There is NO “I” in Church

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul corrects the Corinthian church’s dysfunctional practice of spiritual gifts. While chapter 12 addressed their distorted perspective, and chapter 13 revealed love as the guiding principle, chapter 14 emphasizes that worship must build up the whole church—not just the individual.

Paul contrasts the gift of tongues, which edifies the speaker, with prophecy, which edifies the church. He calls believers to pursue love and desire gifts that benefit others. Christian worship is meant to be participatory, clear, and orderly—reflecting the nature of God, who is not a God of confusion but of peace.

This sermon challenges the cultural trend of expressive individualism and reminds us that spiritual gifts are not for self-exaltation, but for mutual edification. Worship builds up His Body.