News From A Far Country
Saints Sinners Soldiers
August 25, 2019
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
1 Corinthians 14 teaches that spiritual gifts—especially prophecy and tongues—are given to build and edify the whole church and deepen corporate communion with God, so believers should seek and use them for others rather than selfishly.
Summary
The sermon uses 1 Corinthians 14 to emphasize that God's gifts were given not for private benefit but to strengthen the body of Christ and draw the church into deeper worship and communion with the Lord. Using an anecdote about a soldier who apologized for selfish behavior, the preacher highlights the contrast between self-centered use of gifts and the corporate purpose Paul outlines: prophecy speaks plainly to the church, tongues speak to God but must be interpreted to benefit the congregation, and all gifts should be pursued and exercised in ways that build up others. Those who are not seeking or using gifts are urged to repent and return to God, and speakers are reminded that their ministry should lead people into Christ-centered worship, not merely personal experience.
Key Points
- Spiritual gifts are given for the good of others and the building up of the church
- Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 are corporate: gifts should strengthen the whole body
- Gifts serve two main purposes: to build the church and to deepen communion with the Lord
- Prophecy communicates plainly to the church; tongues speak to God and require interpretation to edify the congregation
- Believers should seek the Spirit and desire more gifting, especially prophecy
- If you aren’t pursuing gifts, repent and turn back to God
- Speakers must use their gifts to draw people into worship and community, not for personal experience
- The soldier anecdote illustrates the harm of selfishness and the call to serve others with our gifts
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