Balanced Structure

Balanced Structure

! Corinthians 14: ²⁶ This is what I mean, my friends. When you meet for worship, one person has a hymn, another a teaching, another a revelation from God, another a message in strange tongues, and still another the explanation of what is said. Everything must be of help to the church. ²⁷ If someone is going to speak in strange tongues, two or three at the most should speak, one after the other, and someone else must explain what is being said. ²⁸ But if no one is there who can explain, then the one who speaks in strange tongues must be quiet and speak only to himself and to God.

 

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Nervous, I answered the interviewers’ question with a very long statement. As I remembered something, I would say “Oh, I forgot to mention…” in my disjointed rambling. Needless to say, I did not get that job. I asked someone for advice and got organized. The next time, however, I was so focused on my new structure that I was thrown off when the interview did not go as planned.

 

• I was unorganized and confused the person I was supposed to be explaining things to.
• I was then too organized and not ready for meeting a different need.
• I wanted to find a balance in my organization for something spontaneous.

 

Paul provides a suggestion rather than a command. He tried to get people to understand the real purpose of meeting together is to help people understand who JESUS is through song, teaching, testimonies and spontaneous speaking that would require interpretation. He wants everyone to think about the recipient versus those who are delivering.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to be organized because people need structure.
• GOD wants me to be flexible because HE cannot be contained to a certain hour or duration.
• GOD wants me to be ready for HIM to reveal HIMSELF at any moment but have control over wanting the spotlight.

 

Order in church is important, especially to someone who has never attended a church service. But has order replaced reaching people? I mean, sometimes when church meets “my” expectation as a believer, I look around and do not see the fruit of hearing from a new person who freshly gave their life to CHRIST.

 

While order is important, purpose is more important. GOD doesn’t seem to be this repetitive lifeless being, rather one who is alive and working things out in a variety of lives. Out gatherings probably will not change overnight, but I can provide a balance of structure and spontaneity to my life to bring people to CHRIST.

 

Challenge

• Have you had the urge to bring in new people to your gathering?
• When is the last time you reviewed your order or your service?
• Are you driven by meeting the expectations of those who are regular church goers?
• Will you consider a balance that provides structure and spontaneity in your own life with the purpose of easing the concerns of someone who has not yet accepted JESUS as their Savior?

Convinced, Judged and Opened

 

Convinced, Judged and Opened

1 Corinthians 14: ²⁰ Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. ²¹ In the Scriptures it is written,

 

“By means of people speaking strange languages
    I will speak to my people, says the Lord.
I will speak through lips of foreigners,
    but even then my people will not listen to me.”

 

²² So then, the gift of speaking in strange tongues is proof for unbelievers, not for believers, while the gift of proclaiming God's message is proof for believers, not for unbelievers.

²³ If, then, the whole church meets together and everyone starts speaking in strange tongues—and if some ordinary people or unbelievers come in, won't they say that you are all crazy? ²⁴ But if everyone is proclaiming God's message when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear. They will be judged by all they hear, ²⁵ their secret thoughts will be brought into the open, and they will bow down and worship God, confessing, “Truly God is here among you!”

 

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Walking into a church, I noticed everyone was dressed nicely, the place was neat and clean and everyone had a smile on their face. It felt weird, almost like a group of aliens from another planet had taken over. They spoke to each other in Bible verses that I was unfamiliar with and made me stand up and introduce myself, as if I wasn’t already uncomfortable enough.

 

• I felt like I was on the outside of the group.
• I felt like I was not “clean” enough for this group.
• I felt like I was more of a burden than a willing participant so I left and never came back.

 

Paul concludes addressing the use of speaking in tongues. He mentions this gift is valuable, but can be disruptive to those who are not believers. He tries to explain the purpose of saying anything needs to be for GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to share my testimony which includes my sins.
• GOD wants me to be free to share how I am forgiven for all my sins.
• GOD wants me to want others to be free to see JESUS as the solution, versus HIM being the problem.

 

Making JESUS the problem is usually not done on purpose. I mean, well-meaning people, who may have gone through a lot, try to explain that JESUS is the answer to every problem, and HE is. But sometimes this group can forget they are “still” sinners who need guidance by the HOLY SPIRIT daily.

 

GOD wants me to see people different. It is not “us” who are believers versus “them” who are unbelievers. It is “us” who are all sinners. No one sin is greater than another and anyone who confesses their sins and believes that JESUS is the one and only forgiver, will be saved eternally. I am convinced I am a sinner, judged by my wrongs and open to saying JESUS forgave me for my past, current and future sins.

 

Challenge

 

• How do you think salvation should be spoken to someone you know who may not believe in JESUS?
• If you attend church regularly, what do you notice about testimonies?
• Will you take baby steps in telling people about your deepest sins so they will be willing to turn their life to JESUS today?

Ordinary People

Ordinary People

1 Corinthians 14: ¹³ The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what is said. ¹⁴ For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. ¹⁵ What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind. ¹⁶ When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say “Amen” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying. ¹⁷ Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all.

 

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you. ¹⁹ But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.

 

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“Say it in English!” were the words of frustration in response to my statement. I thought I had communicated well, but I spoke using the terminology I was comfortable with. I then realized I was using “tech talk” because that was what I was used to.

 

• Sometimes I may be saying one thing but not explaining myself well.
• Sometimes I may use the words I am comfortable with, but they do not convey what I mean.
• Sometimes I may speak before I understand how this message can be understood.

 

Paul explains that he can speak in many strange tongues, but what good is it if no one understands what is said? He implores people to seek clear communication that is easily understood.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to speak to people with the purpose of everyone being able to praise HIM.
• GOD wants me to value praying with other people when seeking to thank HIM.
• GOD wants me to desire my words to be translated if I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood.

 

Communication is not easy. I mean, I can say one thing and to another person it can mean something else. If I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood, then other people cannot be included. It seems like GOD wants inclusion.

 

HE may give me a gift of being able to speak in another language, but HE wants more people than me to praise HIM. Prayers, singing and thanksgiving are to be shared with one another so GOD will be pleased with all participants. I am glad HE wants me to be part of a group of ordinary people who can worship HIM together.

 

Challenge

• How are prayer, singing and thanksgiving to be shared with other people?
• What benefits do you see in clearly communicating with other people?
• Will you seek ways to teach or communicate to others clearly today?

Getting Stronger

1 Corinthians 14: ⁷ Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp—how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly? ⁸ And if the one who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle? ⁹ In the same way, how will anyone understand what you are talking about if your message given in strange tongues is not clear? Your words will vanish in the air! ¹⁰ There are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ But if I do not know the language being spoken, those who use it will be foreigners to me and I will be a foreigner to them. ¹² Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.

 

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“Come help us” was the request. “But I don’t know how” was my response. “We’ll show you” was the response that made me feel comfortable enough to say “Yes I will help.” I was now part of the group.

 

• I wondered if I would add value.
• I wondered if I could handle the burden.
• I wondered if I should just back off and not help.

 

Paul continues his explanation of spiritual gifts. One gift in question was that of speaking in tongues. An earlier explanation states that tongue speech that no one understands only edifies the person speaking. But if the words are interpreted, many people will be blessed. He then implores that people be part of something bigger, namely building up the church.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to be part of helping build HIS church.
• GOD wants me to use my gifts to build as often as I can.
• GOD wants me to seek gifts that help be part of HIS solution.

 

Seeking to build GOD’s church is a privilege that is sometimes foreign. I mean, what good is building the church when I have problems of my own. GOD does something strange when I focus my attention on HIM.

 

In the middle of pain and weakness, GOD uses broken people to build one another up. HE loves when we come together to bring people to back to HIM. He provides me with a group that honors HIM and in turn, I become stronger even though my circumstance may remain. I gladly make myself available to seek any talent to help build GOD’s kingdom.

 

Challenge

• How do you feel when someone speaks to you in a language you do not understand?
• How do you think other people feel when you speak in a way they cannot understand?
• Will you seek gifts that help build the church, helping people understand the love of CHRIST today?

Usefulness Adjustment

Usefulness Adjustment

1 Corinthians 14: ⁵ I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. ⁶ So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

 

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After being assigned to a group, I quickly felt inadequate. It seemed that each person was smarter than me and knew what they were doing. Meanwhile, I didn’t know what I was doing so I sat quietly waiting for the time to pass by. I dreaded the next time we would get together again.

 

• There have been times when I felt useless.
• There have been times when I felt I was not talented.
• There have been times when I felt like I was on the outside of usefulness.

 

Paul implores the people to focus the use of their GOD given gifts to proclaim GOD’s message. In his example, he mentions the gift of speaking in strange tongues. He compared this gift to proclaiming GOD’s message and said one had “greater” value than another. But Paul used the word “unless” to bring equilibrium to both talents.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to know HE gave me a gift that is special.
• GOD wants me to use my gift to “Proclaim HIS message.”
• GOD wants me to value the gifts other people have so they too can “Proclaim GOD’s message.”

 

Moving the spotlight on “me” is the problem. I mean when I can’t do something well or I feel inadequate, I want to shrink away and be silent. BUT GOD doesn’t want me to feel inadequate. HE wants me and everyone HE made to feel useful.

 

This requires me to move the spotlight on HIM. When I focus everyone’s attention on CHRIST, everything else falls in place. My gift then becomes useful.

 

Challenge

• What do you observe about the comparison of the two gifts mentioned?
• What do you notice about Paul’s preference versus the opening desire?
• How does this apply to your GOD given gift?
• Will you seek to proclaim GOD’s message more and more and know your gift is useful to HIM?

Heartfelt Love Help

 

Heartfelt Love Help

1 Corinthians 14: It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message. ² Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to God, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit. ³ But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort. ⁴ Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God's message help the whole church.

 

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Feeling rotten, I must have had a disgusted look on my face because people kept asking me “Is everything alright?” Usually I was the one asking that question but this particular day was the exception. Finally, someone approached me and said “It will be alright. GOD is with you.” I guess I just needed to hear that at the time.

 

• Many people have given me encouragement when I was down.
• Many people have provided comfort for me when I was feeling low.
• Many people have used their gifts to help me in time of need.

 

Paul mentions a special act of love we are all supposed to share in. He attempts to convince everyone to use their GOD given spiritual gifts as often as possible. One gift to acquire is proclaiming GOD’s message.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to recognize that my gifts and talents come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to set my heart on helping others.
• GOD wants me to encourage, comfort and help others in their time of need.

 

We all need help, comfort and encouragement at some point. No one is above pain. BUT GOD put people around me to ease the pain and encourage me to keep going. HE knows life would be a challenge so HE not only provided the HOLY SPIRIT to me for comfort, HE provided HIM to those who believe in JESUS.

 

HE has given many people comfort and they in turn provide that comfort to others. I am grateful people have used their gifts to share GOD’s encouragement and comfort to me and others.

 

Challenge

• Have you looked at your gifts and talents lately?
• What do you feel when you hear the words “help” and “encouragement” and “comfort?”
• Will you use your GOD given gifts to provide help, encouragement and comfort to someone today?

Perfect Love

 

Perfect Love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁸ Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. ⁹ For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; ¹⁰ but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

 

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“You can do it” were the words of inspiration I told someone. When the person accomplished what was set out to do, I wondered if my words had any part in the success. I wonder this because I could not do what the person was attempting.

 

• My inspiration is a partial solution to someone’s circumstance.
• My speech is a partial solution to someone’s situation.
• My sharing of knowledge to help someone is flawed because I only have partial knowledge.

 

Paul says “Love is eternal.” This love he speaks about is JESUS. When HE returns, then there will be no need for humans to use their gifts to point to perfection.

 

My Observation

• JESUS is love and HE gives HIS perfect love to me.
• JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead to wipe away my sins.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me because sin is part of me.

 

Being born into sin is difficult. I mean, my thoughts are usually not on GOD, rather they are on myself. But every once in a while, I am prompted to use a gift GOD gave me to point people to JESUS. This is temporary. I fall into sin, repent, and seek to be better day by day.

 

JESUS knows I have this issue. HE knows that sin will be present in me until HE returns and I am with HIM eternally. Until then, HE wants me to know humans are not perfect, but HIS love is perfection. I am grateful for HIS love for anyone who can give their heart to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What messages or actions inspire you from a person who is not alive?
• Have you ever been inspired for a short period of time and discouraged during another?
• Will you ease up on your pursuit of temporary solutions and seek the perfect, eternal solution which is JESUS, who will guide you into all truth today?

Together Power

Together Power

Acts 2: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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Writing ideas as fast as I could, I could feel the energy in the room. Each of us had a different way of looking at the problem and contributed wholeheartedly to the project. We spent months building the idea into a working prototype. Those who saw it embraced our solution. It worked!

• Working together felt different than tolerance.
• Working together felt different than being part of a forced crowd where people do not really listen to one another.
• Working together felt different than working with those who posture to steal credit or hold people down.

A crowd of JESUS followers were gathered together in one place for the same reason. They all believe in the power of GOD and were not expecting anything but to talk about HIS greatness. As they marveled over the many thing JESUS did for them, GOD filled them with the HOLY SPIRIT.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM without expectation.
• GOD has already filled me with the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD needs me to live my life with HIS purpose.

Being together on “one accord” led to something wildly unexpected. The crowd was filled with GOD’s power to do something they had never dreamed of. GOD saw their togetherness and said “I can see their love and they are now ready.”

Being together to marvel over JESUS is all GOD wants. Unfortunately group gatherings quickly turn into posturing over who is right or wrong. JESUS simply wants love and praise. I owe my life to JESUS.

• Are you posturing to be heard or seen?
• Do you feel better alone because people fight?
• Will you examine what makes you want to get away from “those” people and bring GOD’s love to wherever you are or are going?

Trying too hard to be “special”

1 Corinthians 14: ²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

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Once I was told that “If I believed enough then GOD would wake me up without an alarm clock.” I wanted to believe in GOD more so I “put HIM to the test.” I slept so well that night. In fact I overslept by a lot! “I must not be special” I thought to myself.

• Thinking I’m not special is actually childish.
• Thinking I’m not special causes me to seek accolades from humans.
• Thinking I’m not special makes me want to feel special by the wrong people.

When GOD made me, HE made me special. No one can do what I do or reach who I will reach. I don’t have to be jealous of someone else’s gifts or talents because HE gave me my own.  There are those who can speak in multiple languages to tell people about CHIRST but I am not gifted that way. I am thankful they exist because I can’t do what they do.

• Instead of wanting to be someone else I should want to understand how special GOD has made me.
• Instead of desiring someone’s gifts and talents I should discover what special things GOD has in store for me.
• Instead of wishing I was special I should believe I am special because GOD made me.

Spiritual gifts are nothing to envy but should be desired. The more gifts I possess the more I can spread GOD’s word. But I should not try “too hard” to be viewed as special otherwise I will forget to spread HIS “unpopular” messages and seek a crowd instead of telling the truth.

When it comes to GOD, I should grow up. When it comes to evil I should remain an infant.

• Do you believe you are special?
• Are you seeking GOD or are you seeking attention?
• Can you believe you are already special in HIS eyes?
• Won’t you begin seeking HIM instead of seeking the spotlight?