Greatly Desiring » Part 3
1 Corinthians 14 picks up where 12 left off.
What is the most important gift? The one that will help the most in a particular situation! Sweet! Again, content and intent is key. Is it for me or the building up of the body by seeing Jesus manifested amongst us?
The time for our seminar grew short so not all of chapter 14 was expounded upon.
Here are a few of my thoughts from Tim’s teaching…
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 – How to administer the gifts at home and in meetings.
2 – speaking in tongues is to God – praying
3 ways of tongues (languages)
- to speak and be understood in a language you do not understand (Acts 2:4-7)
- to speak to God in private without interpretation (we believe available to all who are baptized in the Holy Spirit)
- to speak to God in public with interpretation
To interpret is to proclaim the burden of what’s been prayed in tongues – not necessarily the exact wording of the one giving the tongue. God gives the interpreter the burden so that in their voice they declare to all the prayer to God which exalts Jesus. We are not simply robots, we are human, and God uses our “humaness”, our similarities and differences to display His glory.
Back to unity/diversity in the church body:
Ephesians 1:22-23
Together we display the wonder and plan of God more than we ever can on our own. The fullness of Jesus now dwells in His corporate people.
1 Corinthians 14:3
Prophecy (which is to be desired and according to Paul done more) does 3 things:
- Edifies (build’s up)
- Exhorts and encourages
- Comforts and consoles
1 Corinthians 14:4
Private use of tongues/languages builds me up. Me being built up in Jesus equips me to build others up and do it from the heart of chapter 13: Love!
1 Corinthians 14:5
Paul wishes that we all speak in tongues and prophesy. How do tongues work in private? Praying in tongues in private is a commitment to live in the supernatural. This is something I want to be committed to! Don’t you ever run out of English (or whatever your native language is) words to express what’s in your heart toward God? I do, so I pray in tongues and my soul is lifted!
That was where we ended. Wow! So much. So rich. Making Jesus famous in our midst so that we make him famous in our world!
If you missed this time with Tim, we will be working with him shortly to do the same teaching this fall at our Maryville location. As soon as we know the dates, clear your calendar! It would make Paul happy.
Express your earnest desire by attending, learning and then growing in the gifts God wants to give to and through you for the fame of Jesus.
