“Building Up the Church”

Jan.31, 2010 1Cor.14:1-19 Annual Meeting    Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)
●    i...i...CAPTAIN
    ○    selfishness likes fact that new gadgets geared to the i-ndividual
    ○    top government officials must guard against selfish ambition, instead serve others
●    VARIED GIFTS THE CHURCH’S STRENGTH
    ○    spiritual gifts honour Jesus as Lord (12:3)
    ○    spiritual gifts are varied, divinely distributed for Body’s strength (12:4-6,8-20; Rom 12:6ff; Eph 4:7ff)
    ○    spiritual gifts given for the common good, to edify others (12:7,25; 14:4,6,17,19, 22ff, 26,31)
    ○    spiritual gifts to be eagerly sought, excelled in (12:31; 14:1,12)
    ○    spiritual gifts to be exercised always in love (12:31, 13:1; Col 3:14)
●    TONGUES AND PROPHECY: WHO’S BEING HELPED?
    ○    gift of tongues very positive - praising God in one’s spirit (14:2,4f,14,16ff; Jas 3:2,8)
    ○    bringing good to others requires distinct sounds - interpretation (6ff, 13,27f)
    ○    prophesying includes strengthening, encouragement, comfort (3)
    ○    edifies the church: instruct / encourage / strengthen as early church prophets (4, 31; Ac 4:36, 13:1, 15:32, 21:9f)
●    ‘STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHERS’
    ○    Jesus challenged Peter to build up others when restored himself (Lk 22:32; 2Kings 6:8ff)
    ○    Martin Luther’s wife Katherine bolstered depressed reformer
    ○    drugstore owner’s spontaneous poem encouraged many