1 Corinthians 14 - 11.6.24
Scripture
I Corinthians 14:1
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
Observation
The church in Corinth seems to have fallen into a pattern of doing what was good or right to each of them rather than working in unity. Paul is encouraging them to seek gifts of the Spirit in order to serve others instead of focusing on themselves.
I Corinthians 14:4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
Application
I Corinthians 14:6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
“14:6 how will I benefit you. This principle of benefiting others by edifying them becomes the key point of the passage. Paul is applying the teaching of 12:7 that God has granted a variety of gifts “for the common good.”” ESV Reformation Bible
There is so much in this chapter: unity; serving others; putting others’ needs above yours; not seeking gifts that draw attention and glory to yourself but instead asking God use you in your gifting to serve the body – but it all comes down to Love One Another. Follow the way of love. Love God, love people. There’s a reason those are the first two commands. If we follow them, everything else falls in place.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Let’s be people who strengthen, encourage and comfort others.
Prayer
Father, help me to focus on others more than myself. Fill me up each morning with your love for people so I can be used by you. Help me to humble myself and put away my pride, self-centeredness, comparison, and envy and to truly love instead. Fill me with gifts of the Spirit so I can serve others.
- Debbie Dunn
1 Corinthians 13 - 11.5.24
SCRIPTURE: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7
OBSERVATION:
This is probably the most quoted Scripture used in weddings, on signage, and in many sermons. The word “love” in today’s usage can be about how we feel about a person, place, a time of year, a sports team, the food you eat, or anything else in life. Many of those are common topics but God’s love is much deeper. Paul wrote this Scripture to the Corinthian church for many reasons. One topic was the Corinthian church was placing value on certain acts and gifts being superior over others which then elevated certain people above others. Obviously this would create a lot of tension and disagreements. God directed Paul to write this Scripture as a way to put an end to all the bickering, disagreements, and lack of unity.
God’s message to us is based on love. God’s forgiveness is based on love. Jesus’ death and resurrection is based on love. The entire foundation of our Christian faith is love.
This weekend I had the honor of attending a memorial service for a beloved pastor. The running thread of his celebration of life was that “he loved” on everyone. He showed God’s love in a real and tangible way which had an immediate and long lasting impact on everyone he knew. This is God’s message: love one another.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Remember, “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
APPLICATION
The application of this scripture is simple: use God’s love as the basis for everything in life and how to treat others. There isn’t much more that can be said to elaborate on this Scripture because it covers every aspect and says it all in a plain and simple way.
1 Corinthians 13 begins with two action words:
Love is patient
Love is kind
The Scripture then shows what love isn’t:
Not envy
Does not boast
Is not proud
Does not dishonor others
Not self-seeking
Not easily angered
Keeps no record of wrongs
The Scripture concludes with four actions that show what love “always” is:
Protects
Trusts
Hopes
Perseveres
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for your love which is never ending, doesn’t change, and is the foundation of my faith. Help me to always reflect your love and show your love in everything I do and with everyone I encounter in life. In Jesus name! Amen.
- Mary Oberg
1 Corinthians 12 - 11.4.24
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:21-26
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Observation
Paul talks about spiritual gifts and how unity in the Body of Christ is maintained.
There are many different gifts and as Scripture says, it is the SAME Spirit who distributes them, as HE determines. (Verse 11)
In order for unity to be maintained, we need to have EQUAL concern for one another in the Body. We suffer when one part suffers and rejoice when one part is honored. We also need to honor the parts that are lacking in honor. (Verses 24-26)
Application
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
The month of November is our month of honor. We must honor others above ourselves, instead of seeking our own recognition. Who can we honor from our church body today?
I want to take the time to honor everyone who participates in an off stage and behind the scenes ministry at DSC. The helpers and teachers in kids church; the sound and multimedia crew; the hospitality and usher ministry; those who do clean up and maintenance at the church; the prayer teams; the SJ crew; everyone who serves at our outreach events and those who write encouraging cards and deliver food and prayer to people; and those who take good care of their own family and household. If I forgot anyone, please forgive me. Please be encouraged by this verse though, that God sees ALL things and good deeds that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
“In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.” -1 Timothy 5:25 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that we would all be healthy, functioning members of our church family. Please forgive me for the times that I have not been a healthy, functioning member, due to seeking my own recognition and special treatment. You’ve distributed gifts to each one of us for Your glory alone. Please help us to not be jealous of any other person’s gift or try to compete for recognition, but rather serve and honor our brothers and sisters above ourselves because of love. May we work together for Your glory alone. May we be a church who is known for having a culture of love and honor. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi