1 Cor. 12:1-3. Paul’s argument grows in momentum… 8:1 “Love edifies” – his primary...

SPIRITUAL THINGS1 Cor. 12:1-3

12:1 “CONCERNING SPIRITUAL THINGS…” Paul’s argument grows in momentum…

8:1 “Love edifies” – his primary consideration.

Ch.9 – Means sacrificial, purposeful love. Ch.10 – Means moral love. Ch.11 – Should be evident in your fellowship.

MY CHARACTER

FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER

12:1 “CONCERNING SPIRITUAL THINGS…” Paul’s argument grows in momentum…

8:1 “Love edifies” – his primary consideration.

Ch.9 – Means sacrificial, purposeful love. Ch.10 – Means moral love. Ch.11 – Should be evident in your meeting.

Ch. 12-14 “Concerning spiritual things…” Love is also exhibited on a spiritual level.

What’s the point?1. Love exists because we’re spiritual

beings.2. Any spirituality without God’s love is

fraud.

12:1-3 “CONCERNING SPIRITUAL THINGS…”

Now concerning spiritual [things], brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led.

Ain’t gonna be this way!


“Spiritual” is not Brainless! Experience was PRIMARY at

Corinth.


1 Cor. 14:23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1 Cor. 11:17 But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.


“Spiritual” is not Brainless Ecstasy! Experience was PRIMARY at

Corinth. Emotions are PRIMARY in

primitive, man-made religions. The Quest for the Sublime, EtherealAin’t gonna be this way!

Abraham Maslow: “…all mystical or peak experiences are the same in their essence and have always been the same, therefore all religions are the same in their essence, and they’ve always been the same…”

Abraham Maslow: “The experience of surrender, of reverence, awe, and the feeling of smallness…we find that these experiences – which organized religions have always tried to make possible – are also common enough in the peak experiences of non-religious people…”

Abraham Maslow: “…Whatever is different about these religions is therefore peripheral, expendable, and not essential.”

Who/What is God?

What is Human?

What is Eternity?

What is Good/Evil?




primitive, man-made religions. The Quest for the Sublime, Ethereal

Quite the opposite: it’s immaturity.


…No longer be immature like children… tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching…. influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14






Bleeds into the rest of life…


Love grounded

Spiritual

grounded






Bleeds into the rest of life…


Love grounded

Ecstasy

grounded


“Spiritual” is not Brainless Ecstasy!

“Spiritual” is Rooted in the TruthYou know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.

So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:2-3

1 Cor. 14:18-19 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.



“Spiritual” is Rooted in the Truth Experiences are Subordinate to

Content.12:3 no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;



“Spiritual” is Rooted in the Truth Experiences are Subordinate to

Content. God’s View: Test the Content…

Deut. 13:1-3 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true [but then says] “Let us go after other gods and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet…”

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.



“Spiritual” is Rooted in the Truth

“Spiritual” Leads to Healthy Experience

Romans 12:11 “…not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Zew

Rev. 3:16 “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”




“Spiritual” Leads to Healthy ExperienceLove g

rounded

Spiritual

grounded

Love grounded

Spiritual

grounded

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love!”

Revelation 2:4




“Spiritual” Leads to Healthy Experience Balance Each Other Out!





“Spiritual” Means Balance!1. Test experience against God’s

Word.

1 Thes. 5:21 …but examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man…1 Corinthians 10:13





“Spiritual” Means Balance!1. Test experience against God’s

Word.2. Cultivate spiritual experiences.

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

I HATE being

emotional…


So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

Seek Spiritual Life

1 Cor. 12:1-3. Paul’s argument grows in momentum… 8:1 “Love edifies” – his primary...

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