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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 30 March 2023 – God Of Orderliness
TOPIC: God Of Orderliness
READ: 1 Corinthians 14: 21-40 (NKJV)
- In the law it is written: “With [men of] other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.
- Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
- Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those who are] uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
- But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
- And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on [his] face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
- How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
- If anyone speaks in a tongue, [let there be] two or at the most three, [each] in turn, and let one interpret.
- But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
- Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
- But if [anything] is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
- For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
- And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
- For God is not [the author] of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
- Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but [they are] to be submissive, as the law also says.
- And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
- Or did the word of God come [originally] from you? Or [was it] you only that it reached?
- If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
- But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
- Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
- Let all things be done decently and in order.
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THE MESSAGE:
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Paul noticed immaturity in the exercise of gifts and stipulated rules for orderliness. This is because gifts are important and improper use negates their benefits. The purpose of Spiritual gifts or any other activity in Church should be for edification (verse 26). Today’s passage focused on tongues and prophecy. Paul encouraged the use of prophecy but also warned that speaking in tongues should not be forbidden (verse 39)
Against this background, he emphasised the importance of prophecy for public worship since it is delivered in a language understood by all; the congregation (both believers and unbelievers) will benefit from what God is saying. However, its use should be for the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Corinthians 14: 3). In an instance where many prophecies are imparted to different people, Paul suggested that at most three should share their message while others who also received prophecies should judge and discern.
He also emphasised that multiple prophecies should not be going on at the same time. The first who started prophesying should stop if a second prophecy comes up. This is possible because the spirit of the prophet is under the speaker’s control (verse 32) With respect to tongues, he encouraged that interpretation is important to edify all in public worship. But if there is none to interpret, it should be used privately. Beloved your spiritual gifts should be handled with maturity, for the edification of the Church.
PRAYER: LORD, intensify my desire to come unto You for direction in the morning of everyday of my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
