1 Corinthians 15.12-34

Title: The Focus of a Healthy Church: Our Future

Text: 1 Corinthians 15

Introduction: Ps 119.18

I found this in my clippings of illustrations. I have no idea where it came from, so I can’t cite who wrote it here…

On Tuesday, August 27, 1996, 26 years ago, yesterday, Shawn Hagwood began a journey of learning that would turn his life around. Earlier that week, 19-year-old Shawn made a cross-country trip to visit a friend in Rochester, Minnesota, a quiet, conservative community known for the famous Mayo Clinic. One night, he and his friend accompanied a group of local guys to an apartment complex inhabited mostly by Somalian residents. They were headed there with bats to settle a score with some of the residents for beating up one of their friends the night before. When they arrived at the complex, a group of guys came out to meet them with golf clubs. Things got out of control and a young Somalian kid from the apartments was seriously injured when someone in Shawn’s group swung a baseball bat. By the time the police got there, everyone involved had disappeared and the episode was classified as a racial gang crime of white guys against the ethnic residents …

Shawn was definitely part of the fight that summer night, but he never held a bat and was not the person who injured the kid. Still, when the authorities came knocking, the local guys Shawn had hung out with that night used him as an easy scapegoat, since he was from out of town. When the police brought Shawn in for questioning a few days later, it would be his last day as a free man for the next eight years …

Even though Shawn was basically on the fringe of the crime, and the only one put on trial at this time (two were brought to trial three years later and given a much lighter sentence), the jury came back with the verdict: Guilty …

Shortly after entering prison life, Shawn got his first visitor—one of the men from the jury. He thought maybe the man was there to help him get a new trial, but soon discovered he was simply there to be a friend. Though he initially put up a tough exterior, Shawn was happy to have company.

Shawn remembers, “He introduced himself as Dave Stensland, a clinical psychologist. He had driven four hours just to see me and to find out how I was doing. When he stood up to leave, I felt disappointed, but Dave promised to come again soon.”

Dave began regular monthly visits. They talked about everything from Shawn’s life goals after prison, to Dave’s evident faith in God, to how Shawn could cope with the sometimes paralyzing stresses of prison life and his bitterness over the injustice of his sentence.

For seven years, Dave visited Shawn faithfully …

By far Dave’s most important influence on Shawn was his faith. “He showed me the peace of someone who is close to God, but in everything he did and said, he was gentle. Because he shared Christ’s love with me consistently through the years, I began to open up more to the Lord.”

As Shawn studied the Bible with Dave, his life began to change. Through Dave’s example and guidance, Shawn finally found peace and purpose. He prayed to receive Jesus Christ into his life.

Question: What makes a man, like Dave, do something like that? To travel 4 hours one way, to a prison, nonetheless, and spend valuable time with a prisoner?  Could it be his faith? Could it be he lived out what he believed?

Last week we opened up to 1 Corinthians 15 and we looked at the Gospel. Paul gave a simple outline of the Gospel presentation. At first glance, chapter 15 feels out of place. It seems to be a turn in direction and not in line with where Paul’s been heading over the last 14 chapters. But don’t you believe it? He’s still answering questions and keeping the overall context of the focus of a healthy church: relationships.

There must have been a question in their letter to Paul, asking about what will happen to those who’ve already died. It seems like they understood the rapture, but that came from a living viewpoint. What about those already dead, their bodies decayed – only the bones remained. Maybe some were beginning to doubt. What will it look like? How will it occur? What will happen to my loved one who has already died?

But really, that opening introduction simply gives us the context for the whole chapter. The context is about the Resurrection Hope you and I have as believers and the charge to stand firm in the faith in light of that hope.

Let me repeat that!

The Charge (Big Idea) in Chapter 15 is to “Stand” and “Hold Fast” and “Be Steadfast, immovable” (1f; 34; 58; ill.: Master and Commander of the Far Side of the Sea) just as the faithful who’ve gone before us had done. Be strong and stand firm in the face of strong opposition just as those who have gone before us have done.

The Reasoning behind this charge: is found in the Resurrection. Without it, there is no story here!

So here is a simplified outline of what Paul says in the 1^st half of 15: The Gospel finds its foundation in the resurrection:

1. The Gospel – Everything about your current life is built upon this foundation called The Gospel. He died, He was buried, He was raised (1-4).
   1. This one element, His Resurrection, is vital to the whole story. Indeed, without it, there is no Good News. It was established and validated by many witnesses (5-11).
   2. Furthermore, this one element is foundational in the hope of those who had died and have gone before them (12-29). Without the resurrection, there are huge gaps in their or our faith (we’ll look closer at that in a moment)(12-19). The hope of the Resurrection caused those believers to remain steadfast in their faith in light of apparent persecution and death. And as a result, their witness led others to faith in Christ (20-29).
   3. Furthermore, it is also what drives us, Paul says, to continue to preach this message in light of the real danger of future persecution and death (29-32).

Let’s look at this Theological Truth and weigh its importance for our faith.

1. Our Future Resurrection is founded upon one essential element of the Gospel Message: Christ is Risen (12)

exp.: Rd v 3-4; you received (1) that which I also received (3); Namely, that Christ died (and more specifically – for our sins), 2ndly, that he was buried, and 3rd, bringing out this essential element now, he was raised on the 3rd day!

app.: Paul is establishing a point here: without the resurrection, there is no gospel! It is an essential element of the Gospel message. But then, he takes it to another logical progression: rd v 12; Ah-ha! Here we find the information from their letter – some had said that there is no resurrection in the future for believers. By the way, this is a doctrine of the Sadducees that had made its way into Christianity. Paul clarifies here. Rd v13f;

Without the resurrection, there is so much wrong with Christianity: 1. Our faith is futile. 2. We’re still in our sins. 3. Those who have perished have no hope. 4. We as Christian are then, pitiful! Read through v19

But, that ain’t the way it is. Because Christ is raised. And, His resurrection is the first of many to come. Beginning with those who’ve gone before.

Check out this structure of his teaching in v 12-32:

1. The Foundational Element: Christ’s Resurrection; The Gospel is Established in the Fact of the Resurrection; without it, there is no hope. (12-17)
2. The Faithful’s Example: Their hope in their own future resurrection caused them to live faithfully for Christ – even to the point of death. That witness brought others to faith and faithfulness (18-20; 29). Added to this, is Paul’s personal example (30-34).

Let’s walk through these verses and see the way Paul presents them in what appears to be a Chiasm. Without the Resurrection of Christ, then

1. Our preaching is in Vain.

2. Your faith is futile.

3. We’ve been found to be misrepresenting God (our testimony is a lie).

4. You are still in your sins (hopeless and hell-bound).

5. And those who’ve died, they have perished and there is no hope for them (18)

6. We are to be pitied above all people. (19)

6. But Christ is raised (20)!

5. The “firstfruits” of those who are asleep and will one day be resurrected! (20)

4. Death came by Adam, But the hope of the resurrection comes through Christ who has removed the stain of sin.

3. We haven’t misrepresented God. He will be proven true when all things are subjected to him.

2. Your faith isn’t futile, because people believe and are baptized when they see the faith of those who’ve been martyred. (29)

1. Our preaching isn’t in vain. Indeed, we’re willing to face death to preach this message to the world (30-32).

Based on this, Paul issues a command: rd 33f; Wake up from your drunken stupor! Here is that call again, that charge to steadfastness and stability, to holding on to the faith, remaining unmovable, unshakable.

t.s.: As Jesus said to Martha in Jn 11.25: ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Conclusion: And I ask you, “Do you believe this?”

In the summer of 2003, after seven years of monthly visits to the prison, Dave’s wife Sandy called Shawn with the sudden and shocking news—Dave was dying of cancer.

The man who had mentored and loved Shawn like one of his own sons had only a short time left on this earth. Shawn recalls, “Although I didn’t want to live without Dave, I was so thankful that I had a chance to have him in my life for so long.”

A few weeks later, Shawn called Dave to see how he was doing. Sandy told him he was just in time to say goodbye. Dave was so weak that Sandy had to hold the phone up to his ear.

“He couldn’t respond much, but I knew he could hear me,” Shawn says. “It would be the last time I talked to him and it was a very hard conversation, but I was so glad that I was able to have it. I thanked him for everything that he had done and for being such a good friend to me. I told him, ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you.’ And then we said goodbye.”

A year later, Shawn was released from prison three years early for good behavior, and Sandy Stensland was there to give him a big sendoff. With tears of happiness, she hugged him tightly.

“Shawn, I know Dave would be so proud of you—and I’m proud of you, too,” she said. “Your life is going to be different now. Just remember that God has great things in store for you, and He’s giving you another chance.”

And who is Shawn Hagwood today? Besides being a happily employed software developer, he also uses his story to encourage others who are struggling with life, especially young people …

Because Dave Stensland took his faith seriously and he shared it with another person in need, a young man’s life was changed.

1 Corinthians 15.1-11

Title: The Gospel: An Old Rugged Cross and An Empty Tomb

Text: 1 Corinthians 15.1-11

CIT: Paul reminds the Corinthians of the great salvation they have in Christ and just how they got it!

CIS: to remind the church of the gospel story.

Introduction: Ps 119.18;

In the life of politics, we see some wins and we see some losses. I saw one report that 8 of the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump are now out of office. Liz Cheney was the most recent casualty.

As Christians, I firmly believe that we should be involved with politics. But here’s the problem with putting our hope in politics: We can’t legislate morality into a people. Morality will only be the practice of Americans when God’s Word takes root in the hearts of people. The only hope we have is a sweeping Great Awakening in the US.

So where is the hope? Is our hope in clean, fair, transparent elections? Is our hope in who governs us? Is our hope for a conservative Supreme Court? What hope do we have to share with a lost and dying world? Is it in the field of politics?

No, our hope is found only in the transformation of the hearts of individuals. It is the power of the Gospel transforming lives. Transformed people will vote a moral agenda into place. Only then will life be valued. Only then will we see less government oversight in our lives. Only then will people begin to care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner in the land – and stop expecting the government to do everything for us.

Point blank: it is the power of the Gospel… at work in the lives of people.

Paul reminds us of this hope we have through the Power of the Gospel in 1 Cor 15.1-11:

• The Process by which these people were saved
• The Proclamation that brings this salvation to them
• The Proof of Christ’s resurrection through eyewitnesses
• The Product of a saved soul…

Transition: let’s look 1^st at…

I. The Process by which these people were saved (1-2)

exp.: rd v 1-2; They are reminded of how they came to Christ; Look at these very clear steps:

1. The Word of God is Preached; Ladies & Gentlemen, we must communicate the Gospel with Words! The days of just being good have failed! We must now speak, too. I’ll never forget Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. Saying: You can’t live good enough to save yourself, what makes you think you can live good enough to save others? Actions only validate words; actions can’t replace words. Romans 10.14 – 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10.17: Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. The Gospel was designed to be communicated through words.
2. The Word of God is Received; rd v 1; The Gospel is heard and has its effect! It is received by faith! I’ve been criticized for not offering an invitation every week. We’ve grown accustomed to people getting saved only here and only by me. No! People come to Christ the same way they have for 2000 years – when you tell them, and you invite them to receive Christ. They make that public – just as Richard did last Sunday!

Once that is done, a person begins to live a life worthy of this Gospel! Rd v1c; in which you stand…v2 … hold fast

• The Word of God is Established, and we see how one stands in v 2; rd v 2;
  • Perseverance: and by which you are being saved;
  • Evidence: if you hold fast to the Word I preached to you; top & the tail (v1&v58)

ill.: There is an interesting article that came out this week in the Baptist Press: 10-year-old new believer helps mission team lead dozens of others to Christ; FBC, Jonesboro, Ga. Traveled to Montana to serve at an Indian Reservation. There is a yearly ‘Pow-Wow’ – a gathering of some sort, where thousands of Native Americans converge at this particular place. Anyway, this 10-year-old saw an Evangelcube on the table, heard the gospel, and got saved. He spent the week with this team. He would go and find some children and bring them back to the table to hear the gospel. He did this over and over. He heard the gospel presentation so many times, that he was then able to share with others – and did so.

The week came to an end and the people all had to go back to Georgia. This is a major downside to short-term mission trips. This little boy was so sad to watch them leave. I asked myself – who is going to disciple this little boy – or any of the other 28 children and 4 adults who got saved?

We preach the gospel to bring Salvation, and then, too often, we never disciple those we’ve evangelized.

I know what some of you are thinking, because it is what I’ve been taught, too. If this kid is truly saved, then we can trust the Lord to disciple him (and the others). That has been our biggest problem in Evangelism in the last 70 years. We make fishers of men who catch lots of fish and then leave them up on the shore without cleaning them! Leaving them there to die.

When you catch a fish, the job isn’t done. And it is the same when you are a fisher of men! When someone surrenders to Christ, the job is just beginning. That’s why in the vision I presented last week, evangelism isn’t in a circle all its own. It is encompassed in discipleship.

app.: Now, maybe, just maybe, there is a ministry there at the Reservation, and this child will be assimilated into a local church. The Word of God is preached and received, but it must also be established!

t.s.: 1^st, The Process: God’s Word is preached, received, and established; 2ndly, the Proclamation… the 2^nd reminder:

II. The Proclamation of this Gospel which makes salvation possible (3-4)

exp.: Sure, there are supernatural stories where people got saved without someone telling them. They picked up a Gideon Bible in a hotel room. I have a friend who started reading Galatians and saw that Scripture went against the Cult he was in. He arrived early to pick up his girlfriend and her roommate. He sat at the table and just opened up the Bible and started reading. When the girls were ready, he asked them to listen and he re-read the passage in Galatians. So, yes, there are really cool stories where God’s Word did its thing. Or a Muslim overseas had a supernatural vision of Jesus. But those are rare. The main pathway to salvation for many is that they hear the Gospel proclaimed. They all were able to receive Christ because of what he did.

Look with me at the Three Aspects of the Gospel proclaimed in v 3-4:

1. Christ Died
   1. For our sins: God is holy and we are not; We could never remove our sins from before God; So, God acted on our behalf.
   2. According to the Scriptures
      1. By what the law prescribed
      2. By what the law foretold!
      3. I’m sometimes asked how people in the OT were saved. Answer: the same way we are saved – the only difference is they looked forward to the Cross in faith.
2. Christ was Buried; In a Borrowed Tomb: In the belly of the earth; he would borrow it because he didn’t need it for long; his body wouldn’t see corruption.  
3. Christ was Raised
   1. Time: on the third day; the timing is important because of what the Jews believed;
   2. Prophecy: According to Scripture; Jesus also predicted this about himself; Hebrews 11 points to Gen 22.4; Jonah, in the belly of the fish (Mt 12.39f); Luke 22.46; three days is a prominent theme of activity in the OT. I mean, it is repeated over and over again.

Ill.: in our Bible Study on Revelation, I taught about numbers and what they mean. Does anyone remember what the #3 represents? The significance of the numbers:

• 1 is uniqueness
• 2 is unity, disciples, animals on the ark
• 3 is power, on the 3^rd day – Jonah, Resurrection, trinity, a cord of three strands.
• 4 symbolized the whole of creation: 4 corners, 4 winds

Three days were so important – three days declared someone to be dead – really dead. For Jesus to be raised on the 3^rd day meant that he had Power over Death.

app.: The Bible teaches us that the wages of sin is death – the payment due to us for our rebellion against God is death. We could never pay the penalty because we’re ineligible. We needed a sinless sacrifice for us. And so Christ died for sins, once for all. That’s what we proclaim when we proclaim the Gospel.

t.s.: But there is more here from Paul. The third element adding to the Power of the Gospel…

III. The Proof of the gospel was established through eyewitnesses (5-8)

exp.: rd v 5-8; after rising from the dead, Christ Appeared to many. The women aren’t mentioned here, but they were amongst the first to witness Christ’s resurrection.

1. Cephas; rd v 5;
2. The Twelve; ill.: 100 years war (116 years); Sue’s Piano; rd v 6;
3. 500; most of who are still alive; Tell me if you know this story: on an LA Freeway, there was a white bronco being chased by Law Enforcement. Do any of you remember that?
4. His brother, James, is the senior pastor at the Church in Jerusalem.
5. All the apostles (Mt 28); There are more than 12 Apostles, by the way – Paul being one of them; Barnabas, etc.
6. Paul

ill.: Quote from Charles Colson; You can read this for yourself in the book Loving God by Chuck Colson, chapter 6, starting on page 61: “Watergate & the Resurrection”. I’ve been asked by young men over the past 20 years or so, what books had the greatest influence on my life. To this day, Loving God remains in my top 5. (Loving God, Amazing Grace, 24/6, Charles Spurgeon, Dangerous Call, Growing up to God, The Deliberate Church, Amillennialism) – read the blog post

app.: The resurrection is an amazing story, validated by those who were willing to die for what they knew to be true.

t.s.: We see this in the Result in their lives, and in the lives of people today. That’s #4;

IV. The Power of the Gospel Produces very specific Results in a saved soul (58)

exp.: just what is this product? We see it in v 58;

1. The hope of our resurrection! v 12-57
2. They are reminded of their life in Christ.
3. Be Steadfast (1 other time in 1 Cor.; 7.37, in ref. to marriage); most of us know what this means: standing fast in your place or standing your ground in the faith, showing strength in the face of adversity.
4. Be Immoveable (only time here); άμετακίνεητος΄ – α -without; κινέω – eng.: kinetic – motion, to move away; without movement.
5. Always Abounding in the Work: you might say ‘at all times’; abounding in the work of the Lord.
6. Knowing this work is not empty! Κενός, Kenosis is the process of emptying out something completely. This is the word used to describe Christ in Philippians 2, where he left heaven and ‘emptied’ himself of his divine qualities, becoming a man.

app.: your work should be abounding (this is what gives credibility to your proclamation), but also filled with the knowledge that all you do isn’t in vain – it’s not empty! There is a good return for your work, even if you don’t see it now.

Conclusion: Invitation to come to Christ

1. Will you receive this gospel? You’ve heard the preaching of the Word today.
   1. Christ was killed
   2. He was buried
   3. He was raised
   4. He was seen

2. Will you become established in it? Deeply rooted, growing up in Him? This is your opportunity. Don’t let it pass you by.

Pray & we’ll be dismissed.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17May the power of the Cross and the Victory of the Empty Tomb fill your lives this week as you live out your life for Christ’s Glory!

Focus of a Healthy Church: Service

Title: Focus of a healthy church: Service

Text: 1 Corinthians 12-14

Introduction: Ps 119.18

This week, the Wall St. Journal published an article on Relationships by Jeffrey Hall. The Price We Pay for Being Less Social. Mohler: The argument (in the article) suggests that human beings are not just more dependent upon social media. They are actually far less involved in social interaction. Beyond that, they are really failing at relationality.

We don’t actually need a research project to tell us that young people are less socially relatable today than they were, say 30 years ago. If I understand the study correctly, it is of Gen Z and it is the same study taken 7 years ago on the same generation. 7 years ago, a study concluded that this generation was spending too much time online. It was thought that they couldn’t spend any more time online than they were. The scary part is that these young adults have only grown in the amount of time they spend online.

Hall writes: “There’s another way to look at this to see that this social trait is only part of the equation. In short, people are exhausting. Humans have an innate desire to conserve our energy in social interactions, and interacting with others takes work. It’s tiring to act in a certain way for the benefit of others. Sometimes people have disagreeable opinions or talk about uninteresting things.” He concludes, “When given a choice, people often prefer to just not deal with all that.” 

You think? I find it interesting, that the rest of the world finds it interesting – almost like we didn’t know this before.

What does this have to do with us? Well, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. I’m going to put you on the spot and ask you to finish my statement: Nothing in the church is more important than… relationships!

The reality of the church is that it is played out in and through relationships. That’s what 1 Corinthians is all about: Relationships!

I’ve created a diagram to put down on paper how those relationships work in a church. I hope you can see it. Every believer, here at Tarpley, should be involved in three areas in the life of a church: Worship (you’re here), Discipleship (Bible Study), and Service (ministry). That’s it! that’s what I’ve been encouraging believers for the past 15 years. When you come to church you should be involved in those three areas each week.

Today’s focus is on this 3^rd area: Service. Paul breaks down the next three Chapters of 1 Corinthians (This morning we’re in chapters 12-14) into 5 bite-size teachings: There are 5 truths Paul teaches us about service.

Truth # 1: In Service there is

I. Unity in the midst of Diversity (12.1-11)

exp.: rd v4-6; 1 Chron 26.1; 11; 12; In Leviticus, as the people come together to build that tabernacle, God gifts them with people who can do different tasks. Each one is gifted with the ability to accomplish certain tasks. There is diversity within the whole. Your translation in our text might say ‘Division; Diversity; Variety’; Rd v 7; The gifts vary, the gifts differ, the gifts are divided up among the believers by God, who knows just what the body needs; One last note: Division or Variety or Different (3x’s in v 4-6), but one Holy Trinity! 

ill.: Consider a fellowship dinner – just the clean-up! Remember Acts 9? Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting me? Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

app.: The Body, we are the body; Paul understood this from the very beginning. We see that unity as a body in v 1-3; so here is this commonality, the one thing that unifies us – we’ve all surrendered our lives in service to Christ! This is our common bond. All of the gifts are given by the same Spirit – another thing we have in common. And we have the same Father who is the source of it all. The character of God – unity in the Trinity, is to be our character, too.

t.s.: In service, there is unity in the midst of diversity. Truth # 2: In Service there is

II. Mutuality in the midst of Variety (12.12-30)

exp.: each gift or member is in mutual dependence of all the others; rd v 12-18; I love that word arranged. In the Gk it is the word τίθημι – which means to place or put; he put us just where he chose. Often times the word ‘chose’ is translated from the word ‘elect(ion)’. Not so here, but rather it is the Gk word; θέλλω – which is translated as ‘will’ or ‘want’ or ‘wish’. Think about that: God places each member of the Body where he wills. He continues w/ the illustration of the eyes; rd v 21-25; (24) compose – to mix with; (v25) division is σχισμα

ill.: one of my all-time favorite stories is the story of the body that was walking on the railroad track. The body chose to let the eyes lead because they could see. But soon, the feet began to feel a vibration. They sent a message to the eyes with caution; The ears; but the eyes wouldn’t listen!

app.: In our service, there is a mutual need, inter-dependence upon all the various parts to make us function. We value each part!

t.s.: there is unity in the midst of diversity and mutuality in the midst of Variety and In service there is …

ΙΙΙ. Love as a Motive (13.1-13)

exp.: And we see that in Chapter 13 – the famous love chapter. Why? Because without Love, your service is meaningless; rd v 1-3; tongues; prophecy, understanding, knowledge, faith; generosity, martyrdom; nothing without love! Definition: Love is and love is not; rd v 4-7; Love is one of only a couple of things that we have right now, that will endure; rd v 8; our service here will one day end, but the love continues; our imperfection will end, when the perfect comes!

ill.: Christ w/ ch. 13; what about your name? ⁴ Becky is patient and Sheri is kind; Lisa does not envy or Sue does not boast; Linda is not arrogant ⁵ or Stephanie is not rude. Sam does not insist on his own way; Steve is not irritable or resentful;⁶Robert does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. ⁷Darilene bears all things, Clay believes all things, Ida Belle hopes all things, Tammy endures all things.

app.: Service is wonderful, but the motive for our service must be love…

t.s.: The 4^th truth…. In service, there is

IV. Edification as a Result (14.1-26)

exp.: in the following verses, Paul compares the two gifts: tongues and prophecy; rd v 1-4; ill.: Mary (Laneheart), when she prayed. Paul is saying that selfishness has no place in service, but rather selflessness is for the building up of the body; and really, the edification and encouragement of the body is the goal. Rd v 12; Desire the gifts that build up the body, not the gift that glorifies yourself! Note:

• Prophecy builds up the body – tongues are simply for oneself.
• Prophecy benefits the unbeliever – tongues confuse him. Rd v 13-16; rd 22-23;

app.: and, isn’t this why these gifts are given – to serve the body and build it up? rd v 26; yes, your gift is needed here and it is useful here; if you think about it, there is no room for selfishness in the body, only that which edifies and strengthens us.

Plug: WEBS: Spiritual Gifts Assessment; Personality Assessment

t.s.: In service, there is:

• Unity in the midst of Diversity
• Mutuality in the midst of Variety
• Love as a motive and edification as a result (and finally,
• There is order, not chaos

V. Order, not Chaos (14.26-40)

exp.: review 26, rd v 27-28; tongues are out of place if there is no one to interpret – otherwise, someone is just showing off and drawing attention to himself.

ill.: Dime con quien andas y te digo quien eres.

And, drawing attention to yourself has no place in worship – for Worship is for the glory of God. Rd v 29-32; ill.: Have you ever noticed that no one speaks when I’m preaching? That comes from this practice – that we don’t cut each other off when we’re serving and giving our gifts. Each one has a place, no one talking out over another, let one finish; the key is found in v 33; our worship should mirror God’s Character – He is not a God of confusion! The author of confusion is Satan! Our God is a God of peace!

Paul then describes more order; Rd 33b-35; This almost sounds like a contradiction from ch 11 (remember, when a woman prays or prophecies – i.e., reads Scripture); but this is no contradiction; here the reference is to Authority; remember the context here is Order; 1 Tim 2.11-12; do you see the created order here? Adam was formed first, and the woman was deceived first; 

ill.: I love the ministry of women and women bring so much to this body through their gifts. Paul warns the Corinthians and us as well (rd 33b) that order should be guarded.

app.: Don’t get hung up on gender roles here – Don’t miss Paul’s point: God created order, it’s a part of his character and we are to reflect that Character in our orderliness; rd v 39-40; exercise your gifts, serve the body – that’s why God gave them to you – to build this body up – but keep it orderly and decent, for that reflects His Character.

t.s.: Max Lucado: Every Thursday during a Young Life summer camp, four hundred students make the fourteen-thousand-foot climb up Colorado’s Mount Chrysolite. Several Young Life leaders and I walk with them. (let me clarify: Max is wrong here. Chrysolite is only 12,822 ft. A tidy sum, but nowhere near the 14ers class.)

[On one of those trips], somewhere around the number four thousand, [a student named] Matthew decided to call it quits. I coaxed him, begged him, and negotiated a plan with him: thirty steps of walking, sixty seconds of resting. Finally, we stood within a thousand feet of the peak. But the last stretch of the trail rose up as straight as a fireman’s ladder.

We got serious. Two guys came up beside Matt, each taking an arm. I pushed from the rear. We all but dragged Matt past the timberline and to the awesome view at the top.

That’s when we heard the applause. Four hundred campers on the crest of Mount Chrysolite gave Matt a standing ovation. As I slumped down to rest, a thought steamrolled my way: There it is, Max, a perfect picture of my plan. Do all you can to push each other to the top. Was this a message from God? Well, it does sound like something he’d say.

Most of you know that I like to hike. I don’t think anyone here has encouraged me more than John Chunn. He used to loan me his Garmin and follow me on the internet, tracking my hike. Something I’ve learned is that you should never summit alone. You need a partner, or better, a team.

Conclusion:

• Are you hitting all three areas of involvement? Great rod to measure by.
• Another measuring rod: in your service – do you facilitate order, or bring chaos; building others up or tearing them down; Q.: What’s your motive? Is it Recognition? Or Love? Do you find yourself a loner or mutually dependent? Does what you do through service bring unity to the body?