Living Stones Built Up

This morning I turned back to some verses I was reflecting on yesterday, found in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.  I came across a verse somewhere else, and I was looking it up and I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to spend a bit more time on these verses - 1 Corinthians 14:1-4,26-33 NIV:

[1] “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” 

[26] “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. [27] If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. [28] If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.” 

[29] “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. [30] And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. [31] For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. [33] For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”

I underlined the sections that stood out to me, and they all have to do with encouraging and  building up or edifying the church.  In fact, one could argue that this is the real purpose of the prophetic in the New Testament Church.  

Looking at the underlined verses above I can build a list of what the prophetic ministry should look like, or what fruit it should produce:

1) Strengthen fellow believers

2) Encouraging fellow believers

3) Comfort fellow believers

4) Edify or build up the church

5) Instruct and encourage everyone

The belief that God chooses to speak through people is well founded in the early church, for they had the writings of prophets, and knew that God helped guide and direct His people through them.  While the Old Testament Prophets were issuing words from the Lord, they were often words of warning, correction, judgment, and direction for nations and peoples.  It seems to me that the New Testament expression shifts to more of a personal focus. There is an edification of the church, but the church is the collection of people rightly related to the Father, through His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Peter speaks of us being built up in the following passages - 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV:

[4] “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

I like this imagery, of being living stones.  In our life, stones are not living, they are not growing, they don’t get bigger or stronger.  However, if we put these two sections of Scripture together that is what we get.  Prophecy is supposed to strengthen and build up the individual believers as well as the church.  I also like the image of being stones versus bricks, for each stone is unique, size, dimensions, shape, color, etc. and so are we the members of the Body of Christ.

Additionally, I love the fact that the Lord desires for us to be encouraged, strengthened, comforted and instructed.  That is true for all of us, whatever level of maturity, position or length of relationship, we all need and benefit from these! As living stones, we each can grow, change and have greater impact. 

This morning I am just generally encouraged, knowing that the Lord does speak, and His intentions in doing so are for our betterment, and edification.  I am encouraged that the Lord desires for me to grow and be joined to others in the Church, in ways that builds it up.

Sounds good to me!