Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Devotion
In today’s scripture, we get a picture into what the early church was like and how Paul was shaping it. Paul first encourages everyone to come to the church meeting prepared to share their gifts for the purpose of building up those at the church. These could be more natural gifts like a song or it could be a spiritual gift. The remainder of the scripture gives specific ways to present these spiritual gifts so that there was some order in the meeting. I can just see many people excited to speak a word of wisdom or a prophesy that they feel was given to them from God and maybe it was getting a little noisy there!
At CityLight, many people come prepared to share their gifts to strengthen the church. A large number give their time to set up or to greet people with the gift of hospitality and encouragement. The worship team comes prepared to sing and play; the teachers come prepared to share their wisdom with the kids; the pray-ers come ready to provide words of instruction from God for others; and Christian comes prepared to share wisdom from the stage.
Are you one of these people? Note that Paul is telling the Corinthians that EVERYONE should come with a gift to share. Do you come and listen and leave, having done your duty to attend church? Cross that off the to do list. Or do you stay and meet with others or even take new people to lunch, providing friendship and encouragement? What are your gifts and how can you use them to strengthen the church?
Ask God today what gifts he has for you and what gifts he wants you to pursue. 1 Co 14:1 says to “eagerly desire spiritual gifts.” Maybe he is calling you to one of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Co 12: 7-10. Or maybe he is nudging you to open you mind and heart to an introduction and understanding of spiritual gifts. You could plan a discussion with Christian or someone he would suggest about this and how to discover your gifts.
Our God is a supernatural, spiritual God. He made the natural and is beyond the natural – “super-natural”. He has more for us. Ask him to reveal what that means for you this week. Then don’t forget to bring your gifts to church Sunday.
Prayer
Our God and our Father, give us a desire to grow deeper with you. Show us the gifts you have already given us that we can use to build up others and give us opportunities to use these gifts. Open our spiritual eyes to see you at work in our lives. We want more of your love and peace and wisdom. Thank you for caring for us.
Author: Brad Dunn
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