Once and Future Kings - "Jesus and Orderly Worship"
[powerpress] Transforming Truth: The King Comes to Bring Order
Paul continues in Corinthians to instruct about the proper use of the gifts that God bestows. He does this by revealing the heart of Jesus the King who comes to bring order to His church. We will see this today as we study the Scripture to discover the motivation behind the gifts, why the gifts continue, give an explanation of the gifts, and determine how everything is to be done in order.
Everything Done in Love
Jesus administers all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in love. His church is to do the same.
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31 NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV)
These images would bring to mind the accomplishment of completing seemingly impossible tasks with the metaphor of moving mountains; or lovers' suicides and Jewish martyrs who threw themselves into the fires to avoid being forcibly defiled as Paul wrote in other translations, to "surrender my body to be burned" (I Cor. 13:3, NASB). Paul is saying that the grandest religious gestures or acts performed through the use of the gifts are meaningless and miss the mark if they are not motivated by love.
Why the Gifts Continue
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 NIV)
We know that the 66 canonized books of the Bible are Holy Spirit inspired and flawless (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; II Samuel 22:31; Proverbs 30:5,6; II Timothy 3:14-17; II Peter 3:14-18; Revelation 22:18-21). We hold to the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture. However, until the return of Jesus, every ministry and church will be imperfect, because it consists of people, who though being sanctified, are imperfect. Presently, we see and know imperfectly, though truthfully, through Scripture. Upon Jesus' return, there will no longer be the need for the gifts, because He will have brought about the final judgment and redemption of humanity and creation. When Jesus makes His return, that is when the perfect will have arrived, we shall "see face to face," and "know fully," even as we are fully known. Until that time, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in effect for the advance of the gospel and the building of Jesus' church.
Jesus is our example for everything. The cessationist position is one that is never articulated in Scripture. To the contrary, the Bible says that we should: Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:7, 8 NIV)
The church father Augustine began with the cessationist view and changed his mind later. Benjamin (B.B.) Warfield and others attempted to protect the integrity of the Scripture through the cessationist approach, but in doing so, threw out the metaphorical baby with the bath water. Continuationists acknowledge the authority of the Scripture and the present use of the gifts. The charismatic position has been made into a caricature, yet we can not allow this to be a determinant for theology. We are to reject the disorderly conduct of the Corinthians and many modern assemblies, yet must embrace the gifts (I Corinthians 14:39,40).
One would have to go outside of the Bible and base their theology on the experience of individuals (a general rule frowned upon as the basis of truth in biblical hermeneutics) to establish the case for cessationism. What we see clearly as the pattern, norm, and continued expectation of Scripture is the power of God demonstrated through the church as the work of the Holy Spirit.
"...if a man gets up and talks bitterly against any one, and professes to be a young convert, you may believe it is a spurious conversion. It is counterfeit. It has not got the ring of heaven in it, because a man when he is converted will love every one. Not only that, but I have noticed this, that when a man is full of the Holy Ghost he is the very last man to be complaining of other people. He loves everybody too tenderly. He loves even a cold church, and is anxious to lift them up and bring them to a kinder feeling and sympathy.
And I want to say here that I think a good many people have gotten into this habit of coldness. A man told me the other day that he felt it to be his duty to go up to a certain church and open on them when he got a chance for their lukewarmness, and I thought if he could just get a look at these young converts here he would feel differently. For when a man is himself cold he looks upon everybody else as cold too. When a man is himself warm he will talk about everybody else in the same view as of himself; he will talk about the love of God that is in our hearts, and that is what we want. If we only just felt filled with love, how easy it would be to reach man! All these barriers between us would be broken down. If you can only convince the greatest blasphemer and infidel in New York that you really love him you can reach him. What we want, therefore, is this love, and that is the work of the Holy Ghost to impart; and let us pray today that the love of God may be shed abroad in all our hearts." -D.L. Moody
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NIV)
We are to eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, but to do so, we must understand them.
An Explanation of the Gifts
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. (Joel 2:28-32 NIV)
What is the purpose of prophecy and tongues? Demystifying tongues and prophecy: Tongues basically means languages (I Corinthians 14:10). Prophecy is speaking a message on behalf of God for the glorification of Jesus and the building of His church.
We must theologically look make sure that we do not fall into a reductionist approach, which is not representing everything the Bible has to say on an issue. Instead, we must choose the multi-perspectival approach, which is looking at all of the representations of an issue in the Bible.
There are 3 examples of the gift of tongues in the Bible: 1) The Missionary tongue (Acts 2) Pastor Rollan shared his Ukraine attempt at this and the example of RW Schaumback in Italy.
2) The Prophetic tongue (I Corinthians 12, 14) A king from a foreign land can send delegates and interpreters who will deliver the messages delivered in other languages. (I Corinthians 13:1) Pastor Rollan also shared of his experience in churches where this gift was ministered well.
3) The Prayer Language (I Corinthians 14) B's dad, to her surprise, practiced this gift as an ordained Presbyterian minister who preaches in a Methodist church. She didn't know, because things were done in order.
Types of New Testament Prophetic Words 1) Predicting future events for the mobilization of the church (I Corinthians 14:6; Isaiah 46:9-11)
At the time of its writing, roughly 25% of the Scripture was accurately predictive in nature, much of which surrounded the person and work of Jesus as the prophet of God, the Messiah. It is to mobilize God's people for the care of the church and His gospel purposes in the world.
To a group/church:
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 NIV)
To an individual:
Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:8-14 NIV)
This person must be heavily vetted and ascribe to all of the aforementioned qualifications for them to have directional impact on the church.
2) Strengthening, Encouragement, and Comfort of the Church
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. (1 Corinthians 14:6-17 NIV)
This can be a word speaking the truth of God to you about a past, present, or future circumstance that your trust in Jesus might be bolstered and your walk with Him affirmed.
3) Preaching (I Corinthians 14:4,6,7,24,25)
This means teaching the Bible by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that people would turn to the word of God, repent of sin, and believe in Jesus. This was many times the function of Old Testament prophets- to return the people to the law of God. That law as the highest authority is now found in the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures, and every word that is preached is subject to these canonized books of the Bible.
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” (Revelation 19:9, 10 NIV)
God gives anointed preaching so that the church is edified and clear instruction is given. It includes unbelievers hearing the word of God, being convicted of sin, and turning to Jesus for salvation. Above all, this is to be valued without end until Jesus' return so that people might continually know who Jesus is, what He expects, and how to live on mission with Him (Psalm 138:2).
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” (1 Corinthians 14:18-25 NIV)
Isaiah 28:11-12 was the verse quoted from the Law above, and the context was God's judgment on the immature, self-righteous rebels of Israel. Operating in any spiritual gift does not equate to maturity or God's pleasure (Matthew 7:21-23). We must be those who live in faith, humility, and holiness to have that designation.
Clearing up a confusing passage (I Corinthians 14:22-25): When we look at the missionary tongue represented in Acts 2, we see that this is a sign for unbelievers to repent of sin and turn to Jesus. When we understand prophecy to also include the preaching of the Word of God, it is for both believers and unbelievers to come to faith and repentance in Christ.
Why New Testament Prophecies are Subject to and Less Authoritative than the Bible:
The Old Testament is basically a recording of God's interaction with humanity through the specific interaction with His chosen people, the Jews. It was written by prophets and scribes. It is a foreshadowing of Christ and His redemptive work as the promised Messiah. The New Testament is the explanation of Christ and His atonement, the fulfillment of all that was prophesied about Him for the redemption of the fallen world. It is written by eyewitnesses, apostles, and those to whom they gave detailed accounts to (i.e. - Luke). It is the expounding of the person, power, and present ministry of Jesus. Anything that comes after must be in agreement with and congruent to these affirmed words. That is why religions such as Mormonism, Islam, and Jehovah's Witnesses, though acknowledging Jesus of Nazareth, are rejected as true, because they contradict the aforementioned witnesses. Present day ministry solely continues the work already laid out.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19, 20 NIV)
As discussed last week, there is a difference between the unique, twelve apostles of Jesus and those who operate in an apostolic gifting today. The twelve apostles of Jesus are described in this manner:
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:27-30 NIV)
“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:20-22 NIV)
In the same way, the prophets of the Old Testament were never wrong, lest they be stoned, predicting the coming of Jesus, His work, death, burial, and resurrection, and world events with amazing detail and accuracy and recorded as witnesses to much of the events of the pre-incarnation period. Because of these things which have been tested and approved, their writings are held in a league of their own.
How do I know if something is truly a prophetic word? 1) It agrees with, and does not contradict the highest authority of Scripture. God is not double-minded, nor does He change His mind about things. If you are prophetically gifted, you should always work to have a properly contextualized and hermeneutically sound interpretation of Scripture to underscore the word that you are sharing.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. (1 John 4:1-6 NIV).
(Deuteronomy 13; 17; 18; Matthew 24:1-35; and II Thessalonians 2:1-12 give warnings about false prophets, apostles, and miracle-workers who use demonic power to turn people away from Jesus or His ways. Be wary of those. Many major false religions and cults in the world today have been founded by individuals claiming to be mouthpieces of God, but are actually turning people from Jesus and leading people to Hell.)
2) It is redemptive in nature, pointing to the cross of Jesus Christ. Because prophecy is for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of the listener, it will always reflect the gospel and the purposes of God therein.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV)
3) It should be done demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).
4) It should be done in order, whether in a public or private setting. Prophetic words need to have the ability to be vetted. Even Old Testament prophets were trained in the company of other experienced prophets like Samuel and Elijah (I Samuel 19:20). In a public service, they should be submitted to the leadership for discernment, judgment, and determination of a proper time and place to share the message, if at all. Some prophetic words are not to be communicated, but are prayer burdens that should be stewarded.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38 NIV) (*Because Anna was a prophetess prior to Christ's arrival, we know that there were not 400 years of absolute silence from God between Malachi and Christ's coming. In addition, this cuts against the foundation of cessationism.)
What should I do with a prophetic word that is spoken over me? 1) Like Mary, treasure the words in your heart, asking God and your leadership for application, direction, and faith to properly respond to the word.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:8-20 NIV)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:25-35 NIV)
2) Like Timothy, fan into flame the gift of God that was bequeathed by the Holy Spirit to you.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)
Once we understand the definition and purpose of the gifts, fear of exhibitionism in the church can be quelled with a proper understanding of Jesus the King's order in the church.
Let Everything Be Done in Order
Like today, in the Roman society there were different styles of worship, both the somber Roman ritual and the ecstatic Greek celebration. Paul was emphasizing that neither of these styles was paramount, rather that we have concern for others as we look to build up the church (I Corinthians 13), and that there is order in the use of the gifts.
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (1 Corinthians 14:26-40 NIV)
The issue of women in the church was settled when we spoke of Jesus and a restored dignity (Acts 18:18-28; I Corinthians 11:5; Titus 2:3-5). In this Corinthian context, several women were seemingly interrupting the services and teachers with untrained biblical insights. Paul was correcting the lack of decorum. Despite the lower literacy rate among women of the day, Paul is being extremely progressive for the times encouraging the men to respect their wives' intellectual abilities and to teach them in the home. Paul also sets guidelines to ensure that any participation in church is not distracting and mutually edifying for all involved. Women are exhorted to teach, pray, and prophesy as with all others, in order.
The reason things need to be done in order is because the use of the gifts is for the benefit of others, for the common good, and not yourself. Anyone who works in the gifts out of order will be ignored (I Corinthians 14:36-38). When all of the gifts are exercised with humility, under submission, and, most of all, in love, then the Bible will be taught, people will be edified, Jesus will be exalted, people will be saved, healed, and delivered, and the kingdom of God will advance. Let us be those who welcome Jesus the King in His fullness, allowing Him to move in power, love, and through order.
Second City Church- Once and Future Kings Sermon Series 2013