A United Prayer Rally will take place next Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Venue.
All leaders and team members are asked to register and attend to prepare spiritually for what God desires to do in the church.
Paul focuses primarily on the gifts of tongues and prophecy because they were likely causing confusion and disorder in the gathered church.
Definition of Tongues: Supernatural speech in a language the speaker has never learned, meant for either prayer/praise or as a sign when interpreted.
Speaking in a tongue is a prayer language directed straight to God, where the individual utters mysteries in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2).
The purpose of this gift in the heart of a person is to build up and encourage the individual believer (1 Corinthians 14:4).
In a gathered church setting, Paul states it is better to speak five understandable words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Corinthians 14:18-19).
In a gathered setting, the gift of prophecy carries more spiritual significance.
Definition of Prophecy: Speaking forth the spontaneous revelation of God’s mind and heart to encourage, edify, and console believers.
The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3).
The primary way this gift plays out is when God speaks through someone to help build up an individual or a group of people.
God wants believers to share what He shows them in their spirit to provide the exact encouragement, comfort, or clarity someone else needs.
The church should be a place where people expect to meet with God, seek His presence, and believe for His power to be displayed.
When the gifts function and God is truly moving, an unbeliever will be convicted, the secrets of their heart will be disclosed, and they will declare that God is real (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).
Every believer is encouraged to bring something to the gathering, such as a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:26).
Every contribution brought to the gathering must be done with the goal of building up the body.
God is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:31-33).
Spiritual authorities (Pastors, Prayer Leaders, Deacons, Elders, Life Group leaders) are identified to help maintain accountability in the functioning of the gifts.
If God shows you something, you should share it with someone in authority so they can help discern it and get it to the right person.
Believers must strive for maturity in their thinking to avoid the harm and confusion that comes from operating spiritual gifts immaturely (1 Corinthians 14:20).
All things in the gathering should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Believers are commanded to pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1).
We are specifically instructed to earnestly desire to prophesy and to not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39).
Spiritual gifts bloom best in the rich soil of a believer’s active prayer life.
Because we are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, we must strive to excel in building up the church (1 Corinthians 14:12).