The Father Speaks to Us
and Through Us
“Pursue love and
earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1
For many Christians,
conversations about spiritual gifts can feel intimidating. Questions about
prophecy, speaking in tongues, and the work of the Holy Spirit have sparked
debate for generations. Yet when the Apostle Paul addressed the church in Corinth,
he did not present these gifts as optional curiosities. He encouraged believers
to “earnestly desire” them while remaining firmly rooted in love.
This raises an important
question: Why would God give these gifts to His church?
A Gift from a Loving Father
One of the most powerful
themes running through Scripture is that God is not distant from His people. He
is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children.
When Peter explained the
events of Pentecost in Acts 2, he pointed back to the prophecy of Joel,
declaring that God would pour out His Spirit on His sons and daughters. This is
not the language of a master manipulating servants. It is the language of a Father
speaking to His family.
God wants to speak to
His people and work through His people.
For some, that can be
difficult to believe. Many have experienced absent fathers or distant
relationships. Yet the heart of the gospel reveals a Father who draws near,
embraces His children, and desires to share His life with them.
Pentecost: Celebrating
God's Provision
The Day of Pentecost was
originally a celebration of God's provision. People from many nations gathered
together to thank God for His faithfulness. Then something extraordinary
happened.
The Holy Spirit was
poured out. The sound of a rushing wind filled the house. Tongues of fire
appeared. Ordinary followers of Jesus began speaking in languages they had
never learned.
And then Peter, a
fisherman whom few would have considered extraordinary, stood up and proclaimed
the good news of Jesus Christ.
The pattern is
significant. The Spirit came, and then God's people were empowered to speak.
One of the Holy Spirit's
greatest works is that He always points people back to Jesus and His cross.
Why Spiritual Gifts
Matter
The church in Corinth
was far from perfect. In fact, it was messy. Yet Paul did not respond by
telling believers to avoid spiritual gifts altogether.
Instead, he encouraged
them to pursue them rightly.
The goal was never
spiritual excitement for its own sake. The goal was building up the church.
Paul teaches that prophecy strengthens, encourages, and comforts believers.
Spiritual gifts are meant to serve others and glorify Christ.
Even when things become
complicated, God's answer is not to abandon His gifts but to steward them with
wisdom and love.
Keep Being Filled
Paul's instruction in
Ephesians 5:18 is often translated, “Be filled with the Spirit.” A better sense
of the language is, “Keep on being filled.”
Why?
As Charles Spurgeon
famously said, “Because we leak.”
Life drains us.
Challenges wear us down. Disappointments and distractions can leave us
spiritually empty.
Just as a vehicle needs
fuel to reach its destination, believers need the continual filling of the Holy
Spirit to live the Christian life. We cannot produce Christlike character in
our own strength.
Love is patient. Love is
kind. Love is not arrogant, rude, resentful, or self-seeking. Those qualities
are not simply human achievements; they are evidence of God's Spirit at work
within us.
The Gift of Tongues: A
Sign and a Strength
Because 1 Corinthians 14
speaks so directly about speaking in tongues, it is important to understand
what Paul is—and is not—saying.
First, speaking in
tongues is not a requirement for salvation. Scripture never teaches that a
person must speak in tongues in order to belong to Christ. Salvation is found
in Jesus alone. At the same time, Paul presents tongues as a genuine gift of
the Holy Spirit and encourages believers to earnestly desire the gifts God
gives His church.
In the New Testament,
tongues serve two important purposes. In Acts 2, they function as evidence of God's
presence and activity. People from many nations heard the disciples speaking in
languages they could understand, and they recognized that something
supernatural was taking place. What followed was Peter's proclamation of the
gospel and the salvation of thousands.
Paul also describes a
devotional dimension to tongues. He teaches that speaking in tongues can
strengthen and build up the believer as a form of prayer and communion with
God. While it remains mysterious in some ways, it is presented as a gift that
can deepen a believer's relationship with the Lord.
The larger point was
simple: God is a good Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children.
Rather than fearing or dismissing the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are
invited to remain open to His presence, His filling, and the gifts He desires
to give.
What Is Prophecy?
Many people assume
prophecy is primarily about predicting the future. While Scripture certainly
contains predictive prophecy, the primary role of the prophet was often much
simpler.
Prophets called God's
people back to faithfulness.
They encouraged,
corrected, strengthened, and comforted. They reminded people of God's truth
when they were drifting away from it.
Sometimes a prophetic word
can be surprisingly ordinary.
One memorable example
shared in the message came from a simple conversation at a kitchen table. The
words were straightforward:
"You're not as
patient as you used to be."
Those words brought
conviction, reflection, and ultimately growth. They were spoken with grace and
love, yet they carried spiritual weight.
That is often how God
works. He uses ordinary people, ordinary conversations, and ordinary moments to
speak extraordinary truth into our lives.
A Prophetic Church Is a Loving
Church
The prophetic is never
meant to be harsh, self-promoting, or manipulative.
Throughout Scripture,
prophetic ministry served as a plumb line, helping God's people align their
lives with His truth. Like a builder uses a line to ensure a wall is straight,
God's Word keeps His people aligned with His purposes.
The church is called to stand
firmly on biblical truth while demonstrating Christlike love:
- God created humanity male and female.
- Marriage is a covenant between a husband and wife.
- Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.
- God's people are called to reflect His character in the
world.
The prophetic ministry
of the church begins within the household of God, helping believers grow in
faithfulness, maturity, and obedience.
Practical Wisdom for
Walking in the Prophetic
As believers seek to
grow in hearing and responding to God's voice, a few principles are helpful:
- Don't let past disappointments keep you from future
opportunities.
- Treasure and remember the words God has spoken to you.
- Most often, God speaks through trusted relationships.
- Prayer creates space for God to impress His heart upon
ours.
- Prophetic words should never be used to advance
personal agendas.
- Difficult truths should always be delivered with grace.
- Every prophetic word must be tested against Scripture.
An Invitation to Receive
At its heart, this
message is not about a particular gift. It is about a Father who loves His
children.
The Father still speaks.
He still encourages.
He still strengthens.
He still fills His
people with His Spirit.
Whether through
Scripture, prayer, the encouragement of another believer, or a Spirit-inspired
word, God delights in drawing near to His children and equipping them for the
life He has called them to live.
As followers of Jesus,
may we remain open to His voice, eager for His gifts, grounded in His Word, and
overflowing with His love.