For taking your time to study remain blessed.
EDIFY ONE ANOTHER SATURDAY DECEMBER 9
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12: 7-12
Key
verse:“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God” 1 Peter 4:10.
God has
given spiritual gifts to believers in the body of Christ for the purpose of
edifying one another. The local church in the apostolic time provided
opportunity for the manifestation of these gifts to the glory of God. How is it
then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a
doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, and hath an interpretation. Let all
things be done unto edifying, 1 Corinthians 14:26.Through the gift of healing,
the sick were healed and the oppressed delivered. The gifts of faith and
miracles were also in operation to glorify God in the worship service. Other
gifts such as the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, prophecy, discerning
of spirit, diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues had their
place in the worship service for the edification of believers. These gifts
manifested in the church by the will of God and did not necessarily occur at
every worship service. As important as these gifts are in the worship service,
more attention was given to the preaching and teaching of the word of God,
because therein lies eternal life for the worshippers. But covet earnestly the
best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way, 1Corinthians 12:31.
Charity or love is the more excellent way and is the greatest of all Christian
graces. Love is the greatest quality of God in the regenerated man that
qualifies him for eternal fellowship and dwelling with Him. Love is eternal and
spiritual gifts are temporal. Love indwells us, increases and abounds in us
through the ministry of the word. Spiritual gifts are still valid today; we are
encouraged to desire them and to allow them to operate in our Assembly. We are
warned against quenching the operation of the Holy Spirit in the church by
despising, rejecting or relegating spiritual gifts to the background. Quench
not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying’s, 1Thessolinians 5:19-20. However,
care must be taken that spiritual gifts are not abused in the church. Sin and carnality
in the lives of those operating in spiritual gifts can lead to their abuse.
Proper discernment is required by the church to ensure that these gifts are not
counterfeited by evil workers and demons. The members of the local church must
be focused on holiness and righteousness, love for God and for fellowmen. All
things must be done decently and in order for the edification of the church and
the glory of God.
Thought for
the day: Let us examine things practiced in church today in the light of
scriptures.
Song for the
day: Give me grace to follow, abundant grace to follow. Give me grace to
follow…
#Horemow.
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