What Did He Say?

Good morning.

We continue with the series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit as per 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 and now also chapter 14.

The church is at war – a very subtle war. I mentioned a few messages ago that some spirit is going to lead every individual, whether we admit it or not. It will either be the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit and this is what the war is about – the control of our souls.

Up to around 380 BC the church was actively led by the Holy Spirit until she was smothered under Roman Catholicism. Through the ages Satan has made every effort to get the church to become a religion, just like all his other religions. Paul called it “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power,” (2 Timothy 3:5). If we look carefully at the church today, we’ll see that there are many commands in the Bible that the church does not follow. We have inherited much incorrect doctrine from the dark ages, somewhat modified it, but continued in its erroneous ways.

Allowing the Holy Spirit to lead the congregation by means of His gifts is one way we could break out of this ‘form of godliness’. Speaking in tongues is usually followed by the interpretation thereof and is just another way of letting the Holy Spirit have His say. In 1 Corinthians 14, which we’ve posted yesterday, Paul gave clear guidance in the practicalities around this. Unfortunately the church’s structures and liturgy, in whatever form, generally hinder the Holy Spirit to have His say. Many times when I received a word from the Lord during worship, I didn’t feel the freedom to bring it, since it wasn’t encouraged. How many others feel the same way? If we as church encourage Holy Spirit participation at every meeting, we will see more obedient Christians participate and as a result a mighty move of God. Have you noticed in 1 Corinthians 14 how Paul assumed active participation by everybody as the norm within the churches? That’s how the church services functioned those days before ungodly man got hold of it.

The purpose of the Sunday message in church is for the Holy Spirit to speak into individual hearts while the revelation from the Word of God flows over them. Many times during the message I receive something from the Holy Spirit, which I’d like to add to the message, wishing I could have an opportunity afterwards to do it.  Some people may have questions regarding the message that would benefit others. In the light of 1 Corinthians 14 I believe the Sunday message should be discussed afterwards, so we could be built up like Paul said in verse 26, be encouraged as in verse 31 and equipped (Ephesians 4:11-16). I realise some would say that this is what home groups are for. It should be applied there as well, but why should the church service be different? How many unbelievers and visitors do we get in home groups? How many people are not able to attend home groups? Why should a church service be formal? The current pastor of the church, in which I grew up, replaced all the church benches with tables and chairs. He was heavily criticised by the religious church goers, but I think it’s wonderful because his people discuss the word of the Lord. “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up,” (1 Corinthians 14:26).

You may not be in a position to change this, but you can pray for your church leaders and also influence them.

If you benefited from this, why don’t you link it to your Facebook or Twitter to make it available to your friends? You can also use the e-mail link to pass it on. Please also pray for the spreading of it to those who need it. Please feel free to ask questions or discuss thoughts.