Well, let's pray and ask for the Holy Spirit's help as we look at this together.
Father, we thank you for your word.
Lord, we thank you for this letter of 1 Corinthians and all that it teaches us about the gathering of your people.
We pray that we today, as a local church here, as believers meeting together,
we would know your help so that we may better become the church that you call us to be.
That we would be a people who serve one another, filled with the power of your Spirit,
all for the glory and all for the honour of the Lord Jesus.
So please help us now, we pray.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Well, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being not so good and 10 being excellent,
how spiritual would you say you are between 1 and 10?
What would you rate yourself?
Well, let's put it another way.
What is the sign of a spiritual church?
Is Carigoline Baptist Church a spiritual church?
Well, the church in Corinth thought themselves to be very spiritual.
And it seems that the way to decide who is more spiritual than another,
or which church was more spiritual than another, was by their particular gift.
So the more spectacular the gift, well, the more spiritual that you are.
So if I have the gift of healing, well, then I'm far more spiritual than you if you just welcome at the door.
Or if you have the gift of miraculous powers,
then you're more spiritual than the person who's just served tea or coffee.
You see, the church in Corinth had confused spiritual gifts with true spirituality.
And the particular issue, it seems, over chapters 12 and 14,
is the issue of speaking in tongues.
And if you could speak in tongues, you were super spiritual.
Speaking in tongues, as we see in chapter 13.
Verse 1, if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
is it the gift of an unlearned language or another kind of language,
like French or Spanish or Japanese or something like that?
Well, if you could speak in tongues, you were part of the spiritual elite.
And obviously, if you couldn't, well, then you were spiritually inferior.
You were a second-class kind of citizen.
And all of this was causing great confusion and division as the church in Corinth gathered together.
And I'm sure if we were to ask each one of us here,
there would be a variety of opinions and no doubt confusion about gifts.
And it seems, therefore, that this all needs to be corrected.
So, in chapter 12, verse 1, starting, if you like, a new topic in his letter,
chapter 12, verse 1, he says,
Now, about spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters.
Now, some of your Bibles, if you're using an ESV,
you might have a little small letter beside spiritual gift,
and at the bottom of the page it might say spiritual persons.
So, it can actually be translated both ways.
So, about spiritual gifts, or about those who think themselves to be spiritual people.
Or we could group it all together and say,
Now, about spiritual matters, brothers and sisters.
I do not want you to be ignorant.
So, let me show you, he goes on to say,
let me show you then what true spirituality is all about.
It's not how spectacular your gifts are,
but how you are using your gifts.
So, chapter 13, verse 1,
as he deals with this issue of speaking in tongues,
he says,
If I speak in tongues of men and of angels,
but if I don't have the gift of love,
well, I'm only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
I'm just making a whole lot of noise,
and nobody understands what I'm saying.
Or chapter 14, verse 2,
For if 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.
Verse 4,
But he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,
but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Verse 18,
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,
but in the church,
so when the church gathers together,
I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others
than ten thousand words in a tongue.
So you see,
true spirituality isn't so much about the particular gift,
or how spectacular it may seem to other people,
it's about how you use your gift to build up the church.
That's the measure of true spirituality.
So chapters 12 to 14 are not so much about gifts,
and how do I figure out what my particular gift is,
but how we use our gifts in the context of the local church.
So this morning we're going to look at three marks of a spiritual church,
as chapter 12 through verses 1 to 11 are like a foundation
to the remaining verses up to chapter 14 and the end.
So here's the first mark.
A spiritual church submits to Jesus as Lord.
Verse 1 of chapter 12.
Now about spiritual matters,
spiritual things,
brothers and sisters,
I do not want you to be ignorant.
For you know that when you were pagans,
when you were not believers in Christ,
somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
You were off down at the pagan temple,
worshipping other gods.
Rather than Jesus being your Lord and Saviour,
you had turned entrusted to idols.
Idols, mute idols,
those that couldn't even talk or do anything for you.
They can't even save you,
but yet he says you followed them.
Of course we today mightn't go to our pagan temple,
but we've all got our idols and our gods that we follow.
We look to our work,
we look to our children or our family,
we look to money as things that are most important,
as things that can save us.
But in reality,
they are like a mute idol.
They can do nothing for us.
But then,
for these people,
everything changed, didn't it?
Look at verse 3.
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.
In other words,
these pagan people,
who had been down at the local temple,
who perhaps as part of their so-called worship,
used to curse Jesus,
have now been radically changed,
and now rather than saying,
Jesus be cursed,
they can now say,
Jesus is Lord.
We submit to Jesus.
And how did that change all come about?
Well, look at the end of verse 3.
No one can say,
Jesus is Lord,
except by the Holy Spirit.
Do you remember how Paul described his visit
when he first came to Corinth?
Have a look back to chapter 2,
verses 4 to 5.
Chapter 2, verses 4 to 5.
He describes here how it was
when he first arrived in the city of Corinth,
chapter 2, verse 4.
And he tells us there,
he says,
my message,
and my preaching,
so as he explained the cross of Jesus Christ,
he says,
we're not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom,
but on God's power.
You see,
it is the Holy Spirit
that enables people
and causes people
to turn and accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
And if you accept Jesus Christ as Lord,
the only reason you can
is because of the Spirit's work in your life.
So look at chapter 2, verse 14.
The person without the Spirit
does not accept the things
that come from the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him,
and he cannot understand them
because they are spiritually discerned.
You see,
it is the work of the Spirit
that causes us
to cry out and submit to Jesus as Lord.
Go back with me to chapter 12.
So you see,
if you are a Christian here this morning,
you are a spiritual person.
The Holy Spirit has changed you.
So your spirituality
is not dependent on the gift you might have,
but that the fact that you have been changed
and you are now convinced
that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life,
that he now rules your life.
So true spirituality
isn't about your ability to speak in tongues
or give a message of wisdom
or heal the sick.
It is about Christ being Lord of your life.
Now, if Jesus is Lord of our lives
and if Jesus is Lord of this church,
then we will bow in humble submission
to the authority of the Lord's Word.
So have a look at chapter 14, verse 37.
Chapter 14, verse 37.
This is as he comes to a conclusion
of his whole argument
and his whole correcting
of what had been going on in the church.
So verse 37, he says,
if anybody thinks he is a prophet
or spiritually gifted,
if any of you think you are
a super spiritual person,
well then let him acknowledge
that what I am writing to you
is the Lord's command.
If he ignores this,
in other words,
if he ignores the Lord's word,
he himself will be ignored.
So you see,
to say the words,
Jesus is Lord,
is not just a verbal consent.
It is to live your life
under the authority
of the Lord's command
to live under his word,
under scripture.
So that means as we step
into this whole subject
and topic of spiritual gifts,
well we need to submit
our own personal experience
and our own church traditions,
whatever they may be,
we must submit them
to the authority
of the Lord's command,
scripture itself.
We are to let God's word
shape our understanding
and practice of God's gifts
to us.
It's not what I think
or what you think,
but what does God say?
So first,
a spiritual church
will submit to Jesus
as Lord.
Second mark
of a spiritual church
is that the spiritual church
will celebrate
a diversity of gifts.
So chapter 12, verse 4.
Chapter 12, verse 4.
There are different kinds of gifts,
but the same spirit.
There are different kinds
of service,
but the same Lord.
There are different kinds
of working,
but the same God
works all of them
in all people.
God in his goodness
has given to his church
gifts,
services,
workings.
In other words,
we're not all clones
sitting here together
doing the same thing.
there is a vast variety
within the body
of the church.
And an example
is provided for us,
isn't it,
in verses 8 to 10.
And we can get very fixated
with this list
and look at all these
various gifts
and wonder,
well, what do they all mean?
Well, as I've been reading
and thinking afresh
about this through the week,
it seems that we don't know
what all of them
actually do mean
because some of them
only appear here
and they're not even explained
and we're not even told
what they are.
So it's sometimes hard
to discern exactly
what each gift is.
However, having said that,
let me just go through the list
and look at each
of these gifts
and suggest a few things
with caution.
So, verse 8,
to one there is given
the Spirit,
sorry, verse 8,
to one there is given
through the Spirit
the message of wisdom.
So what's the message
of wisdom?
Is it a word
about the wisdom
of the cross
which saves people
that he was talking about
back in chapter 1?
The wisdom,
the power of God
to save people?
To another,
verse 8,
there is the message
of knowledge.
Is it a word
of knowledge
whereby someone
can give us
an understanding
from the Word of God
as to who God is
and how he works?
Verse 9,
to another faith
by the same Spirit.
Is it the conviction
or the confidence
that God's purposes
are going to be
worked out
in a certain way
and so in faith
we step out
trusting God?
To another,
gifts of healing
by that one Spirit.
I think that is
straightforward
to some extent,
healing those
who are sick.
But let me make
just one comment
on that.
The emphasis
here is on
the person
who does
the healing.
Not the person
who is receiving
the healing.
So sometimes
we say,
oh well the reason
you're not healed
is because of your faith.
You don't have
enough faith.
Well no,
actually the emphasis
is on the healer.
So if you're not healed
it's not your fault,
it's the person,
well they don't have
the gift.
Working on.
Verse 10,
to another,
miraculous powers.
Supernatural events
or workings
to fulfill
the purposes of God.
Perhaps to provide
something
or to change
a certain circumstance.
To another,
prophecy.
We'll come across
this more so
in chapter 14
which I think
is clear.
It's speaking
God's word
into the context
of our lives
to build up
and encourage.
To another,
verse 10,
distinguishing
between the spirits.
Is it the ability
to discern
what is from God
so that it protects
the church family
from those
who do not
speak the truth?
And then to another,
speaking in different
kinds of tongues.
Well,
what is tongues?
Is it,
chapter 13,
verse 1,
if I speak
in the tongues
of men?
Is that a known
language,
as we said earlier,
like French
or Spanish
or sign language?
Or is it
the language
of angels?
So something
that is unlearned
and something
we just don't know
what it is.
And then finally,
to still another,
the interpretation
interpretation
of tongues.
Interpreting
what somebody
has spoken
in tongues
to encourage
and build up
the church.
Now,
having gone
through that,
part of it
is just an exercise
to think about
these gifts.
But I think
the reason why
they're listed here
is not so much
to get us bogged
down into
what is the meaning
of each one,
but to help us
see that,
look,
look at the gifts here.
There is a huge
diversity of gifts
within the church.
In fact,
some of you
may know
that within
the New Testament
there are four
other places
where we have
a list
of different gifts.
One of them
being 1 Corinthians
12 verse 28.
We have a few
more gifts.
Or in Romans 12
and Ephesians 4
and 1 Peter 4.
And if we had time
to compare
all of these,
we would see
that, well,
they're actually
all generally
different.
Each list
is somewhat
different.
Let's have a look
at one of these lists.
Go back to Romans 12.
It's the book
just before
1 Corinthians.
Romans chapter 12
verses 6 to 8.
Romans 12
6 to 8.
1 Corinthians 12
Same author,
but writing
to a different
church.
Here's what he says.
Verse 6,
We have
different gifts
according to
the grace
given us.
If a person's
gift is
prophesying,
well,
let him use it
in proportion
to his faith
or according
to the faith.
If it is
serving,
let him serve.
If it is
teaching,
let him teach.
If it is
encouraging,
let him encourage.
If it is
contributing to
the needs of
others,
let him give
generously.
If it's
leadership,
well,
let him govern
diligently.
If it is
showing mercy,
let him do it
cheerfully.
prophecy.
Now,
I wonder if
you noticed
what was
common between
the list in
1 Corinthians
and the list
in Romans.
Did you see
anything that
was common?
There's actually
only one.
That is the
gift of
prophecy.
The rest are
all different.
So what are we
to say when we
compare the two?
Does that mean
to say that the
church in Corinth
is far more
spiritual than
the church in
Rome?
Or is the
church in Rome
more spiritual
than the church
in Corinth?
Does that mean
to say that the
church in Corinth
didn't have the
gift of healing?
Or that the
church in Corinth
didn't have the
gift of leadership?
In fact,
as we go through
Scripture and look
at all these lists,
some gifts are not
even mentioned.
So in all of the
lists when we
compare them,
there isn't the
gift of music.
Is music a gift?
Is singing a gift?
Quite clearly, I know
some are better than
others.
We know that.
What about DIY?
Fixing the wheels on
the screens.
Can you all do that?
What about art?
What about IT when it
comes to computers?
Are these not all
different kinds of
gifts?
So I think when we're
looking at 1 Corinthians
12, if we go back
there, this is not an
exhaustive list of the
gifts.
This is not the one
master list that we
shape our whole life
and our whole church
by.
It's representative of
the kinds of gifts that
there are within the
church.
Does each church have
every gift?
I don't think it does.
Does each person have
the same gift?
I don't think they do.
Does each church have
the same gift all of
the time?
No, they don't.
I think it changes.
The point is, there is
a diversity of gifts.
Even when we look at
1 Peter 4, he doesn't
even go into a big list.
He just says, gifts of
speaking, gifts of
serving.
Now, this diversity of
gifts is all part of
God's good design for
the local church.
Have a look at 1
Corinthians 12, verse
11.
1 Corinthians 12, verse
11.
All these, all these
gifts, these diversity
of gifts, are the work
of the one and the same
spirit.
And he gives them
to each one
just as
God
determines.
Or just as
God
wills.
So you see,
within this diversity
of gifts,
I don't get to decide
what gift I might have.
It's not like we all
go walking into
the sweetie shop
and we're all
there to pick out
our favourite
sweeties down in
Antinelli's.
That we kind of go
into the gift shop
and we come before
God and we go,
mmm, healing.
I think I'd like
that one.
But you know what?
Hold off on the gift
of financial giving.
I don't really like
that one.
Gift of miraculous
powers.
I'll take that,
but don't want the
gift of cleaning
the loose.
Hold on that one
too.
You see,
it's not up to us
to decide
what gift I have
or what gifts
this church
should have.
It's not for me
to determine
or for you
to determine.
God gives
to his church
different kind
of gifts,
end of verse 11,
as he
determines.
We can't
manipulate God
into getting
what we want.
It doesn't matter
how hard I pray
or what I do.
This is God's
church and he is
Lord over the
church.
So that means
as a church
we should not
be thinking,
you know,
am I lacking
some spiritual
gift?
Is there something
wrong with me?
We should never
think that God
gets it wrong.
Do you think
God has designed
his church
wrong?
Just as he
has given us
the gift of
salvation,
God determines
and gives the
gift of these
diverse gifts.
So second,
the spiritual
church celebrates
a diversity
of gifts
as God
chooses to
give.
The third
mark,
a spiritual
church
builds up
the church
body.
Now while we
have a diversity
of gifts,
they all come
from the same
source.
Look at verses
four and five
again.
Diversity
but yet
unity
all from the
same source.
Let's read
verse four
again.
There's different
kinds of
gifts
but the
same
spirit.
there are
different
kinds of
service
but it's
the same
Lord.
There are
different kinds
of working
but the
same God
works all
of them
in all
men.
So do you
see there?
Same spirit,
same Lord,
same God.
Father,
Son and
Spirit.
It's the
Trinity.
There's a
diversity
within the
Trinity.
Isn't there
Father,
Son and
Spirit?
But yet
they're united
together
in one's
purpose.
They are of
the one
source.
So the
same point
is underlined
as we go
through
verses eight
through to
ten.
It's about
the same
spirit,
the one
spirit.
All gifts
come from
the one
Godhead.
Now if our
gifts all
come from
the one
source,
then they
must also
have the
one purpose.
For God
is united
in his
one purpose.
Verse
seven.
Now to
each one
the
manifestation
of the
Spirit is
given for
the common
good.
So the
purpose of
our gifts
is not to
gain promotion
or popularity.
They are
for the
common
good.
They are
for the
building up
of God's
church.
And he
gets on to
this again
in chapter
14.
Just have
a sneak
look ahead.
Chapter
14,
verse 12.
In the
middle of
verse 12,
he says,
since you
are eager
to have
spiritual
gifts,
try to
excel in
gifts that
what?
Build up
the church.
Or
verse 26,
as he
gets to
the
conclusion
of
talking
all
about
it.
What
shall
we
say
then,
brothers
and
sisters,
when we
come
together,
everyone
has a
hymn,
one word
of
instruction,
a
revelation,
a
tongue,
or an
interpretation.
All of
these must
be done
for the
strengthening
of the
church.
So the
purpose of
these diverse
gifts,
which come
from the
one source,
God
himself,
is so
that we
would serve
one another
for the
common good,
for the
building up
and the
growing of
his church.
And there's
no escape
in this
work either.
This isn't
just for a
select few.
Back at
verse 7 of
chapter 12,
to each
one,
the Spirit
is given
for the
common good.
Down at
verse 11,
all these
are the
work of
the one
and the
same
Spirit,
and he
gives to
each
one,
just as
he
determines.
So there's
no exclusion
or no
discrimination.
Each one
has been
given a
gift,
or gifts
from God
by his
Spirit,
for the
common good,
for the
building up
and the
growing of
his
church.
So it
seems that
as he
sets out
his
argument,
he's saying
to the
church,
and we're
learning for
ourselves
here,
there should
be no
arguing and
no fighting
over gifts,
but there
should be a
celebration
of the
diversity of
gifts,
and together
working for
the building
up of
his
church.
So let
me ask the
question that
we started
with at the
beginning.
Are you a
spiritual
person?
Well, if
you have the
Holy Spirit
within you,
you are a
spiritual
person.
And what's
most important
is that we
can cry from
our heart,
Jesus is
Lord,
he is
Lord over
our lives,
and I am
submitting to
his authority.
That is the
sign.
of a
spiritual
person.
Are we a
spiritual
church?
Do we
recognize
amongst each
other the
variety and
the diversity
of gifts
that God
has given?
Or do we
look down in
inferiority and
in superiority
over one
another and
go,
hmm,
mine is
better than
yours?
Or do we
recognize that
God is
determined to
give just
as he
planned to
one another
for the
building up
and the
growing up
of each
one of
us and
for the
growing of
his church?
What's all
these gifts
going to look
like in
practice as
we seek to
gather together
as church and
live out as
church?
Well, you'll
need to come
next week and
discover what
Ralph has to
say.
well, let's
pray.
Let's
pray.
God, we
will be
together as
the
Lord.
Our
Father God,
we come
before you
as Father,
Son, and
Holy Spirit.
And we
submit ourselves
afresh before
you,
acknowledging that you