1 Corinthians 12 Series

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.

This week we also continue in the book of the first Corinthians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. Corinth is the original sin city. It was a transitional city and as such there was a lot of anonymity. As a Coastal town people were always coming and going. Some for vacation, most for business. The community was know for their worship of the goddess of sex. They had one of the largest temples devoted to her and the idea of fertility. You can see why when you called somebody a corinthian back then, you were saying they were living without morality. After his 1 ½ years planting the church, Paul left behind Apollos who was an amazing preacher/teacher and yet, we can see from this book the people still had questions. The immorality of the culture was so rampant that Paul had to address everything from why church potlucks should not turn into drunken frat parties and worship of the one true God should not look like a kids first birthday party at a chuck e cheese restaurant.

Last Sunday, Jennifer did a wonderful job of teaching us from 1 Cor 12 about the spiritual gifts and the difference between a gift and a talent. We believe in giftings and God’s calling. We do not put limits on God in either of these areas because scripture, our experience, reason and even Christian tradition doesn’t.

Today, we continue our study by jumping into 1 Cor 14 but before we jump into the text for today, I want to remind everyone that if we reject cultural stereotypes, classism and our own spiritual pride, in favor of unity, love and admiration for God and one another, we will accomplish the mission we have been placed on earth for.

Paul has been trying to help this church entangled in conflict to understand LOVE triumphs over culture and judgment. It is a perfect book for the church (big C) today. In the first part of chapter 14 Paul is dealing with the issue of speaking in tongues. Whether you believe:

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual language or a foreign language

Prophecy is still active in the church or not

are mute points. Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to understand worship can’t be a Christian cage match where anything goes.

Yes. The Spirit is unpredictable but it always points to the character of God which is love.

It’s not loving to talk to people in foreign languages without telling them what you said.

It’s not loving to talk over one another.

It’s not loving to share a prophecy from the Lord without others validating the gifter beforehand.

In our language, Paul is saying “Stop the Madness” and get back to the reason Christian people are supposed to gather. To love and support one another in this life. All are made by God. All are loving. All are worthy. In this scripture, we know there was tension over how to worship, the attitudes of those in worship and where the best learning happens.

Let’s listen to Paul as he jumps into another pastoral issue. Chapter 14 verse 26

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 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 to 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 Lord’s people.

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.