Are All Gifts Worth Pursuing? - 1 Cortinthians 14:1-25

Our mission is “to know Jesus Christ personally and to carry on his ministry.” To live out the mission Jesus has called us to we must be anointed, gifted, and empowered by the Spirit. All who follow Jesus would agree.I believe we would also all agree with Paul’s words, 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. In chapter 13, the chapter prior to today’s text, Paul highlights love as the essential virtue in the life of the church family. Without love for God and others, we are nothing. The sign of the fullness of the Spirit is love.  And love helps us discern which gifts are most worthy of pursuit. 1 Corinthians 14:12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. Seven times, in chapter 14, Paul talks about the importance of strengthening others through the exercise of spiritual gifts.What we sometimes struggle with is the last part of 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. To earnestly desire a spiritual gift is “to seek after passionately, to pursue with devotion.” Paul repeats the command in 14:39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.In that complicated Corinthian church, why would Paul encourage the practice of the gifts of prophecy and tongues?Be zealous for the building up of the body of Christ.Be zealous for prophecy that builds up, encourages, and consoles others.Pray for tongues and interpretation to build up the body of Christ.