The Order of Worship

Introduction:

Does God care about how we worship Him. I submit to you that He does. We see various places in the Word of God where He lays out how His people are to worship Him. But what about when we come together as a church, a gathering of the body of Christ coming together to worship Him? Is there a way we are to be or things we are to do or not do? I’m not suggesting that we take these cues from anywhere other than the Bible. In today’s passage, we come to I Corinthians 14:26-40 where Paul addresses the issue of disorder in the way the Corinthians were coming to worship. Today we are going to take a look at what was going on and what Paul gave as the adjustment the Corinthians would need to make to bring them back in line with the will of God in their worship.

Let’s read the Word of God. Follow along on your screen or in your Bible.

1 Corinthians 14:26–40 ESV

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.

I. The gifts are governed by rules

All of the gifts, including these should be used for the edification of others. (v. 26)

Using their gifts to please themselves instead of to help the church.

Paul wants them to be eager to prophesy, and not to forbid tongues. (v. 39)

Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly manner.

Paul apparently viewed tongues as the biggest problem. He gives clear guidelines in verses 27-31.

Prophets can exercise self control

How should we think about this gifting now that we know the NT is a completed revelation?

All Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

We must test all teaching by Scripture. (like the Bereans)

Self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23. The Holy Spirit’s ministry brings order.

II. Women in Worship

From what we can tell, it appears there were some women who were starting some arguments in the church service.

Some have translated the word “women” in verse 34 as “wives.”

They should ask their husbands about their questions. We would then assume that an unmarried woman would ask questions of the church leaders.

The phrase used in verse 34 for “should remain silent” does not mean the “absence of sound.” It communicates the message that the woman should not enter into clamorous debate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS CLAMOUROUS DEBATE BEFORE PREACHING!!!!!

Paul had already addressed women praying and prophesying in the church in I Corinthians 11:5.

III. Paul reinforces that these are commands from God.

The Word of God did not come from them and they were not the only people who had recieved the Word of God. Paul reminds them of this.

Something is wrong with the person who claims to have spiritual gifts but will not follow Scripture.

Though tongues are not forbidden, it is encouraged to speak in an understandable language.

While they were concerned about having spiritual gifts and which ones, Paul was more concerned with the use of those gifts. Someone having a gift is not a definite sign that they will use it correctly.

Conclusion

A speaker at a men’s rally gave a long discourse on “spiritual gifts” and their use and misuse. However, he concluded his scholarly discourse by saying, “The key is found in 1 Corinthians 14:12. If everyone claiming spiritual gifts would abide by this verse, the problems would, for the most part, be solved immediately.”

I have always seen the value of Paul’s teaching on love being located exactly where it is. Chapter 12 and Chapter 14 tell us about spiritual gifts but Chapter 13 is the discourse on love.

I need to keep love in the middle of all of this. I am likely to become either too excited, or too legalistic, over spiritual gifts. As a result, I may become discouraged with the whole subject if I don’t keep love in the middle. - Ben Merold