Paul tells us that spiritual gifts are given to the church ‘for the common good’ (1 Cor 12:7) and expands on that in 1 Cor 14:3 by saying that they should build up, encourage and comfort the church. Building up (strengthening, edification) is a common theme in Scripture (see 1 Cor 14:5, 12, 26; Eph 4:11-13, 29; Rom 15:21).

All of us should look for ways we can build people up, rather than tearing them down (see 2 Cor 10:8), with Eph 4:29 reminding us that one of the key ways we can do this is through what we say. Prov 16:24 reminds us ‘gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones’; Prov 12:18 says ‘the words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.’ Words are incredibly important in building people up, and we need to be extremely careful about how we use speech, as James makes clear (James 3:9-12) – something I long for people who use social media to consider more!

The call to encourage others is described as a spiritual gift in Rom 12:8; the word ‘encourage’ is derived from the same Greek word as the name ‘Paraclete’ for the Holy Spirit (translated ‘Comforter’ or ‘Advocate’ in many translations.) Encouragement literally gives courage to people; it strengthens and helps in ways we cannot always see. As prophets, Judas and Silas endeavoured to strengthen and encourage local congregations (Acts 15:32) and Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians with the command, ‘strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.’ (2 Cor 13:11) It is much easier to knock people down than to encourage them, but God wants us all to be like Barnabas, whose name means ‘son of encouragement.’

Comfort and consolation are also key parts in strengthening people. We live in a society which often seems to trample over others with little thought, but Christians are urged to comfort others with the comfort they themselves have received from God (2 Cor 1:3-5). It can be incredibly helpful to know that others have gone through the same trials we experience and have come out the other side, stronger and enriched by God! Let’s not underestimate the power of building up, encouraging and comforting each other through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tonight’s Bible study looked at 1 Cor 14:1-25, the first part of Paul’s specific instructions to the Corinthian church regarding the spiritual gifts of tongues, interpretation and prophecy. Having urged the Corinthians to use the different gifts given by God in love (1 Cor 12-13) and to eagerly desire these gifts (1 Cor 14:1), Paul gives practical advice on how these gifts should be used in public meetings.

The importance of the right use of these gifts cannot be over-emphasised. Paul definitely does not forbid speaking in tongues (see 1 Cor 14:4-5, 18) and sees the personal use of this gift as a way of building up the believer (1 Cor 14:4, 17), but he is more concerned that spiritual gifts in public gatherings are used in such a way as to strengthen, encourage and build up the whole congregation. (1 Cor 14:3) Speaking in tongues without interpretation leads to confusion, and it is clear that Paul wants the edification of the church to be through intelligible words, hence his instructions that tongues should be used with interpretation so that meaning is clear (1 Cor 14:9-17) and his comments that prophecy is ‘greater’ than tongues (1 Cor 14:5).

Spiritual gifts can have an impact on both believers and unbelievers. The revelation of God through these gifts can convict both believers and unbelievers of sin and make them acutely aware of God’s presence, since the knowledge revealed through these gifts could only be known to God. (1 Cor 14:24-25) Wayne Grudem comments ‘Prophecy functions in evangelism to reveal the secrets of an unbeliever’s heart and thereby to amaze him with the power of God at work and to convict him of his sins. In doing this, prophecy also serves as a certain indication (sign) that God is present and at work in the congregation to bless it and cause it to grow.’ (‘The Gift of Prophecy in the NT & Today’, P 154) In the rest of the chapter, Paul goes on to give further instructions about how the gift of prophecy can be weighed and used in church gatherings, but it is clear that he sees these gifts as a vital way of building up the church, as should we.

July looks like being quite busy and we are very much looking forward to the Community Open Day on Saturday 9th July to celebrate 6 years since our move to Market Street. Please pray for this event which will see us opening from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., serving refreshments and doing craft activities (glass painting, making key rings, building Jenga towers and houses and all kinds of other craft fun) as well as giving children the opportunity to have their faces painted! There will be a pilgrim trail to find out more about the church, and photos and displays on show in the church building so you can discover what has been happening in the past six years since we moved to Market Street.

In the evening at 6 p.m., we will be holding a family film night, so if you’d like to watch a film and enjoy some supper with us, please do come along to that.

Prayer undergirds everything we do as a church, so we want people to pray for all the church outreach to the community (through the different activities run here) and especially that the community will come along to the Open Day and have a great time. If you want to help to advertise this event, some of us will be giving out invitations on Saturday (2nd July) after the coffee morning. Come along for 12 noon if you want to help with this!

Other prayer requests for July will focus on future church projects and plans, asking God to lead and guide us as we continue to trust Him. The Christian life is often likened to a journey: we can’t afford to stand still, but need to keep pressing on in God!

Some things are instinctive, innate, patterns of behaviour that are not learned. Sea turtles, newly hatched on a beach, will automatically move toward the ocean. A kangaroo climbs into its mother’s pouch upon being born. Honeybees communicate by dancing in the direction of a food source without formal instruction. Other examples include animal fighting, animal courtship behaviour, internal escape functions, and the building of nests. A baby doesn’t have to be taught to breathe or cry; these things happen instinctively as it emerges from the womb.

Much of the rest of our behaviour has to be learned, however: a child has to learn how to walk and talk, how to feed itself, how to behave in ways that will enable it to fit well into society.

Psalm 89 teaches us to focus our attention on God and teaches us who God is. He is unique among the heavenly beings: ‘more awesome than all who surround Him.’ (Ps 89:6-7) He is mighty, ruling over the surging sea (Ps 89:8-9). His power is manifest over all His enemies (Ps 89:10) and through creation (Ps 89:5). HIs arm is endowed with power and His right hand is exalted. (Ps 89:13) Yet power alone can be terrifying (and both corrupting and corruptible), but God is also faithful (Ps 89:8) and the foundations of His throne (or His rule) are righteousness and justice (Ps 89:14) God always does what is right, and love and faithfulness are intrinsic attributes of His nature. (Ps 89:14)

Because of this, we can sing of God’s great love for ever (Ps 89:1). This is a learned response: ‘blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your promise, Lord.’ (Ps 89:15)

We don’t automatically know what God is like. He reveals Himself to us through His word, through creation, through the many wonders He does, and as we learn of His nature and power, we learn to acclaim Him. We learn, the Message version says, ‘the passwords of praise.’ Praising God is all to do with acknowledging who He is and what He has done. Today, read Psalm 89 and find out more about who God is. It sets your heart singing and gives due focus to the day ahead.

We had another June birthday to celebrate tonight.