1 Corinthians 14
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 continues the theme throughout the last few chapters of 1 Corinthians of the importance of building up the church. This is really just an overflow of God’s design for Christians: in our salvation, we have been freed from living a life that is self-focused to a life that is first God-focused and second others-focused. This chapter simply explains how this gospel-principle is seen in the life of the church.
Look how many times Paul elevates building up the church compared to building up one's self:
Paul’s vision for the church is not just that people would use their gifts and serve for the sake of serving, but that people would use their gifts and serve for the purpose of building up the church.
A question for self-reflection: is your serving at church motivated by self or others? Take some time today and pray that God would give you a pure heart that loves Him and loves people more than you love yourself.
What would it look like for you to become more others-centered as a result of reading this chapter? Pray that God would give us all these hearts to love and serve Him by loving and serving others!
By: Graham Withers
Read: 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14 continues the theme throughout the last few chapters of 1 Corinthians of the importance of building up the church. This is really just an overflow of God’s design for Christians: in our salvation, we have been freed from living a life that is self-focused to a life that is first God-focused and second others-focused. This chapter simply explains how this gospel-principle is seen in the life of the church.
Look how many times Paul elevates building up the church compared to building up one's self:
- 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
- 5 For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.
- 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
- 26 But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
Paul’s vision for the church is not just that people would use their gifts and serve for the sake of serving, but that people would use their gifts and serve for the purpose of building up the church.
A question for self-reflection: is your serving at church motivated by self or others? Take some time today and pray that God would give you a pure heart that loves Him and loves people more than you love yourself.
What would it look like for you to become more others-centered as a result of reading this chapter? Pray that God would give us all these hearts to love and serve Him by loving and serving others!
By: Graham Withers
2 Comments
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people.
Verse 33 spoke to my heart this morning. Thank you Graham for the extraordinary work you are doing during Tim's absence. God has raised you up for this moment to lead His church.
A little reading on the background of the Corinthian church speaks to the chaos being brought into order by God's Word.
What a wonderful thought.