Edification

1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 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? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 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 into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

When we think about Spiritual gifts received from God, we must additionally think about the purpose for which those gifts have been given. Would the Lord give you a gift to keep to yourself? Would the Lord give you a gift to draw attention to yourself?

Of course, the answer to both of those questions is a definitive: “No!”

Why then do we see so much of this in the Corinthian church? We see some people keeping their gifts to themselves, never using their gift(s) in the Body of Christ for the benefit of the Body of Christ - and alternately we see some people using their gift(s) in a self-seeking way, attempting to draw attention to themselves that they may receive glory, as being “more Spiritual” than those around them.

Paul would bring all of this back to a baseline of LOVE. That is, what is the most loving thing we can do with the gift(s) we receive from God? Paul tells us we have received the gift(s) we have received singly in order to “edify,” or to build up the Body of Christ. This happens in two ways. One way is to draw new members into the Body of Christ. A second way is to somehow strengthen the existing members of the Body of Christ, (which we call ‘discipleship.’)

Each of us must have an eye toward knowing what our Spiritual gift is, and then how that gift is being employed: to be loving!

-  Pastor Bill

Star Power

Matt2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 

It is a normal occurrence in modern life to be led by a star. Now you might say, “I’ve never been led by a star!” but I would suggest you think again. Star power is one of the most important forces in the world today…and probably always has been.

When I worked for the pro-audio company Peavey Electronics in the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, it was very common to have major recording artists visit who used Peavey gear. They would not only be called on to endorse Peavey products, they would also be called in to help design the products they endorsed. And then, Peavey would give them all the free gear they wanted!

I always thought it ironic the wealthiest among us, (those recognized as stars,) were given gear for free, while all us joe-schmoes had to pay through the nose. And the bigger the star – say, an Eddie van Halen - the more free gear they got. So, those who could most-easily afford to buy guitars, amps, and sound equipment, were given that equipment free of charge.

Why? Because us joe-schmoes in the crowd are led by the stars. The bigger the star, the more we are led. If I see a star I ‘love’ using a certain guitar or a certain guitar-amp combination, I am “led” to run right out and buy that same gear. I want that same sound, and the only way to get it is to spend money to buy the same gear. (Because I want to be a star?)

The same for movie and television stars, when it comes to endorsing products, lifestyles, or politicians. I believe it can be strongly argued Hollywood is leading the U.S.A. right into the abyss. Once Hollywood abandoned morality, society followed right along as if pulled by the power of gravity. Some people say Hollywood only mirrors what is happening in society, but I think that is exactly backwards. We (collectively, societally,) are led by ‘stars.’ This is inarguable. It is why they now seek to make politicians stars, and why even some pastors have resorted to seek stardom and popularity to promote their churches.

We are blessed to know there is One Star Who outshines all others, but we have to be very careful. In the night-time sky, the stars are very apparent – unless there is too much other light to obscure them. Can we still see the Light of Jesus clearly, or has His Light become distant and dim, choked out by all the other ‘lights?’ If you were to take an inventory of your heart, whose star are you seeking after? Is it a movie star you try to look like? A music star you want to sound like? Can you still see the Light of the World?

-  Pastor Bill

God’s Plan

Luke 1: 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." 

We talk a lot about wanting to know what God’s plan is for your life. (Living in God’s will.) We desire to know this because God’s plan is perfect, and His plan for your life will therefore suit you perfectly. His plan will be just what is needed to bring you into His favor, and conform you to the image of Christ.

Will it be the easiest plan - as far as you are concerned? Will it be all downhill, wind-at-your-back? Will it be what will make everyone see you as God’s favored one? Will it be fun and enjoyable? Will His plan come without resistance or apparent failure?

Our vantage point is so narrow and brief. We cannot see around the corner, and we cannot imagine eternity, much less see it. God can, and God does. His plan for you is based upon His eternal plan for all, and often has very little to do with producing momentary ease or fortune for you. This may be confounding to those who may consider “God’s favor” to equal success right here, right now. Or freedom from want, or pain, or suffering.

But God works in mysteriously wonderful ways. Mary is a prime example. Mary is told by Gabriel to, “Rejoice!” Why? Because she is “highly favored,” by God. And yet her life is about to be sent into one of the greatest tailspins of any life ever lived. On one hand, she is chosen to be the mother of the long-promised Messiah! On the other hand, her pregnancy will be out-of-wedlock, and no one will know she has been so wonderfully chosen for more than thirty years – and - by the time they find out, Jesus will only be popular with those who are in no position to benefit Mary’s life in any way.

What I admire most about Mary is she seemed to understand what was going to be required of her, and how challenging and difficult it would be for her life. That everything about her would change, and that people would view her as anything but “favored.” In fact, most would see her as worthy of stoning. And yet, knowing this to be God’s plan for her life, she said, “Let it be.”

-  Pastor Bill

Love Is…

1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Back in the ‘80’s there was a popular song written and sung by a guy named Lou Gramm in the band ‘Foreigner.’ The song was wildly successful, and was called, ‘I Want to Know What Love Is.’

Okay, now that you’ve got that syrupy melody playing in your head again for the 40 millionth time or so – it has to be admitted the song resonates, (even if you hate it!) because, we DO want to know what love is! And, for some reason or other, we don’t really seem to know.

This is the same question people have been facing down through the ages. “What is love?” Adam and Eve probably grappled with the issue. What is love?

The Bible is always helpful on every subject, but none more than this: The Bible tells us what love IS. Here’s where we start: God is Love. Of all the wonderful things I have come to know in my life, this is plainly THE most wonderful. What if God was NOT love? Can you imagine what life would be like apart from the love of God? I was experiencing and living in the love of God even before I knew I was, and now that I know I am – it is my most precious possession.

The Lord tells me He wants me to share His love with others. (His love – not mine.) This is really important, because my love looks nothing like His. What does God’s love look like? Well, we find it right here in 1 Corinthians 13 - the “Love” Chapter in God’s Word. Here we see what love is and how love lives. Can you imagine life if everyone lived by this?

-  Pastor Bill

Profitable Living

1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

To some people, making a profit has always smacked of being a form of evil, as generally one side of a bargain takes advantage of the other side in the bargain – and that is how profit is generated. “Buy low, sell high,” is the guiding principle. The person who “buys high,” loses.

But this leaves out the principle of value. The bargain is based on perceived value, and if the buyer is willing to pay because of the value he perceives - who then is to say ‘buying high’ is a bad decision? Indeed, if one only intends to hold and not re-sell what has been purchased, the price paid fades into the mist of time, and satisfaction of ownership is all that matters. This is what we may call the “long view.”

A more interesting prospect is the possibility of the purchase itself becoming profitable by ownership rather than by re-sale. This is what the Apostle Paul is arguing. This happens by investment in the purchase itself.

We have been purchased with a price. That purchase price was extremely high. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you have been bought and paid for by His sacrificial death. This is central to the Christian faith. We cannot overlook this. Because of the GREAT VALUE the Lord has placed on YOUR life, the Lord Himself has provided a sacrifice for your sin to ensure eternal fellowship with you. He loves you that much. You are His ‘pearl of great price.’ The bargain? He exchanged the life of His Son for your sin. Was that a good deal for God? Was that a shrewd bargain? Only when you consider your value in His loving eyes…

Rather than by re-sale, the Lord seeks to make the ‘purchase’ profitable by ownership through special ‘gifts’ bestowed to each He calls His own. And of this, we are exhorted to NOT be ignorant. Pleasantly, we find through His investment of gifts we are made profitable to His kingdom by the effect we have on others. It is all about Him and for Him, and for Him it is all about us and for us. How wonderful, how marvelous, are the gifts of God! How can we allow ourselves to be ignorant of them any longer?

It is time to open the gift(s) and put it/them to good use for the profit of all by the power of the Holy Spirit in us for us.

- Pastor Bill