ORDERLY WORSHIP
Prisencolinensinainciusol is a 1972 song by Italian singer Adriano Celentano. The name of the song – and the lyrics within it – are pure gibberish. There is absolutely no substance to the song – except for the fact that it sounds like American English sounds to those who don’t understand English! Celentano said, “I thought that I would write a song which would only have as its theme the inability to communicate. And to do this, I had to write a song where the lyrics didn’t mean anything.”
Celentano also took inspiration from the story of the tower of Babel.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul is addressing a question from the Corinthians about the special abilities that the Spirit gives. The Spirit gives all sorts of gifts to people in the church.
But it was the more “impressive” gifts that the Corinthians were interested in – the gifts that seemed most “spiritual”. In particular, it seems that there was an emphasis on the gift of speaking in unknown languages. That is a gift from God to the church, and one that God still gives.
But Paul encourages the church to seek after the most useful gifts – the gifts that will help the church body he most. He wishes that everyone could speak in tongues – but wishes even more that everyone have the gift of prophecy. Because, says Paul, prophecy is a greater gift than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what is being said so that the whole church is strengthened.
Are the gifts that God gives for our own edification alone, or given for the edification and encouragement of the whole community of God?
What, Paul also asks, will be helpful in seeing non-believers coming to realise that God is truly among us?
What about our life together here at Golden Bay Baptist? What gifts has God given to us? What gifts do we desire? Which gifts would be the most beneficial for the church community, and in reaching to our lost community?
Where should our focus be?
Today’s text: 1 CORINTHIANS 14
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