4

Pressing On
Toward The Goal

Spiritual Gifts:

1 Corinthians 14: 1. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2. For anyone who speaks in a tongues does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for thier strenghtening, encouragement and comfort. 4. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Paul goes on to say.... 18. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousands words in a tongue.

Paul goes on to say.... 22. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but unbekievers; prophetcy," however, is for believers not unbelievers. 23. So if the whole church comestogether and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24. But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25. and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

26. What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymm, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strenghtening of the church. 27. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quit in the church and speak to himself and God. 29. Two of three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33. For God is not a God of disoder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, Paul goes on to say.... 39. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Commentary

Watch What You
Say And Do

2 Timothy 4: 2-5 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. 3. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your minitry

Are You Blessed?

I did not cover verse 34 because it is a teaching within itself. In 34 we have to use other scriptures to understand why Paul said this and just what he really meant. Verse 34 coupled with secular history gives a more clear understanding and is the heart of these instructions /commands of the gifts. I am very busy at this time but bare with me and we can together increase in our knowledge and understanding thereby strengthening us in wisdom and faith.