1 Corinthians 14:1-25: “… that same prophet must die.”/ Pastor Jeff Struecker

Big Idea: “… that same prophet must die.”1 Corinthians 14:1-25Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up. So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle? In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church. Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding. Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. It is written in the law, I will speak to this people by people of other tongues and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to me, says the Lord. Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are .......I. What does the gift of prophecy look like today?   Is it the same as in Old Testament times?II. How do you determine if someone's prophecies are from the Holy Spirit or some other spirit?III. Can someone tell me where to buy the winning lottery ticket?IV. What should I do when someone speaks a word of prophecy to me?Next Steps: Believe: I need Jesus to speak life into my soul today.Become: I want to live out God’s words about me this week. Be Sent: I will speak words of life to someone this week.Discussion Questions: Have you ever heard a prophecy?Did you know at the time it was prophetic?  If so, how?Does the gift of prophecy today differ from the role of prophet in the Old Testament?Do you know someone who believed a false prophecy?  If so, what happened to them?Have you heard a word from the Holy Spirit about your church, your community, or you recently?  If so, explain.Can God give prophecy through unbelievers?  Explain your answer from Scripture. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you push back darkness this week.