Back to the Basics

I was a Mathematics teacher and often at the start of a new class you would have to go back to the basics.  Without a good understanding of the basics you had nothing to build on.  The basics changed as the students advanced but there were some basic principles that they needed to review.

Once after a devastating loss the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers called a team meeting.  Vince Lombardi began the meeting by saying that it was time to get back to the basics.  He then held up a football and said, "Gentlemen, this is a football."

Once in a while it is important that we go back to the basics.  For the Christian the basics begin with the Gospel.  We need to ask the question, "What is the Gospel?"  Too often we get sidetracked talking about other issues, which are important, that we forget what is fundamental, what is basic.  This Sunday we are going back to the basics.  What is the Gospel and why is it important?

Zoom in; Zoom out

Some read the New Testament and they take a broad view of the Gospel.  They see the Gospel including social justice, healing the sick, release of captives, etc.  Others see the Gospel with a zoomed in view.  You may say the first is the Gospel of the kingdom and the second is the Gospel of the cross. 

Let me be clear; there is only one Gospel.  The only way is by the cross.  The Gospel of the kingdom flows out of the Gospel of the cross.  You cannot be in the kingdom by climbing over the fence, you must come in by the cross.  You cannot have the Gospel of the kingdom without the Gospel of the cross. 

Was she wrong?

I had a friend in a former church who reluctantly took on an adult Bible class because no man felt qualified to teach the class.  She always said that she was doing it until such a time as a man would come forward to teach the class.  Eventually that role came to me but before it did she placed herself under the leadership of the church and made sure she was under the authority of the elders.
Was she wrong?  Before I answer that let me quote a passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians.  "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Philippians 1:15 - 18
The motives were wrong, the people may have had incorrect doctrine but the Gospel was being preached so Paul rejoiced.  The church was birthed in Philippi because of a woman. 
Now it is easy for us to be right in our doctrine but still be wrong.  We can be wrong while doing right. 
So let me go back to my friend.  I do not believe that she was sinning in teaching men in this situation.  If there was sin then it was with the men who because of their lack of knowledge of the Scripture felt unqualified to teach the Word.  Men cannot point the finger at women who are filling the gap if it is men who have created the gap. 
On a personal note.  I am pleased to be part of a church that has had strong male leadership.  A church that has qualified men to lead as elders, as teachers and group leaders.  I am please to be part of a church that has strong women who are willing to take the supportive role and in doing so teach by example and testimony.  I have learned a great deal from the women who are members of the class and have contributed their insights.  They are not consumers but contributors for which I am thankful.
Finally, we must realise that the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and he can use a man, a woman, a rooster or a donkey to teach us His truth.  Let us not hinder the Holy Spirit, He is not a tame fire but a wild fire.

Prayer Time Uganda Syle

While we were in Uganda we had a time of prayer in one of our worship services.  It was not what I expected where two or three would lead in prayer while others listened, agreed in prayer.  But this time everyone prayed aloud at the same time. To me it was confusion but to them it was a proper way of praying.  As an outsider I may have thought them to be crazy.  Just watch the video clip.

Order in Worship

The Corinthian church was a young, dynamic church and being young and dynamic it had problems.  They loved to celebrate their freedom, especially their freedom in worship, but Paul had to remind them that though they had freedom it should never lead to chaos.  Things still had to be done decently and in order.
Unlike today where people come to church as consumers the people were coming to contribute but their desire to contribute also contributed to the chaos.  We could do well to learn from the Corinthian church.  The people came to contribute we come to be ministered to.  The danger of those who come having something to contribute is that they can dominate or control.  Paul warns against that.  The question for us today is how can we contribute without controlling?  How can we come to be ministered to as well as minister to others?

A Timely Lesson

This past Sunday we were studying 1 Corinthians 14 together and the discussion was on tongues and prophecy.  Two ladies had been at a women's conference the day before and at the end of the sessions a number of ladies began to speak in tongues.  Over half of the people left as those speaking in tongues seemed to take over the session completely.
A few observations:
First, Paul says that people speaking in tongues in a public gathering should only do it if there is someone to interpret.  Now I don't know how you would know if there is an interpreter present except by testing.  After speaking in tongues if no one interprets then everyone should stop.  That is Scriptural.
Second, there should only be two or three.  At this gathering apparently there were many.  Once again that is a violation of Scripture. 
Third, things are to be done decently and in order as God is a God of peace not confusion.  When people are leaving because they are uncomfortable that is not peaceful. 
Now I need to add that speaking in tongues in appropriate in the right setting.  It is obvious from Paul's letter to the Corinthians that those that have the gift also have the ability to speak or not to speak.  Some claim that they are compelled to speak but again that is not what Scripture says.
So the question remains, are we led by our emotions or do we follow Scripture?  Speaking in tongues is not against Scripture but taking over a meeting and making others uncomfortable is.  Do we want signs or wonders or do we want to honour Scripture?  Scripture must come first.  The Spirit never goes against the written word.
One final thought.  What is said about tongues is also true about prophecy. 

Tongues and Prophecy

Why did Paul single out these two gifts of the Spirit?  I am sure that these gifts were being misused in the church.  Paul first says that the gift of prophecy is superior to that of tongues because it builds up the church.  He then does the surprising thing of saying that the one who speaks in an unknown language should pray that he/she will have the gift of interpretation.  We would have thought that he would say that the one who speaks in an unknown tongue should pray for the gift of prophecy but he doesn't. 
Paul's concern was for order in worship.  He didn't forbid speaking in tongues but he put limitations on the gift.  First, no tongues without interpretation and then only two or three.  But notice that he also puts limitations on prophecy as well.  The church gatherings were not to be a free-for-all but a time to edify the body.
Paul says that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever and prophecy is a sign to the believer.  Again we would expect him to say that if an unbeliever came into our midst he would hear the speaking in an unknown language and be convicted but rather he says that the unbeliever would say that these people were out of their minds.  He goes on to explain that the gift of prophecy is what would bring conviction to the unbeliever and they would respond by saying that surely God is in this place.
So why are tongues a sign to the unbeliever?  Tongues to an unbeliever are a sign of condemnation and that they need to hear the Word of the Lord.  What about prophecy and the believer?  As the Word of God goes forth and convicts people of sins, both believers and unbelievers, they see that the Spirit of God is working in their midst.