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One:
Orderly Worship
1 Corinthians 14
Introduction
This passage covers Tongues, Prophecy, and
women in the worship service. I don’t see
any pitfalls or problems in front of us this
morning. Either that or I will probably say
something that each of you disagrees with
this morning. And by the end I will have no
friends and no church body to Pastor.
Transition: You ready? I am working with
the assumption that you have read and even
considered this passage before you got here
this morning. Covering 3 controversial
subjects in one sermon, there is no way to do
it justice, nor cover all the Bible verses that
are brought to bear on the various arguments
to be considered this morning.
In regards to tongues and prophecy, this is
an area in my thinking that I am not
convinced on either side of the argument. I
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don’t want to cop out, and I don’t want to
lead Coastal into confusion, so in that regard
I preach this with fear and trembling this
morning.
I am not sure I have ever put together a
sermon in which I read more, and studied
more, and listened to more sermons. In my
theology and thinking I have some things
that are very, very clear to me on, things of
which I am very certain. At the very top of
things of which I am certain are key
doctrines, like the trinity, virgin birth, deity
of Christ, Substitutionary death of Christ,
Christ’s return, authority of Scripture, and
some others.
One of my behind the scenes observations of
Coastal is that this is the church where
“Baptist” and “Charismatics” come together
and serve together in unity. This, however,
is one of the key topics that tends to divide
these 2 groups, and my fear in my lack of
clarity on this subject may lead to disunity,
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which is where the bulk of my prayers have
been focused in regards to this sermon.
My hope in the end is to major on the majors
and end by giving the appropriate riverbanks
for CCC.
Transition: So when I say this is where
“Baptist” and “Charismatics” come together,
what I mean by those 2 groups: in regards to
what many call “sign” spiritual gifts, and
“signs and wonders” is that the Baptist
(Gross generalization) tend to come from a
background that are “Cessationist” (BTW:
this usually includes Methodist, Lutherans,
Church of Christ, to name a few others) (the
Cessationist believe that the sign gifts are no
longer gifts for today). “Continuationist”
believe the sign gifts are gifts for today. Of
those gifts, tongues and prophesy as
discussed in 1 Corinthians 14 are active gifts
for the church today.
I have set in front of you some of the men
and authors that I have leaned into my entire
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life. Some are still alive, some are not. All
of these men, have a very high view of
scripture. These men would affirm all the
key doctrines that we affirm at Coastal.
None of these men would add to scripture.
These men would affirm that the cannon is
closed. I think most of these men I would
agree with regarding soteriology (Which is
usually quite controversial), and doctrines of
God, Christ, church polity, roles of women
in the church and roles of men and women
in marriage, and I think most would even
agree on the broader and more normative
functions of the Holy Spirit.
Separate the book authors into the 2
groups. So, when we look at this passage (1
Corinthians 14), one’s interpretation is often
driven by their stance on the broader issue,
or broader hermeneutic. Let me start there
try to define each and then move into the
passage.
Continuationist:
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1. They believe the gift of tongues,
prophecy and miracles and wonders are
continuing and active today.
2. For the Continuationist the plain
reading of the text of scripture makes it
clear that there is still opportunity for
these gifts to function today.
3. Though many of the men I lean into
may suggest that this is not normative
spiritual gifts. None of these men
would fall into the extreme charismatic
camp, and most would focus on the
normative functions of the Holy Spirit
as given to us by Jesus Christ in John
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Cessationist view:
1. It is common for miracles to
authenticate an individual ministry, or
significant movements of God in
scripture. (Example: Moses, Elijah,
Elisha, Jesus, Apostles, by extension
the early church)
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2. The gift of tongues, office/gift of
prophets, office/gift of healing, have
ceased with the Apostles.
3. These gifts were part of authenticating
the ministry and mission of Jesus, the
Apostles and the early church.
4. Cessationist do believe God heals, it is
the office/gifting given to an individual
that has ceased.
5. After 1 Corinthians, no other NT book
or NT author mentions tongues –
possibly alluding to its fading after the
apostles and the church’s
establishment.
6. The early church fathers were
Cessationist, Chrysostom around 375
AD and with Augustine saying,
“Tongues have ceased.”
So where does Shaun Come down:
1. I think both interpretations have their
strengths and have some compelling
arguments and pull at various parts of
the hermeneutic that I lean into on
other theological issues.
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2. I am nervous of some of the abuses of
the broader Charismatic movement.
3. And there are pieces to the broader
Charismatic movement that are
unbiblical.
4. Specifically, regarding tongues:
5. (My Hermenutic) The first time we see
the gift in the New Testament it is
clearly a known language. (Let the
clear passages of scripture interpret the
unclear passages of scripture)
Acts 2:1-8
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they
were all together in one place. 2 And
suddenly there came from heaven a sound
like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the
entire house where they were sitting. 3 And
divided tongues as of fire appeared to them
and rested on each one of them. 4 And they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance. 5 Now there were
dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men
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from every nation under heaven. 6 And at
this sound the multitude came together, and
they were bewildered, because each one was
hearing them speak in his own language. 7
And they were amazed and astonished,
saying, “Are not all these who are speaking
Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear,
each of us in his own native language?
(ESV)
5. Is there an unknown language or prayer
language?
a. For me, this is where the Bible is less
than clear in my understanding.
b. My hermeneutic is to have the clear
passages of scripture interpret the
unclear.
c. Is there an unintelligible, ecstatic
language that could also be a prayer
language?
d. For me it is unclear.
1 Corinthians 13:1
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If I speak in the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 14:2
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not
to men but to God; for no one understands
him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
(ESV)
Maybe Romans 8:26 – Spirit intercedes for
us, but the context in Romans does not seem
to be tongues.
Some abuses of Tongues that I completely
reject as unbiblical:
a. This is a gift you need to have, a
higher spiritual experience or a
higher spiritual plane: Paul makes it
clear in this text that tongues is a
lesser gift in comparison to prophecy
or understanding what is happening.
b. I completely reject the idea that
tongues are a second blessing of the
Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit gives
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spiritual gifts and not everyone gets
the same ones – No one ever prays to
receive the gift of giving.
c. The scripture rejects the idea of any
gift or action happening outside of a
person’s control – fruit of the Spirit
is self-control and Paul tells the
Corinthians to sit quiet without an
interpretation, and the prophets to sit
quiet and wait their turn – so there is
not lack of control. (Revivals where
there is a loss of control – not
revival)
6. Biblical hermeneutic: For those that
would say, it is right in the Bible – Just
read the plain reading of the text.
a. Yes, that is true, but we also should
consider the hermeneutic of the
author’s intent – clearly in 1
Corinthians this is a rebuke to the
Corinthians.
b. Second, we do this without thinking
about it in other passages…. Jesus
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said, “if your eye causes you to
stumble,” what he says next?
“Gouge it out.” Or Chapter 11 with
headcoverings, long-hair, and short-
hair.
c. We commonly do not make
normative interpretation of Abraham
sacrificing Isaac.
Where does Shaun come down:
7. Regarding tongues and prophecy, the
canon of scripture is closed – we are in
no way adding to scripture, on this is
suspect we all agree.
So back to me: I am probably an
extremely cautious Continuationist or a
practical Cessationist.
My preference regarding the Holy Spirit is
to focus on what I would call “Normative”
works of the Spirit like:
1. Fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5)
2. Conviction of Sin. (John 16)
3. Revelation of the Truth
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Transition: So with that as introduction, let
me go highlight what I think are the 2 main
points of this text.
I. Worship should be done intelligently
and in control.
A. Goal of tongues (And all spiritual
gifting) is to build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the
spiritual gifts, especially that you may
prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue
speaks not to men but to God; for no one
understands him, but he utters mysteries in
the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who
prophesies speaks to people for their
upbuilding and encouragement and
consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a
tongue builds up himself, but the one who
prophesies builds up the church. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 14:12
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So, with yourselves, since you are eager for
manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in
building up the church. (ESV)
B. Tongues is a lesser gift.
1. There are other gifts that better
benefit the church body.
1 Corinthians 14:5
Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but
even more to prophesy. The one who
prophesies is greater than the one who
speaks in tongues (ESV)
2. In fact, verse 39, for me feels like
Paul is rebuking this church for
elevating tongues as a superior gift.
1 Corinthians 14:39
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to
prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in
tongues. (ESV)
C. Paul advocates the supremacy of the
mind in corporate worship.
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1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue
should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I
pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my
mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will
pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my
mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit,
but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your
spirit, how can anyone in the position of an
outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving
when he does not know what you are
saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks
well enough, but the other person is not
being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in
tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather
speak five words with my mind in order to
instruct others, than ten thousand words in a
tongue. (ESV)
BTW: To me it makes perfect sense that
Paul, the missionary to the Gentiles, and
foreign languages, would often speak in
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tongues, as we see in Acts 2, for the
forwarding of the gospel.
1. Paul is not advocating
mindlessness in worship.
2. He is encouraging us to think
and understand.
3. In Romans, he reminds us that
sanctification is a result of right
thinking…
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the
will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect. (ESV)
D. Corporate worship service should be
understandable to all. (Seeker
sensitive)
1 Corinthians 14:20-24
Brothers, do not be children in your
thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your
thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is
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written, “By people of strange tongues and
by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this
people, and even then they will not listen to
me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a
sign not for believers but for unbelievers,
while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers
but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole
church comes together and all speak in
tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter,
will they not say that you are out of your
minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an
unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted
by all, he is called to account by all, (ESV)
Which is it Paul? Are tongues a sign to
unbelievers on not. In other words, it is a
sign for unbelievers, yet the unbelievers will
see tongues going on in your midst and think
you are crazy. Which is it?
So here is what it is:
1. The Corinthians loved the
miraculous, and stories of the
supernatural. Possibly more
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than the simple preaching of the
gospel – Check out 2
Corinthians and Paul’s defense
of his Apostleship, (Tell us your
visions like the “Super
Apostles” – Corinthians loved
that stuff.
2. They were building the case
that ecstatic expression of
tongues and possibly other
supernatural movements of God
would lead unbelievers to faith.
BTW: This is much the same argument that
many, more extreme, Charismatic churches
make today.
3. But Paul is saying not so.
4. Tongues is a curse for
unbelieving Jews – strange
languages are now bringing the
gospel to the Jews (I don’t have
time to spend more on this)
5. And Paul says the opposite of
what the Corinthians are
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thinking – unbelievers are
convicted by the Holy Spirit not
through the unexplainable, but
through the understandable
engaging the heart and mind.
6. The corporate gatherings should
be understandable. Why?
1 Corinthians 14:24-25
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or
outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is
called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his
heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his
face, he will worship God and declare that
God is really among you. (ESV)
E. The miracle we should be hoping and
praying for is repentance and faith in
the gospel.
1. Not tongues, or healing, or some
manifest miracle.
2. It is when the Holy Spirit works in
such a way as a person repents of sin
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and believes in the person and work
of Jesus Christ.
3. This why Paul spends the longest
part of the letter unpacking God’s
greatest work for all to see – the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. This section of the disorderly
corporate worship, centered on the
abuse of the gift of tongues, is
bookended by Love is the greatest,
and the resurrection is the greatest
miracle.
5. He makes sure we understand that it
is this miracle that is the linchpin of
all Christianity, not a gifting of the
Spirit.
6. This is the revival that I hope for in
our culture.
Transition: Next Paul makes clear that the:
II. Corporate worship should be
orderly.
A. Specific instruction to Corinth.
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1 Corinthians 14:26-32
What then, brothers? When you come
together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let
all things be done for building up. 27 If any
speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at
most three, and each in turn, and let
someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to
interpret, let each of them keep silent in
church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let
the others weigh what is said. 30 If a
revelation is made to another sitting there,
let the first be silent. 31 For you can all
prophesy one by one, so that all may learn
and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of
prophets are subject to prophets. (ESV)
BTW: I would suggest that there is a hint
here that the tongue speaker and the
interpreter knew each other, and knew
beforehand what was going to take place.
B. Order flows from God’s character.
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1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of confusion but of
peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
(ESV)
C. Cultural order of how men and women
interact in the corporate service.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
the women should keep silent in the
churches. For they are not permitted to
speak, but should be in submission, as the
Law also says. 35 If there is anything they
desire to learn, let them ask their husbands
at home. For it is shameful for a woman to
speak in church. (ESV)
1. In this culture, a married
woman would never speak to a
married man – and it is likely
that women, being new to the
opportunity to learn, were
speaking up and asking
questions.
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2. On top of disrupting the
corporate service of the church,
it was probably culturally
uncomfortable for all involved
(Like a close talker).
3. Paul is saying there is a healthy
way to do this, but not in the
corporate worship.
4. And far from oppressing
women, Christianity opened the
door for women.
Main Point: This was a revolutionary
thought in Ancient Near Eastern Culture. At
this point in history women in general were
not permitted to learn. Not so in the church.
Women were to be educated in the things of
the Lord. Women are encouraged to learn.
But they were to learn quietly. Paul women
are encouraged to learn in a humble, gentle
manner; no different than anyone in the
congregation should learn, including men.
So, let me give some river banks at
Coastal. Coastal’s Statement of
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Corporate worship: Worship is reserved
for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit only
and is made possible through the mediation
of Jesus Christ alone. We believe that
worship should be present in every aspect of
the believer’s life and is not limited to music
and the preaching of the Word. Biblical
worship involves both Spirit and truth. We
encourage believers to worship both
privately and corporately in community with
other believers. True worship must be made
with understanding, reverence, humility,
fervency, faith, love & perseverance and
cooperate worship and prayer must be made
in a known language.
Transition: Why do we give those river
banks. Because at Coastal we keep in mind
the bigger picture of corporate worship, and
church gatherings.
III. The goal of corporate gatherings.
A. Believers are to be built up.
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1. We are to exercise our gifts in love
and unity.
2. We are to focus on the greater gifts,
that bring understanding to the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. So that…
B. Believers and unbelievers can be
confronted with the gospel.
1. Character of God – Holy and
sinless.
2. Human heart – sinful and rebellious.
(Apart from the work of the Holy
Spirit)
3. Solution:
a. Christ alone.
b. His person (God/man)
c. His work – life, death, and
resurrection.
d. His offer – Eternal life – the
ultimate victory over our greatest
need to be saved from the penalty
of our sin – Death (Physical, and
eternal).
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e. That is going to be the focus of
our ministry at CCC.
Pray