Bethel Sunday School Online 30 AUG 2020
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:20 – 21

REVIEW

1. The importance of possessing spiritual maturity

2. This is vital to personally know how to apply spiritual gifts properly

3. This is also vital in how we conduct ourselves as a church community

SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS NEEDED TO DISCERN AND APPLY SPIRITUAL GIFTS CORRECTLY

1. Tongues are for a sign (1 Corinthians 14:22a)

a. The Corinthians did not understand the significance of the gifts of tongue

b. The Apostle Paul had to explain many things

i. The purpose of spiritual gifts in general is to edify the Church

ii. There are special gifts such as tongues for specific reasons too!

iii. The gift of tongues was given as a sign from God!

iv. This sign-gift was to reach unbelievers not believers

c. This was historically noted in Acts 2

i. The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit

ii. They miraculously spoke in foreign tongues the mighty works of God

iii. Those who heard them were non-believers and they did not understand what was happening

iv. The Apostle Peter seized the opportunity to explain the gospel to them

v. The impact of the gospel shared with this obvious sign-gift from God was tremendous!

vi. There were thousands who came to faith in Christ that day!

2. “But prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.” 1Corinthians 14:22b

a. Prophecy was a special sign-gift too!

b. This gift was for believers and not unbelievers

c. The believers would appreciate the word of prophecy from the Lord

d. Those who are non-believers would be more skeptically inclined

3. The Apostles had the maturity to apply God’s gifts correctly and appropriately!

4. This was sadly lacking in the Corinthian Church and hence Paul had to address them!

SPIRITUAL MATURITY APPLIED TO GATHERING AS A CHURCH FOR WORSHIP

1. Gathering for worship

a. This is normal and natural for believers to gather for worship

b. They may even invite their friends who may be uninformed or unbelievers

2. “If all speak with tongues”

a. Imagine the chaos if this happened!

b. Everyone speaking in a foreign language in a worship service!

c. Those who are uninformed, or unbelievers would think Christians are out of their mind!

3. “But if all prophesy…”

a. The prophetic word is proclaimed and made known clearly

b. There could be positive responses from the uninformed and unbeliever

i. He is convinced by what he heard

ii. He is convicted by the message

iii. The secrets of his heart are revealed

c. He offers more positive responses

i. He falls down on his face in humility before God

ii. He offers worship to God too

iii. He experiences the presence of God in the midst of the worshipers

CHALLENGES

1. To be mindful of others who come to Church

a. The uninformed

b. The unbeliever

2. To bear effective witness as a Church as we gather for worship

a. With sincerity in sharing with people the word of God

b. With spiritual maturity in the way we conduct ourselves in worship