Sermon Title: For the Common Good
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12

When you are properly exercising your gifts, the people around you should be blessed and built up by it. If these two things aren’t happening, then:

a. Either this is not your gifting 

b. You are not exercising it properly.

The good and the growth of those around you, IS the litmus test of whether you have that gift or not.

I. Desire the gifts of the Spirit.

EBCC: We want to be a church that is “desirous but cautious” in our pursuit and practice of our spiritual gifts. The correction to misusing or abusing or a misunderstanding of the gifts is not to over-correct to the point of “no use” but towards “proper use.”

II. The gift of “tongues.”

Tongues in Acts –is not an ecstatic utterance that no one in the room understands. The purpose of this gift (“glossa”) is for praising God in an actual, intelligible language.

“Tongues is a form of prayer or praise you express to God in a language you do not understand.” “Bible Doctrines” - Wayne Grudem. p.241

“tongues” was a sign that God was bringing other nations into his family. God made these promises in Genesis 12, 18, & 22, Psalm 67, 96 and 117.

“Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Jews that the gospel was not just for them, but for the whole world.” Sinclair Ferguson, The Holy Spirit: Contours of Christian Theology

3 criteria to guide and safeguard the use of this gift:

1. Does it build up/edify those around me
2. Is this a language that someone understands and can interpret it for the common good
3. Is it confirming or advancing the truth of the gospel among those who may not yet believe

III. The gift of “prophecy.”

Prophecy is letting the Spirit of God speak through us to one another. We want to be a church that knows the Scripture AND is filled & led by the Spirit! Word first, yes, but Spirit too.

Always keep these 3 words in mind to guide you in the practice of this gift:

1. Humility.   
2. Expectation.   
3. Affirmation.  

Additional Notes:

1 Corinthians 14:1-12
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.