WHY CHURCH?

The purpose of being here.

I CORINTHIANS 14

(Heb 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

(Heb 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as

ye see the day approaching.

(Heb 3:13) But exhort one

another daily, while it is called

To day; lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of

sin.

(Act 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in

prayers.

(Act 2:46-47) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And

the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

(1Ti 4:13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

(1Ti 4:14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was

given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of

the presbytery.

Verse 3Verse 5

Verse 12Verse 17Verse 26

I. The Aspirations of Possessing gifts

(1Co 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

(1Co 14:12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the

edifying of the church.

(Eph 4:11-16) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the

faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the

stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and

fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning

craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole

body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every

part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

(1Ti 3:1) This is a true saying, If a man desire the

office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

(1Co 12:31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a

more excellent way.

I. The Aspirations of Possessing gifts

II. The Awareness of the Perspective to the

unbeliever

(1Co 14:22-25) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for

them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with

tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in

one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and

so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

(1Co 14:21) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that

will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

(1Co 1:22) For the Jews require a sign, and the

Greeks seek after wisdom:

(Jas 5:14-15) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the

church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of

the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise

him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

I. The Aspirations of Possessing gifts

II. The Awareness of the Perspective to the

unbeliever

III.The Application of our gifts in a Polite way

(1Co 14:26-32) 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,

hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him

keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be

revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And

the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

(Gal 5:26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

I. The Aspirations of Possessing gifts

II. The Awareness of the Perspective to the

unbeliever

III.The Application of our gifts in a Polite way

IV.The Absolute need for Personal engagement

(1Co 14:29-35) Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all

may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all

churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be

under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in

the church.

(Act 17:11) These were more noble than those in

Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all

readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1Jn 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits

whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

(Psa 1:1-3) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor

standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever

he doeth shall prosper.