Whether you are a lifelong member or a newcomer, when you come through the doors of Good Shepherd Church our prayer is that you are made to feel like family. As forgiven people, living in the grace of God, we want more and more people to experience the joy and freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ. We hope to see you this Sunday!
On this Pentecost Sunday, Paul concludes this long section by giving correction and instruction about how spiritual gifts should be used in the worship service of the church. Rather than seeking our own way and causing disorder, Paul makes it clear that sometimes the most loving, respectful, and Christlike thing we can do is to remain silent. God is a God of order, and our worship of him should reflect that.
This Sunday we take a pause from our series in 1 Corinthians as we focus on John 17:1-11, the beginning of Jesus’ High Priestly prayer. In the Church calendar, this Sunday is a preparation for Pentecost Sunday next week. Jesus has just said farewell to his disciples. The hour has come for his departure, the question we might ask is now what? How will the disciples get on without Jesus? Jesus points us to the glory of the cross and the glory of his name.
As Paul continues to speak into the area of spiritual gifts, he confronts the Corinthian church about their unhealthy elevation of the gift of tongues. They had taken a good thing and made it an ultimate thing, which is a bad thing. Instead, Paul calls the church to convict, build up, and encourage through prophesy - the loving and understandable proclamation of God's living and active Word.
