Building up the Church 1 Corinthians 14v1-25

Which is on page 1154 and Kirsty is going to come and read. Thank you.

Okay, that's 1 Corinthians chapter 14 and starting in verse 1.

1 Corinthians 14 · chapter mention

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.

Indeed, no one understands him. He utters mysteries with his spirit.

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you,

unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp,

how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?

Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

So it is with you.

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?

You will just be speaking into the air.

Undoubtedly, there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying,

I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

So it is with you.

Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

For this reason, anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

So what shall I do?

I will pray with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind.

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can anyone who finds himself among those who do not understand say amen to your thanksgiving,

since he does not know what you are saying?

You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than 10,000 words in a tongue.

Brothers, stop thinking like children.

In regard to evil, be infants.

Tongues then are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers.

Prophesy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues,

and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in,

will they not say that you are out of your mind?

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying,

he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all.

And the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.

So he will fall down and worship God,

exclaiming, God is really among you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Kirsty.

Please keep your Bible open there to 1 Corinthians 14.

Before I pray, just one comment,

and that is it's a large section we've just had read.

There's a lot of questions that may arise out of it,

so please do come back to me, ask me anything afterwards.

And on the table as you came in, there was a little pamphlet,

which is called Building Up the Church, Tongues and Prophecy.

I made them available last week.

There's a couple left,

which goes into detail a little bit more about the chapter.

So if you haven't read that, it might be helpful for you to read it.

And if there's no more copies left,

ask me and I can forward them to you or email you a copy.

Let's pray.

Our Father God, we thank you for your word,

and we thank you for your Holy Spirit.

And so we pray now and ask that you would speak to us

a clear message

that we may understand with our minds

that it might drive deep into our hearts,

that it would change us as a church

more and more into the people you call us to be.

May you build us up in our faith,

and may we be a people

so that when unbelievers come among us,

they will say,

God is among you.

Father, please help us

speak your word into our lives, we pray.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Well, if you could have any spiritual gift you wanted,

what kind of gift would you choose?

These are some of the things we've been looking at over chapters 11 to 14.

Imagine the gift of healing,

being able to pray for someone and seeing their illness removed.

Or imagine the gift of miraculous powers,

the power to change a circumstance supernaturally.

Imagine the gift of faith,

that ability to step out and achieve great things for God.

Or imagine the gift of tongues,

speaking in an unknown language

that only God can understand what you're saying.

What about the gift of encouraging

and comforting?

Coming alongside someone quietly

and speaking words to them

that build them up.

Any takers for the gift of encouraging?

Well, look at verse 18.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

But in the church,

that is, when the church gathers together

just as we are right now,

I would rather speak five intelligible words

to instruct others

than 10,000 words in a tongue.

You see, the church in Corinth

believed that the more spectacular your gift was,

well, the more spiritual you were.

And in particular,

if you could speak in tongues,

well, you were seen to be part of the spiritual elite.

And if you couldn't speak in tongues,

well, you were spiritually inferior.

You were a kind of second-class Christian.

Well, such thinking was destroying

and dividing the church.

As he reminded us back in chapter 12.

Have a look at chapter 12, verse 18.

Whatever gift we might like,

we do not get to choose

what gift we want.

Look at chapter 12, verse 18.

But in fact,

God has arranged the parts in the body,

every one of them,

just as he wanted them to be.

Verse 29.

Are all the prophets?

Are all apostles?

Are all prophets?

Are all teachers?

Do all work miracles?

Do all have gifts of healing?

Do all speak in tongues?

Do all interpret?

The answer is obviously no.

God is the one who gives gifts to his church,

just as he determines.

However,

those who are spiritually mature,

verse 31,

but eagerly desire

the greater gifts.

Those who are mature in faith

are to desire

the greater gifts.

Well, what are the greater gifts

that we should desire?

Well, that's what chapter 14

is all about.

Three things we learn here

about the greater gifts

that we should desire.

First,

desire gifts

that build up

the church.

Look at verse 1,

chapter 14.

Follow the way of love

and eagerly desire

spiritual gifts,

especially

the gift of prophecy.

Now, why

is he encouraging us

to desire

the gift of prophecy?

Well, the value of our gift,

whatever gift we might have,

is not measured

by how it benefits me,

but in how it builds up

the church.

So look at verse 4.

The person who speaks

in a tongue,

that is,

in an unknown language,

edifies himself,

but he who prophesies

edifies

or builds up

the church.

You see,

the gift of tongues

or the ability

to speak

in an unknown language

is only of value

to self.

It builds up

just one person.

The gift of prophecy,

however,

is of greater value

and worth

because it can build up

the whole church,

many people.

So he encourages us,

verse 12,

since you are eager

to have spiritual gifts,

try to excel

in gifts

that build up

the church.

That's why Paul

has begun

this whole argument

in chapter 14

with the command

in verse 1.

He starts off

by telling us,

follow the way

of love,

verse 1.

You see,

love is not

self-centred.

Love is

others-centred.

Love is not

self-seeking

or self-promoting.

Love doesn't come

to a gathering

like this

on a Sunday

and wonder,

what is somebody

going to do for me?

Or what can I get

out of this

for me?

Love comes

and reaches out

for the good

of others.

So in love,

we are to eagerly

desire spiritual gifts

that are

others-centred.

Gifts that build

up the church

rather than

building up self.

Now,

one example

of a gift

that builds

up the church

is the gift

of prophecy.

But what is

the gift

of prophecy?

Well,

it's hard

for us

to be

absolutely sure

what prophecy

is,

as Paul doesn't

actually give us

a clear definition.

It's one of those

things that we're

scratching our head,

like,

what does it

actually mean?

Well,

we are given

the goal

or perhaps

the aim

of prophecy

and we're

told what

that is.

So have a look

at what the goal

of prophecy is.

Maybe that helps

us to understand

a little better

what it is.

So look at

verse 2.

In contrast

to tongues,

he says this.

Verse 2,

for anyone

who speaks

in a tongue,

that is an

unknown language

or an unlearned

language,

so it's not

something like

Spanish

or Russian

or Chinese

or anything

else like that.

It's an

unknown,

unlearned

language.

For anyone

who speaks

in a tongue

does not

speak to men

but to God.

So it's like

a private

prayer to God.

Indeed,

no one

understands them.

He utters

mysteries with

his spirit.

But,

everyone

who's

prophesied

speaks to

men and

women

for their

strengthening,

encouragement,

and comfort.

We see

something similar.

Have a look

at verse 31.

For you

can all

prophesy

in turn

so that

everyone

may be

instructed

and

encouraged.

So,

from those

few verses,

we can

see that

the goal

or the

aim of

prophecy,

the outcome

of prophecy

is to

strengthen,

encourage,

comfort,

and instruct.

In fact,

as we'll see

in a minute,

it can actually

lead an

unbeliever

to faith.

Have a look

at the end

of verse 25.

So,

this is in

the context

where somebody

has prophesied

and look

what happens

at the very

end of verse 25.

he will

fall down,

the unbeliever

will fall down

and worship

God,

exclaiming,

God is

really

among you.

Now,

as we think

about that,

if we are

people who

are going

to strengthen,

encourage,

comfort,

instruct,

and lead

an unbeliever

to faith

in Christ,

well,

then the only

way that's

going to

happen

is by

speaking the

truth of

God's word

into people's

lives.

Of course,

prophecy may

be more

than that,

but at

the very

least,

it is

speaking

truth

from God,

applying

the scriptures,

applying what

God has

given to us

into each

other's lives

so that

the church

is built

up.

Have a look

at verse

5 of

chapter 14.

So I

would like

every one

of you

to speak

in tongues,

but I

would rather

have you

prophesy.

Here's the

reason.

He who

prophesies is

greater than

the one who

speaks in

tongues,

unless he

interprets,

so that

the church

may be

edified.

So,

we are

to desire

gifts that

build up

the church,

especially

the gift

of prophecy.

The second

big thing,

as we think

about greater

gifts,

desire gifts

that use

intelligible

words.

Desire gifts

that use

intelligible

words.

Verse 6.

Now,

brothers and

sisters,

if I come

to you,

and speak

in tongues,

what good

will I be

to you?

You're not

going to

understand what

I'm saying.

What good

will I be

to you,

unless I

bring to

you some

revelation,

or knowledge,

or prophecy,

or word of

instruction?

Now,

again,

we can have

lots of

ideas as to

what they

actually all

mean,

the gifts

that we

have there

in verse

6.

We're not

told exactly

what each

one are.

But what

we can

say for

certain is

that revelation,

a word of

knowledge,

or prophecy,

or word of

instruction,

they're all

word gifts

that communicate

a clear,

intelligible

message.

So,

if we're

going to be

people who

build up

the church,

then we

should desire

gifts that

communicate

communicate

with

intelligible

words.

There should

be clarity,

not confusion.

Verse 7.

Even in the

case of

lifeless things

that make

sounds,

such as the

flute or

harp,

or as in our

case today,

a guitar and

the beat of

a drum

box,

how will

anyone know

what tune

is being

played unless

there is a

distinction

in the

notes?

How would

we know

what to

sing if

it's just

the same

chord that's

played the

whole way

through?

Just as

music brings

clarity and

produces a

recognisable

tune,

so our

words should

bring clarity

to one

another.

Or verse 8.

Again, if the

trumpet does

not sound a

clear call,

who will get

ready for

battle?

So this is

going back to

ancient times,

times where

the person

would blow

the bugle

and it

would send

a clear

message to

the troops

to get

ready for

battle.

Well, in

the same

way, our

words should

send a

clear message

that is

easily

understood.

Verse 9.

So it is

with you.

Unless you

speak intelligible

words with

your tongue,

how will

anyone know

what you

are saying?

it will be

just as if

you are

speaking into

the air.

Now I am

sure we have

all heard the

expression.

I heard it

just last

week.

Preach the

gospel and

if necessary

use words.

Do you know

what verse

that comes

in?

What part

of the

Bible?

Anybody

know?

It is

often quoted

as if it

comes from

the Bible.

It is not

actually in

the Bible.

And the

biblical

writers,

including

Paul,

would

completely

disagree

with

preach the

gospel and

if necessary

use words.

The point is

we cannot

preach the

gospel and

we cannot

build each

other up

by comforting,

encouraging and

strengthening and

leading someone

to Christ

without using

words.

Our words

communicate a

clear and

intelligible

message that

will strengthen

and encourage

comfort and

instruct.

So,

verse 12,

so it is

with you,

if you are

eager to

have spiritual

gifts,

try to

excel in

gifts that

build up

the church.

Desire word

gifts like

prophecy because

they will cause

the church to

grow and be

strong.

Now that

doesn't mean

that everyone

has to be a

preacher.

Or that you

have to have

the ability

to teach at

Munster Bible

College or to

be able to

lead a Bible

study with a

group of

people.

But it does

mean that we

as individuals

can begin to

speak the word

of God into

each other's

lives.

What would

that look like?

Well, it might

be that you've

been reading your

Bible through the

week and there's

some scriptures

in your mind

and you're

thinking,

that will

really be

helpful for

and I'm

going to

share that

with them.

Or I'm

going to

send a text

message to

them or an

email.

Or it could

be that in

the course of

conversation with

someone, the

Spirit brings to

mind and prompts

you with a

word of

encouragement.

You might not

even be aware

of what's going

on in the

person's life,

but the

Spirit prompts

you and gives

you a word

from God to

encourage them

and comfort

them and

build them

up.

So here we

are encouraged

to speak

intelligible,

clear words

into each

other's lives

so that we

are growing

and become

strong.

So clarity,

not confusion.

But we must

also use our

mind.

Well you say,

well what about

this gift of

tongues?

That's a word

gift, isn't it?

Shouldn't we

encourage people

to use that

gift in the

life of the

church?

Well that was

the problem in

the church at

Corinth.

They thought

that to speak

in tongues

and unintelligible

language was far

superior and Paul

is arguing through

this saying,

no all it does

is bring confusion.

Have a look at

verse 13.

For this reason

anyone who

speaks in a

tongue,

an unlearned

language,

should pray

that he may

interpret what

he says.

So if someone

in the church

such as a

gathering like

this,

if you have

the gift of

tongues

and you've

got a message

of encouragement

or comfort for

someone,

to make it

profitable and

beneficial for

the person or

for the whole

church,

at that moment

they should be

asking God to

enable them to

speak clearly

and intelligibly,

to interpret

so that they are

speaking words that

people will

understand.

That's how Paul

uses his gift of

tongues.

Look at verse

14.

He says,

For if I pray

in a tongue,

my spirit prays,

so the spirit

is at work in

my life,

but my mind

is unfruitful.

I don't know

what I'm saying

and nobody else

will understand

what I'm saying.

Verse 15.

So what shall

I do?

Well, I will

pray with my

spirit,

but I will

also pray

with my mind.

I will sing

with my spirit,

but I will

also sing

with my mind.

In other words,

we don't leave

our minds at

home when we

gather on a

Sunday.

We use our

God-given minds

so that people

will understand

with their minds

what is being

said.

Verse 18.

I thank God

that I speak in

tongues more

than all of you.

So Paul is

not saying the

gift of tongues

is wrong,

because he

clearly uses it,

so it's not a

wrong thing.

But if anybody

does have the

gift of tongues,

it should be

used for

personal and

private use,

not for public

or corporate

use.

That surely is

what he's saying

in verse 19.

But in the

church,

as the church

gathers,

I would rather

speak five

intelligible words

to instruct

others than

ten thousand

words in a

tongue.

God's

word gift.

So let me

encourage us

when it comes

to our tea

and coffee

time.

How many

times have

you heard it

said,

speak to

each other

and encourage

each other?

How many

times have

you heard

that?

Well, in

case you

haven't heard

it, let me

say it again.

When you

have tea and

coffee, it's

a great

opportunity to

put into

practice

our word

gifts.

As the

spirit prompts

you and

equips you

over tea

and coffee,

the spirit

will give you

that courage

to actually

go up to

somebody and

not just

say, oh,

isn't the

weather lovely

or what did

you think of

the match?

I'm sure

that is

helpful.

But does

it encourage

us in the

faith?

Speak

these words

that the

Lord is

giving us.

Maybe

somebody is

down and

they need

comforted.

Maybe

somebody is

struggling and

they need

encouraged.

Maybe

somebody is

walking away

from Christ

and they

need

instructed.

It isn't

just the

preacher up

front who

has to

do that.

So desire

word gifts

like prophecy

so that

together we

can build

up the

church.

church.

So desire

gifts that

build up

the church,

desire

gifts that

use intelligible

words,

and desire

gifts that

communicate the

gospel.

This is where

it's all

heading.

Look at

verse 20.

Brothers

and sisters,

stop thinking

like children.

Would you

grow up?

stop thinking

in this

spiritually

immature way.

Of course,

verse 20,

in regard to

evil, be

infants, so

have an

innocent mind

about things

that are evil

or not of

God, but

in your

thinking,

be adults.

Be

spiritually

mature.

When it

comes to

desiring

gifts,

desire

prophecy

over tongues

because it

will build

up the

church.

In fact,

prophecy

can lead

an unbeliever

to faith

in Christ.

Let's

see how

that's

true.

First,

unintelligible

words lead

to unbelief.

Look at

verse 21.

In the

law,

or in the

scriptures,

that's the

Old Testament,

it is

written,

through men

of strange

tongues and

through the

lips of

foreigners,

I will

speak to

this people,

but even

then they

will not

listen to

me, says

the Lord.

Well, what's

all that

about?

Well, we

need to go

back to

Isaiah chapter

Isaiah 28 · chapter mention

28.

So, keep

your finger

in 1

Corinthians

14.

Go back

to Isaiah

Isaiah 28 · chapter mention

chapter

28,

which is

on page

7-1-1.

because what

we just

read there

is a

quote from

the prophet

Isaiah in

chapter 28.

So, go

with me,

we're going

to follow a

few verses

there.

Isaiah

Isaiah 28 · chapter mention

chapter 28,

page 7-1-1.

So, this

is God

speaking

through

the prophet

Isaiah

with a

clear,

intelligible

message

to the

people of

Israel.

And the

big message

through the

whole book,

like much

of the

prophets,

is calling

the people

to repentance

and to

come back

to God.

Stop

following

your ways

of idols,

turn back

to the

Lord.

That was

the clear,

intelligible

message

to the

people.

But how

do the

people respond?

Well, look

at verse

7 of

chapter 28.

And these

people,

these also

stagger from

wine and

reel from

beer.

Their

priests and

their prophets

stagger from

beer and

are befuddled.

What a

great word.

Befuddled

with wine.

They reel

from beer.

It seems

that they're

far too

busy drinking

beer and

wine and

slurring their

own words

rather than

listening to

God's clear

word.

In fact,

they just

laugh at

Isaiah.

Look at

verse 9.

Who is he

trying to

teach?

To whom

is he

explaining

his message?

To

children

weaned from

their milk?

To those

just taken

from the

breast?

What Isaiah

says, it's

all baby

talk.

Did you

ever hear

him?

Goo,

goo,

goo?

Verse 10.

For it

is do

and do,

do and

do,

rule on

rule,

rule on

rule,

a little

here,

a little

there.

What's

all that

about?

Well,

it's

actually,

if we

know that

our Old

Testament is

written in

Hebrew,

it's trying

to get

across a

translation,

which is

actually better

if we do

read Hebrew

itself.

So at

the bottom

of your

page,

you'll

probably

see a

little

note

at the

very

bottom

in

Hebrew.

Do you

have it

there?

Can you

follow with

me?

Don't

normally do

this.

I'm not

an expert

in Hebrew.

I'm only

reading what's

here.

But you

see,

it gives

the Hebrew

for verse

10.

It says,

sav,

la sav,

sav,

sav,

cav,

cav,

cav,

cav.

So we

can understand

that as

they're

listening to

Isaiah,

they're just

simply mocking

Isaiah the

prophet as

he brings

his clear

message.

Do you ever

hear what he

says?

Sav,

la sav,

sav,

la sav,

blah,

blah,

blah.

On and

on he

goes,

cav,

la cav,

cav,

la cav,

yap,

yap,

yap.

A silly

message and

they don't

want to

hear.

But what

is God's

response?

Chapter

28,

verse 11.

Very

well then,

with

foreign lips

and strange

tongues,

God will

speak to

this people

to whom

he said,

this is

the resting

place,

let the

weary rest,

in other

words,

come back

to me,

and this

is a

place of

repose.

But they

would not

listen.

Because of

their refusal

to listen

to the

clear message

of God,

God is

now going

to speak

through

foreign

lips,

through a

foreign

language.

That great

nation,

the Assyrians,

a people

who are

going to

speak a

different

language,

and then

that mighty

nation who

comes in,

and we know

for history

they did

invade Israel,

will come

and destroy

you and

defeat you.

So he's

warning them

and saying

to Israel,

when you

hear the

Assyrian

soldiers

walking down

your street,

and you

cannot

understand

what they're

saying,

you will

know that

God's

judgment

has come

upon you.

With

foreign lips

and strange

tongues,

God will

speak to

this people.

Back to

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14 · chapter mention

chapter 14.

You see,

it's important

that when we

read our

Bibles,

we get the

context of

what's actually

being said.

tongues,

so back

to verse

22.

Tongues,

then,

are a sign

not for

believers,

but for

unbelievers.

It's a sign

for those

who have

no belief,

or those

like Israel

in the past

who ignored

the word

of God

and refused

to believe

what God

had to say.

It was almost

like a

judgment

had come

upon them.

There was

nothing more

that they

could hear

from God.

It was

all gibberish.

Verse 22.

Prophecy,

however,

is for

believers,

those who

will believe,

not for

unbelievers,

or those who

will refuse

to believe

God's

message.

Now,

all of this

is applied

to the local

church,

when we

gather.

And that

is,

intelligible

words leads

to belief.

So look

at verse 23.

If the

whole church

comes together,

just as we

are right now,

and everyone

speaks in

tongues,

and some

who do not

understand,

or somebody

who's not

yet a believer,

or some

unbelievers

come in,

will they

not say

that you

are out

of your

mind?

the only

conclusion

they will

come to

is that

the church

has gone

completely

mad.

Rather than

lead people

to believe,

it will cause

them not

to believe,

just as it

was for

Israel.

It was like

a hardening

of their

heart.

They didn't

know what

was going

on anymore.

They

couldn't

hear God's

clear message.

Verse 24.

But if

an

unbeliever

or someone

who does

not

understand

comes in,

while everybody

is prophesying,

that is,

people are

encouraging,

comforting,

instructing

one another,

they will be

convinced by

all that he

is a sinner

and will be

judged by

all,

and the

secrets of

his heart

will be

laid bare.

The

person,

the

unbeliever,

who is

part of

the gathering

will hear

the clear,

intelligible

message of

God,

they will

begin to

hear through

people's

conversations,

the truth

of who

Jesus is

and what

Jesus has

done.

That God

has forgiven

us of all

of our

sin,

that he's

adopted us

as his

children into

his family,

that he's

guaranteed us

an eternity

in his good

and perfect

kingdom,

that we

can enjoy

God and

know his

love in

our lives.

And as

people talk

and build

each other

up with

God's

words,

so

unbelievers

will hear

the truth

of God

be convicted

of their

sin and

come to

face in

Christ.

Isn't

that

incredible?

That over

a cup of

tea,

that someone

could overhear

your conversation

with someone

else,

or in a

little group

or as you

meet up with

friends during

the week,

as they hear

you talk with

somebody else

about your

faith and how

God has

helped you,

that God

could use

that to

turn someone

to Christ?

They will

fall down and

worship God,

exclaiming God

is really among

you.

So,

as we come

to the end

of this section

in chapter 14,

the encouragement

is to us

all to

desire gifts

that build up

the church.

Yes,

God gives

them,

but we can

ask,

we can pray,

and as we

ask for gifts

that build up

the church,

desire gifts

that use

intelligible

words,

word gifts

like prophecy,

asking,

and desire

gifts that

will communicate

the gospel

clearly to

those who

do not yet

believe,

gifts like

prophecy.

May God

encourage us,

comfort,

strengthen,

and instruct

us through

one another

as we

speak God's

word into

each other's

lives.

Let's pray.

Our Father

God,

we thank you

that you

have spoken

a clear,

intelligible

message to

us through

your Son,

the Lord

Jesus Christ,

and by

your Spirit

you have

opened up

our minds

so that we

can understand

all that you

have given

to us.

And it's

our desire,

Father,

would you

please fill us

afresh with

your Holy

Spirit.

Would you

give to

this church

gifts that

build one

and

build one

another up?

No matter

how timid

we may

feel,

no matter

how self-conscious

we may feel

when we

speak,

Father,

give us

words that

we can

speak into

each other's

lives,

that will

encourage and

build up and

instruct and

comfort those

who are

struggling,

leading people

back to

Christ,

so that we

are built

up together

as your

people.

So,

Father,

do your

work amongst

us.

Pour out

your Spirit,

we pray,

and we

ask this for

your honour

and for your

glory,

that people

will come

to faith

and that we

will go on

to follow

Jesus.

We ask

this in

his name.

Amen.

Well,

we're going

to sing

together,

connected to

what we've

been thinking

of this

morning.

Speak,

O Lord.

It's a

prayer that

God,

as we read

the word,

as we're

listening to

him,

that God

would speak

to us,

so that we

in turn can

speak to

one another.

Let's stand

together as

we sing.

speak, O Lord,

as we come

to you,

to receive

the fruit

of your

holy word.

take your

truth,

plant it

deep in us,

shape and

flesh it

up in

your