Empowered by Spiritual Gifts for Church Growth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Integrity Church. Today, we delve into 1 Corinthians 14, a chapter that emphasizes the importance of spiritual gifts and their role in building up the church. Our mission is to mature and multiply believers to leave a gospel legacy, and this mission is deeply rooted in understanding and utilizing our spiritual gifts.
We began by celebrating the Integrity Students Volunteers, who have been instrumental in nurturing the spiritual lives of our middle and high school students. Their dedication exemplifies the use of spiritual gifts in building up the body of Christ. As we move into the summer, we pray for their continued impact and for a fruitful camp experience.
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul addresses the church in Corinth, emphasizing the need for order and clarity in the use of spiritual gifts. He begins by urging us to pursue love, as gifts without love are meaningless. He then encourages us to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, which builds up the church.
Paul contrasts the gifts of tongues and prophecy. Tongues, as seen in Acts 2, were initially a sign of the Holy Spirit's work and a means to break through language barriers, making the gospel clear to all. In Corinth, a diverse port city, tongues served a similar purpose, allowing people from different linguistic backgrounds to understand the gospel. However, Paul stresses that tongues should be accompanied by interpretation to avoid confusion and ensure that the church is built up.
Prophecy, on the other hand, is about forth-telling—bringing new insights into what God has already revealed in His Word. It is not about new revelations but about making God's Word clear and relevant for our time. This gift is crucial for the edification of the church, as it brings clarity and understanding.
Paul warns against the misuse of spiritual gifts, which can lead to disorder and confusion. He emphasizes that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. The goal of using spiritual gifts is to promote the gospel and build up the church, not to create chaos. Paul illustrates this by imagining two scenarios: one where everyone speaks in tongues without interpretation, leading to confusion, and another where prophecy is used to bring clarity, leading to repentance and worship.
We are reminded that the church's gatherings should be thoughtful and hospitable, considering both believers and non-believers. A church that focuses solely on believers can become inward-focused and lose its evangelistic zeal. Therefore, our gatherings should be clear and welcoming, ensuring that the gospel is easily understood by all.
As we conclude, we are invited to respond to the gospel by using our spiritual gifts to build up the church. This involves seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not just the ones that come naturally to us but also those we lack. We are encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to equip us with gifts like encouragement, generosity, and mercy, so that we can be effective witnesses for Christ.
In our response, we are called to give our offerings, partake in the Lord's Supper, and worship together, all while using our gifts to glorify God and build His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Spiritual Gifts in Building the Church:
Spiritual gifts are essential for the church to mature and multiply. They are not just for ministry leaders but for every believer to use in building up the body of Christ. Understanding and living out our spiritual gifts is crucial for fulfilling our mission to leave a gospel legacy. [28:40]
2. The Role of Tongues and Prophecy:
Tongues were initially a sign of the Holy Spirit's work and a means to break through language barriers, making the gospel clear. Prophecy, however, is about forth-telling—bringing new insights into what God has already revealed. Both gifts are vital, but they must be used with order and clarity to build up the church. [32:50]
3. Order and Clarity in Worship:
Paul emphasizes that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Spiritual gifts should be used in an orderly manner to avoid confusion and ensure that the gospel is clear. This clarity is essential for both believers and non-believers, as it leads to edification and repentance. [45:37]
4. The Church's Dual Focus:
The church's gatherings should be thoughtful and hospitable, considering both believers and non-believers. A church that focuses solely on believers can become inward-focused and lose its evangelistic zeal. Therefore, our gatherings should be clear and welcoming, ensuring that the gospel is easily understood by all. [52:34]
5. Seeking and Using Spiritual Gifts:
We are encouraged to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not just the ones that come naturally to us but also those we lack. By asking the Holy Spirit to equip us with gifts like encouragement, generosity, and mercy, we can be effective witnesses for Christ. Using our gifts is not about promoting ourselves but about promoting Jesus and building up the church. [57:44]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:06] - Introduction and Celebration of Volunteers
[27:50] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[28:40] - The Importance of Spiritual Gifts
[32:50] - Understanding Tongues and Prophecy
[41:55] - Misalignment of Gifts in Corinth
[45:37] - Order and Clarity in Worship
[48:17] - Personal Experience with Spiritual Gifts
[52:34] - The Church's Dual Focus
[57:44] - Seeking and Using Spiritual Gifts
[01:03:04] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[01:04:30] - Responding to the Gospel
[01:05:51] - Invitation to Worship and Offering
[01:06:56] - Conclusion and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (ESV)
> "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 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. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 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."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three things Paul urges the church to do in 1 Corinthians 14:1? ([31:44])
2. According to 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, what is the primary difference between speaking in tongues and prophesying? ([31:44])
3. How does Paul describe the purpose of tongues in Acts 2 and its relevance to the church in Corinth? ([34:06])
4. What does Paul say about the importance of order and clarity in worship gatherings? ([45:37])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for love when using spiritual gifts, and how does this relate to the overall message of 1 Corinthians 13? ([31:44])
2. How can the misuse of spiritual gifts lead to confusion and disorder in the church, according to Paul's examples in 1 Corinthians 14? ([44:24])
3. What does Paul mean when he says that prophecy is for the upbuilding of the church, and how does this apply to our modern context? ([39:30])
4. How does the dual focus of the church on both believers and non-believers impact the way spiritual gifts should be used in worship gatherings? ([52:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you use them to build up the church and promote the gospel? ([29:45])
2. Have you ever experienced confusion or disorder in a worship service due to the misuse of spiritual gifts? How did it affect your understanding of the gospel? ([46:57])
3. In what ways can you ensure that your use of spiritual gifts is motivated by love and aimed at edifying others rather than promoting yourself? ([31:44])
4. How can your small group create a welcoming and clear environment for both believers and non-believers during gatherings? ([52:34])
5. Identify a spiritual gift that you feel you lack. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's help in developing this gift to better serve the church? ([57:44])
6. Think of a time when someone used their spiritual gift to encourage or build you up. How can you emulate that example in your interactions with others? ([40:31])
7. How can you balance being spontaneous and sensitive to the Holy Spirit while maintaining order and clarity in worship? ([45:37])
Devotional
Day 1: The Role of Spiritual Gifts in Church Growth
Description: Spiritual gifts are essential for the church to mature and multiply. They are not just for ministry leaders but for every believer to use in building up the body of Christ. Understanding and living out our spiritual gifts is crucial for fulfilling our mission to leave a gospel legacy. Each believer is uniquely equipped by the Holy Spirit with gifts that contribute to the overall health and growth of the church. These gifts are meant to be discovered, developed, and deployed in service to others, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
When believers actively use their spiritual gifts, the church becomes a vibrant and dynamic community that effectively witnesses to the world. This collective effort not only strengthens the faith of individual members but also attracts non-believers to the transformative power of the gospel. Therefore, it is vital for each member to seek and understand their spiritual gifts, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them for the edification of the church. [28:40]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you believe God has given you, and how can you use it to serve and build up your church community this week?
Day 2: Understanding Tongues and Prophecy
Description: Tongues were initially a sign of the Holy Spirit's work and a means to break through language barriers, making the gospel clear. In the diverse city of Corinth, tongues allowed people from different linguistic backgrounds to understand the gospel. However, Paul emphasizes that tongues should be accompanied by interpretation to avoid confusion and ensure that the church is built up. Prophecy, on the other hand, is about forth-telling—bringing new insights into what God has already revealed in His Word. It is not about new revelations but about making God's Word clear and relevant for our time.
Both gifts are vital, but they must be used with order and clarity to build up the church. Prophecy is particularly crucial for the edification of the church, as it brings clarity and understanding. When used correctly, these gifts can lead to repentance and worship, drawing both believers and non-believers closer to God. [32:50]
1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you seek to understand and use the gift of prophecy to bring clarity and encouragement to your church community?
Day 3: Order and Clarity in Worship
Description: Paul emphasizes that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Spiritual gifts should be used in an orderly manner to avoid confusion and ensure that the gospel is clear. This clarity is essential for both believers and non-believers, as it leads to edification and repentance. When the church gathers, it should be a place where the message of the gospel is communicated clearly and effectively, without any distractions or disruptions that could hinder understanding.
Orderly worship allows the Holy Spirit to move freely and powerfully among the congregation, leading to a deeper sense of God's presence and a greater impact on those who attend. It is important for church leaders and members to work together to create an environment that is conducive to worship and spiritual growth, ensuring that every aspect of the service points to Jesus and His redemptive work. [45:37]
1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV): "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to creating a more orderly and peaceful worship environment in your church?
Day 4: The Church's Dual Focus
Description: The church's gatherings should be thoughtful and hospitable, considering both believers and non-believers. A church that focuses solely on believers can become inward-focused and lose its evangelistic zeal. Therefore, our gatherings should be clear and welcoming, ensuring that the gospel is easily understood by all. This dual focus helps the church to grow both spiritually and numerically, as it reaches out to those who do not yet know Christ while also nurturing the faith of existing members.
Creating a welcoming environment involves being intentional about how we conduct our services, how we interact with visitors, and how we communicate the message of the gospel. It requires a balance between deepening the faith of believers and making the gospel accessible to non-believers. By doing so, the church can fulfill its mission of making disciples of all nations. [52:34]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you help make your church gatherings more welcoming and accessible to non-believers while still nurturing the faith of believers?
Day 5: Seeking and Using Spiritual Gifts
Description: We are encouraged to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not just the ones that come naturally to us but also those we lack. By asking the Holy Spirit to equip us with gifts like encouragement, generosity, and mercy, we can be effective witnesses for Christ. Using our gifts is not about promoting ourselves but about promoting Jesus and building up the church. It involves a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and trust that God will empower us to serve others in ways that bring glory to Him.
Seeking spiritual gifts requires a heart of humility and a desire to serve others selflessly. It is about being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and being willing to use whatever gifts He gives us for the benefit of the church. As we grow in our understanding and use of these gifts, we become more effective in our witness and more fruitful in our ministry. [57:44]
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV): "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you feel you lack, and how can you seek the Holy Spirit's help in developing and using that gift to serve others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Use your gifts to serve the body of Christ. If you see an area that you believe in, integrity, we would love to see integrity grow this way, or this is a weak area of integrity. Man, you're probably right. I would probably agree with those. What I'm inviting you to do is use your gifts to fill those spots. Use your gifts to serve the body so that this church can continue to be built up in love so that we might mature and multiply believers to leave a gospel legacy. And here's the thing I can promise you when you use your gifts, that you will see a gospel impact and that you will see God use you to see others' lives change. And not only that, your faith, just by using your spiritual gifts, friends, your faith, will grow and your heart will be filled and you will continue to grow in your joy. Amen?" [01:02:00]
2. "The Holy Spirit, when he moves upon the church, it's for even if it's tongues or prophecy, this is for the building up of the church, not something that would cause division or confusion around the gospel. I fast forward to or actually go backwards. When I was in high school, we went to a missions trip and we were in Chicago, Illinois, a bunch. It was a big youth gathering. We were going out into the community and we were evangelizing. And I remember we were there in this large auditorium of thousands of high school students and the power went out. And the power went out. And as we were singing and worshiping, I remember, man, a person got up with a megaphone and we started leading in this leading in song and said, this is the song we're going to sing. And then we began to sing and we began to praise God in these voices. It sounded like I've never been in anything like it. It sounded like heaven and people, they gave an altar call and people got saved. And it really felt like a move of the spirit of God. And here's why I felt like that, because it was clear around who Jesus was and who it is we are following. It was clarity around the gospel." [48:17]
3. "A church should think more intentionally about who is coming over. It's not just for us. Well, that's just being selfish. No, a church should think intentionally that I want to be hospitable, and I want the gospel to be clear, and I want the gospel to be front and center so that it could be easily heard and understood. Yes, the church should feed believers, but it should also be a place where non-believers can come, not be confused, and by the grace of God be inspired and Lord willing convicted by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus. And you know what fills those gaps? It's spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts help bridge these gaps." [53:52]
4. "So how does tongues, how is it used today? Well, tongues is used today, I believe. I believe when someone can't understand the gospel or the word in their own language, and tongues would be a way that they could. I personally know missionaries who have experienced this, where they would be sharing the gospel with someone who can't understand what they're saying because of a language barrier, but miraculously, they could understand. I believe that's how the gift of tongues is played out today, and I believe it still happens today. And Paul says in verse 5, he says, I wish all of you could speak in tongues. That would make it a lot easier, wouldn't it, if we could all speak multiple languages?" [38:14]
5. "And so, but here I really believe they are still used today. And what is important to know that we don't under emphasize spiritual gifts and we don't over emphasize spiritual gifts at the point that we lack clarity of the gospel. Those, that's the most important. That's the most important thing to me." [41:13]
### Quotes for Members
1. "And friend, this is what I'm inviting you into. Use your gifts to serve the body of Christ. If you see an area that you believe in, integrity, we would love to see integrity grow this way, or this is a weak area of integrity. Man, you're probably right. I would probably agree with those. What I'm inviting you to do is use your gifts to fill those spots. Use your gifts to serve the body so that this church can continue to be built up in love so that we might mature and multiply believers to leave a gospel legacy. And here's the thing I can promise you when you use your gifts, that you will see a gospel impact and that you will see God use you to see others' lives change. And not only that, your faith, just by using your spiritual gifts, friends, your faith, will grow and your heart will be filled and you will continue to grow in your joy. Amen?" [01:02:00]
2. "And so here's the real loss here for Corinth. The people got, the people of Corinth, the believers, they got so enamored with gifts that they actually forgot why the spiritual gifts existed. Look at verse 22. Paul says tongues are a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers. So remember, for non-believers to hear the gospel. That's what he's saying. While prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers, but for believers. So this is for the building up of the body. That's what he's saying. If therefore the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy and an unbeliever and outsider enters, he is convinced by all that he is called to account by all. The secrets of the heart are disclosed. And so falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is real among you." [49:36]
3. "And so a church should think more intentionally about who is coming over. It's not just for us. Well, that's just being selfish. No, a church should think intentionally that I want to be hospitable, and I want the gospel to be clear, and I want the gospel to be front and center so that it could be easily heard and understood. Yes, the church should feed believers, but it should also be a place where non-believers can come, not be confused, and by the grace of God be inspired and Lord willing convicted by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus. And you know what fills those gaps? It's spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts help bridge these gaps. And I love this because in every section where spiritual gifts are talked about, it goes far beyond ministry leaders and pastors to take on the responsibility of building up the body of Christ to be sensitive and aware of non-believers." [53:52]
4. "And so, but here I really believe they are still used today. And what is important to know that we don't under emphasize spiritual gifts and we don't over emphasize spiritual gifts at the point that we lack clarity of the gospel. Those, that's the most important. That's the most important thing to me." [41:13]
5. "And so 1 Corinthians 14, tongues should not be said without interpretation. So how does tongues, how is it used today? Well, tongues is used today, I believe. I believe when someone can't understand the gospel or the word in their own language, and tongues would be a way that they could. I personally know missionaries who have experienced this, where they would be sharing the gospel with someone who can't understand what they're saying because of a language barrier, but miraculously, they could understand. I believe that's how the gift of tongues is played out today, and I believe it still happens today. And Paul says in verse 5, he says, I wish all of you could speak in tongues. That would make it a lot easier, wouldn't it, if we could all speak multiple languages?" [38:14]
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