Gifts of the Spirit to Edify the Church

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Gifts of the Spirit to Edify the Church

Date: Jun. 24, 2021

Passage

1 Corinthians 14:1-12 (ESV)

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 14:12b

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

1. Eagerly desire the gift of prophecy (1-5)

Paul urges Christians in Corinth to pursue the way of love and eagerly desire the gift of prophecy. Speaking tongues is directed only to God and no one understands them unless interpreted. Paul says to seek spiritual gifts that build up others such as prophecy. In the New Testament, the emphasis of prophecy is not predicting the future, but revealing Christ through God's word to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others. If we speak tongues, it edifies only us, but if we reveal Christ through God's word, it builds up the church. In exercising our spiritual gifts, we need to consider the edification of the church first.

2. Excel in gifts that build up the church (6-12)

Without interpretation, speaking in tongues is like playing musical instruments out of tune that confuses people. Therefore, we must use intelligible words to communicate with others. That's why Paul wants us to ask the Spirit for the gift of prophecy that builds up the church instead of for personal edification like speaking in tongues.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the spiritual gifts given to the church to edify it. Please grant me the gifts of the Spirit necessary to serve and build up your people.

One Word: Spiritual gifts to edify the church

Complacent or Victorious?

Revelation 3:1-13

Key Verse: 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Today's Question

How is Christ exalted?

See answer and references