Today we take a break. Please accept this musical gift (which ends with a Thai/Finnish story.)

Tunes in this episode:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/sanctuary/1517475316

Today's episode ranges from Paul's letter to the Corinthians to a discussion about marketing and the ancient Merovingian kings of Frankia. Enjoy!

"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?"

"Above all else, guard your heart,

In this final episode on this Spiritual Hamburger, we look at the Biblical teaching on orderly worship, what pleases God. Just as in the first century, churches today may fall into disorder and a lack of unity. May it not be so.

"If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored."

"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Why Must Women Keep Silent in Church? Explaining 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Today we look at Paul's teaching on two gifts: Tongues and Prophecy. Though these gifts are often misunderstood, misapplied or confusing, just as they were in the first century, the Bible gives us clarity about what these gifts are and how to walk in them.

We must remember that these gifts are not the "meat of the hamburger."  Love is the most excellent way.

"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."

To listen online: https://shorturl.at/Qn8WL

In today's episode, Mike talks about body life and the meat of this Spiritual Hamburger: the primacy of love.

In his letter, Paul continues to emphasize unity and service because the gifts of the spirit caused disunity and unloving actions in the church. Let's listen for God's instruction to the church today.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

. . . eagerly desire the greater gifts, and now I will show you a most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

Today we look a very important part of "The Spiritual Hamburger": the lists of spiritual gifts that Paul gives in his letters -- what are they, how do we get them, and why they are given. They are:

1. Prophecy (4x)

Today we continue our look at "The Spiritual Hamburger" of 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14.

Mike addresses the questions - Why does the Lord give His gifts to His people? Are we limited to just one spiritual gift? What does it mean to see a 'manifestion of the Spirit'?

Joseph wasn’t bitter toward his brothers who threw him into the pit and sold him as a slave to Egypt, or toward Potiphar’s wife who lied about him and got him thrown into jail. It was part of God’s plan. 

 Jesus wasn’t bitter toward Judas who betrayed him. Of course it hurt to be betrayed by a friend. But the truth is Jesus could have completed His mission without John, James and Peter, but He could not have done it without Judas. Judas was the only apostle necessary in Jesus’ life to get Him to the cross and fulfill what God had for His life. 

 In the same way, we all need a Judas in our lives to help us get to our cross so we can die to ourselves and fulfill God’s plan for our lives.  

The people who hurt us most are the biggest blessing because it brings us closer to God, and causes us to die to ourselves so we can become more like Christ and live for all that God has for us. There is no reason for me or anyone else to become bitter. 

 We’re also called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. It’s not as easy to do as it is to say, but I’ve grown in this last year. God has really been teaching me the importance of this, of loving our enemies, of praying for those who persecute us, and to not become bitter when people hurt us. 

 So, remember, it all helps us to become more like Jesus. When people speak evil against us and lie like Jesus said they would, it can turn to a blessing. 

 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The purpose of this series of talks is to de-mystify a Biblical sandwich, a text that has often been divisive and/or misunderstood, very often taken out of context or broken into constituent parts. 

If you don’t have beef, do you have a hamburger?

Let's talk about a Biblical Hamburger. 

In this episode Mike looks at a real-world application of a Greek noun.

Do you need a lawyer? God provides one who will be with you forever.