Thomas was a bricklayer like his father before him.  He was a good man, easy to get on with and difficult to find offensive, and whose obvious shortcomings were more than compensated by his ability never to speak wrong of others.

He loved his wife and adored his children, and worked hard to give them a secure life together, the type of security he had known as a child.  Thomas had been worried recently, it was three months since he had known regular work, and the recession had been particularly cruel to the building trade.  He was therefore relieved to be offered a new job, even if it might only last a few months, putting up the final stages of the Government Correction Centre.  It was strange work, unlike anything he had known before, as he was used to putting up houses for people to live in, which had given him a lot of pleasure.  The special correction block, on which he worked, was unimaginative in design, rows of windowless, flat roofed rooms with white tiled interiors, not unlike shower rooms, except the only inlet pipes carried gas not water.  This disturbed Thomas a little, but he comforted himself with the thought that he was only doing his job, and it was not his responsibility to be concerned with such details.  Anyway his mates didn’t talk about it, although he had to admit there was an uneasy atmosphere on site.

It was some months later, after work was over, that he just happened to mention it to a stranger in a pub, no serious conversation, just passing time.

They came for him in the middle if the night, men without faces who had long ago given up the right to be called by name.  At first he felt it was a mistake, they’d come to the wrong house, the wrong man, it was only when he realized that is was no mistake, it was him they came for, that he trembled with fear and cried out his innocence; wasn’t he a good family man, a hard worker, easy to get on with, never passing judgment on other peoples affairs?

They took him away silently, with only time to collect a few personal belongings and say goodbye to his wife.  He pleaded with them as they drove off into the night, looking for some support and comfort, but he received no flicker of a response.  He too became silent, and began to hope for the best, perhaps he would be home again tomorrow, for after all, what had he done?  It was only when they reached the gates of the Government Correction Centre that his fear again began to surface, and panic gripped him.  They led him from the car, along the narrow pathway to the special correction block, which he had helped to build, even as they closed the door of the windowless room in which they put him, he cried out his innocence.

‘I’m not guilty, not guilty, not guilty,’

But soon all that could he heard was the gentle hissing of gas.

There once was a rock whose name was ‘Rocky’… now Rocky was a rolling stone, but unlike some stones that had rolled about a bit, Rocky had gathered a lot of moss and got into an awful mess.

One day, when he was rolling around with nothing particular to do he heard somebody reading from the ‘Master Builder’s’ Holy Book.  ‘Come unto me all you little rocks and I will make you into beautiful houses.’ That’s what Rocky wanted! So he went and asked if he could be introduced to the Master Builder.

Rocky was very embarrassed when he met the Master Builder and a little ashamed.  He wanted to tell him what a mess he had made of things, how many opportunities he had missed and how he longed to be a beautiful house, but the words just came out all jumbled up.  The Master Builder held him gently, then tenderly but firmly washed all the dirty moss off him.  Rocky had never felt so new and clean ever before, in the whole of his life, he was so excited he thought he would burst and right there and then he wanted to become a beautiful house.  The Master Builder gave Rocky a big smile, then told him to wait patiently and he would send his foremen to come and build him up into a beautiful house, right from the inside out!

So Rocky waited and waited and waited and when he got tired of waiting he reminded himself of the promise, that he would be a beautiful house.

One day, Rocky heard some singing, at first he wasn’t interested, but then he recognized the words…They came from the ‘Master Builder’s Holy Book,’ perhaps this is the foreman, thought Rocky.  So he coughed politely,

‘Excuse me,’ he said, ‘but weren’t you singing from the Master Builder’s Holy Book?’ ‘I’m waiting to be built into a beautiful house.  I wonder if you could help me?’

‘Just come with us, we will show you the way.’

So Rocky went with them and soon his life became very busy…….

It was all do this, do that, and even worse, it was don’t do this and don’t do that.  Rocky just wasn’t sure what all this had to do with becoming a beautiful house, he just trusted that if he did as he was told, he did what was the right thing, then one day the promise would come true.

At last…..the day came when Rocky was to get his windows, he would be able to see for himself just how things were getting on, what a shock Rocky got!

He couldn’t believe his windows!  For all the other houses he could see were standing side by side, in rows of grey.  They just weren’t beautiful; in fact they all looked exactly the same.  What was worse, he could see his own reflection in the windows of the houses opposite and guess what, he looked just like every other house.

Rocky was so upset; he went straight to the chief house and said,

‘There’s something wrong here, I wanted to be a beautiful house and just look at me and while I’m on the subject, look at you!’

The chief house didn’t let Rocky see how angry he was at him; it wasn’t really not the thing for a house in his position to do.  Instead, he gave Rocky a little smile, the type that leaves you feeling cold and said to him;

‘Rocky, the trouble with you is that you have nothing to do.  You need a job, something to make you feel important and take your mind off yourself.  He says here in the Master Builders’ Holy Book: Go into the world and make other little houses just like you!’

Rocky didn’t feel he could argue with the Master Builder’s Holy Book, so off he went to make other little houses just like him.  He did manage to make one house, but that house was just like him, not beautiful at all.  And that made Rocky feel more guilty that ever.  Rocky was hurt and angry, so he went back to the chief house.

‘You have let me down, I only wanted to be beautiful and I’m not beautiful at all.  I’m all dirty on the inside too and none of you seems to be able to help me, I just can’t take anymore!’

By this time several houses had gathered around to see what was going on.

‘Shhhh….shhhh,’ said one of the houses, ‘somebody might hear you Rocky, we have our reputation to think about, our standards to maintain.’

Rocky just couldn’t take anymore.  He cracked up.  His walls crumbled and fell in a heap and his heart lay broken in the rubble for everyone to see.  Overcome with embarrassment the other houses turned away from him.

‘There’s no place for you here Rocky,’ said the chief house. ‘You don’t belong on Holy Hill, you’re a failure, you’ll have to move to the City of Ruins.’

Some of the houses had tears in their windows as they watched Rocky set off for the City of Ruins.

Down in the City of Ruins things weren’t so bad.  The houses looked in a bit of a mess but at least they left Rocky alone.  Soon Rocky made lots of friends, he felt happier and accepted.  Deep down though he knew he was different.  He had heard the Master Builder’s voice and that made all the difference.

One day there was a knock at the door,

‘Hello, who are you?’ asked Rocky

‘I’m the foreman of course,’ came the reply, ‘where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you; I’ve come to make you into a beautiful house.’

Rocky stood, door wide open, not sure how to respond, could this really be the foreman?  What about Holy Hill?  Why did it all go wrong?  What would happen this time?

The foreman stood patiently at the door, waiting to be invited inside.

‘Okay,’ said Rocky, ‘you better come in.’

The foreman soon made himself at home and Rocky felt comfortable having him.  They talked endlessly about the Master Builder, whom the foreman seemed to know so well, that Rocky felt they were probably related, though he didn’t like to ask!

The day came to begin work at building Rocky into a beautiful house, much to Rocky’s surprise and horror, the foreman got out the Master Builder’s Holy Book.

‘You can put that away for a start,’ said Rocky, ‘I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime, don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t, don’t… I feel so guilty just at the sight of it!’

So the foreman put the Holy Book away and said nothing more about the matter.  But Rocky wanted to be beautiful so he asked the foreman if together they could just peep into the Holy Book, just a peep mind you.  When the foreman spoke words from the Holy Book they became alive, they spoke hope into Rocky.  No more don’t do this and don’t do that, but promises that Rocky could make all his own.

‘Let’s get on with making me beautiful, please foremen.  That’s what the Master Builder has promised for me.’

So the work began.

‘Can I have patio windows? A green carpet I think. And an open fire of course!’

The foreman said ‘Yes!’ and set to work immediately cleaning the rooms in which Rocky lived and even the dark corners where he kept things hidden away.  Rocky had kept some rooms locked inside, but he foreman insisted that they be opened, to be cleaned and let the light in.

Rocky was quite embarrassed letting the foreman clean up after him, and sometimes he found it hard letting go of some of the old things.  But this was the price of being beautiful and that was more important.

Rocky’s friends and neighbours soon began to notice the changes that were happening,

‘Hey Rocky, what’s happened to you?  You’re looking great, what’s the secret then eh?’

‘It’s the Master Builder, he sent his foreman to make me into a Beautiful House.  I’m still finding it hard to believe all that’s happened to me.’

‘Do you think it could happen for me, too?’

‘Well, yes, I could ask the foreman to visit you, to tell you about the Master Builder.’

Soon there were several houses being rebuilt in the City of Ruins, each completely different, but all transformed from the state they used to be in.

One day there came a knock at the door, and Rocky was almost beside himself with excitement.

‘Oh, Master Builder, it’s you, come in, come in.  Sit there in the best armchair and please don’t say anything, not yet- just let me look at you.  You’ve done so much for me; I don’t know how to thank you,’ said Rocky

‘Rocky, I have a job for you to do’ said the Master Builder.

‘Anything, anything for you, you’ve done so much for…..’

‘Rocky I want you to go back to Holy Hill’ said the Master Builder

‘Oh no, Master Builder, anywhere but there, you don’t know what hey think of me.  They’d break my windows, they’d….’

Rocky tried not to look into the Master Builder’s face and instead he found he was looking at the Master Builder’s tired feet that were cut and torn after going after rocks like him.  He looked at the Master Builder’s hands that were bleeding from the work of building houses and he knew he could no longer refuse. He knew the Master Builder loved him.

‘I’ll go’ he said, ‘It’ll be hard but I’ll go.’

They agreed it would be easier if he went by night and so the next morning what a commotion there was on Holy Hill!

‘Have you seen?’

‘What is it?’

‘It’s one of them down there, up here!’

‘What’s it doing here?’

‘Don’t you recognize it?’

‘It’s Rocky, it’s Rocky!- It can’t be, he looks different!’

Some of the houses were quick to ask him,

‘Rocky, what’s happened to you?  You look beautiful!’

But others just muttered disapprovingly and said,

‘Worldly! That’s what it is, worldly!’

Then at night, it wasn’t in daylight, one of the houses came to visit him.

‘Rocky, you’re changed.  How can I become a beautiful house too?  Is it possible?’

Rocky remembered that this was one of the houses who had had tears in their windows when he was thrown off Holy Hill.

‘Yes, it’s possible; you can be built into a beautiful house- If you’re prepared to pay the price.  There’s only one way- you’ll have to take down your walls.’

‘Take down my walls!  I can’t do that; everyone would see how dirty I am on the inside.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Rocky, ‘it is the only way.’

One morning, when Rocky looked out if his windows, he saw that his friend had done just that, and he cried, for he knew how hard it would be for him.  But then the building work began and some of the other houses did the same.  And so the work is still going on and houses are being re-built, some right there on Holy Hill and some down in the City of Ruins. All thanks to the Master Builder who gave everything he had so we could be beautiful.

Wherefore the law was

our schoolmaster to

bring us unto Christ.

That we might be

justified by faith

Galatians 3:24

Useful books: “Tradition and Interpretation in Matthew” – Bornkamm, Barth, Held (1960) (E.T. 1963 SCM Press)
“Saint Matthew” – J. Fenton (1963 – Penguin Commentaries)

A comparative study of three well-known passages in the Gospels in which Matthew
emphasizes the disciples’ wrong concepts of God

1. Re God of the Storm: Matt. 8: 23-27 (cf Mark 4: 35-41)
In Matthew’s account of ‘the stilling of the storm’ emphasis is given to what discipleship involves in the light of who God is.

2. Re God of the master and his dog: Matt. 15: 21-28 (cf Mk 7:24-30)
The disciples’ reaction to the Canaanite woman reveals a superficial understanding of the God of miracle.

3. Re God of the funeral: Matt. 26: 6-13 (cf Mark 14: 3-9)
The disciples are indignant at the waste if precious ointment – “the word ‘waste’ had touched Jesus to the quick. He was thinking of His own death. No! His own reckless sacrifice was not waste.” –C. F. Andrews ‘What I owe to Christ’ (1934) p111 (a missionary in India.)

Topic Summary 1. Obedience – an easy way?
2. Be yourself
3. Waiting for a tidal wave?
4. Feelings
5. Whose voice is it?
6. Come to share
7. Preparation
8. In the Spirit
9. When to prophecy
10. Fear of God
11. Grieving the Spirit

____________________________________

1. Obedience – an easy way?

Look at this extract from the Sermon on the Mount sequence of Dennis Potter’s TV play “Son of Man.” (Peter is a big, burly fisherman.)

Jesus: “Do not set yourself against the man who does you wrong. No! If he hits you – ah, but what then you say? What about that, then? Well – if he hits you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the left cheek. Yes – it will hurt twice as much, my friends!!”

Peter: “Especially if I was to do it, Master.”

Jesus: “Or if a Roman Soldier was to do it- ? Then turn the other cheek. Turn the other
cheek.”

God never promised obedience would be easy, by he does demand obedience. It may be a small thing He asks us to do, and obey Him in, but often our pride holds us prisoner. The choice to obey is ours – how often we miss out!

2. Be yourself

Never say “I could never do that,” on the basis of past limitations too quickly. When God calls someone to a ministry He often awakens in the person a deep longing for this. This desire is a mixture of longing and fear. The fear is because the task seems greater than our capabilities. But the longing finally amounts to an ability to do otherwise! Wake up, be yourself. Don’t carry a big tag round your neck saying ‘WORTHLESS,’ for to do so is simply pride. As Arnold Bittlinger has put it:

“To say ‘I have no gifts’ is to lie to God and to the world.
Instead of giving yourself, you are burdening your fellow-
Christians with a superfluous facsimile of someone else.
Whoever doesn’t give himself to his neighbor in his
originality gives nothing, just hides his actual gift in a
napkin under the table. A copy of someone else does
nothing to help build up the Kingdom.”

3. Waiting for a tidal wave?

There are many people who have been known to pray, begin a song, lift their hands, dance, put a hand on someone’s shoulder or prophesy. Don’t wait to feel super-inspired- OR (worse still) wait for the atmosphere in the meeting to be spiritual. Obedience is the key. Learn to know God’s voice. The flow of the Spirit is easier to discern if you’re prepared to walk into deep waters in obedience. Any coward will move in the flow on the rare occasions that a tidal wave sweeps them off the bank! Don’t wait for a tidal wave.

4. Feelings

At the 1980 Easter Workshop John Skinner shared a mime about 3 men praying. The 1st man God came and spoke to clearly. The 2nd man God came and hugged –He did not speak, but allowed the man to feel His presence. The 3rd man God stood in front of silently and did not allow to feel His presence, but worshipped Him anyway, recognizing His presence by faith. God loves them all equally, but it is the 3rd man who knows Him best. He will at times, of course, feel God’s presence or hear Him speak.

5. Whose voice is it?

At the times we feel a prompting or sense a “voice” directing us, but are uncertain of its source we can in the name of Jesus take authority and silence the voice of Satan, and also ask to put aside our own imaginations (11 Cor. 10: 4-6) Usually we won’t even need to do this. We will recognize His voice. On the occasions we are not able to feel His presence what we know of Him will be a good guide. The relationship test enables us to say 1) He wouldn’t say that; I know Him enough to know that, or 2) He might say that- His logic is different from my own. (This is a good test when someone else brings you a word they believe is from God.)

6. Come to share

1 Corinthians 14: 26 says ‘How is it then, brethren? When you 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.

7. Preparation

Whether or not you prepare what you will share (e.g. song, teaching or whatever) it is important that your own heart be prepared. (“Be still and know that I am God.”) Practice or preparation is not unspiritual – King David appointed singers, musicians and dancers who might become skillful to offer the fruits if their dedication back to God. There is room for practiced singing and new songs, for prepared teaching and spontaneous teaching from the Word of God and so on. The necessary balancing factor in both cases is that we be submitted to the Holy Spirit.

8. In the Spirit

Often we hear someone ask “Oh, but was it in the Spirit?” Paul tells us not just to be filled with the Spirit, but also to walk in the Spirit day by day (Gal. 5:16.) The obvious answer is that we should not only know the Spirit to be within us, but ourselves be “in the Spirit,” in tune with Him. In Rev. 1:10 John tells us he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” and then the revelation came to him. The confusing aspect of the phrase “in the Spirit” is that we are often unclear what is being referred to – the thing? The action? Or the person? For example “dancing in the Spirit” means different things to different people. It can mean that the person is in the Spirit who is perhaps hopping from foot to foot in sheer joy, much as a solo or congregational singing always is far better when the singer or singers is/are in the Spirit. It could be that someone will share a dance that God the Holy Spirit has previously given them, just as someone may share a new song the Holy Spirit gave them in their own devotional time. Thirdly, and this is what I would properly call “dancing in the Spirit,” the Spirit may release to someone at a given time movements which are at the same time spontaneous and directed by Him, but like all prophecy or worship usually expressed through that person in their uniqueness, much as ‘singing in the Spirit’ is a song spontaneously given but directed by the Holy Spirit whether it be in tongues or the singer’s native language. All three types of manifestations are valid, though different
a) Singer, dancer or teacher in the Spirit
b) Song, dance or the teaching previously given by the Spirit
c) Singing, dancing or teaching as directly inspired by the Spirit

9. When to prophesy

The following is Don Basham’s answer to the question?

Q: How can you tell if God is nudging you to prophecy in a meeting? Does He tell you everything that you are to say or just give you a few words or sentences to begin with? How can you discern whether it is really God, or just your emotions, or even satanic influence?

A: A basic spiritual principle needs to be applied in our understanding of how spiritual gifts are to be manifested. The principle is this: All progress in the Christian life is by faith. As I understand the operation of the gift of prophecy, God seldom overwhelms us with such a powerful revelation that we serve merely as a kind of dummy for a Divine Ventriloquist. Rather the “nudge” to prophecy will most often be so slight that it takes a certain boldness and courage to speak out. God doesn’t move on us in a way which violates our free will. He waits for us to choose to be obedient to His leading. Frankly, I’m suspicious anytime I hear a person say, “God made me say that,” or, “I just had to speak out!” The devil or an unholy spirit may compel, but the Holy Spirit never compels. More often than not the Holy Spirit will prompt us only with a spiritual thought, or a sort of inner quickening, or even a brief verse from scripture. But the whole prophecy seldom is made known to us until we begin to speak. This means we are seldom sure of the exact content or even whether or not it is God until we actually speak forth the words. We have to run the risk of being “in the flesh” – in other words, making a mistake. But if we are mistaken, or are in error (which will not happen too often) God has means to check on the prophecy. It is to be evaluated or judged by those who hear (1 Cor. 14:29, 1 Thess. 5:19-21)

10. Fear of God

If we pray for the fear of God on a gathering it will usually have two effects: a) it will quieten the noisy and b) it will goad the lazy or fearful into participation. In addition, because of free will and man’s stubbornness the occasional meeting-monopolizer may need actively discouraging, just as a weaker member may need to be actively encouraged to open their mouth.

11. Grieving the Spirit – (or Three Ways to flunk it when God gives you a prophecy to speak out

From my own bitter experience, here are 3 ways to grieve the Spirit with disobedience when He wants to use you in prophecy in a meeting. All disobedience is sin, but the worst of the three is
(i) Hold on to what God wanted you to speak out. Go home miserable, realizing that whoever the word was for has been cheated out of it by your disobedience.
(ii) Pray that God will give it to someone else (and then watch them struggle to give a word God had chosen to communicate through you.
(iii) – still disobedience – Compromise it (e.g. translate an ‘I the Lord your God, would say to you’ word into a ‘The Lord says that He…’ word or an ‘I think the Lord is saying that’ in order to not seem presumptuous. Instead you distract from the word by bringing attention to yourself, the very thing you sought to avoid!

Lord, Thank-you for this, and everyday that you give. Every wonderful day. Wonderful – because it is a gift from you. Thank-you for the opportunities in our moments of wakefulness, to be able to spend time in loving and praising you through your beloved son, Lord Jesus. Thank-you for the opportunity to come closer to you in our daily living. To grow and mature, and be molded into holier children of Our Heavenly Father. Thank-you for the opportunity to fill each living moment with the desire to submit ourselves to you in obedient service. Thank-you for daily offering us the challenge to witness, and take up our crosses to follow You, and for giving us your living Word for our spiritual nourishment. Thank-you for the chance to live each blessed day happily, and joyously. Rejoicing in the salvation that is assured and guaranteed, through our belief in Your Son, His cleansing blood, and your love and grace.

Thank-you for the comforting knowledge that yours is the power and the glory. That you are our deliverance, our strength to overcome the powers of evil. That Yours is the almighty, all conquering love, that melts the stoniest heart. Humbles pride and vanity, gives strength to the weak, and breaks the most stubborn will into joyful submission. That can pull out – by the very roots – the thorns of bitterness. No matter how deeply they may be entrenched. That you bring the calm into moments of despair and unthinking impulse. That yours is the light and warmth that dispels the mists of self-deception. Thank-you Lord that you are near us, each day. Only a prayer away. That you hear us, help us, lead us back when we stray, pick us up when we fall, and forgive us when we disobey.

Thank-you Father, for giving us the insight to see ourselves as we really are. Not the image that we sometimes project to others. That sadly, we still refuse to rid ourselves of the worries and ways of this world, and the false values to which we foolishly cling. That we are only ‘scratching at the surface’ when it comes to giving our all to you. Merely giving only enough to satisfy peace of mind.

Thank-you for exposing our short-comings, for revealing just how far we fall short of being capable of loving with a love as unselfish as yours, or of being obedient to your will, in any way comparable with our Savior’s obedience.

Forgive us Lord for not striving hard enough each day to achieve your aims in our individual lives. We, who expectantly ask for your forgiveness, and yet struggle and fail to forgive one another. Forgive us Lord, when pride hinders our ability to say the words ‘I’m Sorry,” or “I forgive you,” and “I love you” to each other. Father make us humble and repentant. Convict us in the darkness of our resentment, in the loneliness of our disobedience, in the empty despondency of unforgiving moments, and the despair of temper and intolerance. Please heal every area of our lives where we need you. Especially our self-inflated blindness to your Word, and the light of the World, and our deafness to your voice when you speak.

Constantly remind us Lord, that we have nothing, are nothing, and achieve nothing without you. For you are the fountain head of all the love and goodness in our lives. You are our refuge, our deliverer, our faithful loving Father, our hope and faith, and our complete fulfillment – in this life, and the life to come.

Fill our every day with the longing to praise you, and thank you through Our Lord Jesus. For every day, every circumstance- no matter what prevails. That we may know the peace that comes in trusting you, and the growing faith in your purpose in our lives.

Make us aware of how little we give of ourselves to you. Compared to your servants of old, how many of us today have forsaken all, and given up everything to follow you, or fearlessly spoken out in obedience to you, caring not about the consequences? When were we imprisoned, flogged, ridiculed, rejected, or had our faith tested to the almost unbearable limit – just to obey you? How many, if asked this day, would you be ready to make the supreme sacrifice. To die. Gladly and willingly for you? As your Son died for us; in order that we may live! As we search ourselves we see how little we deserve, and yet you give us so abundantly. We have given so little – yet ask you for so much.

Have mercy on us Lord. Fill our hearts with praise and thanks for your infinite goodness, mercy, and patience towards us. Fill us this day with the Holy Spirit of Lord Jesus, and the awareness of His presence in our daily life. Guiding and leading us to become more holy, more obedient, and more worthy of your divine love.
Praise and glory to your Holy Name. Now and Forever.
Trough Jesus Christ, Your Precious Son
and our beloved Savior.
Amen.

1. Introductory study – Andy Raine
2. From “Glossolalia’ by David J. du Plessis
a) A Testimony
b) Speaking “in tongues” is Prayer
c) Interpretation of Tongues
d) Some Questions on “Interpretation”

Introductory study – Andy Raine

1. What is tongues? Tongues = Languages

2. These may be the languages of man or of angels (1 Cor. 13:1)

3. Are these languages that have been learned by the speakers? No.
(Acts 2:4, 6-11, 1 Cor. 14:14)

4. Is speaking in tongues intended to be only for a few? No.
(1 Cor. 14:5, Acts 2:4)

5. What is the point of it?
a) For the individual? 1 Cor. 14: 2, 4. Edifies, speak directly to God.
b) For other? 1 Cor. 14: 39, 21-22. Sign for unbelievers.

6. When should a person expect to speak in tongues?
After baptism of the Spirit. (Acts 2:4, 10: 45-46, 19:6)
Not necessarily immediately afterwards (cf Acts 9: 17-18, 1 Cor. 14: 18, 14)

7. Is praying in tongues an emotional experience? No it is a choice, (1 Cor. 14: 32) the emotional experience is a consequence (1 Cor. 14:4)

8. Whoever has the gift of tongues should pray for the ability to interpret. (1 Cor. 14: 12-15) This is especially relevant in public meetings (1 Cor. 14:16) but it does not suggest we should not use tongues when strangers are present (1 Cor. 14:39, 21-22, 15)

9. Does the speaker understand his tongue? No, not unless the Spirit gives him the interpretation (1 Cor. 14:2, 4, 13-15)

10. What about tongues and interpretation in a meeting?
1 Cor. 6-11, 26-28. This is not to be expected from everyone
(1 Cor. 12: 30, 10-11) N.B. Another person can interpret (1 Cor. 14: 27, 26) or the same person who gave a tongue (1 Cor. 14:13)

11. Is a “message in tongues” generally directed to God or from God?
Usually To God. 1 Cor. 14: 2, 16. Acts 2:11 (BUT 1 Cor. 14:21)
12. So often what we take as an interpretation is a “depth-charge” prophecy! If so we may be missing out on one stage!

______________________________________

From ‘Glossolalia’ by David J. du Plessis

A Testimony

“I am a physicist doing research work for a large chemical company. I am also a seminary graduate and an Episcopal priest.” Thus begins the testimony of the Rev. William O. Swan, published in “TRINITY MAGAZINE” P.O. Box 2422, Van Nuys, California, at Easter of 1962. He continues his story as follows: “We went into the cathedral for prayers. When I left, I had heard my own lips forming a new language, and I knew they could do it again when I desired.”

“I decided to make speaking in tongues the object of an introspective study. Where does it really come from, in terms of theology, psychology, common sense?….How much imagination is required to make the claims I have read about? To get the answers, I spoke in tongues occasionally throughout the day. I was looking for patterns, repetitive phrases, clues to use for analysis. But the experiment ran into immediate difficulty. That ‘before the altar’ feeling would come upon me within about 45 seconds, and if I persisted for two or three minutes, I would fill with emotion. Since then, when I speak in tongues a simple feeling of love would drench my whole person and appears to leave a permanent stain of love which does not evaporate. In three short days the experimental study was over, with practically all my questions still unanswered. I had discovered most powerfully what everyone else seems to assume: “SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS PRAYER!” The writer of this article was praying with the Rev. Swan when he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Detroit, Mich.

Speaking in Tongues is Prayer

“For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue SPEAKS NOT TO MEN BUT TO GOD, for no one understands him, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding.)” 1 Cor. 14: 2 (Amp. N.T.) “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weaknesses; for we know not what prayer to offer, nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads on our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance;” (This I believe is just another way of describing praying in tongues.) “And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit- because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) on behalf of the saints, according to and in harmony with God’s will.” Romans 8: 26-27 (Amp. N.T.) The Apostle Paul, who spoke with tongues more than all his contemporaries, (1 Cor. 14:18), never makes mention of an instance where it would seem that the church or anyone received a “message in tongues,” or even “in tongues and in interpretation.” He writes: “For if I PRAY in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” 1 Cor. 14:14. Then he says: “I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.” (1 Cor. 14:15). In verse 16 he says: “Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit.” (in tongues,) “how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say AMEN at thy giving of thanks” (prayer), “seeing he understandeth not what I sayest?” (in tongues.) It seems quite clear to me that Paul considered ALL speaking in tongues as PRAYER, and always to God…never a “message” to men. Prayer can be giving thanks, making intercession, praise, worship, adoration, and confessing our love, admiration, gratitude, and devotion to God. In this WE ARE TO OFTEN WEAK, but “the spirit helpeth our infirmities.”

Interpretation of Tongues

Now then, if speaking “in tongues” is speaking to God, it is always prayer, and the interpretation will always be in the form of prayer….man speaking to God, AND NOT…..God speaking to man. Even on the day of Pentecost, when unbelievers heard their own languages spoken by those who were speaking in tongues for the first time, they did not hear messages or sermons addressed to them, but they heard them “speak in ….tongues, the wonderful works of God.” Then also in the house of Cornelius: “They heard them talking in unknown languages and extolling and magnifying God.” Acts 10: 46 (Amp. N.T.)

Paul says: “I would that YE ALL spake with tongues, but rather that prophesized: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in tongues, EXCEPT HE INTERPRET, THAT THE CHRUCH MAY RECEIVE EDIFYING.” 1 Cor. 14:5. Thus, tongues followed by interpretation EDIFIES THE CHURCH, and so also: “He that prophesieth edifieth the church.” 1 Cor. 14: 4. Prophecy is edifying to the church, and tongues plus interpretation edifies the church. Indeed, both are edifying, but it does not say that “tongues plus interpretation is prophecy.” Interpretation must be prayer, for speaking in tongues is speaking to God, and prophesying is speaking – “to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.” 1 Cor. 14:3 (Amp. N.T.) All too often we hear of “a message in tongues.” There is no such term, or suggestion in the New Testament. It should rather be “a prayer in tongues” or perhaps “an utterance in tongues.” “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue EDIFIETH HIMSELF.” v. 4. Naturally, because speaking to God in PRAYER, no matter where or when or how, will always edify, comfort or encourage the one who prays. The more edified anyone is the more hope there is of being used of the Spirit to edify others or the church. Since speaking in tongues is prayer, it does not mean that what follows “an utterance in tongues” must be interpretation. It could very well be an ANSWER to the prayer just uttered by the Spirit, for prayer….real prayer should be a dialogue between “Father and child,” and our Father speaks to His children in prophecy.

Some Questions on “Interpretation”

I have prayed with multitudes that came to seek the BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit from the mighty BAPTIZER, the Lord Jesus Christ. He said: “Those who believe…will speak in new languages.” Mark 16:17 (Amp. N.T.) Even after 40 years of experience I never cease to thrill when I pray with those who encounter Christ as their BAPTIZER (John 1: 33-34) and hear them begin to speak “new tongues,” or “other tongues,” “unknown tongues,” or “divers kinds of tongues,” as the Spirit gives utterance. Yes, indeed, they speak, but it is the SPIRIT that gives utterance. HE forms the words on their lips as they speak by faith in HIM, to magnify God. Then someone will ask: “While I was speaking in tongues it seemed I received a strange understanding of what I was saying to God in tongues. Was that interpretation?” Yes, the Holy Spirit quickened your understanding to know what HE was saying to God in an unknown tongue through your spirit. Someone else asks: “As I was speaking in tongues it seemed I received through my understanding some new revelations and some answers to my problems. Was that interpretation?” No, that was NOT INTERPRETATION. That was answer to your prayer. That was the dialogue between you and the Father. You speak to HIM in tongues and HE speaks to you through your understanding. Any revelation that comes to you personally through your understanding is never interpretation, for speaking in tongues is speaking to God. The Father does not speak to you in tongues, you speak to HIM in tongues. Then again comes another question: “While I was speaking in tongues, I received a message for the Church (or for someone), was that interpretation?” No, that was not interpretation. That was prophecy, and you should learn to speak out such revelations, very calmly, reverently and confidently. It may be the answer to the prayer in the Spirit that you have prayed for others, or for the church. Do not get excited and shout or scream out the words. Lately I have often been asked: “How can I know what is ‘interpretation’ and what is ‘prophecy’?” Interpretation of tongues is always addressed to God and ends in HIM. Prophecy is addressed to the people, for edification, exhortation and comfort.

Some Practical Misunderstandings

Recently a Minister said to me: “I have some real problems in regard to ‘interpretation of tongues’ in my church. Someone will speak in a tongue and it sounds like a prayer repeated two and tree times. Then another will begin to interpret, but there is no repetition in the repetition. In fact the interpretation usually lasts much longer than the tongue. Those who listen carefully feel that they cannot accept this as true interpretation.” I think they were right. Why should everything that follows an utterance in tongues necessarily be interpretation? Suppose you heard someone pray in your own language: “Lord, bless Thy people, they need edification. O Lord, Thy people need exhortation today. Dear Lord, speak a word of comfort to Thy people.” Would you be surprised if this prayer is followed by a rather lengthy word of prophecy that is truly edifying and comforting? No, not at all. Then why not accept for your guidance the Scriptural principle that “speaking in tongues is prayer” and what follows may often be the answer to the prayer and not the interpretation of the prayer. Then my friend asked further: “How is it that sometimes a person will commence to speak with tongues, just a few sentences, and then he proceeds to interpret himself, but he gives a long “message” and does not revert back to tongues again, was that interpretation? No, that was prayer followed by prophecy. Prayer can lead to the most wonderful answers and experiences. No matter who speaks in tongues, or how long and short the utterance, I always accept it all as PRAYER. If the “speaker in tongues” or someone else follows with something like, THUS SAITH THE LORD, or perhaps – “yea, my people,” I just conclude that was prayer in tongues followed by prophecy. Since prophecy is MOST EDIFYING, I believe we get much more of this manifestation that we give HIM credit for. However, when the “speaker in tongues” or someone else follows with words like: “O Lord our God, how great Thou art,” and then continues in that strain, speaking to God, I know that is pure interpretation.

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1) Make sure that your heart is clean before God, by having given the Holy Spirit time to convict, could there be any un-confessed sin. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Ps. 66:180 also Psalm 139: 23-24)

2) Acknowledge that you cannot really pray without the direction and energy of the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, for we know not how to pray as we ought.” Romans 8:26

3) Die to your own imaginations, desires, and burdens, for what you feel you should pray.
“Lean not unto your own understanding.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
“He who trusts in his own mind is a fool.” Proverbs 28:26
“My thoughts are not your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8

4) Ask God to utterly control you by His Spirit
“Be (ye being) filled with Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
Then thank Him for doing so
“Without faith, it is impossible to please Him” – Hebrews 11: 6

5) Praise Him now in faith for the remarkable prayer experience you are going to have. He is a remarkable God, and will do something consistent with His character.

6) Deal aggressively with the enemy. Come against him in the all –powerful name of Jesus Christ, and with the “sword of the Spirit”- the word of God.
“Submit yourselves therefore to the Lord; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4: 7
“The Lord rebuke you, Satan.” Zechariah 3:2

7) Wait in silent expectancy. Then in obedience, and faith, utter what God brings to your mind, believing. “My sheep hear My voice…and they follow Me.” John 10: 27. Be sure not to move on to the next subject until you have given God sufficient time to discharge all He wants to say to you regarding this particular burden: especially when praying in a group.

Always have your Bible with you should God want to give you direction or confirmation from it. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Ps, 119:105

9) When God ceases to bring things to your mind for prayer, finish by praising and thanking Him for what He has done. Remind yourself that ‘…from Him, and through Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.’ Romans 11:36

10) Ask for the fear of the Lord to speak out what He gives you, then be afraid to keep silent.

A WARNING

God knows the great weakness of the human heart towards pride, and if we speak of what God has revealed and done in intercession, it may lead to our committing this against God.

God shares His secrets and burdens with those who are able to keep them. There may come a time when He will definitely prompt us to share, but unless this happens, we should remain silent!
“And they kept silence, and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” Luke 9:36
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
(Joy Dawson)

A TESTIMONY –Andy Raine

When I was with Youth With A Mission, in summer of ’79, the teaching we had from Joy Dawson opened my eyes to understand things in a new way and has made so many things possible since that time. I had by then already learned – especially in Cross Section days – how very important it was to take authority over the enemy, to bind him, and silence his voice, before meetings, or whenever I needed to seek God. Thus I had been able to eliminate the voice of Satan from giving me wrong direction or guidance – but still had a problem at times in being sure when my own mind was telling me a thing, and when it was God. In fact, my most regular proof that it had been the voice of God telling me something was that it told me to do something I would never have thought of myself! The crucial distinction is between the inspiration of God, and our own good ideas.

The new revelation that came with this teaching was very simple, but oh so practical: that just as we can take authority over our own ideas, preconceptions, and prejudices, putting down all our own imaginations, bringing all our thoughts into the captivity of the Holy Spirit, and knowing that, in the time that follows, if things come to our minds it will be because He wants them to, for a purpose, can wait in silent expectancy saying, “speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”

The key scripture for this is in 1 Corinthians 10:4-5

(“…..For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”)

If we fully grasp the limitations of this we will be freed forever from shopping-list prayers we “ought to pray” and can pray according to needs when reminded by God. Also we need never have the problem of “stray thoughts again in prayer times.”

God knows our needs, and wants us to hear from Him that we might know Him better, and more effectively join in prayer for one another.

“HOW TO” FOR AN INTERCSSION GROUP

Preparation Be relaxed. Not too large a group- say up to 6 or 7 people, and not in a noisy spot if it can be helped. One is recognized as the leader. Everyone should have access to a Bible- If you are sitting in a circle you should place a Bible or two on the centre where they can be reached. Someone, the leader or another person, should act as “scribe” and write down the subjects God has you pray for, and any specifics that arise, scripture references etc. It may be helpful at first to use the Principles of Intercession sheet until the members of the group are comfortable with what are the basic steps involved. The leader could go through these one step at a time, reading them out loud for everyone. You can begin by waiting in silence at least for a few minutes, so that individuals can deal with any unconfessed sin that the Holy Spirit may convict them of. Then the leader should explain that this is not to be a usual time of prayer, when we can chatter away to God, but a time when we expect Him to show us what He would have us pray for. One sentence in the Holy Ghost is of more value than 6 hours off the “top of our head.”

“Prayer is either a prodigious force, or a disgraceful farce.” But seeking God need not be a time of great strain and unnatural tension, no relaxation and refreshment. It is not an endurance test. The leader may at first ask individuals in the group to pray out loud the basic steps, one at a time, on behalf of the whole group. It is important for each to participate silently, even if someone else is praying that step out loud. Each person needs to have a clean heart. Each person needs to be depending on the Holy Spirit’s leading. Each person needs to put down their own imaginations and pre-conceived ideas. It is good, too, for all to aggress when someone else silences the voice of the enemy. When these preparatory steps are completed (in whatever order) you all wait in silence for a while for God to speak to you individually first of all as to what He would have you pray about. When you are clear – that either you have received nothing or have received a clear impression – look up and wait for the others. Don’t be frightened to take your time. When everyone is ready the leader will ask each person in turn to say what impressions, if any, he has received. The “scribe” will then write these down, and then read the list back to everybody.

There may be 2 or 3 subjects on the list- for example, Hong Kong, next Saturdays’ outreach, and Brother Andrew. So all the group quietly take these topics back to God and ask to be shown clearly which they should pray for. (There should be no abstentions this time!) It may be that there will be time to pray eventually for more than one. They decide that they are to pray for Hong Kong. (Sometimes you find that, when different intercession groups report back together, another group will have prayed for the very things on your list that you never came back to!)

So then you wait on God for further details, and proceed as before to share what you receive and only move into praying out when you have received all that God wants first to release to you on that topic. It would be silly, for instance, to waste time telling God all you knew about Hong Kong!

Let the Spirit direct your prayers. Feel free to reach for a Bible if God directs you to look up a scripture reference that has popped into your mind, or to find a passage He has reminded you of. Write down anything you receive in specifics. Do everything in an orderly way.

PRAISE GOD!

Topic Summary

1. “Faith or Presumption” – Charles Farah
2. “Relax, I already know you” – Roland Buck
3. “I am among you as one who serves” – John Skinner
4. “If That’s Not Love” – Children of the Day
5. “If I were a king” – Alex Simons

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1. Faith or Presumption – Charles Farah

Bad theology is a cruel taskmaster. It is like Procrustes, a cruel giant of ancient mythology. Procrustes was a highwayman from Attica who used to bed strangers down for the night by attaching them to an iron bed. Of they were too short, he stretched then until they fit. If they were too long he cut off their legs. Bad theology, like Procrustes, tends to say, “If the facts don’t fit, then stretch them. If there are more facts than the case allows, then cut off the excess facts.”

One stronghold of popular bad theology is in the area of faith (“Name it and claim it”) Real faith is a fine line between unbelief and presumption. It is strange we do not hear more about the sin of presumption, because it is one of the most prevalent problems in the body of Christ. Many of the difficulties arise out of a quite simple misunderstanding. In the Greek of the New Testament two quite distinct words, ‘rayma’ and ‘Logos’ are often used, and have usually been translated identically in English bibles as ‘the word’ of God. We must learn to distinguish between the ‘logos’ which is universal, eternal and objective; and the ‘rayma’ which is particular, temporal and subjective. (= the word of God to you.) Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the rayma of God. Unless God speaks to your heart it remains only as principle. When we tell people, “You are healed,”
we had better be sure that we have a word from God. Many times people are healed because they exercise faith in God, but Mark 11:22 tells us that there is such a thing as the faith of God. When God speaks a “rayma” it is from His own mountain-moving faith and it is unshakable, no matter what the circumstances are. Christians also sometimes think that if a project is a good idea it must be God’s work and He will pay for it. An all-inclusive “logos.” There is a principle, however, which says: What God orders He pays for. What God does not order, He does not pay for, even if that something is for Him.

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2. “Relax, I already know you.” Roland Buck

Many of us have absorbed wrong ideas about God that make us strained and un-natural in our attitude to Him. Pastor Roland Buck of Illinois was blessed with a series of wonderful experiences, and in ‘Angels on Assignment’ by Charles and Frances Hunter he describes how these encounters with God changed his thinking…..

‘I discovered He wants to be treated like a friend. His words to me… “Relax I already know you,” have changed my life. When He said (as a word to His people,) “I don’t record failure,” He opened a door of hope for all mankind.’

‘We don’t have to worry and fret trying to live a Christian life. When we are walking with Him in His light, we have complete freedom from fear and we never have to be afraid! His heart is beating twenty-four hours a day, and as long as it beats, which is for all eternity, we are totally and completely protected while we are serving Him.’

‘This does not mean, however, that the way ahead will be easy. We are to follow after Jesus…..’

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3. “I am among you as one who serves” – John Skinner
(31st May 1980, Lincoln)

John 13: 3 Jesus was fully aware that the Father had put all things into hands. Jesus expected God to express Himself in his experience. Jesus had had to learn to expect. Jesus was growing in a love-relationship with His Father, paving the way for us. Jesus prayed, and expected – because He knew God and His character, that He, wanted to express Himself in physical concrete answers. Look at Jesus’ reply to John the Baptist through John’s disciples (Luke 7:19-23)- he wasn’t boasting, nor was he embarrassed. But sometimes he counseled folk not to tell of the miracles, lest people build just on experiences.

John 13: 3 Jesus was also fully aware that he had come from God. The nearer he got to God the further away God seemed. What he saw couldn’t keep him going, only the knowledge of God’s character. The signs we see are to show us God’s character, then He’ll often lead us into perplexity to prove our knowledge of His character. Had he been right? Jesus wondered – What had he to look to but the Fatherhood of God?

John 13: 4, Jesus laid aside his garments to take the towel and basin. By doing this he was saying, ‘This is who I am; this is a glimpse into my heart. I don’t NEED to be God.’ (cf. Philippians 2:5-8 – preferably Amplified Version.) The test of whether our image of God is true: Does the God we worship NEED to be God? Satan does. Jesus doesn’t. There are too many people who NEED to be….to be charismatic or Catholic, or Evangelicals. Jesus Crucified says, ‘Either stand behind Me or stand with Me – but don’t try and defend Me.’

Picture a bunch of Christians in a graveyard, shouting about “what we’ve got.” Then they started digging up bodies and shouting at them, and got no response. So they dropped those bodies and each tried shouting at another body. Again no response, so they decided to leave the graveyard, but as they tried an angel with a shiny sword stopped them. So they sat down, prayed and began to adore God, then, reflecting His character, they began to weep, and God breathed life into some of the corpses they’d messed about, and they were sorry they’d hurt them, but together they began to praise God and re-make the spoiled graveyard, which somehow was not a dead place any longer. We don’t want to make people threatened, we must love them into liberty.

Some of the things that are important to us, our tradition or experience, we tend to shout about. Don’t assert these things – nor deny them. Don’t pretend what’s happened hasn’t. If you don’t need to be what God’s making you, you can relax. You’re not trying to make your brother like you, so you can feel secure. You’re seeking for him to be more like Jesus. Assertion leads to division. Laying aside leads to unity. God gives us a specific commitment, but we can only have that when we don’t need to be what He’s already getting us to be. Peter was saying, ‘I need you to be the sort of God who doesn’t wash feet, the sort who needs to be God, not the sort who comes as a servant.’ Beware lest we need God to be God! Jesus’ words on returning to the table stated ‘I am who I am, but I don’t need to assert that.’

The foot washing was more than an object-lesson. It showed the heart of God. So the nakedness of God on the Cross showed the suffering in God’s heart exposed before the world. Jesus didn’t die on the Cross so He could bash people over the head with it. The Cross in the glory. This is what God is like. God is saying in the Cross: ‘You can’t make Me anyone else but this. God will be no other than who He is.

The only person who can judge is the One who has given everything – He is a broken-hearted God. People themselves choose Hell, but eternally God weeps, yet can rest in having given all.

“Blessed in the man who can sing when the audience is gone.”
(‘The Singer’- Calvin Miller)

Everyone fled, or betrayed or denied Him. Jesus’ throne was and is a Cross. The Bride will meet Him and it’ll be on the Cross. Anything less is Simon Peter’s counsel and needs ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ saying to it.

“He walks the streets of the world today, His scarred hands open’
(‘Hands’ – Graeme Moore)

We shouldn’t be sneaking out of a corner to grab another convert and sneak back, but should be walking like Him, vulnerable, giving ourselves in costly caring. But it’s no use being exhorted to suffer for God if we don’t know Him. We mustn’t suffer out of fear, but out of love. We need to be honest – perhaps at times we’ll say, ‘How can I suffer for You, God – I don’t even like You?’

God isn’t the legalistic, pain-in-the-neck God of the Pharisees, but the one who sits in the pubs and talks with prostitutes. CAN’T YOU UNDERSTAND!!!!
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4. ‘IF THAT’S NOT LOVE…!!!’ (from the ‘Children of the Day’ Christmas Album)

“I’m glad to have been chosen to be here tonight,
Singing to these shepherds of their coming King,
But I know when they look at me, they only see an angel;
They can’t see the wonder of the mysteries I’ve seen today….
I thought I’d seen love in all God’s creation, in His mighty works,
But I saw true love today, perfect love….I saw my King,
The King above all High Kings, remove His crown for love,
Take off His robe, bring off His shoes,
And leave all His Kingdom to find His bride.

In all His heavenly wisdom He sees her beauty.
I look and see only the humility He must suffer.
The very day of His coming they will find no room for Him.
And as He sees ahead coming He sees His death,
In blackness removing Himself from all touch of Heaven
He will remove Himself from the reach of my help,
And, finally, even from His Father’s.
Even now He sees them passing by without a second glance.
And finally He sees their total rejection.
It’s not just tonight – they never will make room for Him.

He sees all this as He lays His crown at His Father’s feet.
But somewhere down there in their very midst He sees her,
And His hope for His bride makes everything worthwhile.
If that’s not love…!!!”

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if I were king…….
by Alex Simons

If I were King
I’d sit on a throne
And have lots of nice ladies
Who’d serve me high tea
With crumpets in winter
All hot from the fire.

I’d laze in an armchair
And chat to my friends
Who’d sit with their feet up
Smoking their pipes.

We’d go for long walks
With our great coats and hounds
Striding through long grass
Boots wet with dew.

I’d hold great state meetings
With very long tables,
We’d all speak quite cleverly
And go home for tea.

I’d attend church on Sunday
And pray for my government
Who’d earn jolly good wages
For running my Kingdom.

I would never be born in a cold,
darkened stable
With beasts all around me
And smells dark and strong.
I’d never be hungry, or lonely,
or weary,
Or sit with you talking long into
the night.
I wouldn’t be friends with the sea
or fishermen,
Nor talk of tides, of catches
and bait.
I’d not cry or be wounded by
friends or by enemies.
I would hate to be mocked,
abused or scorned.

I would just be a king
On a throne
In a Kingdom
I’d never be hurt or broken at all

Copy write: Celebration Services (International) Ltd., 1978

In Romans 12 we are told to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices. Living sacrifices have just one practical disadvantage – they have the ability to jump up off the altar. But Christ also calls us living stones we are still liable to go our own way. But even as it is difficult to remove a brick from the middle of a wall, so as living stones it is God’s will to bring us into a place of belonging in His Body where we no longer try to go it alone, but embrace also His will for us collectively, and work together for the fulfilling of His purposes. God gives us all different jobs to do, for some pastors, some evangelists, some miracle workers, some have ministries of helpers, and equips us with whatever tools are necessary from time to time to do what He calls us to do. These, are gifts of the Spirit, are tools that are necessary, but not an end in themselves. Far more important than even the tasks He gives us to fulfill is first discovering who God has called us to be. In the Spirit, being matters far more than doing. Our identity and motivation is just as much a gift from God as any of the ministries or manifestations we so often covet. We tend to adopt the world’s habit of labeling people according to what they do (e.g. farmer, osteopath, brick-layer, or watch-maker), but this misses the point for even if a person changes his job he still remains, at a core basic level, himself. So in the Body, being an evangelist or worship- leader, helper or miracle-worker does not give us our identity – these offices may change from time to time in our lives. God has given each Christian a motivation, a ‘who he is,’ to express in all he does for God. As we discover who God has called us to be we are freed from trying to be each other, freed instead to learn from each other, and function together in harmony like parts of an orchestra playing to God’s glory. Romans 12: 6-8 list these motivations. The one which is you is the one that as a Christian comes easily to you, that doesn’t require the studying all the others have done!

Motivations

1 PROPHETIC – Hunger in heart to demonstrate the Truth to the world, regardless of
cost, Counsels the mind of God. Honest, specific and sincere. A difficult gift for other people to live with. Everything black and white.
Never want compromise. Often restless.

2. SERVING – Happy seeing to practical needs of the Body. Keeps everything going
not for the sake of it, but for Jesus’ sake. Find God at work in the ‘mundane.’ Doing, helping.

3. TEACHING- Desire to make spiritual concepts and truths simple enough for all to grasp and grow in. Solid and determined in building up the Body of
Christ in the Word of God. Likes to learn and understand. An explaining person.

4. EXHORTATION Has ability to stimulate or stir up faith. Encourages and is a counselor. Proclaims God’s greatness. Likely to be often saying “Praise the Lord!” or “Come on!”

5. GIVING- Ability to give with whatever he has, putting together assets around the
Body of Christ for the benefit of God’s Kingdom. Looks for opportunities to give- joyfully.

6. RULING- God-given ability to co-ordinate people, getting maximum potential out of people and situations. May often seem objective and detached. Tidy likes to plan ahead and to do things ‘properly.’

7. MERCY - Gift of identifying and comforting, laughing with those that laugh, weeping with those that weep.

For many people their motivation is easily recognizable as a thing that has been always
with then but only changes direction when they become a Christian. It is important to
realize that training has nothing to do with motivation. An exhortation or mercy person
may learn in the course of time that it is not always wise to compromise so as not to hurt
someone, but is goes against the grain. A busy mother who even to those who know her
well may appear to be a good example of a serving motivation may well have struggled
long and hard to learn to serve, but also have a natural desire to explain. It helps others to
understand us when we confess which our real motivation is. We all have need to grow
in most of these areas, but it is helpful to recognize where the strengths and weaknesses
lie in each other that together we may live to His glory.

The motivations are not boxes to put people into, rather they are umbrellas under which
groups of perfectly unique individuals sharing this common perspective may stand.

“When we exercise our motivation (Romans 12) through our
calling (Ephesians 4:11) the Holy Spirit determines what
manifestation (1 Corinthians 12: 7-11) will be needed to
make our ministry successful, therefore we are not to seek
after manifestations, but to concentrate on our motivational
gift, and the most effective ministry of expressing it.”

What is an appropriate lifestyle for the Christian?

SIMPLICITY The discipline of simplicity sets us free from the crippling anxiety about “things.” The opposite is idolatry.

A. Biblical Foundations
a) Matthew 6: 25-33 “…seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.” When our first concern is the Kingdom of God then we have found that other things which can often clutter up our lives fall into their rightful place.
b) The Bible’s attitude to economic issues. No exploitation of the poor, or accumulation of economic wealth. Slavery to riches is idolatry. Ps. 62: 10, Prov. 11: 28.
Jesus on serving God and mammon. Luke 16:13, cf. also Matt. 6: 19-21, Matt 19: 16-22, Luke 12: 16-21. 1 Tim. 6: 9, 17-19, Heb. 13:5, James 4:1-2. God is concerned that we should have enough and enjoy what we have, but simplicity is necessary also that we can enjoy our possessions without letting them destroy us.

B. Other concerns suggest that a simple lifestyle is appropriate
a) Two-thirds of the world’s population possess only one third of the world’s wealth. Many have not the necessities for anything like an adequate standard of living. We consume far more than our fair share. A simpler lifestyle is necessary for ecological reasons.

C. Simplicity must not become a binding law
The Christian life is joy and celebration, not drudgery. Simplicity is supposed to enhance our joy, not kill it. The simple lifestyle ought to be the result of an inward attitude to mind and spirit. It is the natural consequence of feeling at peace and at one with God and not feeling you have to justify yourself in the world’s terms. If you slavishly try to live a simple lifestyle without the inward reality it will be drudgery, and you will fail. But similarly it’s no good professing the inward reality if this shows no outward effects in your life.

D. Inward simplicity, i.e. freedom from anxiety, is characterized by:
a) Receiving what we have as a gift from God.
b) Knowing that it is God’s business and not ours to care for what we have, though we must be responsible stewards.
c) Making our goods available to others – this frees us from possessive attachment.

E. Outward simplicity is characterized by
a) Buying things for their usefulness rather than their status.
b) Rejecting anything that is producing an addiction in you.
c) Using cars less often, public transport more.
d) Growing some of your own food if possible.
e) Eating more vegetable and grain products, less meat and processed food. (A cow eats 21 lbs of vegetable protein for every 1 lb of meat protein it provides.) Dried beans and lentils are an excellent source of protein.
f) Re-using what can possibly be re-used.
g) Developing habits of giving things away.
h) Refusing to be duped by the propaganda of modern gadgetry. It breaks down in the end, and it wastes valuable resources of energy.
i) Learning to enjoy things without feeling the need to own them.
j) Developing a deep sense for creation, being “at one” with the world.
k) Trying not to get into debt.
l) Speaking plainly and honestly.
m) Finding time for silence and withdrawal from the world; cultivate the interior life. Learn to rest in God, be free from anxiety; be more concerned with who you are, not what you do, and don’t define the former in terms of the latter.
n) Do nothing that will breed the oppression of others. Inform yourself more thoroughly about issues of world poverty and justice. Maybe join an organization like World Development Movement.
o) Don’t be faddy about any of the above. They are guidelines, not laws.