Home of Disciples and Disciplers who takes Discipleship seriously. Fulfilling the Great Commission at all cost. by giving away free discipleship materials, daily devotionals, and discipleship lessons.
Now we have come to the point that Paul is describing what will it be in the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep. The next series of verses is about the end of the age. Let us talk about the sequence of Christ’s second coming.
There Is A Resurrection of The Dead
In 1 Corinthians 15:12-58, it seems like some Corinthian Christians were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead body where Paul is presenting the implication of this wrong contention.
In the modern world, some authors and scholars tries to discredit the historical value of the resurrection of the Christ. In contrast to this, there are strong contenders who stood that the resurrection is historic and unquestionable.
The following errors are just my personal observation and to what we have learned from our study.
They Require All Members To Speak In Tongues
Many churches especially in many pentecostal churches, require their member to speak in tongues. In fact, my brother had a brief debate with one pentecostal friend who says that it is a must for every christian to speak in tongues since it is a manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
As we have learned, it is the Holy Spirit who gives different gifts to each one “as he determines”. This simply means that acquiring the gift of the Holy Spirit is beyond our control since it is given as a gift and as the Holy Spirit determines.
They Speak In Tongues All Together At The Same Time
We will talk a whole chapter of propriety in worship later. But I believe that this point is obviously in contrast to what we have learned. Based on the things that I personally witnessed and for the things that can be seen on the internet and televisions, it is very important to note that many christians have neglected propriety in worship.
Most often, these people say that there is an uncontrollable power that engulfs their body. Some of them fell asleep and do things which are unnatural. And when they wake up, they claim that they don’t know what just happened.
First, God is a God of order and of peace. As we have learned, the Bible always promote orderliness in worship. This is very true even at the very beginning as he gives instruction to people. Some good examples is when He gave instructions to Noah in building the Ark and in building the Tabernacle.
Secondly, it doesn’t mean that we are filled by the Holy Spirit that we can no longer be aware and control our physical being. Being filled by the Holy Spirit means that the Holy Spirit is at works in our lives which is visible through natural behavior, actions, and words which is in contrast to the uncontrollable, unknown to us and unnatural behavior, actions and words of someone who claims to be filled by the Holy Spirit.
I believe that one of the most abused gifts of the Holy Spirit in modern history of the christian church is speaking in tongues. Today, we will be studying a deeper level of what it means to use and practice the gift of tongues.
What Is Speaking In Tongues?
The gift of tongues or what we know now as the “speaking in tongues” is a spiritual gift where one is enabled by the Holy Spirit to speak in different known languages. The book of Acts gave us several scenarios where the Apostles used this gifting. There are many people from different places with different languages who listened to them (Acts 2, 10 and 11). The people where amazed because the Apostles were able to speak their native languages which they can fully understand. Some even thought that they were drunk.
In the book of Acts, the Apostles speak in different known languages of men. However, as we can see in the book of 1 Corinthians, we can see there that Christians can also speak in the language of the angels where no one can understand. 1 Corinthians 14:2 further added, “…he utter mysteries for himself.” which means, he is speaking language which is not understandable by men.
Most Common False Prophecies
In our world today, there are many false prophecies and false prophets. This part two of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit Series will tell you the most common false prophecies that until now many people get into being scammed. I hope this will also serve as a warning to every Christian out there to be very careful in examining prophecies. After all, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, that we are to weigh carefully the prophecies being spoken.
What is Prophecy?
Easton Bible Dictionary defined Prophecy as: “Prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a ‘miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture.’”
Prophesying is God’s giving of the word to a prophet who will tell the people about what’s going to happen in the future. It maybe about destruction, repentance, hope, etc. Anything that God wants for his people to know.
Another interesting thing about prophecy is the abuses of many religious leaders in our time. We can see many of them out there in the streets and some even exists on televisions.
But God himself warned us about them in Deuteronomy 18:18-22:
“18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19 Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 20 But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.” 21 You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the LORD has not spoken?” 22 If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.
Prophecy is usually done by a prophet. The Old Testament gave us so many prophecy about the coming Messiah. We also have to note that the OT was authored by about 50% prophets of its total authors. We also have to take note that the New Testament was closed by the book of prophecy, the Revelation.
Truths About Prophesying
(Verses from main points were taken from 1Corinthians 14)
Prophesying Is to Be Desired (v.1)
We have to note here that Paul is giving emphasis on the two kinds of gifts of the Holy Spirit, prophesying and speaking in tongues. However in this passage we can see that Paul has made a point that we are to desire spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophecy because prophecy edifies the Church.
There is nothing wrong in asking God for a the gift of Holy Spirit. However, as we have learned, it is the Holy Spirit who gives it as he determines.
Desiring to have a spiritual gift means desiring to serve better inside the Church which is the body of Christ. It also means that it is very important that we have to place our hearts in the gift that God gave so that we can serve him better.
Prophesying Edifies The Church (v.4)
How does prophecy edifies the Church? Verse 3 gave us three things that prophecy can do to us; strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Prophecy can strengthen us in times of trials. When we know what is it\\ exactly is going to happen in the future, especially if we see hope, then we are most likely be strengthened and not give up the hope.
Prophecy encourages us to continue living faithfully. When we hear or read prophecy, we feel encouraged to continue faithfully. We are encouraged to turn our backs from the world and focus our eyes on Jesus.
Prophecy comforts our souls whenever we hear encouragement. It gives peace of mind. There is no such comforting words than the words of encouragement.
The book of Revelation is a prophecy which gives us the picture of what’s it going to be in the end of times. We have seen that it already made mentioned of catastrophic events for many nations in the end. But we also see hope for those who remains faithful to the end. We see that those who hope and stayed with the Lord allow us to see a better place for those who wait for the Lord.
I got this really nice article while browsing the web. It talks about suffering and its relationship with God’s work. Are you suffering from something right now? Are you asking God why are you in that burden? This article perhaps can answer this question.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Author: Jack Wellman
Why does God allow suffering that He is fully capable to stopping? This question has not only challenged Christians, but anyone. To witness histories or current atrocities and worldwide suffering on such catastrophic levels, can be a major stumbling block even for believers in Christ, not to mention atheists or agnostics. If God is “supposed to be an all-powerful and all-loving God, then why doesn’t He stop it? Is He powerless, is He tired, is He even there…or maybe He’s asleep.”
Being a Christian is no insurance against cancer, disease, disability, and an unexpected death. In fact, Jesus clearly stated that we will suffer. I have searched many theologians, pastors, and books, and have finally discovered this: God’s ways are past our finding out and beyond human comprehension. No human can ever wrap their mind around What and Who God is. that is precisely what makes Him God. There is infinity in Him. We are simply finite. The answers to our questions may not be answered until Christ returns for us, or in the way we expect, or what seems best to us.
Biblical Teachings About Spiritual Gifts
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Introduction
Last time, we talked about the Lord’s supper. We have learned the Lord’s Supper is a Christian practice, which also has become a tradition instituted by Christ himself. And this practice is not to be taken lightly. Doing this in an unworthy manner makes us guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, we will be talking about another area where sometimes we put Christ to the test. One of the major divisions that we have in our world today is due to what we call “Pentecostalism”. There are various groups of pentecostals that practices the so called “giftings”. Actually, all Christian churches practice this, however, the highlight comes between the “supernatural” and the “natural” practices of giftings.
Pentecostals are more inclined in the supernaturals while people like us are more inclined to the natural things that God gave. At first, boom of this movement, almost everybody accepted it. But, years after, a schism broke out and great disputes between Christians arises. All that because of the practice of these giftings.
Today, we will be learning the principles given by Paul here in 1Corinthians, addressing to this issue. And perhaps you may also be wondering why there are people like the pentecostals who practice the giftings, and there are people like us who prefers to be living in a natural way. May this sermon be a blessing to each one of us as we also increase in wisdom in Christ.
4 Principles Underlying Spiritual Gifts
* .No one say “Jesus Is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (v.3)
* There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, different kinds of service but the same Lord, different kinds of working but the same God. (v.4-6)
* Each one was given different kinds of manifestation of his gifts for common good (v.7-10)
* He gave each one different gifts just as he determines (v.11)
(?)
Subscribe In a Reader
Get A FREE "Blessed To Be A Blessing E-book and PowerPoint Presentation
If you enjoy the free information on this site, you're sure to appreciate our FREE Christian Resources Updates just like this one on the right.
Just be sure that you will add our email address vince@thedisciplers.com to your contact list so that our updates will not go to your SPAM section.
Sign Up Here:
You are currently browsing the The Disciplers and Disciples Discipleship Center weblog archives for the Theology category.
 |
My Utmost for His Highest - Updated Edition: Two Tone Imitation Leather Brown/Tan By Oswald Chambers / Discovery House Publishers It's one of the top-selling devotionals of all time, it's updated into today's language, and now it's available in a contemporary new package. This edition of Chambers' classic devotional features the updated text of James Reimann, helpful Scripture and topical indexes, and an expanded author information section by Chambers biographer David McCasland. |
 |
The Five Love Languages By Gary Chapman / Moody Publishers Dr. Gary Chapman, Christian marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages, helps married couples deal with their unmet needs for love. Because a husband and wife often have different communication styles, it is common for a spouse to not feel or recognize the love given to them. In his bestselling book, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Chapman identifies and explains five unique communication methods - Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Then he encourages couples to learn how to speak love in their spouse's primary love language, not their own. Love is something you do for someone else, not yourself. Begin today. Includes a study guide; paperback. |
 |
Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens By Neil Cole / John Wiley & Sons Churches have tried all kinds of ways to attract new and younger members - revised vision statements, hipper worship, contemporary music, livelier sermons, bigger and better auditoriums. But there are still so many people who aren't being reached, who don't want to come to church. And the truth is that attendance at church on Sundays does not necessarily transform lives; God's presence in our hearts is what changes us. Leaders and laypeople everywhere are realizing that they need new and more powerful ways to help them spread God's Word. According to international church starter and pastor Neil Cole, if we want to connect with young people and those who are not coming to church, we must go where people congregate. Cole shows readers how to plant the seeds of the Kingdom of God in the places where life happens and where culture is formed - restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, parks, locker rooms, and neighborhoods. Organic Church offers a hands-on guide for demystifying this new model of church and shows the practical aspects of implementing it. |
Tags: 
