"Earnestly Desire the Higher Gifts" -- 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

The Twenty-Fourth in a Series of Sermons on 1 Corinthians

It is very difficult to have a sane and thoughtful discussion about a hot-button theological topic when a doctrine has loyal and emotional adherents, a controversial history and has caused division, and lends itself to sensationalism.  When this is the case, there is a natural tendency to seek to distance ourselves from those who abuse or distort that doctrine, instead of dealing with what Scripture actually says about that doctrine.  If you’ve ever witnessed what takes place nightly on the set of TBN or have witnessed a revival meeting, you might just conclude that you want nothing to do with the gifts of the Spirit.  Yet, Paul exhorts the Corinthians (and us) to “earnestly desire the higher gifts.”  What does Paul mean by this exhortation?  What is the role and function of these higher gifts?  How are they connected to the offices in the church–like minister, elder, and deacon?

We are in a series on 1 Corinthians and we now wrap up our study of chapter 12.  As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, it is really too bad that we cannot tackle this entire section of Corinthians (chapters 12-14) in one sitting because all of Paul’s points are interconnected–but then that would take us several hours.  Given the length and complexity of Paul’s three-chapter answer to a question the Corinthians had submitted to him, we have to unpack each of Paul’s points in chapter 12 not only to understand why he will devote so much ink to a discussion of speaking in tongues in chapter 14, but also because the points Paul makes in chapter 12 are so important to the life and health of Christ’s church.  If there is one letter in the New Testament which speaks to the circumstances of those of us now living in Southern California, it is Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Sadly, this section of Corinthians has been the source of great controversy–especially with the rise of Pentecostalism early in the twentieth century.  Pentecostals look to this section of 1 Corinthians for support for many of their doctrines and practices.  As I have been pointing out in the past few sermons, the key to avoiding some of the problems associated with Pentecostalism is to understand what these spiritual gifts actually entailed, as well as determining what role they played in the apostolic churches.  One purpose of these gifts was to confirm the preaching of the gospel (this was especially the case with miracles and healing).  Another purpose of these gifts was to equip each member for service in Christ’s church for the common good.  A third purpose was to enable a diverse group of believers to love one another because Christ has loved us first.

As Paul lays the groundwork in chapters 12 and 13 to answer the Corinthian’s question about the role and purpose of tongue speaking in chapter 14, Paul reminds the Corinthians that in order to properly exercise the gift of tongues, the Corinthians first need to understand the role that spiritual gifts (the charismata) were to play in Christ’s church.  But we cannot understand the role of spiritual gifts without placing them in the broader category of spiritual things (the pneumotikon).  In making a distinction between spiritual things and the gifts of the Spirit, Paul is able to contrast the pagan conception of “spirituality” with the way Christians should view the person and work of the Holy Spirit. 

To read the rest of this sermon, Click Here

Trick Plays Don't Often Work, But Once in a While . . .

This Week at Christ Reformed Church (June 17-23)

Sunday Morning (06/23/13):  We are working our way through John 10, and this coming Lord's Day, we will consider Jesus' assertion that he is one with the Father.  Our text this Sunday is John 10:22-41.

Sunday Afternoon:  This Lord's Day we continue our study of the Canons of Dort (the First Head of Doctrine) and we are discussing the Canons' teaching on the assurance of our election (Articles 13-14).  Our afternoon service begins @ 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study will resume in September 2013

The Academy will resume in the Fall of 2013

For more information and directions, check out the Christ Reformed website:  Christ Reformed Church

"I Am the Good Shepherd" -- John 10:1-21

Here's the audio from this morning's sermon.  Click Here

This Week's White Horse Inn

Foolishness to Greeks

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.w4MXqDMc.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn!

Click Here

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.1qu0TT1B.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.Qdavmv9a.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.1qu0TT1B.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

 

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattl e, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

In this special address recorded before a live audience in Seattle, we discuss Paul’s famous speech at Mars Hill in the city of Athens recorded in Acts 17. How did Paul make his case for Christ before this largely Gentile audience? What lessons can we learn about preaching and evangelism in our own day? That’s what’s on tap for this edition of White Horse Inn! - See more at: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2013/06/16/whi-1158-foolishness-to-greeks/#sthash.NYa32ffC.dpuf

You Can't Teach an Old Blog New Tricks, or Can You?

The Riddleblog is looking tired . . .  Time for a face lift. 

Over the course of the next week or so, you'll see a number of changes.  I'm moving stuff around, adding features, and deleting others.

So, please be patient if the blog is down, or if elements of the blog go away, or otherwise migrate to new places.  I'm going with a new template and color scheme (I'm getting it ready), and it will take me a while to get every thing just the way I want it!

Feedback (only if it is good, of course) is always welcome.

"One Body, Many Members" -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

The Twenty-Third in a Series of Sermons on 1 Corinthians

Almost all peoples and cultures have some sort of utopian dream–a world of universal peace and harmony.  John Lennon’s Imagine anyone?  The problem is that ours is a fallen race.  Because we are a fallen race we are divided along racial, socio-economic, political and theological lines.  Much like the ancient Corinthians, we struggle to find true unity in a world of diversity.  Because of human sin, the only way unity can be obtained is through force (“agree or else”), through coercion or deception (like that of a false religion or a political ideology), or through “kumbaya” unity (a superficial “herd” mentality).  The bad news is there will be no earthly utopia this side of Christ’s second advent.  The good news is that God does provide us with a true unity based upon our common faith in Jesus Christ realized in the church through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  And while this unity is imperfectly realized in this life, nevertheless, in Christ’s church, God takes a whole host of diverse and different people and forms them into one body, the church of Jesus Christ in which his Holy Spirit dwells.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is addressing a question the Corinthians had asked him in a letter.  Based on Paul’s answer–which runs all the way from 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40–the original question certainly had something to do with the role and practice of speaking in tongues (a subject addressed in chapter 14).  In chapter 12, Paul begins to answer this question by laying the groundwork for how we should understand the gifts of the Spirit in general (the charismata).  The Apostle begins by making the case that unless we confess that Jesus is Lord–that is, we confess that Jesus is Lord of all things, that he is the very Son of God, that he died for our sins and that he was raised from the dead for our justification–we cannot understand “spiritual things” (the pneumotikon).

But, says Paul, we cannot confess that Jesus is Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit.  And it is the Holy Spirit whose gifts are given to those who are members of Christ’s church, which is his body.  In the previous section of this chapter (verses 4-11), Paul has made the point that God gives these gifts of the Spirit–which are supernatural endowments of the Spirit–as he wills for the common good of the church.  Although the Corinthians were struggling with the mistaken assumption that the greater the gift the more important the person who possessed that gift, Paul emphasizes that these gifts were not given so that people could boast about their spiritual prowess, or so that they could call attention to themselves, or even use these gifts as a pretense for dividing the church into factions.  No, these gifts were given for the common good, the building-up of the body of Christ.

To read the rest of this sermon, Click Here

Run Ben, Run!

Ben Sasse is well-known to the folks at Christ Reformed and White Horse Media.  He's considering a run for the open US Senate Seat in Nebraska.  Here's a recent article about Dr. Sasse in the Weekly Standard.  Ben Sasse

Ben, please run from Nebraska to California and seek office here!

He's a remarkable individual, and you should keep him on your radar.

This Week at Christ Reformed Church (June 10-16)

Sunday Morning (06/16/13):  As we continue our series on the Gospel of John, we now come to John 10 and we will consider Jesus as the true and good shepherd of God's sheep.  Our text this Sunday is John 10:1-21.

Sunday Afternoon:  This Lord's Day we continue our study of the Canons of Dort, specifically the First Head of Doctrine and the Canons' teaching on the ground of election -- God's good purpose (Articles 10-12).  Our afternoon service begins @ 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m. (06/12/13):  We are continuing our series "Studies in the Book of Revelation."  This week, we will finish up our study of the letter to the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).

The Academy will resume in the Fall of 2013

For more information and directions, check out the Christ Reformed website:  Christ Reformed Church

Do You Believe in the Son of Man? -- John 9:24-41

Here's the audio from this morning's sermon:  Click Here