1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
We are all very familiar with I Corinthians 13 explaining God's Perfect Love.
The most striking "going forth" Scriptural aspect is asking us to consider, once we understand God's Perfect Gift of Love... what will we go forth to bring Him?
The significant portion would be we all receive God's Gifts, but what will we do on Day 1 of Belief if we don't have a prophetic bone in our body or haven't yet experienced Xenoglossia?
Fortunately all Scripture is written for you. Child of God. Given the Life of Jesus to participate in Heaven, beginning today.
And in this certainty, we must become basic to see the Word of God given wings.
Prophecy is Scripture explaining Scripture. Making God's Word alive is when we participate with Jesus in the Road to Emmaus. We all consider Prophecy as the future. God tells us almost immediately, the cage of time is just something He places under His Feet. Life is a story belonging to our God, Father God.
The Tongues discussed in this passage is mostly considering Xenoglossia. When complete thought is expressed in a language unknown. And on this side of the New Covenant, has been recorded in history and in the lives of Pastors.
Now doubtlessly, we consider in our mortal lives prophecy being in touch with the Future. God reveals in the writing of Peter and Paul and Luke and John and Jude - the future is the Realm of God Himself. None of the Saints sitting on the top of the Vatican would say they knew all. Making this passage certainly more dear to our hearts suddenly. Whew, we didn't miss the major motivation. Thank God.
And then... this is about Prophesy! Isn't God asking us to want to become Nostradamus. Who was excommunicated, veered to the occult, predicting crops and writing best-selling books while running in fear for his life. This would be ... Doubtful God would ask us to do this.
Not so Basic.
The Passage asks us to consider our lives would build up the Church.
We all have an idea of what Church is. Now consider the time frame :
Church didn't have buildings. Bible Studies where we become wiser on knowing the intricacy of Scripture. Scripture would be held by one person, referred to as memory would uphold what was read - and probably the Scripture moved on to the next town.
And we are asked to Edify the Church... we are seeing the Word of God reach into the 12 hours of the day. To ask us to Live the Word of God.
War is when all life changes and suddenly we are thrust into a Strong Series of Adaption. And in the seriousness of this - huge decisions are made.
We have faced this in the Pandemic. This is a key Scripture for this time of our lives.
The Book of Daniel is learning to adapt to a new world. A world where the slaves were not called slaves - for long - by Nebuchadnezzar II in the destruction of the Temple. After marching 1,000 miles (ca. 1,609 km) to lush Babylon with hanging Gardens -- by an Emperor led by Isaiah 13 - prophetically. Was Nebuchadnezzar II having a downside to this Prophecy. Yes, indeed. Father God of All, Alpha and Omega, was not taking kindly to the ego of mankind justifiably tearing down His Nation. Nebuchadnezzar II is told his nation will not be the 3 rivers of Eden, instead afterwards for the ostentatious destruction, this area would cease being lush and would become desert. Prophecy fulfilled.
Daniel tells us the Spiritual World is Alive and Well. Archangels are shaped, placed, and entrusted with sincere logistics to be messengers and protectors of Good, to the Glory and Benefit of God Himself.
What did the slaves, suddenly called exiles, have for edification? Ezekiel was given a house by a beautiful river. The exiles were encouraged to gather and worship God Nebuchadnezzar II considered to be his own God as well.
This scenario is more in line with the idea as the Church Jesus had spoken of was forming. The Edification would be something we find scarce today - UP Building. To honor the tendrils of heart we call faith. To put forth belief - is a tender time. We all will face times like this. A long time friend of ours was losing his beloved father to two types of Cancer. He'd attended Christian Schools and believed all would rally around his prayer requests for an older gentleman with two types of Cancer. And found the dubious and doubtful looks of people embarrassed for his hope. He found a Saturday group celebrating Morning Prayer and found they would pray for him daily for the next 6 years. This wasn't the building - this was people willing to have faith with him, God would help. He found solace in finding people willing to uphold his hope. We will all experience extended family crisis, consider - divorces too painful to discuss. Hurtful, embarrassing. Life altering. And in times of crisis, we will find our Church. Those willing to stand by you. To believe in goodness.
The Church is the people who will offer you support with reality and with hope. Calling on Jesus, believing Jesus, believing the Scriptures. The Church is who you are - to reach out. Not to squash new tendrils of faith. Is this a building? Yes, aspects of Church are Corporate Worship. Once a week. The Church is you. You are the Temple of God.
Desire Prophesy. Ephesians 3 tells us we are family. The people we up build, support, affirm are the family God is giving us today and in His Eternal Kingdom. We are The People. We strive to bring tomorrow into focus. We strive to make today better for the Expectation of more of Heaven on earth. We are given - Responsibility. To be the Church. To bring into focus what is what we know to be goodness, Love and Jesus Christ.
Edify the Church - remind each other - we are the Church Jesus Christ lived and died and Lived to Rejoice in.
Abba, Father,
Call to us to Live Your Word. Find in us the willingness to give
Your Holy Spirit shelter in our souls.
Your Holy Spirit shelter in our souls.
Encourage us and guide us to see Heaven on earth, we are blessed to be told to know this.
Blessed is the Name of Jesus. Let us live to Give Glory to God.
Help us in all minutes of the day, to believe You have given us a Hope and Future.
Help us to build in all times, each day.
With Jesus and Your Gift of Faith, we will live in Love, Peace and Joy.
Having the Blessing from Your Son to ask for more Heaven upon earth for all of Creation.
God of Love.
Living in the Freedom and Expectation to Seek You first
and find Your Kingdom glimpsed around us.
and find Your Kingdom glimpsed around us.
Keep us safe from disasters, quieten storms and keep the Oceans safe.
Uphold those we Love. We Trust You.
We ask for the virus to end and Joy in Recovery. And Peace for anxiety, jobs and finances.
We pray for Your Healing Word to be Spoken.
Your Help for a vaccine.
God Himself Bless, Sustain, Comfort, Guide
President Donald Trump,
Vice President Mike Pence,
Governor Abbott and these 50 United States Governors and Legislatures.
The Administration Coronavirus Response Team,
Dr. Deborah Birx, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield
Jesus Christ, Thank You our faith is in You.
Amen!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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