KEY SCRIPTURES
1 Corinthians 14 and 16
THEME
An effectual Christian life is about self-sacrifice. It’s about looking at your fellow congregant and asking: How can I serve that person? “Living like you mean it” always benefits, helps, assists, and serves your fellow believer. The bottom line is: You can be an effective and authentic Christian by living your life for the good of others.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:18
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Be An Authentic Christian by Using Your Gifts To Serve Others
1 Corinthians 14:6-12
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 27-33
If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Be An Authentic Christian by Sacrificing Your Needs for the Good of the Body
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be An Authentic Christian by Serving God Because You Love His Children
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Be An Authentic Christian by Giving Your Sole Allegiance to Christ
Be An Authentic Christian by Building On a Foundation That Lasts
Be An Authentic Christian by Staying Sexually Pure
Be An Authentic Christian by Exercising Your Christian Liberty for the Good of Others
Your Spiritual Gifts: How to Identify and Effectively Use Them