LIFESONG – Following the Conductor in a Song of Praise
1 Corinthians 12 – 14
INTRODUCTION:
Missionary Robert Porteous and his wife were taken prisoners by Chinese communist bandits in 1931. This missionary couple was led to a lonely spot on top of a hill where they were to be executed. The Chinese leader said, “This is the place.” and the executioner took a long knife from its holder and raised it above the necks of the courageous couple.
Certain death seemed imminent. What would you do in such a situation? This couple sang a hymn! Instead of crying and begging for mercy, the couple began to sing song of praise. The communist bandits stared open-mouthed as they heard Porteous and his wife sing:
“Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face-what will it be? When with rapture I behold him, Jesus Christ who died for me.”
These two missionaries were ready for death and did not take their lead from the men who held their lives in their hands. Instead they followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and worshiped their Savior whom they expected to see when their lives were taken from them. It appeared that this would be their last song. But, no order was given for their execution. The executioner returned the knife to its place, and the couple was released.
Two weeks ago we focused on singing your part in a song of praise; this required knowing your P-A-R-T.
P – Play Your Part
A – Attitude Adjustment
R – Right Relationship
T – Today not Tomorrow
Last week we looked at getting rid of the sour notes, staying on key in a song of praise required that we all know our N-O-T-E.
N NEW NATURE, Our Christian Character
O ONENESS
T TRIUMPHAL GIFTS
E EXPERIENCE and MATURITY
Today we come to part three of our LIFESONG—Following the Conductor in a Song of Praise. As Pastor George pointed out my text today is 1 Corinthians 12-14, three chapters not just three verses! I thought about using the word CONDUCTOR to form the outline for this message; that would give me nine points to use for breaking these three chapters down for us, but I decided that might be to much for us (even with a pot luck dinner). So then I thought about using the word LEADER; that’s only six letters, so I could easily have outlined three chapters with two points each, right? Well you will be glad to know I thought six was still to long so I came up with something else to help us make our way through three chapters of the Bible today.
Following the conductor in a song of praise means we aren’t all running off to do our own thing; instead we are following a leader. Leaders can be thought of as the one who is in charge (ah, but charge is six letters too); the conductor, the leader or the person in charge is the HEAD from whom we all take direction. H-E-A-D that’s only four letters; how many of you can stay with me through four points?
Following the conductor in a song of praise means we take our lead from the H-E-A-D:
H Holy Spirit is in Charge (12: 1-11)
E Everyone Energized by the Spirit (12:8-30)
A All about Love - AGAPE (12:21-13:13)
D Do It For Others (14:1-40)
H Holy Spirit is in Charge (12: 1-11)
1. Don’t follow the wrong leader!
• 1 Corinthians 12:1-2 (NIV)
[1] 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.
a) God doesn’t want us to be ignorant, to be unaware or uninformed about who is really in charge.
b) Knowledge sets us free from following the wrong leader! Don’t let a MUTE IDOL be the one you look to for guidance; we have a God who speaks to us by His Spirit!
c) Jesus is the head of the church, but Jesus is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father. The Spirit lives and dwells within the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit is in charge; He is the Spirit of Jesus giving direction to the church, the body of Christ.
2. The Holy Spirit conducts the song of praise; God is our leader, and the Holy Spirit is in charge.
• 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)
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.
• John 16:13 (NIV)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
3. The Holy Spirit directs everything we do. Apart from the Holy Spirit we cannot do anything for God.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)
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.
a) Who is the conductor, who is leading the song of praise? THE HOLY SPIRIT.
b) Different gifts, different kinds of service, different works, but they are all orchestrated by the Holy Spirit; same Spirit, same Lord, same God.
ILLUSTRATION: A sign in the deli at our local grocery store reads, “Do you want to talk to the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on?”
c) Paul doesn’t claim to be the man in charge, and as far as we know Paul wasn’t married so there wasn’t a woman to tell him what was really going on. PAUL WAS DIRECTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
d) No where does the Bible say that it is the PASTOR or a prophet, apostle a deacon or elder is given the place of ultimate leadership within the church. Folks, just because I’m your pastor does not make me the man in charge.
e) ALL AUTHORITY within the church is delegated authority; the Holy Spirit is the one who directs the leadership of the church. CHRIST IS THE HEAD of the body His Church.
• Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
E Everyone Energized by the Spirit (12:8-30)
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)
[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.
1. Each gift is ENERGIZED or EMPOWERED by the Spirit!
a) The Spirit distributes the gifts and gives them life; the Spirit makes the gifts effective to fulfill God’s purpose because they are empowered by God.
b) These are not the only gifts; Paul’s purpose was not to give an exhaustive list. Paul lists other gifts in Romans 12. Here is the point—IN WHATEVER WAY GOD USES YOU IT IS A GIFT ENERGIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• Zechariah 4:6 (MsgB)
“You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
c) We can’t do anything for God in our own ability. God works in and through you by His Spirit!
2. We are not all the same! There are many different gifts, but the Spirit energizes them all. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (verse 11). Look what Paul says next:
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (NIV)
[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.
a) We are all members of ONE BODY, but what gives the body life? GOD’S SPIRIT ANIMATES THE BODY. The Holy Spirit energizes each of us to fulfill His plan and purpose.
ILLUSTRATION: What makes it possible for you to move your arms, or to run? What causes you to be able to open and close your hand or turn your head? Muscles yes, but muscles do not cause the movement; your muscles respond to the nerve impulses. Movement begins in your brain (your head) and travels like lightning through nerve endings to the various parts of your body causing your muscles to bring about movement.
b) The Holy Spirit is like the brain and nerve endings of the body. The Spirit is in charge giving direction to the body, but the Spirit also gives the impulses to make the body move. The Spirit energizes and empowers movement in the body. We can do nothing without the Spirit.
3. The Spirit also maintains the unity of the body.
• 1 Corinthians. 12:20-27 (NIV)
[20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
[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.
a) If you separate yourself from the body, if you disconnect from your brothers and sisters in Christ, then you are also disconnecting from the Spirit.
b) We are different but we are one!
• 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (NIV)
[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.
A All about Love - AGAPE (12:21-13:13)
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NIV)
[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.
[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.
1. Without love everything we do adds up to NOTHING.
2. The Spirit leads us in love and energizes the gifts with love BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.
• 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
a) We can do nothing for God without the help of the Holy Spirit; therefore, everything we do for God is done with love. If love is missing we are just putting on a show that gets no applause from God.
b) When we read 1 Corinthians 13 in connection with chapters 12 and 14 we suddenly discover not just a more complete description of God. God is love, therefore:
i) God is patient.
ii) God is kind.
iii) God does not envy.
iv) God does not boast, nor is God proud.
v) God is not rude.
vi) God is not easily angered.
vii) God does not keep a record of our sins.
viii) God does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.
ix) God will always protect. He is always faithful.
x) God always hopes and perseveres; God never fails!
c) Kept in its context 1 Corinthians 13 also show us what we should look like as followers of Christ! As followers of Jesus we are supposed to live our lives like Jesus. Now you know what that means.
3. It’s all about love because love will endure long after there is no need for the gifts to continue.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NIV)
[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. [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.
a) The Holy Spirit will continue to direct and energize us with various spiritual gifts until perfection comes; that is until Jesus comes.
b) When Jesus comes He will destroy sin and death. Satan will be cast into hell and everything that weakens our desire to serve God will be done away with. Then there will no longer be any need for the Spirit to energize the gifts within us because we will be with God and He will have made all things new—perfection will have come again to God’s people.
TRANSITION: Together we are must follow the conductor in a song of praise. Following the Holy Spirit in a song of praise means we take our lead from the H-E-A-D. Holy Spirit is in charge, Everyone is Energized by the Spirit, it is All about love, and:
D Do It For Others (14:1-40)
• 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1. Too often we ask, “What’s in it for me?” The gifts are not just for our own benefit. THE SPIRIT DIRECTS US IN A SONG OF PRAISE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS.
• 1 Corinthians. 14:1-12 (NIV)
[1] 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.
2. The Spirit engergizes the gifts within us AS WE STEP OUT IN FAITH WILLING TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.
• 1 Corinthians 14:13-19 (NIV)
[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.
3. Paul wanted the Corinthians to grow up and stop trying to appear to be more spiritual than others in the church. They were to use the gifts for the benefit of others. Likewise if we are going to be mature as believers then we will not use the gifts to puff ourselves up spiritually; instead we will DO IT FOR OTHERS.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20-40 (NIV)
[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.
CONCLUSION: Together we are must follow the conductor in a song of praise. Following the Holy Spirit in a song of praise means we take our lead from the H-E-A-D.
H Holy Spirit is in Charge (12: 1-11)
E Everyone Energized by the Spirit (12:8-30)
A All about Love - AGAPE (12:21-13:13)
D Do It For Others (14:1-40)
