Hi Church!
Have you ever attended a church service that was filled with chaos? If so, there is “nothing new under the sun“; it has been happening for a very long time. In the church services at Corinth, they were doing and saying things that left you wondering what was “that”. The members said and did things that made no sense, and it was all being done in the name of the Holy Spirit. They spoke/prayed in tongues/words that no one could understand. Yet, they thought it was a sign that they were more spiritual/mature.
Paul called it a childish church. He said, “brethren, do not be children in understanding…but in understanding be mature.” I Corinthians 14:20 The Church at Corinth held services that resembled more of a preschool class, “children’s church“. The Christians acted like and talked like children before they could speak with understanding, and Paul called them out for it.
They describe their speech like this:
1. Unintelligible Words – “for no one understands him; however, in the spirit, he speaks mysteries” I Cor. 14:1
2. Unrecognizable Sounds – “even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking in the air.” I Cor. 14: 7,9
3. Unhelpful Prayers – “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, buy my understanding is unfruitful. What is my conclusion then? … I will pray with the understanding, I will sing with spirit, and I will sing with the understanding.” I Corinthians 14:143-15
4. Unconvincing Message – “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?” I Cor. 14:23
Sound familiar? It is likely that you have experienced or heard about a church service like this. In the end, Paul said, “I would rather speak 5 words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than 10,000 words in a tongue.”
On Sunday we will be looking at this important topic in more detail. We also learn what the elements are of a good sermon and how a church worship service should flow. It is going to be a very helpful, insightful, and encouraging message for all.
In God’s Gracious Grip,
Pastor Mike