Series: 1 Corinthians
Title: The God of Peace and Edification
Text: 1 Cor 14: 26-33
Date: October 6, 2016
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
Our subject is “The God of Peace and Edification.” God’s church is to conduct our worship services the same way God does everything: in peace, and for the edification of his people.
CONFUSION NOT EDIFYING
Contrary to God’s way, the services at Corinth were full of confusion and edified no one—1 Cor 14: 26: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Every person was showing off their gifts as all spoke at the same time.
In our day, people call things like that a great sign of God’s presence. A great many preachers speak in lofty language the congregation does not understand. The new so-called “contemporary Christian music” is so bad and so loud you can hardly understand the words. But if you do then, usually, you see it is for the better that you don’t. I knew a friend who wrote country music and Christian music. He told me the best song is one that is so vague it appeals to both markets: sounding like it was written about Christ or about a woman. If you hear those new songs just imagine the guy singing to a girl—you’ll hear what he meant.
The Pentecostals and others like them claim to have the same gifts as the Corinthian’s and they put on a big show just like the Corinthians were doing.
Brethren, in all these things, they call it a great sign of a sanctified, holy service anointed by the Holy Spirit. God says he is nowhere to be found in any of it! They are hoodwinking the people by stirring up their emotions and by their vain show. They preach not the gospel at all!
On the contrary, God says, “Let all things be done unto edifying.” That is the rule for believers. When I preach I want everyone to understand what I am saying even if it is only with their intellect rather than a new heart.
When speaking on God’s electing grace do not mince words. Declare plainly that God sovereignly chose whom he would in Christ and blessed us with all spiritual blessings before the foundation of the world.
When speaking of Christ’s limited atonement declare it plainly. Declare that those elect are the only ones for whom Christ died—no more, no less. Declare he accomplished their redemption and purged their sin before he sat down in glory.
When speaking of the Holy Spirit’s irresistible grace leave nothing in the sinner’s hands. Declare that the Holy Spirit must give life, faith, repentance, seal us and preserve us all our days. Declare that he does it without us being able to resist.
Does everyone understand what I just said? Yes, even those who do not believe. God says edify my people with my gospel by “telling them their warfare is accomplished!” That is the message God blesses by which he gives a heart to rest in our triune God through faith in Christ.
SERVICES GOD WILL BLESS
He shows us how services are to be conducted which God will bless to the edification of his people.
Concerning tongues (this is a gift we do not have but the principle applies in our day)—1 Corinthians 14: 27: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28: But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
If tongues was this non-existent language that some claim, (which it is not), the clear teaching of scripture is not to speak it unless someone is there to interpret. But that is not what they do; instead they rebel against this clear word of God.
Understand, God has not sent preachers nor saved people who rebel against his word. God does not bless those who rebel against his word. Therefore, no one in the service will receive any spiritual benefit from such a vain show.
For those at Corinth who had the real gift, God says, if there be no interpreter then they are to remain silent. It means then and now, God will have no gibberish—no unknown language—spoken in his church. Only clear intelligible scriptural doctrine will God bless to the edification of his people.
Concerning prophets (we have no profits today but the principle applies)—1 Cor 14: 29: Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [Let the other use spiritual discernment as he hears judging by the word of God whether or not the word be true.] 30: If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31: For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
God used the new testament prophets to write the new testament scriptures. God through the Holy Spirit revealed to them what they were to write and preach. That is how we got, both, the old and new testament scriptures.
2 Peter 1:21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
But when the prophets stood up to preach what God had revealed, they were to take turns speaking and that by only a few. During one service, God says one or two and at most, three are to speak. Brethren, God knows us, God knows we are but dust, God knows we have a limited ability to take in his word.
Again, notice the reason “that all may learn and all may be comforted.” Again, that is the rule we are to operate by in everything we say and do, in the service, even in our daily lives.
Brethren, if what I say or do toward my brethren does not edify but tears them down, if it hurts rather than comforts, then I should not say or do it. Being truthful does not mean we are to be hurtful.
Colossians 4:6: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
If something needs to be corrected for a believer’s benefit find a way that is helpful not hurtful, kind not degrading. Remember, not everything is so important that it has to be corrected. God will grow his people in grace. Trust God.
He gives another important word to the prophets—this applies to preachers in our day—1 Cor 14: 32: And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
The revelation given to new testament prophets were subject to old testament prophets—subject to what God has already revealed by old testament prophets in the old testament scriptures. The new testament prophets were to speak the same word in agreement with the message of the old testament prophets.
The new testament may be more clear but it is the same gospel of Christ and him crucified as the old testament. From the garden, God declared the “seed of woman—Christ Jesus—would bruise the serpents head and his seed.” That includes election—Christ’s seed. It includes particular redemption—Christ redeemed his seed. It includes Christ and him crucified—Christ is the only one who could do such a work. Then God showed irresistible grace whereby the righteousness of Christ is given through faith by clothing both Adam and Eve with the skin of a substitute who died in their place. The old testament is the gospel concealed, the new testament is the gospel revealed.
There have been folks come along since the word was completed who claim to have a new revelation. Not so! God is very clear on how we are to discern if a man is telling the truth or not.
Isaiah 8: 20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 30: 9: this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
Brethren, we are to preach Christ whether in the old testament or the new. He is all the Counsel of God. We are to preach the whole word because…
Psalm 19: 7: The law [the word] of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8: The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
THE REASON
He gives the reason why all this is true—1 Cor 14: 33: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
God does not work confusion, but peace, in every church which God has truly sanctified.
Psalm 29:11: The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace
Psalm 37:11: the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
It is because God our Father is the God of Peace
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
It is great peace to know that our heavenly Father thinks on each of his chosen people individually. It is great peace knowing that his thoughts are thoughts of peace, not of evil. It is great peace knowing he is sovereign to give us that expected end.
Christ is the Prince of Peace. When the Lord Jesus gave himself to God as the substitute of his people, in addition to making atonement for sin, his sacrifice was a peace offering that settled peace between God and his people. Then he comes to us through the gospel and settles peace between us and God. I did not make my peace with God—Christ made my peace with God.
Isaiah 53:5: he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Ephesians 2:14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Romans 5: 1: Therefore being justified, by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
There is no greater peace than when Christ gives us that blessed peace with God. To know Christ has made us righteous and holy so that God is at peace with us and we are at peace with God—that is great peace.
Isaiah 32:17: the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
But God says the problem with the naturally, self-made religious man is
Isaiah 59:8: The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
The Holy Spirit—through the clear, understandable, true preaching of Christ crucified—give each redeemed child peace in believing” on Christ.” “He guides our feet into the way of peace”. He unities us with God’s people in “the bond of peace.” He does it through “the gospel of peace.”
Romans 10: 15: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The result is that our triune God in Christ makes with us the covenant of peace—the everlasting covenant which says all is accomplished for us by Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith. God promised,
Ezekiel 37:26: Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
This is the result of God’s grace, the testimony of every believer which we try to speak clearly and understandably in every service is this:
Ps 55: 18: He [not us but He] hath delivered [past tense, it is finished] my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. [many against me.]
Brethren, that is the knowledge and understanding with which God’s preachers feed his people; not this confusion and distraction of modern day religion. It is the message that gives God all the glory in Christ and gives his people none is the message that God sends and God blesses to the edification of his people. Remember this! It is the only message God sends and blesses.
Amen!