The Authentic Qualities of Love – lesson 34

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 13:4-5— The Way of Love

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…”

Introduction

– Remember, authentic love defined = ἀγάπη (agapē) is…

– What is hyperbole? Why do we sometimes make hyperbolic statements? What are the effects of making hyperbolic statements?

hyperbole = “exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally”

– What is the effect of Paul’s use of hyperbole in verse 1? About what is he exaggerating? Why is this statement so appropriate for the Corinthians?

1) Authentic Quality of love 1 = patience (vs. 4) 

a) patient = μακροθυμέω makrothumeō = to be slow towards, to be long-enduring; to exercise patience, to be long-suffering, clement, or indulgent; to forbear, to have patience, endure patiently, wait with patient expectation; to bear long with entreaties for deliverance and avengement

b) We say that ‘patience is a virtue.’ What do we mean by that?

c) How were the Corinthians acting impatiently?

d) This Greek word is also used in these verses. What do we learn from them about patience?

• Mt. 18:26, 29
• 1 Thess. 5:14
• 2 Pet. 3:9
• Heb. 6:15
• Jas. 5:7-8

e) How did Jesus demonstrate patience?

2) Authentic Quality of love 2 = kind (vs. 4)

a)  χρηστεύομαι chrēsteuomai = to be gentle, benign, kind; to show oneself useful, to act benevolently; to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness

b) How would you explain this in your own words? How does this kindness contrast with our natural inclinations?

c) How were the Corinthians acting without kindness?

d) How did Jesus demonstrate kindness?3) Authentic Quality of love 3 = not jealous (vs. 4)

a) jealous = ζηλόω zēloō = to have strong affection towards, be ardently devoted to; to make a show of affection and devotion towards; to desire earnestly, aspire eagerly after; to be fervent, to be zealous; to be jealous, envious, spiteful; to be an object of warm regard and devotion.  Compare this usage with the same word as used in verse 12:31.

b) This Greek word is also used in these verses with the meaning attached to verse 4. What do we learn from them about jealousy?

• Acts 7:9
• Acts17,5
• 1 Cor. 13:4
• Jas. 3:14-16, 4:2

c) How were the Corinthians showing jealousy?

d) How did Jesus demonstrate jealousy?

4) Authentic Quality of love 4 = does not brag (vs. 4)

a) brag or boast = περπερεύομαι perpereuomai = to vaunt one’s self; to boast one’s self, to make a self display, employing rhetorical embellishments in extolling one’s self excessively

b) This word is only used here in the Greek text.

c) Why do we boast? What underlies acts of boasting?

d) How were the Corinthians bragging?

e) How did Jesus demonstrate boasting?

5) Authentic Quality of love 5 = not arrogant (vs. 4)

a) arrogant = φυσιόω physioō = to inflate puff up; to inflate with pride and vanity; to be proud, vain, arrogant

b) This Greek word is also used in these verses. What do we learn from them about arrogance?

• 1 Cor. 4:6-10, 18, 19
• 1 Cor. 5:2
• Col. 2:18

c) How were the Corinthians acting arrogantly?

d) How did Jesus demonstrate arrogance?

6) Authentic Quality of love 6 = not rude (vs. 5)

a) rude = ἀσχημονέω aschēmoneō = to behave in an unbecoming manner or indecorously; to behave in a manner open to censure

b) This Greek word is also used in 1 Cor 7:36. What do we learn from that verse about the word rude?

c) How were the Corinthians being rude?

d) How did Jesus demonstrate rudeness?

Authentic Love is Not… – lesson 33d

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 11:1-3— The Way of Love

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Introduction

– Authentic love defined = ἀγάπη (agapē) is…

1) Authentic Love vs. False Eloquence (vs. 1) 

a) hyperbole = “exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally”

b) What is the effect of Paul’s use of hyperbole in verse 1? About what is he exaggerating? Why is this statement so appropriate for the Corinthians?

c) Why does the ability to speak other languages seem impressive to the Corinthians? What makes it meaningless?  Why?

d) What is the antidote to being a “clanging cymbal?” How can we ensure we do not  sound like one?

e) When we interact with people without love, what is the effect?

f) What does it take to be able to love the agape way?

2) Authentic Gifts are Expressed in Love (vs. 2) 

a) What gifts does Paul highlight in verse 2?

b) What do these gifts look like without love? Can you cite some examples?

c) How valuable are these gifts without love? Why?

d) How valuable are these gifts when they are exercised in love? Why?

e) What do these verses help us understand about this topic?

– Luke 12:48

– Eph 4:15

f) Consider the example of Jeremiah. Did he love the people to whom God sent him? How do you know?

g) Example of Paul. How do we know Paul loved not yet saved people?

Cf Romans 9:1-3; Acts 20:19

h) What word does Paul use to describe what we are like when we minister without love?

i) The meaning of οὐδείς (oudeis)

3) Authentic motivation in Giving and Dying

a) What are some motives which cause people to give?

b) How ought we give?

c) What might cause a person to become a martyr? What does it gain them?

d) How can we be the opposite of nothing?

Authentic Love, part 1 – lesson 33 a, b and c

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Introduction – What do we know at this point?

A. To this point, we have learned a great deal about Corinth. Let’s begin with an inventory of what we know about the city, and the people of the church at Corinth. Make a list of the cultural issues Paul addresses in this letter to this point.

Our notes:

The Church at Corinth had benefitted greatly from Paul’s ministry for the 18+/- months he had spent with them. He had taught them much, and they were, as Paul wrote, “in every way … enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge” (1:5). However, the church was beset with many challenges, sins, and divisions. Here is what we discovered as we worked in small groups, re-reading chapters 1-12, looking for the things we could learn about the church at Corinth.

 

B. Based on what we know about Corinth, why do you think Paul now writes to the church of Corinth about love? Why does he now proceed to define love as recorded in a whole chapter?

C. In your own words, define love.

We made this list: selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, an action (a verb), genuine care, meek, compassionate, palpable / tangible demonstration of care

We asked Siri, who quoted the Oxford as follows:

love [lʌv] noun

• 1 That state of feeling with regard to a person which manifests itself in concern for the person’s welfare, pleasure in his or her presence, and often also desire for his or her approval; deep affection, strong emotional attachment. (Foll. by of, for, to, towards .) OE.
  • b An instance of affection (now rare). Formerly also, an act of kindness. OE.
  • c Affectionate greetings (freq. as a closing formula in letters). m17.
  Shakes. L.L.L. My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw. Juliette Huxley I secretly adored my father and longed to be able to show him my love. B. Gilroy The grandchildren’s clothes washed and ironed with love.c Scott FitzgeraldI’d been writing letters…and signing them: ‘Love, Nick.’

  brotherly love, mother love, platonic love, romantic love, etc.

• 2 In Christian use: the benevolence and affection of God; the affectionate devotion due to God; regard and consideration prompted by a sense of a common relationship to God. OE.
  AV 1 John 4:16 God is loue, and hee that dwelleth in loue, dwelleth in God.
• 3 Strong predilection, liking, or fondness for, or devotion to something. Foll. by of, for, (arch.) to. OE.
  C. A. Lindbergh The army Air Corps is built up of men who fly for the love of flying. E. Feinstein Marina’s interest in gypsies was part of her love of everything exotic.
• 4 That feeling of attachment which is based on sexual qualities; sexual passion combined with liking and concern for the other. OE.
  • b An instance of being in love; in pl., amatory relations, love affairs. l16.
  Milton Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true sourse Of human ofspring. S. Johnson It is commonly a weak man who marries for love. K. Waterhouse Love was a taboo subject in our country.b Swift The Colonel was cross’d in his first Love.
• 5
  • a (L-.) The personification of sexual affection, usu. masculine and more or less identified with Eros, Amor, or Cupid of classic mythology. ME.
  • b A cupid; a god of love; a figure or representation of a god of love. l16.
  b W. M. Praed Wher’er her step in beauty moves, Around her fly a thousand loves.
• 6 A beloved person; esp. one’s sweetheart. Freq. (with or without possess.) as a form of intimate or (colloq.) friendly address. ME.
  • b† An illicit or clandestine lover. lME–e17.
  • c gen. An object of love; a person who or thing which is loved. m18.
  • d A charming or delightful person or thing. colloq. e19.
  C. Marlowe Liue with me and be my Loue. Shakes. Merch. V. Whether Bassanio had not once a love. Alan Bennett Wash your hands, love, we’re all ready.c D. Wigoder He introduced me to one of my greatest loves—classical music.J. Rule You were the great love of her life.d J. Austen The garden is quite a love. P. Carey Be a love and get back into your own bed.
• 7 Amorous sexual activity, sexual intercourse. Now chiefly in make love , lovemaking below. lME.
• 8† A game of chance: = mora noun². l16–e18.
• 9† A material worn in mourning; a border of this. e17–e19.
• 10 In various games, esp. tennis, squash, etc.: no score, nil, nothing. m18.

love [lʌv] verb

• 1 verb trans. Feel love for (a person, a thing personified); be very fond of, hold dear. OE.
  • b spec. Feel sexual love for; be in love with. OE.
  • c verb intrans. Feel love; esp. be in love. ME.
  J. A. Froude A man who loved England well, but who loved Rome better. J. Gardam He had loved the king and had ridden…from the fells to Westminster for a coronation. J. Nagenda Your old mother who loves you with all her heart.b Shakes. Oth. I never knew woman love man so.c Shakes. Jul. Caes. Love, and be friends.Tennyson ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all.

  I must love you and leave you colloq.: a formula of departure.

  Lord love you, Lord love me, Lord love a duck, etc. interjections expr. surprise, emphasis, etc.

  loved one a person beloved; esp. in pl., one’s family or relations.

  love paramour : see paramour adverb 2.

  b love to pieces : see piece noun.

• 2 verb trans.
  • a Be strongly attached to (a thing), be unwilling to part with or allow to perish(life, honour, etc.). OE.
  • b Take great pleasure in, be devoted or addicted to; colloq. like very much. Foll. by simple obj. to do, doing a person or thing to do . ME.
  • c Take pleasure in the existence of; admire greatly. ME.
  a Marvell As you loue your own affairs…be pleased…to let me know your minds.b H. GlasseSome love a pig brought whole to table. P. V. White He loved her to need him. Merle Collins The Christmas plays she also loved. M. Milner I have always loved drawing goats. San Francisco Chronicle He loves to bat, especially if he can put the ball out of the park.c Burke I love firm government.
• 3 verb trans. Of a plant or (less usually) an animal: have a tendency to thrive in (a certain kind of situation). lME.
  B. Taylor The violet loves a sunny bank.
• 4 verb trans. Embrace or caress affectionately. Freq. foll. by up. colloq. l19.
  K. S. Prichard Why don’t you give her a hug…love her up a bit? B. Holiday That dog…began lapping me and loving me like crazy.

 

Authentic Love Defined (1 John 4:16)

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

1. What is John’s definition of love in this verse?
2. What is the implication of this verse regarding Christian character?
3. Why do you think that we find it hard to be loving?

ἀγάπη (agape) = self-sacrificing service, putting others above oneself, humble, leads to action,

Authentic Love Commanded by Jesus (John 13:34-35)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A. What is the new commandment Jesus gives? To whom does He give this commandment?

 

B. What will be the result of keeping this commandment? Why is that important?

C. What implications for the church do we find in this new commandment?

D. How can we keep this commandment?

 

What do we know about agape at this juncture?

• we are under a New Covenant in Christ based on grace and love, not the Old based on the Law – we have the Holy Spirit in us, so we are able to exercise agape love!
• the highest calling in all of life
• the moment I take my eyes of Christ, I am not abiding
• God-centered, and supreme
• forgiveness
• If you don’t forgive others, I won’t forgive you – Mark 11
• It seems simple, yet it is huge! Agape is above and beyond everything else!
• This is the heart of God for us as His children.
• The purpose of our church is to demonstrate this love! Cf John 17 – Jesus’s prayer for His church
• God-glorifying
• When I fall short, I need to remember to repent and return to loving that way
• Agape love is only produced under the New Covenant!
• Agape is a conscience choice to follow the way of the cross
• Worship!

 

Part 3

Authentic Love Commanded by Paul (Romans 13:8-9)

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

A. What do we learn from Paul in these verses? Summarize the points he makes in your own words.

Authentic Love Defined in the Key NT Scriptures

A. What do we learn about love from the following verses?

John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Rom 5:5 … God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Philippians 1:9-11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Col 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 …may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you…

1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Authentic Love Summarized in 5 Key Points

A. Love is commanded.

B. Love is already possessed by Christians.

C. Love is the norm of Christian living.

D. Love is the work of the Holy Spirit.

E. Love must be practiced to be genuine.

Authentic Unity and Diversity – lesson 31

audio lesson link – lesson 31a

audio lesson link –  lesson 31b

audio lesson link – lesson 31c

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

“12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “ Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “ Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”

 

a small church in ancient Corinth

 

Introduction – By way of reminder…

Based on our studies of this epistle so far, let’s consider these questions.

1. How would you characterize the church at Corinth? What were they like? How do we know?
2. What was Paul’s attitude? How do you know?

In our previous few studies, we have examined the spiritual gifts. Here are some questions for consideration as well.

1. What are some things we know about them?
2. Who gives them?
3. Who receives them?
4. How are they to be exercised?

Here are the notes we took in response to these questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we now look at the next section, consider this quote by John MacArthur:

In the present passage, [Paul] explains and illustrates the nature and importance of the unity of the church itself, and then again the importance of diversity as a key factor in that unity. The diversity of the Church of God is a God-ordained means of bringing the fellowship to oneness, but unless each diverse member recognizes and accepts his part in the whole body, diversity will divide rather than unite, destroy rather than build up, bring discord rather than harmony, and result in self-serving rather than self-giving.

What is MacArthur saying?

1. What is his main point?
2. What are his supporting points?
3. What do you think about this quote?

 

1) Authentic Unity (vs. 12)

Paul uses the image of the human body to make his point clear. In this chapter, he makes reference to the body 16 times. Elsewhere in Scripture, he uses this metaphor many more times (cf. Rom 12:5; Eph 1:23, 2:16, 4:4, 12, 16; Col 1:18; etc.)

1. What do we know about how God created the human body?
2. What Scriptures come to mind about the human body?
3. When Paul uses the metaphor of the human body, what is he saying? Why this metaphor?
4. When he writes, ‘so also is Christ,’ what is he saying?
5. Compare this verse to John 15:5. What do we learn?

2) Authentic Formation of the Body (vs. 13a)

1. What is the true ‘baptism by/with the Holy Spirit?’ When does it occur?
2. How is this phrase often misunderstood?
3. NB: the Greek phrase, ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι (by or with one Spirit) is often misunderstood! The Greek preposition, ἐν, should be translated as ‘by’ or ‘with’ not ‘of’. We can understand this best by thinking this way: Baptized by Christ with the Holy Spirit. Cf Acts 1:5, 2:32-33 and John 7:37-39, 15:7-15
4. What is Paul’s main point about the work of the Holy Spirit in this verse?
5. Read Galatians 3:26-27 and Ephesians 4:4-6. What do we further learn from these texts?

3) Authentic Filling (vs. 13b)

The phrase, καὶ πάντες ἓν πνεῦμα ἐποτίσθημεν, ‘and all were made to drink of one Spirit,’ has been much misunderstood to refer to a second filling by the Spirit as an authentication of salvation. The word ‘ἐποτίσθημεν’ is a verb form in the aorist tense (ie, past time), passive (ie it is done TO us), indicative, first person, plural (ie, it is done to ALL of us). The base verb form is ποτίζω, potizo, and is the root of the English word potable, ie, water that is clean for drinking. The verb is defined by Vine as follows:

Potizo (ποτίζω, Strongs: 4222), “to give to drink, to make to drink,” is used

(a) in the material sense, in Matt. 10:42, 25:35, 37, 42 (here of “ministering” to those who being to Christ and thus doing so virtually to Him); 27:48; Mark 9:41; 15:36; Luke 13:15 (“to watering”); Rom. 12:20; 1 Cor. 3:7- 8;

(b) figuratively,

i) with reference to “teaching” of an elementary character, 1 Cor. 3:2, “I fed (you with milk)”;

ii) of “spiritual watering by teaching” the Word of God, 3:6;

iii) of being “provided” and “satisfied” by the power and blessing of the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 12:13;

iv) of the effect upon the nations of “partaking” of the abominable mixture, provided by Babylon, of paganism with details of the Christian faith Rev. 14:8.

The authentic filling of the Holy Spirit refers to the fact that we are all made new by the same Spirit, in the same way, without distinctions. All Christians receive the Spirit at the moment of Regeneration. We have been made to drink of the same Spirit.

4) Authentic Diversity (vss. 14-17)

1. What can we deduct about the church at Corinth from the way Paul instructs them in this text?
2. What should be our attitude based on his teaching here?

5) Authentic Giftedness (vss. 18-19)

1. What happens when we question God about the gifts He has given to us?
2. What do we learn on this matter from Romans 20-21?
3. What ought we to say to a Christian who is not serving? Why?
4. What does it mean about our thinking about God when we do not serve?
5. Who decides how each part of the body is equipped to serve? What should be our response to this decision?
6. What is the result when members of the body do not serve as they are called?
7. How does this teaching apply to the way the church is designed in terms of authority and responsibility?
8. What should we do or say to those who do not like the decisions of those who are called to ministry as leaders, pastors, deacons…?
9. What happens to a church when people do not accept their place within the church?
10. Is it wrong to aspire to serve differently than we seem to be called to serve? How should we proceed when we feel this way? Is there a way forward? If so, what is that way?

Conclusion

What have we learned today? How will we apply the things we have learned?

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Varieties and The Ministries in which they are exercised — lesson 30e

audio lesson link

Speaking in Tongues and their Interpretation

d) Tongues and their Interpretation

i) tongues = γλῶσσα glōssa- the tongue, speech, talk, language, a language not proper to a speaker, a gift or faculty of such language. In other words, actual human language and the ability to speak it.

ii) interpretation = ἑρμηνεία hermēneia – interpretation, explanation, the power or faculty of interpreting

– We will examine fully the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues when we study 1 Corinthians 14. For now, we need to note the following:

• a) Tongues refers to the ability to speak an actual, real-live human language, which one does not yet know, and yet a person is given the ability to speak that language for the purpose of communicating the Gospel to someone who must hear it to believe.
• b) It was a sign gift, for the apostolic age, and is not normative for our time.
• c) It is not a private prayer language.
• d) It is not a gift given to authenticate a person’s personal spiritual status.
• e) It was exercised as a sign to authenticate the message of the Gospel before the Scriptures were made complete.

 

The Authentic Giving of the Gifts by the Holy Spirit — verse 11

“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

– This verse is a summary of verses 4-10. Each gift is a gift from the Holy Spirit, a fact which Paul has mentioned 5 times in this chapter. Paul teaches clearly that every Christian is gifted, and is called to exercise his/her gifts on behalf of the whole assembly of believers.

– Paul does not teach that we should seek particular gifts. They are given by grace, according to the will of God as to how He chooses to use His people.

– Paul teaches that not only does the Spirit give the gifts, but that the exercising of the gifts is not really by us, but by the Spirit within us. He works, in and through us, so we are to make ourselves available to us used by Him, for His glory, for our joy!

 

What happens when a ministry is Spirit-led and Spirit-filled?

• a) The church is unified, but unity does not crush diversity or individ,al .istinctions.
• b) The church has mature fellowship, where each member serves, and is served, and is included and valued.
• c) The church is vertically aligned in worship! When we are in sync with the Spirit, we enjoy worship more, because we are upwardly connected, not preoccupied by horizontal concerns.
• d) The church is concerned with taking the Gospel to all nations, motivated to fulfill the Great Commission, excited about the faith which we have come to embrace.
• e) The church is loving. We are under the New Covenant, and its commandments – loving Jesus, loving others.
• f) The church is focused on Christ, and as a result, we are obedient. We live by faith in Christ, it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us – Galatians 2:20
• g) The church serves the community, both within the community of faith, and beyond to the surrounding community, and the world-wide community. We are not exclusive, but inclusive. We are not separate, but engaged with those who do know yet know Him.

To the glory of God, and the joy of all people.

_______________________________________________________________

More resources to consider

• Speaking in Tongues, Is It Biblical? From BibleAnswers.org
• What is Speaking in Tongues? A Biblical Analysis, from What Christians Want to Know.com
• Speaking in Tongues, from Bible.org – a very thorough article worth reading
• an article on Biblical Archaeology Review

 

Here is a video by John Piper of interest. What do you think about what he says?

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Varieties and The Ministries in which they are exercised — lesson 30d

audio lesson link

The Authentic Gifts of Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues and Interpretation — verse 10

“…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

a) Miracles = δύναμις dynamis – power; strength, ability, energy, authority, might, majesty; a manifestation or instance of power, a mighty means

– “A miracle is a supernatural intrusion onto the natural world and its natural laws, explainable only by divine intervention.”

– Miracles were temporary signs during the NT age, given the same way healings were given, as  a means to authenticate the words and deeds of Christ and the apostles. Examples: Jesus changed water changed to wine at the wedding at Cana, He walked on water, he made more food from the loaves and fishes… Peter took a coin from the moth of a fish… The apostles cast out demons…

– cf Luke 4:36, 6:18, 9:1, 42, 10:17-19; John 2:11; Acts 2:22, 6:8, 8:7, 13:6-12, 14:3, 19:14-16; 2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:3-4

– John 20:30-31 – “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

b) Prophesy = προφητεία prophēteia – prophecy, a prediction of future events, a gifted faculty of setting forth and enforcing revealed truth, matter of divine teaching set forth by special gift

– The basic meaning of προφητεία is to speak forth, to proclaim. Later, the notion of speaking of future events was added to the word. In the OT, the prophets of old exercised both functions, though most of their ministry was about proclaiming the word of God to a public audience. They spoke forth the truth of God’s revelation.

– Today, the primary means of speaking forth the truth of God’s Word is done in preaching.

– cf 1 Corinthians 14:3 – “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.”

 

Here is a video by John Piper on the Gift of Prophesy – what do you think about what he says?

 

c) Discernment = διάκρισις diakrisis – distinction, discerning, the act of discerning or distinguishing, the faculty of distinguishing and estimating

– Though all Christians are called to be discerning, some have a particularly keen sense of ability to protect the church by sorting that which is genuine from that which is counterfeit. Satan is called the ‘father of lies’ (John 8:44) and seeks to blind the eyes of the unbelieving lest they see the truth of God in the face of Christ (cf 2 Corinthians 4:1-6). He creates all kinds of counterfeits to distort our thinking, to question the Truth. We are called “not to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” since there are many counterfeits.

– Those who have been given the gift of discernment have an extra keen sense of ability to recognize the lies of the age. In our day, we need such people to help us see the subtle lies underneath counterfeit forms of religion, of psychology, of secular humanism, of evolution, of philosophies of every kind, of which there are many!

– exercised in ministries of counseling, exhortation, teaching, discipleship, settling disputes between believers, church discipline, clarifying fine points of doctrine, distinguishing false teaching

– caution: Be careful not to be proud, arrogant, self-righteous or overly critical

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Varieties and The Ministries in which they are exercised — lesson 30c

audio lesson link

audio lesson 30c

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

The Authentic Gifts of Faith and Healing — verse 9

“…to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit…”

a) The gift of Faith is obviously different from the general gift of faith given to all Christians.

b) Faith = πίστις (pistes) – faith, belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, ground of belief, guarantee, assurance, the matter of Gospel faith

The gift of faith is an intense ability to trust God in challenging circumstances and to trust Him in the face of great opposition, in the things which seem impossible to bear by most, as a witness of God’s own Faithfulness to His people, such as when Paul was called to bear witness to God before Caesar (Acts 27:22-24). People with the gift of faith lead us onward by their words and deeds, calling us to do things we would not normally do. Great examples of people in church history include: Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Jonathan Edwards, Corrie and Betsy ten Boom,  Jim and Elizabeth Elliot…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes from our discussion:

• What does the gift of faith look like? It is an extraordinary display of faith, above and beyond the usual or the norm, in circumstances where a person trusts God for all things without knowing the outcome, for His provision in spite of what lies ahead.
• Who in church history stands out as an excellent example? Brother Andrew, Hudson Taylor, Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom, Pastor Saheed…
• Their examples build our faith, inspire us to believe, support us in trials, and help us to persevere
• 21 Missionaries You Should Know

The gift of faith is exercised in ministries of prayer, exhortation, witnessing, missions

 

c) Healings = ἴαμα iama – healing, curing

The gifts of healing in the early church were given as supernatural signs to authenticate the messages of the Word of God brought by His people. Christ performed healing (Mt 8:16-17). So did the apostles (cf. Mt 10:1), the seventy (cf. Luke 10:1-12) and some who were associated with the apostles (cf. Acts 8:5-7).

God does still heal today. He does so in response to the prayers of His people, though He does not always do so; He acts according to His will and for His purposes. No one today has the same kind of gifts of healing as did the Christ, the apostles or the seventy. Those at Corinth may have seen someone exercise this gift, and so Paul mentions it here, as a reminder to them of the gifts as they were exercised in their midst.

 

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Varieties and The Ministries in which they are exercised — lesson 30b

audio lesson 30b

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

The Authentic Nature of the Temporary Gifts and of the Permanent Gifts

a) Temporary gifts = signs to authenticate and confirm the Word of God, for the apostolic age, until the Word was complete.

i) miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues

b) Permanent gifts = to edify the church, until He comes again

i) speaking gifts: prophesy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, exhortation

ii) serving gifts: leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, discernment

c) The varieties of gifts mentioned in this text, and the ones elsewhere in Scripture (cf . 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:11) are not exhaustive, but representative. Therefore, they should be understood as illustrative of the nature of the gifts.

The Authentic Word of Wisdom and of Knowledge — verse 8

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit…”

These two gifts are linked by the way they are exercised, namely through words, or utterance.

a) utterance = λόγος logos = reasoning, cause, communication regarding doctrine, preaching, utterance, word

 

b) wisdom = σοφία sophia 51x wisdom in general, knowledge, practical wisdom, prudence, learning, science, enlightenment

– wisdom is the ability to understand God’s Word and His will and to apply it to life; truth discovered, explained, lived

– exercised in ministries of preaching, teaching, evangelism, counseling, mentoring, discipleship, scholarship, pastoral care and oversight, family and parenting, prayer, in relationships at work… Can you think of others? Leave a comment below if you do!

 

c) knowledge = γνῶσις gnōsis = knowledge of a special kind and of relatively high character, more particularly in respect of Christian enlightenment; perception and understanding of the truths of God’s Word; communication of the insights into the mysteries of God’s revelation, as enlightened by the Holy Spirit; special ability of understanding of the texts of Scripture to help others understand them.

– exercised in ministries of preaching, teaching, counseling, leadership

– caution: the man or woman of God who is given the utterance of wisdom and/or of knowledge, must take to heart the admonition of the apostle John in Revelation 22:18-21 :

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen”

Yes, indeed! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Varieties and The Ministries in which they are exercised — lesson 30a

audio lesson 30a

 

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

 

Introduction – By way of reminder… 

Last week, from verse 7, we learned that the gifts are given “for the common good.”

1 Corinthians 12: 7 “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Notes on sumphero (συμφέρω), “to bring together,” to be profitable, beneficial

See also these links:

Word Reference

Teknia

Kata Biblion Lexicon

Study Light

a) The word συμφέρω occurs in all of the following verses in the Greek NT.

What do you think? Which English words are used to translate συμφέρω in each of these verses? What does this word study tell us about the nature of the spiritual gifts?

(NB: Since we have actually done the work in class, I have pasted the verses below, and the words which translate συμφέρω are in bold. These verses are from the English Standard Version – ESV.)

Matt. 5:30 — And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Matt. 18:6 — … but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matt. 19:10 — The disciples said to him, “ If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

John 11:50 — Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.

John 16:7 — Nevertheless, I tell you the truth:it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 18:14 — It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Acts 19:19 — And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Acts 20:20 — …how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house…

1 Cor. 6:12 — “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

1 Cor. 7:35  — I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

1 Cor. 10:23 — “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “ All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

1 Cor. 10:33 — …just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Cor. 12:7 — To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

2 Cor. 8:10 — And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.

2 Cor. 12:1 — I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Heb. 12:10 — For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.

In class, we then discussed these questions:

In your own words, define what the phrase “the common good” means.

To what does it refer in this context?

To what does it refer in all of Scripture?

 

 

Authentic Gifts: Their Origin and Purposes – lesson 29

audio lesson 29

Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Introduction – By way of reminder… 

The Corinthians, like many other Christians across time and space, suffered from issues which caused significant division in their assembly Do you remember what some of them were?

• quarreling
• taking people to court
• immoral behavior
• idolatry
• corrupted marriage practices
• abuses of liberty
• selfishness
• worldliness
• misunderstanding of spiritual gifts – seems like their misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, on top of all the other things, is not much of a surprise.

Authentic Gifts versus Talents – vs. 4

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit…”

Gifts = χάρισμα charisma; from 5483; a gift of grace, a free gift: — favor (1), free gift (3), gift (5), gifts (7), spiritual gifts

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1) What is a spiritual gift, in your own words?

2) Are natural talents also spiritual gifts? How do you know?

3) Why are the gifts given?

Varieties = diairesis (διαίρεσις, 1243) lit. signifies “to take asunder,” from dia, “apart,” and haireo, “to take” (Eng., “diaeresis,” i. e., distinguishing two successive vowels as separate sounds); it is rendered in the kjv, “diversities” in 1 Cor. 12:4 and 1 Cor. 12:6 “differences” in v. 5; rv, “diversities,” in each place.

In other words, distinctives.

1 Peter 4:11 “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies…”

4) According to 1 Pt 4:11, into which categories can the gifts fall? Why do you think God has apportioned the gifts in this manner?

Romans 12:6-8 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

5) What do we learn about the gifts from these verses?

Authentic Ministry – verse 5

“And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.“

diakonua (διακονία, 1248), “the office and work of a diakonos” (see minister, A, No. 1), “service, ministry,”

6)  The word for ministry is obviously the origin of the word ‘deacon.’ In a sense, we are all deacons, i.e., servants. As we exercise the gifts entrusted to us, we may do so in different ways than other christians who may exercise the same kind of gifts, but in a different way. Can you think of an example of 2 people you know, who have the same spiritual gift, yet exercise it in different ways?

7)  What is the effect of ministry exercised this way?

Authentic Effects – vs. 6

“There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.”

energema (ἐνέργημα, 1755), “what is wrought,” the effect produced by No. 1, occurs in 1 Cor. 12:6, rv, “workings” (kjv, “operations”); v. 10.

8) When the gifts are properly exercised, in the variety of ways that can be, what is the effect?

9) What are the outcomes of the exercise of the gifts?

Authentic Results – vs 7

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.“

sumphero (συμφέρω, 4851), “to bring together,” has this meaning in Acts 19:19. See better (be), expedient, good, profit.

10) According to verse 7, when the Spirit manifests Himself through the gifts, what is the purpose?

11) How would you define the term “common good” in your own words? What are some examples of this?

12) How can we encourage people to do their part so this can happen?