I Corinthians 14:1-12
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (v. 12) My Study Bible noted that this exhortation is the summary verse for all of chapter 14. Frankly, it’s a lesson for all Christians for all time! Every one of us should have some part in building up the body – by volunteering when needs arise, by serving on ministry teams, by simply calling one another just to stay in touch during these trying times.
Some of you may not know much about speaking in tongues, but it was a phenomenon that had a big impact in my early Christian walk. Years ago I was best man at a wedding back in my hometown. I was at the bride’s house one day when her younger brother, for whatever reason, said that I should read the book, They Speak with Other Tongues, by John Sherrill, the editor of Guideposts magazine. I was really taken by what I read – modern day miracles that began in the early 1900s in Kansas. Today speaking in tongues has grown into large Pentecostal denominations spanning the globe. We don’t see it much at St. Andrew’s, but I assure you it’s there, probably in multiple dozens of people who mostly keep it to themselves. (Maybe afraid to scare people if they let it out…!!) But, as Paul says, instead strive to excel in building up the church.
Slava Bohu!