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                                                          Friday, August 23, 2024                                INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 13  (NLT) Much of 1 Corinthians 12 corrected misunderstandings about spiritual gifts among the Christians in Corinth. Some believed that those able to speak in tongues or prophesy were more spiritual than others. This may have created yet another reason for division in the church, along with jealousy or a sense of inferiority. Paul insisted that every spiritual gift was given by God for a reason and was essential to the church, the body of Christ. He did urge them, though, to desire that the "higher" gifts of apostles, prophets, and teachers be given to the church. But he concluded by promising to show them "a still more excellent way" to serve each other (1 Corinthians 12:31). I believe Paul describes the more excellent way in chapter 13. Lack of love was at the heart of most of the Corinthians' problems and divisio

                                                    Friday, August 16 , 2024   INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 14  (NLT) 1 Corinthians 14 concludes Paul's teaching on the spiritual gifts begun in chapter 12. The small but powerful chapter 13 declared that Christlike love matters most of all and that spiritual gifts are useless if not practiced with love. Even though many wanted to show off and pretend they had the gift of tongues, Paul taught that the gift of prophecy, for example, would be better than the display of the gift of tongues in worship services unless someone with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. Only those things which edify or build up the church should be included in any service, and everything should be done in an orderly way, reflecting the character of God. ( https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/14/1-Corinthians-chapter-14.html )   Tongues and Prophesy, Part 1, Verses  1-12 ,  TBA  1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the