1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1 - Follow the way of Love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

As we discussed in 1 Corinthians 13, without Love all we do is for nothing. Our life with Christ begins with Love, “For God so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) And again in 1 John we read, “We Love because He first Loved us.” God’s Love makes everything worthwhile, but Paul tells us not to stop there.
Paul tells us that we must, “Follow the way of Love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.” On their own spiritual gifts have no value; they are nothing. If they do not have the right motive behind them they are both useless to you and those around you. When spiritual gifts are based in Love, however, they have great value. Paul says to eagerly desire them, especially prophecy.
Why does Paul single out prophecy? What significance does it have over the other gifts? I think we often misunderstand the word prophecy. We are taught of prophecy as being a foretelling of events, but that is not entirely true. Prophecy is a life-giving word to those who hear it. It can be telling of future events, but is not limited to it. And when it does foretell of what is to come it is still meant to bring life to the hearer.
Prophecy, when done out of Love, is a powerful tool that God has given us. We ought to desire this. Sometimes it comes as just an encouraging word to someone. It doesn't have to be much, maybe just a scripture or a couple positive words, but it can change the life of the one to whom it is given. Really, the reason prophecy is so important is that it speaks to the heart of a man, who he really is, and when done in Love it brings life. It ministers to his spiritual and emotional needs.
So, to echo Paul, follow the way of Love and eagerly desire the gifts of God. When Love is our foundation all of these gifts will be used to help others and not for selfish gain. Love is the key; Love makes it all matter.

Luke 1:67

Luke 1:67 – His (John’s) father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.

       John’s birth, similar to Jesus, was nothing short of a miracle. His parents were well beyond child bearing age and they had tried their whole married life to have a child, but were unsuccessful. Then Zechariah was ministering in the house of the Lord and an angel appeared to him.

       This angel brought the promise of a child, but Zechariah found it hard to believe. He was looking at the natural circumstances of His life and questioned the message that came from God. Because of his doubt his voice was taken from him and he was unable to speak.

       From the time of the vision all the way until his miracle baby was born, Zechariah was unable to utter a word. It wasn't until he named his child John that his tongue was loosened. This verse in Luke comes right after he is given the ability to speak again.

       There are a lot of things that Zechariah could have said, but what he did was prophecy. First his praises went to God, and then he prophesied over his son. That speaks a lot to those of us who are fathers. I think this is one of the things that is missing in today’s families. It is a tough world to grow up in and our kids need to help. They need encouragement and life spoken into them.

Prophecy is not just about speaking the future. It can come in many forms. Basically it is a word from God; sometimes it is a scripture or just an encouraging word. Children need this. As fathers it is our responsibility to give this to them. Seek God for your children. Pray for them every day and then in turn prophesy over them.

1 Corinthians 14:12

1 Corinthians 14:12 – So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

We all want to have spiritual gifts. God has blessed us with His Spirit and we know that the Spirit manifests itself on each of us in different ways at different times. Our desire is to experience this manifestation. In the last couple of chapters (1 Corinthians 12-13), we have seen Paul talking about different manifestations of the Spirit; different gifts, if you will.

In chapter 12 he talks about how we all have gifts and they are all different. He tells us that we must each use our gifts so that the church will operate as the body of Christ, and if one member is not using their gift the whole body suffers. Then in chapter 13 Paul speaks of Love. He tells us how Love is the most important thing. Without Love all the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit are useless. All things must be done in Love.

Now, as we read in this chapter Paul compares two specific gifts. He talks about tongues and prophecy. Speaking in tongues is good because it edifies and builds up your spirit within you. When you speak in tongues you are speaking to God and only god can understand you.  Prophecy, on the other hand, is for edifying and building up others. When you prophecy you are receiving a word directly from God to speak to someone.

When you are in a group it is better that you prophecy, because tongues is not beneficial to those around you, unless there is someone to interpret. In this verse we see that we are to “excel in gifts that build up the church.” It should be our desire when we are with others to help them in whatever way we can.

When the Spirit manifests itself on you it is not only for your benefit, but for the benefit of others as well.  Do all that you can to share all that God has given you. Eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, but try to excel in the ones you can use to strengthen one another.

Luke 4:18-19

Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus was reading in the temple and they handed Him the scroll of Isaiah, the prophet. He turns to this passage and begins reading, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…..” All eyes are on Him as He finishes the passage because they are anxious to hear His interpretation.  Everyone has been amazed at His teaching because it is always full of wisdom and insight, and they expect no different here as they wait in eager anticipation. You could hear a pin drop as Jesus starts to speak by saying, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus told the people that at that very moment He was in the process of fulfilling prophecy.  He was starting a movement, in a sense, because He was the first. Then it was His disciples and continues on all the way to and through us. Because of Christ and all He did we now also have the Spirit of the Lord on us.

All these things that Isaiah prophesied: preaching the Good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the God’s favor; these things are now our responsibility. It is now our mission, our goal, to speak out all that Jesus has spoken to us. We are His mouthpiece to the nations. Make it a point today to live God through your actions and words.