In March of 2021 we had week of revival services where many gifts of the Holy Spirit were poured out. It left many with questions and thoughts about what happened during that week. These three messages are Pastor Christian’s response and follow up to tend the fire that the Holy Spiri poured out. If the notes are not enough and you’d like to see the full video of Pastor Christian’s sermon please email the church ([email protected]) for a private link.

Introduction

1 Corinthians 14:1-6 ESV  Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.  (2)  For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.  (3)  On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.  (4)  The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.  (5)  Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.  (6)  Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

• It is my complete and passionate desire that the Holy Spirit would flow freely through the people of CLC.
  • That His power would be so clear, so effective in it’s working, that people from all over know that there MUST be a God, and that the people here serve that God.
  • I desire for prophecies, and miracles, healings, and prayer languages.
    • I want to hear testimonies of people being raised from the dead.
    • Of prophecy leading people to salvation.
    • And of God providing the impossible.
  • But I don’t want any of it to be a show… none of it faked, or hyped up.
    • I don’t want to be a place that worships the gifts instead of the gift giver…
  • So, how do we find that balance… how do we find the power of the Holy spirt… the power of the Gifts that He gives us…
    • How do we use them… what ways are appropriate, what ways aren’t?
    • And chiefly… how can we use what He has given us for maximum impact?
    • That’s what we are going to be talking about tonight… and I think that is what 1 Corinthians 14 talks about, plus other scriptures from throughout the Bible… but chiefly 1 Corinthians 14 applies to what has happened in our church.
• Would y’all join me in prayer, and then we are going to dig into this…

Point One – Consider the Benefit

1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV  Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

• My first point this evening is simple… consider the benefit of each gift in each situation…
  • Another way of putting it is this way:
    • Not every Spiritual gift is useful in every situation.
• You see, if the enemy can’t get us to not use the spiritual gifts… then he is going to try to get us to use them in ways that are not beneficial…
  • Let me say that again, in case you missed it…
  • If the enemy can’t get us to NOT use the spiritual gifts… then he is going to try to get us to use them in ways that are not beneficial…
    • Not beneficial to the Kingdom of God.
    • Not beneficial to us.
    • Not beneficial to others…
• And oh how many times I have seen this happen…
  • Someone gets the gift of tongues and then they think that the answer to every situation in tongues…
• Or, maybe someone gets the gift of prophecy and thinks that the answer to every situation is prophecy.
• I meet one guy who thought that the gift of healing was the only important gift… and wanted to have healing as a part of worship, as a part of evangelism, as a part of every prayer, as a part of preaching… as a part of EVERYTHING.
  • But this dude didn’t know his bible… he didn’t have faith for anything other than healing… he didn’t know how to evangelize… he barely know how to worship…
  • BUT HE WAS PIGEON HOLED… because he began to idolize the single gift he was given.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  (5)  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;  (6)  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

• Now this was one of the issues that Paul was bringing forward to the Corinthians.
  • They were not considering the benefit of what they were doing.
  • Chiefly… they were speaking in tongues when they should have been prophesying.
  • So we have this chapter, 1 Corinthians 14… where Paul is just very black and white… very logical about it.
• We know that our own personal prayer language is not meant to be understood by man, unless through the gift of interpretation…

1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV  For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

• So, if no one can understand you but God, then why are you praying in tongues with other people around? THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND YOU!

1 Corinthians 14:9 ESV  So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:16-17 ESV  Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?  (17)  For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

• So when you pray in tongues with the intent of other people listening to you… what is the benefit?
  • Well, you are giving thanks and building yourself up… that is a benefit…
  • But are you benefiting other people? Not really, because other people can’t understand you.
• Does that mean we shouldn’t speak in tongues? NO! Of course not… it means consider the situation… consider your surroundings…

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 ESV  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  (19)  Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

• And worse yet, there is actual negative consequences to praying in Tongues in a public church service…

1 Corinthians 14:23 ESV  If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

• Does that mean we shun the gifts all together? NO! Of course not… it means that there are some gifts MEANT for public church services and some gifts meant for private prayer closets, and some gifts meant for private prayer meetings, and some gifts meant for the mission field…
• In the case of the public church service, the Bible is abundantly clear, the gift meant for the public church service is prophecy!

1 Corinthians 14:23-25 ESV  If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?  (24)  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,  (25)  the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

• We also know that the gift of the interpretation of tongues is for the public service…

1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV  Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:13 ESV  Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

• But what about other gifts?
  • Well, the gift of healing can be for those in the church…

James 5:14-15 ESV  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  (15)  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

• But in the church it is God’s mercy… however, a place I think the gift of healing shines the most is in evangelism…
  • Remember we talked about this on mission Sunday.
  • Jesus healed a man at the pool of Bethesda and when challenged about it by unbelievers here is what Jesus said about the healing…

John 5:20 ESV  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

• Jesus says the gift of healing, and even greater works than those are sent from God so that unbelievers would marvel and know there is a true God in heaven.
  • And I think this applies to the gift of miracles as well…
  • Tell a mountain to move… watch it move… and see people RUN to the Lord!
• And guys, this is a real simple concept… so simple Paul says only thinking like a baby would confuse it… DON’T BE INFANTS IN YOUR THINKING Paul says about the spiritual gifts…

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV  Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

• And I will show you how easy this is…
  • Romans lists a few spiritual gifts…
    • Exhortation
    • Giving
    • Leadership
    • Mercy
    • Prophecy
    • Service
    • And Teaching…
  • Now, let’s say God has called you to minister at the planned parenthood off of 1^st Ave.
    • Which of these gifts would be beneficial…
      • Now maybe God has gifted you in giving… you have a supernatural ability to earn money and give it away…
      • Does that mean you should make a big donation to planned parenthood?
        • Of course not!
      • Maybe you have the gift of service… everything you put your hand to, like Joseph, succeeds!
        • So should you volunteer at the Planned Parenthood?
      • No way! Don’t be stupid pastor…
      • So what gifts would be beneficial?
        • Mercy… having mercy on women entering the facility.
        • Prophecy… just like Jesus with the woman at the well…
        • Maybe even teaching… teaching what abortion is and what Planned parenthood really does.
    • Simple, right?! Some gifts would be beneficial, other things maybe not so much…
• Simply consider the benefit… what gift would be beneficial in this situation…
  • And if you are not gifted in that area there are two things you can do… support someone who IS gifted in that area…
    • Man, you know you are going to go to planned parenthood but the only spiritual gift you operate in is tongues… do this… pray for an hour in tongues at home before you go, to build yourself up as Jude instructs us too…
    • THEN INVITE BROTHER ERIC TO COME WITH YOU AND PROPHECY OVER THE WOMEN.
      • BUT I WANT TO BE USED PASTOR!
        • Since when is Christianity an army of one?! We work together… God gives some to be prophets… and that’s ok if your not one of the some…
  • But on top of supporting someone gifted in the beneficial area… nothing says you can’t pray for that gift for yourself.
    • You have not because you ask not…
    • But make sure you want the gift for unselfish reasons.

James 4:3 ESV  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

• But… if your heart is truly focused on the glory of God… then ask, ask for the gift needed in that situation… and be BOLD about it.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

• That brings me to my second point… PRAY FOR BOLDNESS!

Point Two – Pray for Boldness

Acts 3:1-10 ESV  Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  (2)  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.  (3)  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.  (4)  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”  (5)  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  (6)  But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”  (7)  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  (8)  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  (9)  And all the people saw him walking and praising God,  (10)  and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

• So Peter and John used the gift of healing… and then they turned the peoples amazement into a preaching opportunity and began preaching the gospel… now lets skip to chapter 4 verse 1 as the story continues…

Acts 4:1-3 ESV  And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,  (2)  greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  (3)  And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Acts 4:7-10 ESV  And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”  (8)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,  (9)  if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,  (10)  let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

Acts 4:13-14 ESV  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.  (14)  But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

• Do you see how Peter and John used the gift of healing to open up the door of evangelism… both to the crowds, and to those who arrested and persecuted them…
• If you want to be effective… if you want to be effective like Peter and John were effective… if you want to use the spiritual gifts for MAXIMUM impact… then you need to do two things…
  • Use your gifts as the were intended to be used… I.E. Consider the benefit of each gift and use them appropriately…
  • But second… YOU NEED TO BE BOLD!
• Well I am just not a bold person, pastor… THEN PRAY FOR BOLDNESS.
  • Because the gifts aren’t just for you! YOU ARE ALREADY SAVED. The gifts empower you to reach others… so you need BOLDNESS!
• And if you need boldness then you need to PRAY for boldness…
• And that is exactly what the followers of Jesus did after Peter and John were released…]
  • And that is exactly what we are going to do tonight…

Conclusion

Let me close by reading the prayer the disciples prayed… and then we will pray for boldness as a church body…

Acts 4:23-31 ESV  When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  (24)  And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,  (25)  who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?  (26)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—  (27)  for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,  (28)  to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.  (29)  And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,  (30)  while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  (31)  And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

• Altar Call

You are dismissed from this place but not from His Presence