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Our Hope After Death – 1 Corinthians 15:22-34

Last Sunday – The Resurrection is our sure foundation –

1Corinthians 15:12-21Christ’s resurrection (and what it does to us) is our only sure foundation.Our preaching and faith hinges on the certainty & confidence of Christ’sresurrection…. continuing

Our Hope After Death

  • We don’t think about death, unlike the Corinthians.
  • Because death was a daily reality, they were concerned.
  • We have to think about death so we know how to find hope.
  • A wrong understanding can mislead us & take us on a destructive path.

In this chapter, Paul corrects a mistaken idea among some Corinthians that Christians will never be resurrected in bodily form.

  • If not corrected, it could have left them hopeless.

They believed, as taught by the culture around them that either death is the end of a person entirely or that only the spirit goes on into some vague afterlife. Paulis showing that, instead, Christians will be resurrected to entire, physical lives just as Christ was after His crucifixion.

Why? – Our understanding will have a significant implication on how we live today

I am hoping that what we will hear today will make To have the proper perspective about life after death –

1. We have to understand the order in which events have unfolded in the past (v. 22-23)

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”

  • When God created ….
  • Adam’s sin brought both physical and spiritual death to all humanity:
    • Physical death: The eventual decay and cessation of bodily functions
    • Spiritual death: Separation from God and a broken relationship with Him

This affects every person born into the world – we inherit the consequences of Adam’s original sin.

  • His death became the pattern for all who would follow, because all are born into Adam’s sin.
  • Therefore, Because Adam died, all die.
  • There is no restoration or resurrection of those who die in sin

Redemption through Christ’s Crucifixion

  • But God so loved the world he sent his son to … not only did he die, but on thethird day, he rose again from the dead.
  • But his resurrection from death became the inevitable pattern for all forgivenfor their sins through faith in Him.
  • Because He was resurrected in His bodily, physical form, all who are in Christ will also be physically resurrected from the grave when the time is right.
  • Christ’s resurrection brings life to all who believe in Him
  • There is an order to the resurrection: Christ first, then believers at His return

Our hope in death, based on the past events described, is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope encompasses several key aspects:

  • Assurance of our own resurrection: Just as Christ was resurrected, we too will be raised to new life. – What a beautiful truth to behold!
  • Victory over death: Christ’s resurrection demonstrates that death is not the end, but a transition to eternal life for believers.
  • Transformation of our bodies: We will receive glorified, incorruptible bodies like Christ’s resurrected body.
  • Reunion with fellow believers: We will be united with other Christians who have died in Christ.
  • Eternal life in God’s presence: Our resurrection guarantees an eternity spent in perfect fellowship with God.

This hope gives us comfort, purpose, and motivation to live faithful lives, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secured through Christ’s victory over death.

2. We have to understand the order in which the event will unfold in the future (v. 24-28)

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

  • Christ will ultimately defeat all enemies, including death itself.
  • sometimes described as the “resurrection of the church,” comes “the end.”
  • Christ will take possession of and hand over the Kingdom of God to the Father,but only after destroying—or “dethroning”—every ruler, authority, and power.
  • earthly rulers or spiritual powers or both. Whatever has authority in the heavens or on earth will be displaced by Christ as He takes authority over all things.
  • no details of the end times, but what he suggests is a battle or war for control over the earth that Christ will ultimately win for the sake of God the Father.

All of this will take place after His followers have been resurrected from the dead,as Christ was.

  • He will hand over the kingdom to God the Father

The final enemy Christ will defeat is death itself. In a sense, Christ’s defeat of death began with His own resurrection from the grave. It will continue with the resurrection of all who have believed in Him. It will be final when death is no more(Revelation 21:1–5).

Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

At that moment, the victory over death and sin will be complete, and those who have believed in Christ will be free from it for all eternity (1 John 3:2;  1Corinthians 15:51).

1 John 3:2 (ESV): “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

1 Corinthians 15:51 : “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”

Instead, it is the Father’s power that will enable Christ to gain the victory, followed by Christ’s giving to the Father the glory of the conquered kingdom.

  • God will be “all in all” – the ultimate fulfillment of His sovereignty

The final goal of this, and the purpose of all of history and the lives of all who are in Christ and of Christ Himself, is that God will be “all in all.” In other words, God’s glory will reign supreme over the entire universe.

Our Hope in Death, Based on Future Events:

  • Anticipation of Christ’s return: We eagerly await the second coming of Christ,which will initiate the resurrection of believers.
  • Participation in Christ’s victory: We will witness and partake in Christ’s ultimate triumph over all evil powers and authorities.
  • Freedom from death’s power: We look forward to the final defeat of death itself, knowing it will no longer have any hold over us.
  • Complete restoration: We anticipate the end of all suffering, pain, and tears,replaced by perfect joy in God’s presence.

3. We have to understand how to live today, knowing the past & the future (v. 29-34)

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”[d] 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not goon sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

  • Paul uses rhetorical questions to emphasize the absurdity of denying theresurrection
  • Don’t you see, I am so sure of resurrection that I put my life at risk every day.
  • Our present sufferings have meaning because of the future Resurrection
  • Paul tells the Corinthians in this verse that he boasts about their coming to Christ as one of the success stories of his ministry. All of that would be worthless, he implies, if there was no resurrection from the dead. There would be no point to his dying “every day,” likely meaning that he faced the real possibility of death constantly for the sake of Christ.
  • Preaching the gospel does not bring him wealth or pleasure or status. Instead,it led him to fighting with beasts in Ephesus.
  • In any case, without the hope of resurrection for himself and those he preaches to, Paul assures his readers he would not continue to do what he is doing. Instead, he would live like those philosophers of his day known as the Epicureans, who attempted to live life to the fullest since they were convinced nothing came after. He quotes from Isaiah 22:13 to capture that spirit, “Let useat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
  • Belief in the resurrection should impact our daily Lives
  • We must be vigilant against false teachings and immoral Influences
  • Our lives should reflect the knowledge of God

Based on verses 33-34, Paul provides guidance on how we should live today,knowing the past and future events:

  • Be cautious of bad influences: “Bad company ruins good morals.” We must be careful about the company we keep and the influences we allow in our lives.
  • Stay spiritually alert: “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right.” We should maintain spiritual vigilance and not become complacent in our faith.
  • Pursue holiness: “Do not go on sinning.” Knowing our future hope should motivate us to live righteously in the present.
  • Seek knowledge of God: “For some have no knowledge of God.” We should continually strive to deepen our understanding and relationship with God.

These instructions emphasize the importance of living intentionally and righteously, with our future hope in mind, while avoiding negative influences that could lead us astray.

Conclusion:

The resurrection of Christ is not just a historical event but a powerful reality that shape our present and future. It gives us hope, purpose, and the motivation to live holy lives. Let us embrace this truth and allow it to transform every aspect of our existence.

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The Resurrection is our sure foundation – 1 Corinthians 15:12-21

Good morning church! A warm welcome to all who have joined us at the hall and who have joined us online this morning. Hope you are doing well.

As a church we’ve been going through this series titled The Church: God’s Dwelling Place from the letter of 1st Corinthians. What we’ve learnt so far is that when the Bible uses the word “church”, it’s not referring to a building, an organization or a Sunday event that we attend. The church is the redeemed people of God among whom God dwells.

And because the church is referring to the redeemed people of God who are not perfect yet, we’re bound to see issues, struggles and conflict between them. This is what we see taking place in the Corinthian church and yet God hasn’t given up on them and still calls them as His dwelling place. In fact this letter is used as a means of grace to correct them and draw them to repentance.

That should give hope and encouragement to us today even as we look inwards and see issues, struggles and conflict. This letter should remind us that God has not given up on us but still graciously calls us His dwelling place! And in His grace He won’t leave us where we’re at but is using this letter as a means of grace to correct us and draw us to repentance.

Today we arrive at this passage of 1 Corinthians 15 where we see issues in their theology – issues in their understanding of God especially around their understanding of the resurrection.

At the sound of this, I know it seems like a topic which is relevant to only seminary circles but that’s not the case.

What we will see today and in the next couple of weeks is that this understanding of the resurrection has deep implications as to how we live our lives in the here and now.

Your understanding about the resurrection will affect the way you work. Your understanding about the resurrection will affect your faithfulness in your current stage in life (either as a single person or married). Your understanding about the resurrection will affect the way you make your future plans (where to live, work).

Your understanding about the resurrection will affect the way you commit to a local church. Your understanding about the resurrection will affect the way you look at your suffering in this life. Your understanding about the resurrection will affect the way you view death – death of a loved one or the eventuality of us passing away one day.

As you can see the resurrection affects and impacts every aspect of our life because it’s closely tied to what we truly believe about our future state in eternity. What this passage boils down to is that Christ’s resurrection (and what it does to us) is our only sure foundation.

[12] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

The background to this passage is that there were some in the Corinthian church who were denying that there was life after death. This seemed to have been affected by the Greco Roman culture where they believed in life in the here and now.

They were basically saying “jiyo, mauj manao, ash karo sirf ye zindagi ke liye”. One of the executive directors at work once said this “hum log kiske liye jeete hai? Khaane ke liye hi jeete hai.” And we can replace that khaana with anything in the world – shaadi, shopping, traveling etc.

And so recognizing this false understanding that some in the Corinthian church had, Paul wanted to address it.

But the way he addresses it is different from how we would expect. Instead of looking ahead to the future resurrection and providing proofs for what will bring it about (that’s how I would tackle it), Paul looks back to Christ’s resurrection event and tries to build a case from there.

In fact he tries to answer it from the negative. His point is that if as believers in Christ, we’re not going to experience a physical bodily resurrection, then even Christ’s physical bodily resurrection didn’t take place. Christ’s resurrection should be considered a fraud. It should be considered as bogus. Christ’s resurrection should be considered as an urban legend.

In other words, Paul is saying that Christ’s resurrection wasn’t just an isolated event that took place 2000 years ago with no bearing on anyone else. On the contrary he’s arguing that Christ’s resurrection has deep implications for us in the present and also for our futures.

[14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

He’s carrying forward that argument from the negative. If Christ didn’t rise, then our preaching and your faith is in vain. That word “vain” means empty, meaningless, useless.

Christ’s resurrection was central to Paul’s preaching. It wasn’t a side note. It wasn’t a minor disclaimer. It was the main thing!

Paul’s saying that if Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead, then all of his preaching amounted to nothing. It didn’t really matter. He was just wasting everyone’s time.

Not only was he wasting everyone’s time, but if Christ didn’t rise from the dead, then our faith simply has nothing to stand on. If Christ didn’t rise from the dead, then what are we believers for? The sum quality of our faith would be empty and useless. It’s like going to a gold jewelry store to exchange your old gold ornaments only to find out that it wasn’t real gold – it was gold plated but not real.

That’s how important & significant the resurrection should be to us. It’s not a simple side note to the Gospel. It’s not just a dramatic historical event. Our preaching and faith hinges on the certainty & confidence of Christ’s resurrection. If Christ didn’t rise, then we are all wasting our time this morning.

[15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

If Christ didn’t rise from the dead, not only is our preaching and faith in vain, but also that Paul would be guilty of misrepresenting God – which means a false witness. He would be guilty of being a false witness by saying that God raised His Son Jesus Christ from the dead if that didn’t happen.

Paul saw his calling as a preacher of the Gospel as one who was just an honest witness of what really took place – that’s precisely what the word “testify” means. He was just giving a ground report on the reality of the resurrection.

He wasn’t supposed to add his own “tadka” to make it more palatable to the ears of the Corinthians because the goal was not to draw crowds but reveal the grace of God to people.

That should encourage us to know that that’s the scope of our responsibility whenever we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with someone. Many times we think we have to make it more engaging especially when we are connecting with unbelievers. But I think this passage should inform us that we don’t have to add or subtract anything from the Gospel.

Our responsibility is simply to testify – give an honest ground report of who God is, what our sin problem is, what has Jesus done for us to save us and what are we called to do in response to His saving work. That’s it! That should lift up the burden from us who think that we don’t have the storytelling or oratory skills to be a good evangelist. God is not calling us to that, He’s asking us to bear witness, testify, give an honest ground report.

[16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Paul repeats the same theme in V16 again – if we have no hope for a resurrection, then even Christ wasn’t raised & our faith is futile. Futile is the same as vain – it’s empty, useless and profitless.

If Christ didn’t truly rise from the dead, then all the spiritual blessings and benefits that we have claimed in Christ are nullified and rendered empty, useless and profitless. It’s like thinking that you’ve won the jackpot lottery only to find that the company who is supposed to give you the jackpot doesn’t exist.

And then Paul goes on to say that “…and you are still in your sins”. This part of the verse stumped me for many years because I was under the impression that forgiveness of sins only had to do with Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross.

For a long time I thought that the significance of the resurrection was only about bringing Jesus back to life and proving that He is indeed God’s Son. Now that’s true of course but there is a forgiveness significance as well.

Romans 4:24-25 ESV[24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

This tells us that Jesus’ death on the cross was more about dealing with the punishment and judgment for our sins. On that first Good Friday when Jesus was dying on the cross, He was bearing God’s wrath and judgment which was meant for us.

Jesus’ Resurrection was for our justification – our acquittal. So that we would be pronounced innocent free of any charge.

Imagine being in a tense courtroom where you’re standing before the Ultimate Judge who knows all the details of what you’ve done. There’s no rationalizing and manipulating that can be done because here is the Ultimate Judge who reads the hidden motives our your heart.

You’re standing there, nervous, crippled with fear and perspiring because you know what you’ve done and what you’re supposed to face as a punishment. When the final judgment is pronounced, you get to know that you are not guilty!

You’re speechless and are finding it hard to make sense of the judgment because this was a miracle! How in the world could we be called innocent after what we’ve thought, said and done? You enquire how this came to be and find out that somebody else exchanged his free life for yours and that’s why you are now free!

It’s so humbling to realize what Christ did for us – not only did He pay our enormous debt with His own life but He also granted us His perfect righteousness as a free gift so that we don’t have to ever wonder if God looks at us as condemned criminals. No, he looks at us as His adopted free children because he views us through the person and work of Christ! How amazing is this?

[18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

V18 tells us that if Christ didn’t rise from the dead, then all those who have died in Christ have perished – they are eternally lost and separated from God forever – they are hopelessly abandoned to hell.

V19 take it one step further. If our Christian life & hope is only limited to life on earth, then we are the most miserable of all people. Not only are we wasting our time but we are most pitied of all people! That’s the phrase being used for us.

If there’s no hope of life after death, then what’s the point of faithfully enduring suffering in this life? What’s the point in being faithful to God when we go through long term illness? Why are we holding onto God even when we struggle financially? Why are we continuing to trust God when we are being rejected & taunted because of our faith? Why should we continue to love God when we continue to experience betrayal and hurt in our relationships? Why do we have to daily fight with temptation if it’s all pointless in the end? Why should we make all our life decisions based on how it impacts God’s glory and kingdom purposes if it’s only meant for this life? Why spend all of our time and resources trying to share the Gospel and reach people who don’t know Jesus if it’s all for this life?

But that’s not the case. There is an indication in V18 itself. Paul uses the term “fallen asleep” intentionally to remind us that so real is the reality of our resurrection that our earthly death is only to be viewed as “sleep”. Fall asleep and then you will wake up!

[20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

He starts v20 with “But” which contrasts it with what was said earlier that Christ indeed rose from the dead because He is the firstfruits of those who will come back from the dead.

Firstfruits were the first of the season’s crop that Jews would give to God. Jesus’ resurrection was the first crop among the dead to be resurrected. His resurrection was a prototype of what lies in the future for believers. The harvest that started with Jesus will apply to all believers who trust in Jesus!

V21 completes that idea. Just as Adam was a prototype of those who would sin and die as a result of sin, Jesus was a prototype of those who would be redeemed and brought back to life! Jesus’ death was going to reverse the damage and destruction that took place when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. All that was undone was going to be fixed and repaired.

Just want to end with a couple of examples.

Look at what happened to the disciples after they realized that Jesus really rose from the dead. It transformed them from terrified disciples locked up in a room to bold apostles willing to go all over the world and preach about the risen Lord and die for the sake of their risen Lord. Would they have been ready to preach & die for the Lord if this wasn’t true?

Gladys Staines is a person familiar to many of us. Her whole family moved to India to serve the people in a rural part of Orissa. She lost her husband and 2 sons due to an attack by a radical group where they were burnt alive. On the day of the funeral, she said that she forgave those who did this to her and held no bitterness toward them. It didn’t make any sense to the outside world on why she forgave the people who murdered her husband and children. But she sang this song on the day of the funeral which gave a glimpse on why she was able to do what she did:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,Because He lives, all fear is gone;Because I know He holds the future,And life is worth the living,Just because He lives!

Her conviction about the risen Christ gave her strength to forgive and continue to serve the people of Orissa. The same Lord for Gladys Staines and the same Lord for the disciples is alive and is our Lord as well. I’ll end by asking us this question: what is the foundation of your faith? What is your faith banking on?

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Necessity for Orderly Worship – 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Good morning church! Just wanted to welcome all who have joined us this morning. We’re glad that you’re here and we hope that your hearts are encouraged through our gathering time.

One of the things that we deeply value as a church is the preaching of God’s Word because we believe that God speaks to us and shapes us to look more and more like Jesus as we listen and respond to God’s Word.

So even as we prepare our hearts to listen to God’s Word this morning, let’s remember that the goal is not to accumulate more bible information, but to hear from God and have our lives shaped to look more and more like Jesus.

If you’ve tracking with us, you would be aware that we’re going through a series titled The Church: God’s Dwelling Place from 1st Corinthians. The common theme that we’ve seen right through this letter is that the church is not a building but a People – the redeemed people of God among whom God dwells.

Interestingly, this church – this chosen dwelling place isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. It’s got it’s fair share of issues as we have seen through this letter. The height of it is that even something as wonderful as spiritual gifts are being twisted to serve selfish interests.

And yet amazingly God doesn’t shift his dwelling place. He shows abundant grace in different ways to Himself fix this “far from perfect” dwelling place. And that’s what 1st Corinthians is all about.

Today we’re in chapter 14 where we’re concluding this entire section on spiritual gifts. Would you join me in prayer before we jump into today’s text?

One of the things that we’ve been trying to do over the last few years is that every Monday – a few of us on the serving team will get on a call & review the Sunday service. Each of us will share our thoughts on what went well and what didn’t go so well.

And I wondered that if in the same way the Lord Jesus reviewed our Sunday service, what would he say? Because not only would we be reviewed on “what we do” but also on “how we do what we do” and not just that but “why we do the things that we do”.

In other words, the Lord Jesus isn’t just going to review the content of our services, but also the manner in which we conduct our services & also our motivations as we approach each of our services. And so that’s a sobering thought for our hearts to recognize that the audience of our services is not us but the Lord Jesus Himself. All that we do needs to be geared towards honoring the name of Jesus.

Today’s passage tells us about the necessity for orderly worship. It’s connected to the previous passage on biblical prophecy and tongues. In case you missed it last week, I’d highly recommend going back and reading through last week’s notes because it sets the foundation for today’s passage and also explains our church’s position on the spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues.

The necessity for orderly worship – like last week we’ll study this verse by verse.

[26] What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

What then, brothers – These words mean therefore. Whenever we see the word “therefore”, it connects us to the previous passage. In this case it’s connecting us back to all that we’ve read from chapter 12 to chapter 14. Brief recap :

  • Spiritual gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:8 paraphrased)
  • We might have every kind of wonderful spiritual gift, but if we don’t have love, it is pointless (1 Cor 13:1,2 paraphrased)
  • In the context of public corporate worship, prophecy is a more helpful and effective gift to the church than tongues without interpretation (1 Cor 14:5)

So Paul is summing up his teaching in all these three chapters by saying “what then brothers”.

When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation – This gives us a practical picture of what any church gathering or meeting should look like. It’s different people coming together carrying their different gifts with the goal of serving one another. Serving one another is not supposed to be a one-man show. Serving one another isn’t just the task of some professional ministers.

Oftentimes we look at our church meetings like going to a fine dining restaurant where we are being served at our tables. But that’s not the picture God has in mind, the picture of our meetings should be like a potluck where everyone brings something from home and sets it on the table to serve others.

Let all things be done for building up – The word building up is the one used for construction. We’re all in the spiritual construction business. We’re building spiritual bricks upon spiritual bricks in each other’s lives every time we get together with God’s people.

As people who have been given the task of building up each other, we need to constantly evaluate to see if what we do while we’re with others is being a benefit and a blessing to them. If what we do is being a hindrance and counterproductive to others, then we should rather not do it.

[27] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. [28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

I find it so interesting that there is a clear biblical guideline as to how we need to use the gift of tongues in public worship. It’s not ambiguous. There is a limit to the number of people who (2-3) can use the gift during a meeting. They need to use their gift one after the other. They can’t be speaking at the same time.

The main thing is that they need to use this gift in public worship only as long as they have someone else with the gift of interpretation. In my experience, I’ve seen many who have claimed to have the gift of tongues have used it in public worship. But rarely have I seen people use their gift with an interpreter. V28. Paul is clear that if there is no interpreter, then we need to be silent and just privately pray to God.

The intention is not to downplay or degrade a particular gift, but chosing to use what is most beneficial for others in public worship.

[29] Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

He moves on to prophecies. Again, there is a limit to the number of people who are sharing prophecies during a meeting. It says that as the prophecies are being said, it needs to be “weighed”. In fact the original language uses the word “judge”. It needs to be examined and scrutinized.

This should tell us that the NT gift of prophecies isn’t infallible or inerrant. The NT gift of prophecies isn’t at the same level as the bible. It doesn’t have the same authority as the bible. That’s why prophecies need to be vetted and examined by others in the church.

To give an example from the book of Acts. In Acts 21:10-14, the prophet Agabus takes Paul’s belt and ties his own hands and says that this will be the end of the owner of this belt if he goes to Jerusalem. And everyone seated there concluded that Paul shouldn’t go to Jerusalem.

But Paul makes it clear to them that he’s willing to not only go to prison but also to die for Jesus. Now if this was at the same authority as Scripture, then Paul would be guilty of disobeying God. But that’s not how Scripture puts it across.

This tells us that the NT gift of prophecy is kind of like a hazy picture to the prophet and needs to be vetted and examined by the elders & the others in the church to make sure that it’s actually from God.

[30] If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,

Similar to the guideline for tongues, prophecies need to be made in an orderly fashion to benefit all those who are gathered at the meeting. People should not talk over one another. People shouldn’t dominate the discussion and not allow anyone else to speak. Everything needs to be done so that all may “learn and be encouraged”. The goal is encouragement and building up one another.

[32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

V32 debunks the popular myth that the prophet is just compelled to speak and has no control over what he says. In contrast, a believer who genuinely has the gift of prophecy has full control over what he shares. [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. This verse is so important because it’s telling us that it’s necessary to maintain order in public worship not only so that it is mutually beneficial for the church but more than that because it’s telling us something about the God we worship!

Our God is one in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are equally God and have distinct roles within the Godhead and yet we see them in perfect harmony. They are not competing with each other. They are not fighting for supremacy. There’s no commotion among themselves. There’s no confusion in what they need to do. They are in perfect harmony in all that they do. And our worship services should portray the God we worship! Have you ever considered this thought?

As in all the churches of the saints, [34] the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. [35] If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Now comes the uncomfortable verse. At first glance it seems like something from the past, a patriarchal system of thought where women have no dignity and no right to speak. But these verses can’t mean that women shouldn’t speak in church meetings because just a few chapters earlier in Chapter 11:5, Paul talks about women praying and prophesying in church.

[5] but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

So obviously Paul isn’t changing his position. So there has to be a different context. Now there are 2 explanations for the verse:

  • Women being silent is in the context of evaluating the prophecies of believers which is primarily a role given to elders in the church. Like fathers in the church, our role is not only to provide through the preaching of the Word, but also to protect the church from any false doctrine. This governing responsibility of providing and protecting is given to elders and as part of God’s design that’s a role for men. Now in no way does that make men more superior or women less dignified. Both are equal and have the same standing and dignity before God. It’s God’s design for complementary roles in the church.
  • Some Corinthian women were interrupting their husbands as they prophesied. They kept asking questions during the service were being a disturbance in the church and Paul was saying that it was bringing shame upon them by doing that. So his instruction is for them to ask questions at home and not interrupt the public worship.

It could be either of these explanations, we can’t be fully clear but one thing is clear that there is no ban OR prohibition on women speaking in the church. Like any other believer, they need to bring their gifts to the table and serve others through it.

[36] Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? [37] If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. [38] If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

These verses give us a glimpse to the real problem that the Corinthians had. The Corinthian church’s problem wasn’t a lack of spiritual gifts problem. Their problem wasn’t a lack of opportunity problem. Their problem was a sin problem – a pride problem – a selfishness problem which is what brought about confusion and division in the church. These were believers that Paul wrote to not unbelievers.

That same sin problem which resided in the hearts of the Corinthians resides within us. That same sin problem is capable of causing all kinds of confusion and division among us.

That’s why you and I need the Lord Jesus today. We need Jesus to rescue us from our sin, pride and selfishness. That’s why Jesus went up on the cross to die – to first pay the full price for our sin. He was buried and rose again on the third Day to restore us back to God in a permanent, unbreakable relationship and then give us His own Spirit to completely uproot the sin problem from the deepest places of our hearts

[39] So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40] But all things should be done decently and in order.

Paul ends his teaching by summarizing that our gatherings need to have a space for all types of gifts to be exercised but that in no way should promote chaos & confusion. It should be conducted in an appropriate and civil way.

What does that practically mean for the Gathering? We also want to encourage all kinds of gifts to be used in the church. But as we’ve learnt in the passage today – there is a time and a place for everything. We believe that the best setting to use these gifts are during a GC because it gives us an opportunity to hear each other out and respond. Our Sunday Gatherings will continue as is because we want it to be focused on singing songs of worship, listening to the preaching of God’s Word and participating in the Lord’s Table.

Brothers and sisters, even as I end this I know that some of us who have experienced the abuse of these gifts in the church can still be skeptical about how this may explode in the church & turn out to be counter productive. Let me share something from my own life. Some months back I was in the middle of a very stressful day at work. I felt cornered, under pressure and extremely discouraged. In those moments you feel like God’s so far away from you.

I remember receiving a text message from a friend who dropped a message to check on how I was doing and tell me that she was praying for me because the Lord brought me to mind at that particular time.

My immediate response was – how did she know? Because there’s no way she could’ve known what I was going through. Then it took me a few seconds to realize that it was the Lord’s doing to remind me that He sees me in my stress and is near me in that moment. Such a comforting thing to know that the Lord brought me to my friend’s mind that day so that she could pray for me at a time when I needed help the most. My encouragement from this is that don’t let the negative experiences hinder you from experiencing the blessing and comfort of the real blessing. As God’s church we need all of the gifts to build us up in the faith but it needs to be exercised in a way that is healthy, biblical and orderly because it’s telling us something about our God!

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Sermon

Biblical perspective on Prophecy and Tongues – 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Good morning church! Hope you’re well this morning. A warm welcome to you all in the name of Jesus Christ. If you’ve been tracking with us, you would’ve noticed that we’ve been going through a series titled The Church: God’s Dwelling Place from the letter of 1st Corinthians. 

And the recurring theme that we’ve seen week after week is this that the church isn’t a building but a People – God’s redeemed people among whom He dwells! Today we arrive at 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul directly addresses the “controversial” topics on the gifts of prophecy and tongues in the life of the church. But before I proceed, I would love for all of us to pray and ask God for help with this text.

As we tackle this difficult and controversial topic of prophecy and tongues in the church, I just want to be honest to say that we’ve not spoken a lot about this in the last nine years that we’ve been gathering as a church.

We’ve preached a sermon once on “prophecy” few years back. Usually if someone asks me or Saju on what is our church’s position, we’ll tell it to them but overall we’ve not spoken on this a lot.

So in some ways I see this as God’s providence in bringing this text because it gives us an opportunity to teach and disciple biblically on this topic. So what’s our position on this?

We believe that all of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the bible including the miraculous gifts like healing, prophecy and tongues still exist in the church today and are equally valuable and beneficial to the church.

Even as I say this, we’re aware that there could be some among us who believe that these miraculous gifts don’t exist in the church anymore. We respect that and we know of many well meaning, godly believers through the years have held to that conviction.

What we would say is that this isn’t a major doctrine of the bible like salvation through faith over which we need to break our fellowship or be divided over. In fact we welcome conversations where we can sit across the table and biblically work through passages like these so that we land on a position which is not based on our personal preference or our past experiences but based on the word of God.

You may say “brother Jinson, all this great but what’s the biblical basis for your position?” And my response would be that there’s actually no clear, direct passage in the Bible which tells us that these miraculous gifts ceased to exist after the establishment of the early church and after the NT was written down. In fact it’s quite the contrary, where there are more passages which encourage us to desire and use these gifts.

In this chapter alone, Paul tells us to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy not once but twice. In 1 Thess 5:20, Paul instructs to not despise prophecies but test them.

Even some of the passages which are used to support the position of miraculous gifts ceasing to exist after the early church don’t actually say that. Usually 1 Cor 13:8-12 is used as a supporting passage.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 ESV [8] Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Now as we heard in last week’s sermon, these verses are not referring to the ceasing of miraculous gifts after the establishment of church or after the NT was written. It’s instead referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ when at that point there will be no longer any need for spiritual gifts because at that time we will know Christ fully.

But until that time, we will need spiritual gifts including the miraculous ones. So in a sense, these verses support the opposite view which is that these giftings will continue to exist until the second coming of Jesus.

Having said that, the biblical definition and practice of these gifts are quite different from what we see in churches around us. Though we believe that these miraculous gifts exist today, we believe that there’s a biblical guideline on what is the nature of this gift and how it is used in the context of the church. It’s not spooky, it’s not awkward, it’s not chaotic and that’s precisely why Paul wrote this passage.

And that’s what I want to invite you all into – if we could lay aside our judgments and preconceived notions about these miraculous gifts and embrace whatever God’s Word is telling us on this topic.

Now with that, let’s get into chapter 14. Today for a change we will look through the text verse by verse instead of 3 points.

[1] Pursue love , and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Pursue love – Don’t you find it interesting that Paul spent one whole chapter – chapter 13 teaching the church about love before getting to the “how to” of spiritual gifts? He knew that they were eager to talk about miraculous gifts, so he wanted them to pause and think. He basically set the foundation by telling them that if they didn’t have love for each other, then no matter what gift they had, it was all going to be useless. I think it’s a helpful place for us to start as well.

Earnestly desire spiritual gifts – One thing this tells me that although we need to be content with the spiritual gift that God has given us, it’s not a bad thing to earnestly desire and ask God for more gifts so that we can serve the church.

especially that you may prophesy – Now it seems like he’s singling out this gift but it’s not the case. There is a context to this. The Corinthian church were big on speaking in tongues and they saw that as a gift that would make them appear to be more spiritual and superior than the others. And what Paul’s going to do over the next whole chapter is build a case as to why prophecy is a more helpful gift in the setting of public corporate worship.

Prophesy – One quick disclaimer on the NT gift of prophecy. It is not to be equated with the Bible. It is not authoratative like the Bible. It’s not infallible and inerrant. People who have the gift of prophecy can go wrong, which is why their prophecies need to be weighed by others (v29).

Look with me at verses 2-6:

[2] For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3] On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. [4] The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. [5] Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

So Paul is in no way degrading or downplaying the gift of tongues. He’s basically saying that tongues are meant for private worship but prophecy on the other hand is meant to build up other believers in a public worship setting.

The only exception to using the gift of tongues in public worship is as long as there is an interpreter of tongues. So if there is someone to interpret, then tongues can be expressed during public worship. If there is no one with the gift of interpretation, then it should not be exercised in that public corporate setting.

Just a side note – look at the way prophecy is described in v3 – upbuilding, encouragement and consolation. One of the main goals of prophecy is to encourage and comfort God’s people. There’s a shepherding and a caring that is taking place. It’s not fortune telling or future prediction.

I hope you can already see here – the definition and practice of these gifts that we see in churches in the world are quite different from the guidelines mentioned in the Bible.

In the next few verses, Paul will use different examples and analogies to drive home the point of how prophecy is a more helpful gifting in the context of public corporate worship.

[6] Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

(Paul uses his own example to say that if he came to their church only to speak in tongues which they didn’t understand, how would they benefit from it?)

[7] If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? [8] And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? [9] So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. [10] There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, [11] but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

The point Paul is trying to make here is that being able to understand and help each other takes priority over simply exercising our spiritual gifts.

Imagine if our sermons were loaded with alot of heavy theological terms and sophisticated language but no one understands what we are trying to say, it’s useless.

[12] So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

The Corinthians were very eager in displaying and showing off their spiritual gifts, and Paul was trying to tell them that they were getting it wrong. Their focus needed to be on building up each other. Their focus needed to be on serving each other. Their focus needed to be on helping each other. Their focus needed to shift from themselves to the others in their church.

One of the hardest things to do is to avoid the tendency to make our spiritual gifts all about ourselves. Our sinful heart craves for validation, affirmation and glory and so often times we view our spiritual gifts as something to get us that validation, affirmation and glory that our hearts craves for.

[13] Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

The Bible’s instruction to all who have the gift of tongues is that they pray so that they may also have the gift of interpretation because then they can be of better help to the local church.

[14] For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. [15] What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

When someone has the gift of tongues, his spirit communicates with God but his mind is unengaged. So the desire of every believer should be that he’s also able to engage his mind along with his spirit and that’s why the gift of interpretation will also benefit the believer himself. V14-15 also gives us hints on what is the content of this speaking in tongues – it’s prayers and praises to God. That’s what we see in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost – they were uttering praises to God in strange tongues.

[16] Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? [17] For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

[18] I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. [19] Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Is Paul looking down on the gift of tongues? Absolutely not. He himself had the gift of tongues but he chose to use the gift of teaching and prophecy in public corporate settings because that would be more beneficial for others in the church.

It should make us stop and think – when was the last time we intentionally thought about how to encourage and serve someone else at the church before arriving at a Sunday gathering or GC? When is the last time we decided to willingly give up on something because we felt it would be unhelpful to the others in the church?

I remember as a new believer in my previous church, I would view the communion time as a window to demonstrate my best keyboard solos. People noticed me and some others came and congratulated me after the service but in reality I was a distraction to others in them experiencing God. I’m using my failed example to illustrate how there will be times when we will need to willingly give up on certain things (even using certain spiritual gifts) if it’s not being helpful to others in that context.

[20] Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

The Corinthians were being childish and immature by using their spiritual gifts as a way to make them seem more superior than others.

[21] In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” [22] Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

V21 is a quotation from Isa 28:11-12 where it spoke about God speaking to the Israelites in a foreign language as a sign of His judgment. Through this they would sense God’s judgment and their great distance from God.

Paul is applying this quotation in this context to say that tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers because if an unbeliever hears a believer speaking in strange tongues, they would sense God’s judgment and their great distance from God.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the unbeliever who comes to a church gathering. We are after all a people of hope…

[23] If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? [24] But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, [25] the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

In this context, Paul is going from the lesser to the greater. Even if you look from the perspective of your gospel witness to a lost world, if all your church did was speak in tongues it would only remind the lost of their judgment and their great distance from God. But if you prophesy in a language that they understand, then it will actually bring them to conviction, repentance and worship – which is what we desire right?

Paul is nailing down the point – desire prophecy over tongues because it will not only benefit believers but also make the gospel message real and accessible to a lost and dying world around you.

As you can see again, this gift of prophecy is quite different from the versions of prophecy we see in churches around us. It’s not giving us a dreamy future aspiration, it’s not revealing what kind of job we will have next, it’s not telling us about our future financial success, it’s not telling us about the kind of person we will marry, it’s not telling us of who will be the next political power in India.

Real biblical gift of prophecy will convict us of sin and point us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. So it obviously means that the person with this gift should have a good, solid gospel understanding to be able to communicate that clearly. If the person doesn’t know the Gospel, how will he be able to convict and call someone to repentance?

There is quite some more that we will like to share on these gifts especially on the time & setting for using these gifts. So I’d ask all of you to join us next week as we conclude this topic & also provide some helpful next steps.

As I close, I just want to acknowledge that this isn’t an easy topic for some of us to process and embrace especially if you’ve witnessed the abuse of these particular spiritual gifts. If I’ve to share my story, growing up we had a lot of evangelists and pastors who would drop into our home who claimed to have the gift of prophecy. We were in a very vulnerable position relationally and financially and sad to say they took advantage of us.

So when I became a believer, it became easy for me to swing to the other side and label all of them as fake but it took me some time to study Scripture and also have conversations with other mature believers who have helped me deal with my past baggage.

So if you’re there today, I just want you to know that God doesn’t want you to be skeptical and cynical. He wants to help you deal with this baggage & embrace the purpose that He has through these valuable giftings in the local church.