Holy Spirit, Cover The Earth, Today, Through You Alone, Christ Be Magnified

What did someone say to you in the past week that encouraged or blessed you?

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

One of the greatest hindrances to making our life count is selfcenteredness and more people are becoming selfish nowadays. The more we love ourselves the more we don’t know how to love other people. It is not wrong to love ourselves, but the best way is to be filled with Christ’s love. We don’t know how to love ourselves properly. We need the love of Christ.

Self-centeredness is opposite of what Christ taught (2 Timothy 3:1-2, Mark 10:45). Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 teach us to build up one another. To build up one another means to help each other become more like Jesus in character and in the way we love. The best version of ourselves is when we are Christ-like. The best version of loving others is when we love like Christ.

To build up one another is to:

1. . DEVELOP THE RIGHT DESIRE (1 Corinthians 14:1-19)

Many of us know that we are to build up one another. The problem is not the knowledge but our desire.

Paul knew that to build up one another we are to use our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8). 1 Corinthians 12 lists examples of spiritual gifts. Chapter 13 reminds the Corinthians that their motive should be love. In chapter 14, Paul mentions two gifts: prophecy and speaking in tongues.

The problem is we can use our God-given gifts for selfish reasons like the Christians in Corinth. They were using their gifts to edify themselves rather than to build up one another. Wrong motives could be to: impress someone, feel good about yourself, get noticed by church leaders, compete or get business connections.

Paul is saying to them that love is the motive why we serve yet encourages them to desire or ask God for spiritual gifts (v.1) because He is the only source of spiritual gifts; not come out from them. He specified the gift of prophecy, and compared it to speaking in tongues (vv.2-3). The one who prophesies speaks to men for edification (build them up), exhortation (life them up), and consolation (encourage them). This is what Paul wants the body of Christ in Corinth to do.

PROPHECY is to speak forth, with the power of the Holy Spirit, the very words of God for the purpose of the edification of others. To prophecy is to preach God’s Word, pray, encourage one another, rebuke one another, share the good news, or cast God’s vision or direction. Test (Deuteronomy 18:22) and examine (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21) prophecy. The message God reveals to us for other people will never contradict His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

SPEAKING IN TONGUES is a language that came from the Holy Spirit for two possible purposes. First is edifying oneself (v.4). Second is, when interpreted, edifies others (v.5). They are so focused on speaking in tongues that Paul told them to be zealous for the edification of the body of Christ (vv.11-12). Pray that someone interprets so that others would be blessed and not get confused (v.13). They could not worship properly if they don’t understand someone who speaks in tongues( vv.17-19).

Someone whose heart is aligned to God will use God-given gifts to bless others, serve other people. Develop your love for others by growing yourself in your love for God. The love of God compels us to love others to build each other up. Have fellowship with other believers so you will know their needs.

2. DO IT THE RIGHT WAY (1 Corinthians 14:20-40)

Every spiritual gift that we have should be used God’s way and for God’s glory. God is a God of order and was pleased when worship was done in an orderly manner (Leviticus 9:22-23). However, the sons of Aaron died when worship was “disorderly” (Leviticus 10:1-2). This shows how holy God is!

Immature people are selfish (v.20), just thinking about themselves. Do not be like children in the way you serve. It is not just about you. It is about Jesus and the body of Christ. Paul gave the example of the Israelites. Prophets came to warn the northern kingdom but they didn’t listen. God sent the Assyrian empire to judge them (Isaiah 28:11-12). Paul told the Corinthians to look at what happened to the Israelites. They heard lips of strangers and still did not repent. God used “lips of tongues” for an unbeliever. God used prophecy for those Israelites who believe. If the Israelites didn’t repent by lips of strangers what more in the church (vv.21-22)? It is not edifying for unbelievers. If someone prophesy in their own language, they will get convicted because it’s from the Word of God, using that to edify the body of Christ (vv.23-25).

He further explained in v.26 that all things, not just speaking in tongues, should be done in order and in an edifying way. He gave them a guide in vv.31-33. God is not a God of confusion. This protects us from abusive use of prophecy. Paul said that what he was writing to them is from the Lord (vv.37-38). He is telling them not to forbid people to speak in tongues if it edify themselves (39-40). All things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. When we build up one another, God is glorified.

We all have what we need to serve Him (2 Peter 1:2-3). We don’t have any excuse not to build up one another. How can we not serve and love others when the God of the universe served and gave His life for us so that we will be saved. Jesus gave His life for us. He died on the cross to pay for our sins. We have eternal life when we receive Him. We don’t have anything to be afraid of. He came to serve so that the wages of our sins will be paid for (Romans 6:23). It’s not good works that will save us. It’s only Jesus who can save us. His love should motivate us to build up one another!

Are you aware of your Spiritual Gifts? And how are you using it?

What are the possible reasons why you or someone will not use their Spiritual Gifts to build up other people?

What are the reasons why we should use our Spiritual Gifts to build up other people?

How can you use your God-given gifts to serve your family? Your Dgroup? Or the church?

Pray for God’s love to abound in our hearts compelling us to love people who are lost and needing of His love.

Do something to bless and build them up this week.

Share to them the gospel.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort, salvation for Israel, wisdom for their leaders in government, military and their soldiers as they defend themselves against terrorists’ attacks.

• Rescue of the Israelites taken as hostages.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; conflict in African, East Asian and Middle East countries to stop.

• CCFers would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.