First Thessalonians 5 Part 8 Make Much Of The Word Of God When We Hear It Taught

Be ready hearers when the Word of God is preached to us. 

1 Thessalonians 5:20  Despise not prophesyings. 

What does Paul mean when he tells us "Despise not prophesyings?" This saying seems to connect with Paul's warning given to the church at Corinth.

Some Corinthians greatly abused the gifts of the Spirit of God. Many of them wanted gifts which were noticeable and prominent, such as speaking in tongues or other miracles. 

They were driven by self glory and hearing the praise of men for having marvelous manifestation of gifts. 

Paul addressed all of these issues with them in two long letters to that church.

God's purpose for the gift of speaking in tongues. 

Act 2:5-11  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 ) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7)  And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? 8)  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9)  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10)  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11)  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 

The divine pattern for speaking in tongues is given in Acts 2. Here is why God gave this particular gift. 

Tens of thousands of Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover and the day of atonement, and the feast of Pentecost. 

These Jews learned to speak the languages of the nations or provinces that they called home. The list contains 17 different languages spoken in the various locales. 

The apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ were filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, so that they could speak the gospel in other languages.

These men and women never had a formal education and never learned the language of the 17 locations listed by Luke. 

The text is clear. A great multitude of pilgrims in Jerusalem heard the gospel preached in their own native language. 

That is why the gift of tongues was given: to facilitate preaching the gospel.

Imagine if the disciples of Christ had to go to school in order to learn to speak another language fluently enough to preach the gospel of Christ. 

Gospel preaching would have been put off for a year or two until the disciples mastered those languages. 

Instead, the Spirit of God gave them the ability to speak in foreign languages clearly understood by the pilgrims from all those different places.

The Corinthians sought to speak in tongues so that they appeared more spiritual and more useful than those who did not speak in tongues.

Tongues caused confusion at Corinth but prophecy edified.

1 Corinthians 14:1-4  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2)  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3)  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4)  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 

Paul encouraged them to use the spiritual gifts administered by the Holy Spirit in the way that they were intended to do. 

He reminded the Corinthians that gospel preaching and prophesying were more valuable than speaking in tongues. 

Prophecy edifies those who hear it but claiming to speak to God in heavenly gibberish does not edify.

Also, we must remember that the sign gifts were given to authenticate that those who preached the gospel of Christ were indeed, speaking for God. 

Prophecy and tongues were needed at the birth of the church because the New Testament scriptures had not been written and prophecy was a direct word from God to guide the people. 

All sign gifts were temporary and passed away with the apostles.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

Paul made it clear that the sign gifts were temporary and relegated to the apostolic era. 

Prophecies and knowledge failed which means they were rendered idle, inactivated and inoperative. 

They ceased as the book of revelation completed the New Testament scriptures.  

That is what the phrase "when that which is perfect is come" implies. The word "perfect" means to be made complete and points to the completion of the New Testament writings. 

Thus, tongues, healings, miracles and other sign gifts ceased after the apostles had been martyred.

Prophesying refers to preaching the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:20  Despise not prophesyings. 

By "prophesyings" we are to understand it refers to preaching the Word, along with interpreting and applying of the scriptures. 

Rather than despising or dismissing the word that is preached and taught, we must prize and value the truth declared to us.  

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

This the ordinance of God given to all pastors, teachers, elders, and parents, to "preach the Word." God's Word must be preached and taught in all places at all times to all men.

God appointed preaching of His Word for our benefit to assist us to grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

We must never despise preaching even if the man preaching the Word is plain spoken and not an eloquent orator. 

We must not despise preaching of the Word even though we are hearing truth that we have heard before. 

God uses preaching to stir up the embers of our faith.

2 Timothy 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 

It is useful and necessary to have our minds stirred up, our affections and resolve reinvigorated toward those things that we knew to be our spiritual duty.

This is why Paul exhorted Timothy to "stir up" the spiritual gifts and insight he received from the apostle's instruction. 

The words "stir up" refers to taking a poker and turning over logs on a fire to keep the flames burning brightly. 

It also refers to using a bellows to blow air on the glowing embers that might otherwise be extinguished. 

Part of stirring up the embers of our faith so that our zeal and passion for God grows stronger, is by not despising preaching and teaching that we hear. 

It goes without saying that we must be discerning and seek out faithful pastors and teachers who help us understand what God is saying to us. 

A Christian will never reach a point where we have no need of continual instruction. 

Without consistent exposure to preaching and teaching of the Word, we cannot grow spiritually to be conformed to Christ. 

God always sends a message of salvation through His pastors to every faithful, attentive hearer. 

We never reach a point in our walk with the Lord where we are wise enough or holy enough. 

They who despise the means of grace and the preaching of God’s holy word, are generally vain, empty, self-conceited people. The regress to become exceedingly superficial both in knowledge and piety.

I pray that the Lord will stir up the embers of our faith so that our zeal for loving and serving God is hot.

I pray that the Spirit of God will give us eyes to understand and ears to receive God's truth when we hear it preached and taught. 

May God keep conforming us more and more into the image of Christ. 

May our hearts rejoice each time that we hear the Word preached.

Bob