Sunday, August 24, 2014

The Balanced Spirit-Filled Church: Overview of 1 Corinthians 12-14

Power: The gifts of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1 (ASB) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.

1 Corinthians 12:4—7 (ASB) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (AMP) But earnestly desire {and} zealously cultivate the greatest {and} best gifts {and} graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love].

Love: Personal sacrifice to benefit others.

1 Corinthians 13:1—3 (ASB) If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Order: All things must be done properly.

1 Corinthians 14:1—5 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 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. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 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.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ASB) But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

1.) Love is the superior gift.

The Corinthians had not followed the excellent way of love but were worldly minded, seeking
to exalt self, and were ambitious in their manner of using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The
condition of the Church, divisions, self-exaltations and self-confidence were the results of not
being governed by the more excellent way of love.
—Explorer’s Bible Study: New Testament Epistles & Revelation

It is tragic that in many churches, as in the one in ancient Corinth, the love that is basic to
Christian character does not characterize the membership or the ministry. Love was missing
in Corinth. Spiritual gifts were present (1:7); right doctrine for the most part was present
(11:2); but love was absent. Throughout history it seems that the church has found it difficult
to be loving. It is easier to be orthodox than to be loving, and easier to be active in church
work than to be loving. Yet the supreme characteristic that God demands of His people is
love. In opposing that love the enemy of the church makes some of his supreme efforts.
—MacArthur's New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians

Love: G26  γάπη agapē ag-ah'-pay from G25  γαπάω agapaō ag-ap-ah'-o

The word agape connotes a deep, abiding, self-sacrificing love—the kind that looks out for
the other person first. —Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians
John 3:16 (ASB) “For God so loved (agapaō)the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (emphasis Added)

John 13:34—35 (ASB) 34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love (agapaō) one another, even as I have loved (agapaō) you, that you also love (agapaō) one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (emphasis Added)

John 15:9—11 (ASB)  “Just as the Father has loved (agapaō) Me, I have also loved (agapaō)you; abide in My love (agapē). 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love (agapē); just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (agapē). 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (emphasis Added)

1 John 4:16 (ASB) We have come to know and have believed the love (agapaō)which God has for us. God is love (agapaō), and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (emphasis Added)

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