying(1), upbuilding(1).

To build up, like building a place to live.

1 Timothy 1: 18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. NIV

The battle plan Trying to fulfill a prophecy yourself, compromise, etc…will shipwreck your faith.*

1 Timothy 4: 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. NIV

The gift – it does not say calling…

Proclaiming the word, will and promises of God (thus says the Lord)

Encouragement

paraklēsis; a calling to one’s aid, i.e. encouragement, comfort:— appeal(1), comfort(13), consolation(1), encouragement(6), exhortation(7), urging(1).

Comfort

paramuthia; encouragement, exhortation, comfort:— consolation(1).

Revealing the word of God

Instructed (learn)

1 Corinthians 14: 31 for you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

manthanō; to learn:— educated(1), find(1), learn(12), learned(9), learning(1), receive instruction(1).

Some Theologians believe that the Gift of Prophecy is not only a forth telling, but also a revelation of what God is saying through his word. i.e. prophetic teaching.

2 Peter 1: 19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. NIV

A sign to believers

1 Corinthians 14: 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is

(a sign) for believers, not for unbelievers. NIV

1 Corinthians 14: 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” NIV also 1 Cor. 14:31

Not only is it a sign, but we have seen that this gift seems to be available to all believers that desire it.

Tongues and prophecy seem to be given as an initial sign to the believers when they were filled with the spirit.

Acts 19: 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. NIV

Many are confused and discouraged if we use the gift wrongly.

1 Thessalonians 5: 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit, 20 and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. 21 On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. 22 Throw out anything tainted with evil. The Message

2 Thessalonians 2: Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. NIV

22.4.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

To another distinguishing between spirits

The gift of discerning spirits is the ability to determine whether a message, a person, a spirit or spiritual gift is truly from God. This one gets confused with the word of knowledge.

There is a general knowing that is available to all SPIRIT FILLED believers. 1 Cor. 2:9-16, John 16:12-15

W.R. Jones in the book Pentecostal Doctrine in the chapter headed 'The nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit' "
The gift of discernment of spirits is most definitely restricted to the realm of spirit-counterfeiting, and therefore the discerning of things outside the spirit realm comes within the manifestation of the other two 'illumination' gifts, namely the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge."

The gift of discerning of spirits will be one of the most important gifts to the church of the end times…

Imitation of gift/suspicion and fault finding

Luke 6: 41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. NIV

Discerning the spirit of prophecy and prophets - In the Church 1 Corinthians 14: 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Matthew 24: 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, NIV

1 Thessalonians 5: 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. NIV

1 Timothy 4: The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. NIV

deceiving spirits – deception, counterfeiting, lying, imitation, half truths…
things taught by demons = demon theology
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Compromise in our life sets us up to be used by demons.

1 John 4: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. NIV

Discerning the spirit of the world - The spirit of antichrist (The doctrine of devils and false prophets)

1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. NIV

Spirits know who can discern them and they want to distract from it by flattery and proclamation. (Girl with spirit of divination,

Matthew 7: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ NIV

Matthew 7: 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. NIV (This is Christ come in the flesh too)

Discerning the spirit of Man - Money for the Gospel?(example)

Acts 8: 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. NIV

I recently heard a minister on television extolling the virtues of the number “seven” as it is used throughout the Bible. Somehow, he drew the conclusion that since this is 2007, that meant that his viewers were being instructed by God to give a certain monetary amount to receive their breakthrough. Somehow, though, I didn’t hear him suggest that anyone send in a $7 offering (which would have seemed logical if there really was even a remote connection to what we’re supposed to give relative to the calendar year). Somehow, $77, or $777, and $7,777 were the suggested amounts. His line of thought made me wonder if no offerings would have been expected in the year 2000.

Recently, I heard of a minister who said, “You can receive information from anyone, but you can only receive revelation from a minister that you sow into.” I thought to myself, “If that’s the case, then none of us would be able to receive revelation from any of Paul’s writings, because none of us ever gave financially to him.”

Matthew 16: 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” NIV

· Discerning of spirits - Outside the Church

Acts 16: 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

· Discerning Evil spirits, casting them out and Healing the sick

Luke 13: 10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. NIV

Mark 1: 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” NIV

Mark 3: 11 Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was. NIV

· Discerning the activity of Spirits

o Demons, familiar spirits, talking to the dead, etc…

§ 1 Sam.28 The witch (medium, had a familiar spirit) of Endor

§ 2 Corinthians 11: 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. NIV

o Angels

§ Not to be worshiped

· Colossians 2: 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. NIV

§ Sometimes there and not known

· Hebrews 13: 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. NIV

Acts 27: 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” NIV

Acts 8:26-40 Philip told by angel to go someplace, say something and then gave him an angelic taxi ride.

29.4.07

1 Corinthians 12: 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV

“To another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another interpretation of tongues.”

This is what some say:

The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a foreign language that you do not have knowledge of, in order to communicate with someone who speaks that language.

But if this were true: then the coinciding gift would be the gift of translation and why would you need it because the person you spoke to already understands.
You only need and interpreter if people DO NOT understand what is spoken.
Much of this is based on the view of what happened on the day of Pentecost.

Who interpreted?

Acts 2: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘in the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. NIV

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The bible says they all understood in their own language.

Each one heard them speaking in his own language … how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?

It was a miracle that anyone understood anything, if all of them were speaking at the same time.

What did they hear?

We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!

WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE DIFFICULTY BELIEVING

THAT THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES WITH TONGUES?

Some say “All do not speak in tongues” according to 1 Corinthians 12: 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? NIV

This is as we will see in a couple of weeks is talking about exclusiveness not availability. The Corinthian church was claiming the gifts that they thought were better to elevate themselves above others.

Some say “Oh what happened on the day of Pentecost was just for them”.

What did Simon see? Acts 8:18

Acts 8: 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money NIV

Acts 10: 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” NIV

The Recounting of this event later

Acts 11: 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” NIV (Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:29-34, Acts 1:5, acts 11:16)

Acts 19: 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. NIV

We refuse what is abused –

Abuses have caused people to be afraid and to tell people to stop. 1 Corinthians 14: 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

SPEAKING TO PEOPLE IN TONGUES

The abuses of the Corinthians

Remember what the main problem of the Corinthian church was, Selfish ambition, competition, childish fighting and division.

1 Corinthians 14: 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. NIV

1 Corinthians 14: 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues (to each other), and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? NIV

The greater value of the gift of prophecy is only equaled when interpretation is there because of the edification of the church.

But I do not believe any longer that they are the same!

1 Corinthians 14: 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. NIV

If there is no interpreter he should speak to himself and to God

1 Corinthians 14: 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue (to people), two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. NIV

If anyone speaks in Tongues at a volume to where it is apparent that this is good to edify the Church then it should have some kind of order and not take over the service. Two or three and it must be interpreted so people will be able to agree or disagree.

This is what people say:

The gift of interpreting tongues is the ability to interpret the tongues and communicate it back to others in your own language.

The gift is called interpretation not translation

What I believe happened on the day of Pentecost was that God gave the gift of interpretation to some in the crowd.

13.5.07

1 Corinthians 12: 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

V:12-14

12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Do we see US or ME?

The body is one made up of many parts, if we do not see we belong together and ONLY together do we make the body of Christ. Without the body Christ is strapped into a wheel chair paralyzed from the neck down.

V:15-16

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.

The foot – should say Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body - The ear - should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body

Desiring to be something you are not created to be. Foot and hand are servants – output organs – I see them around here more and more and it blesses me, so.*
Ear and eye and input organs
Comparing and envying other parts. I want to something that I am not.

Because I am not close to the Pastor anymore…

We have lose intimacy as we have grown!

You are always close to the body, but maybe not to the part you want to be.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

· We are magnifying the importance of certain parts, so that the other parts think they are not as important.

· No diversity or variety – causes us to lose the body ministry

o We would be a strong eye and see everything, but we wouldn’t hear a thing.

18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

God decides
God arranges

Everyone of them – too many self called parts.

According to his desires and his knowledge of us.

19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

As it is…

We must cease to try and make it the way we want it to be and adapt to what God has made it to be. Many coming together to discover and BE the part that we are.

20.5.07

“I don’t need you!”

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. NIV

1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. NIV

V:21-27 Like the whole world today we honor, the parts that we can see (external parts) Image is everything.

We are a body culture, the spirit and the soul are not as important.

The boom in plastic surgery tells us a lot.
People are unsatisfied with the outside, weight, nose, lips, other parts too…

Even men are wearing makeup, having surgery, because the business world wants to see young dynamic looking people ONLY!

All this while the inside is getting sicker and sicker

Modern foods, smoking, excess lifestyles, stress, out of control debt,…

V:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Whether we see it immediately or not what happens to us affects everyone.

Give me some examples how my actions affect others?

Use gifts vs. not using them
Attendance vs. no show
Giving vs. not giving
Prayer vs. not praying
Unity of spirit vs. division…
Ministering to the needs of one another…

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

What is the difference between a dictionary and the Bible? All the same words in are in both books!

§ The Bible - has Purpose, meaning, communication, the heart of the author, direction, life, spirit, concept…

§ The Dictionary - is just the sum of the parts. Elements, no purpose, direction, etc…

· We are pushing to be in the front of the book ( I want to be an A.) But in the end we are still only a part.

· v:28-29 Are all and DO all?( Exclusiveness because of gifts.)

28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. NIV

God has appointed… Not by the gifts that God gave but the ones that they claimed. They were making a classic mistake. They were deriving their value by their calling and gifts.*

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Which ones?

Ministry GIFTS - become someone who will take the calling and responsibility for people.

To love, train and care for them. * Serving GIFTS – servants to the body
those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable

1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. NIV

If I only care about and live for myself all these gifts mean nothing!

27.5.07

The most excellent way

V:31… now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. NIV

If I only care about and live for myself all these gifts mean nothing!

Life without love does not make sense.

Remember last week I used the example of the Bible and a dictionary?

What is the difference between a dictionary and the Bible? All the same words in are in both books!

· The Bible - has Purpose, meaning, communication, the heart of the author, direction, life, spirit, concept…

· The Dictionary - is just the sum of the parts. Elements, no purpose, direction, etc…

o Existence vs. living

Ø Communication without love is worthless!

Ø Spiritual Gifts, Wisdom, and Power without love is worthless!

Ø All sacrifice and surrender without love is worthless!

§ Without love we will always have only a portion, partial picture of what God intended.

Matt 7:12-2312 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (LOVE) 13 "Enter through the narrow gate (LOVE). For wide is the gate (SELF LOVE) and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. 15 "Watch out for false prophets (wide gate preachers). They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. (The fruit is Love) Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

§ Wide is the Gate

· Easy to find

· Less effort to enter

· More obvious entrance

§ Broad is the road

· The promise of Easy travel

·

§ Many enter through it

· Easy to live

· If following the crowd, the majority is your way then it almost always goes in the wrong direction

o But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

§ We want people to learn to trust in his love, not his gifts

§ Love is the only path that leads to Heaven!

o ANYTHING BUT LOVE! (the devil’s philosophy)

§ I am saying nothing, I am nothing, I gain nothing! If Satan wanted to shut us down, I assume this is the area that he would attack, don’t you?

Ø 1 John 4: 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

3.6.07

1 Corinthians 13: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. NIV

· What is Paul teaching in this letter? He is warning against deception.

· God is love – so anything done without love is done without God.

· What would that deception be? Well if there is no love then these are being operated for what I can get out of it.

I SPEAK - Love is not communicated with words alone (I love you…only words) I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I HAVE - Love is not communicated with spiritual gifts alone (I’ll pray for you…) I am nothing

I GIVE - Love is not communicated with sacrificial deeds alone (honey I go to work…) I gain nothing

One way to be deceived is to look for gifts instead of the fruit.

Matt 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (LOVE)

13 "Enter through the narrow gate (LOVE). For wide is the gate (SELF LOVE) and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

§ Wide is the Gate

· Easy to find, Less effort to enter, More obvious entrance

§ Broad is the road

· The promise of Easy travel

§ Many enter through it

· Easy to live

· If following the crowd, the majority is your way then it almost always goes in the wrong direction

o But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.

§ We want people to learn to trust in his love, not his gifts

15 "Watch out for false prophets (wide gate, self fulfillment preachers). They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. (The fruit is Love) Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matthew 24: 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, NIV

Matthew 24: 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. NIV

1 John 3: 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. NIV

1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. NIV

We talked about not being deceived last week. How will we do that? By looking for the love first.

We can only do that if we know what we are looking for.

Love is…

· Love is…

o Are you going to attempt to tell us what love is? Here is my definition

o God is love.

§ Yes, the bible already says that

§ Love in all its facets and views are small glimpses of God himself.

· Emotional – from God

· Sexual – from God

· Family love – (marriage, children/parents) from God

o All relationships were created to reflect another facet of God’s love.

o Quote: "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing." – Goethe

· Spiritual – from God

· Eternal – from God

§ Love is God this will help us discover who God is and who God isn’t.

· Love is only known in a relationship till then it is an ideal.

1. Love is (unconditionally) patient (unlimited patience) never gives up!

2. love is (unconditionally) kind (unlimited kindness)

3. rejoices with the truth

4. It always (unconditionally) protects

· Reputation, name, life, wards off attackers,

5. Always (unconditionally) trusts (believes) you say what you believe and you believe what you say. ALWAYS

6. always (unconditionally) hopes

· The future will be better…

7. always (unconditionally) perseveres

· Pushes through, not giving up…on anything and anyone.

· Love is…GOD IS….Jerry is…You are…

GOD (Love) IS NOT….

1. It does not envy -

2. it does not boast -

3. it is not proud -

4. It is not rude -

5. it is not self-seeking - selfish

6. it is not easily angered -

7. It keeps no record of wrongs – I remember…

8. Love does not delight in evil – he deserved that…

9. Love never fails

1 Corinthians 13: 8 Love never fails(ends). But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

· We cannot base our lives and our decisions on gifts of the spirit.

o Fulfilled and forgotten

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

o Our knowledge and understanding of the things of God are limited. Both the delivery and the message are limited by the messenger.

o Based on this fact it would be foolish to plan our lives according to these gifts.

10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

· I thought like a child,

o Childish, gullible, not understanding,

· I reasoned like a child

o Acting and deciding based on things that are not important, imaginary etc…

· When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

o The way of Love is the way of Maturity

12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Is this talking about a time in the far future when Jesus comes back, that we will then understand love and become mature? It would seem silly to me, that we would know love only after we arrive in a place where everyone is lovable. If love was needed at anytime and any place it would be here and now.

· Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror

· Now I know in part

· Then we shall see face to face

· Then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Love is the mirror that really shows us what we look like and what others see

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts... NIV

· The greatest of these is love…why?

o What is so great about love?

o Love…, when we talk about love from a Biblical sense we seem to get this soft look of boredom on our faces, like some baby faced angel. If it has to do with the things of God, it has to be a little boring and sterile.

· When love comes…

o Love is like a mirror – it shows us who we really are.

§ Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror

§ Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known

§ What you are passionate for shows what is on the inside of you!

Passion: vášnivý (nevášnivý = (passionless)

The core problem is not that we are too passionate about bad things, but that we are not passionate enough about the good things. (Larry Crabb)

John 2: 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” NIV

Whoa…Jesus, are you OK? Shouldn’t you repent for your outbreak of emotion? Christ shouldn’t do things like that. Be nice now…

John 2: 17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” NLT

Passion is the motivation for the serving God and use of the gifts of the spirit.

I said Passion not emotion. Passion is emotional, but emotion is not passion.

Romans 12: 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. NIV


Matt 9:36	But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matt 14:14	And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matt 15:32	Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Matt 20:34	So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

What are you passionate for?

Revelation 2: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. NIV

Have you lost the fire of your first love? Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the first works.

Revelation 2: 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. NLT

The love for God and love for people. If you have allowed this fire, this passion to fade away, then let’s pray together and ask God for that passion back, then let us begin to do the first works again.

Deuteronomy 6: 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. NIV

“996 more, the passion of God.”

Exodus 20: 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. NIV

Go to preaching from 29.4.07 to learn about the gift of speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14: 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. NIV

· Did the word of God originate with you?

o There is a danger with spiritual things, with handling the word of God.

§ We begin to handle it like it was something natural, something from men and no longer from God.

· The word of God!

o His Words, his purposes, his way…

§ We begin to handle the word of God as if it comes from us. What?

· Like they are my words

o This diminishes their authority.

§ I have brothers and a sister, when we would get into arguments and I wanted them to do something and they wouldn’t I might have said something like, “I am going to tell Daddy”, or after telling him I might say “Daddy said to do it!”

§ The movie “The time machine” Because Jesus said! God said!

o We begin to make the word of God a suggestion from us instead of a command from heaven. GOD SAID…

§ Jesus said to the devil…”It is written…”

1 Thessalonians 2: 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. NIV

· If it is the words of Jerry it will never have the power as if it stays the Word of God.

§ Like they are my purpose

o I begin to give the impression that I and the Word of God are one, that the purposes of God are mine.

o Even though this may be our goal and intention, this is not true. I am always in need of its guidance, correction and strength.

o I will always need my savior here on this earth.

§ Like they are my way

o I begin to think that because I KNOW the word of God, it somehow equals me doing it, living by it.

o Love me, but don’t lift me up above others. Respect me but don’t make me more than I am. Listen to me as I share with you what GOD HAS SPOKEN.

· Or are you the only people it has reached?

o “Do you think everything revolves around you?” MSG

o I can begin to be Elite in my thinking. To be full of pride, to think WE ARE THE RIGHT ONES, and everyone else should follow us.

§ As individuals we can begin to elevate our personal revelations or should I say what I think above the WORD OF GOD!

· To twist to meaning into my meanings, my purposes, my ways. Oh I will be sure to use God’s name (stamped on afterwards)

· Be careful about NEW Revelations!

o They are usually selfish ones.

§ IF WE WOULD ONLY TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE THE OLD REVELATIONS!

· If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

o True spiritual people, especially men and women of God acknowledge and promote the word of God before their gifts, callings, importance, etc…

§ If they promote their anointing and gifts above the word…RUN!

§ We have seen too much of this in the last years. Promotion of people in order to promote ministries, instead of the promotion of obedience to God.

· If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored

o It will all come out eventually!

§ Nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Even if it seems like God is still working with people, it will all eventually crumble down if this is all about self promotion.

THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. NIV

The test:

· The word of God is living and active (are you?)

· it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

o Is it affecting your inner life or just the outside one?

· Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight

o Letting his word into your life is in essence allowing God to look at your insides, letting his eyes into your life (Inviting someone to your house before you clean it up J)

The language of the spirit

1 Corinthians 14: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. NIV

When we were in Chapter 12 I taught from this book about the gift of speaking in tongues. My main emphasis was on the proper use of the gift and the avoidance of misuse of the gift.

· anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God

· No one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

o Why tongues?

o If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

o I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

§ We have attempted to understand all things; particularly today we think that science has unraveled the mysteries of the universe. Not so… They are still guessing a lot.

§ Mysteries! The awe of God! One of the reasons I believe he gave us tongues is because we can’t understand it!

· He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself

· giving thanks well

· Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers

Paul said:

· I would like every one of you to speak in tongues

· I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

· do not forbid speaking in tongues

2.9.07

1 Corinthians 15: 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. NIV

· I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you

o Which you received (This Gospel only makes a difference in our lives if we receive it.)

§ What is the difference between believing and wishing?

· Or simply agreeing that something is true and believing?

·

o On which you have taken your stand (build your house, ground your lives, defend as your truth, apply to your life’s situations etc…)

§ By this gospel you are saved,

§ If you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.

§ Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

· For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:

o that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

o 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

o he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time

· By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

o No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

o Grace – does works

§ Grace doesn’t cause the absence of works, but actually causes us to work.

· Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.