All things done in order

Paul continues to address issues within the assembly. Issues that were causing division, the major problem with the Corinthian church and still can be today too.

Issues in the assembly: Head coverings (1Cor11:2-13)

Issues in the assembly: Lord’s Supper (1Cor11:14-34)

Issues in the assembly: Use of gifts (1Cor12:1-31; 14:1-25)

This morning we are looking at a key principle to promote unity of the believers in the assembly, while it may appear to be divisive it is really uniting with a purpose.

Key verses (1Cor14:26, 14:40):

1 Corinthians 14:26 NASB95

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

And on the other end of our passage

1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB95

40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

So this morning we are going to look at two things, may they be unifying not dividing.

Order in the assembly (1Cor14:26-33)

Participation in the assembly (1Cor14:34-40)

Order in the assembly

I think as we get into our lesson this morning maybe take a minute, or two, look at the purpose of the assembly (in general) first.

Purpose of the assembly:

To worship God in spirit and truth (Jn4:23)

To continue steadfastly in pattern of early church (Act2:42)

To sing (Col3:16)

To give (1Cor16:2)

And our reason before us in our passage today, to edify (1Cor14:26-33)

But wait, i have to give scriptures and feel important to speak briefly on the purpose as our set up for our passage today.

John 4:23 NASB95

23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

Jesus spoke of how worshipers would worship; in spirit and truth, so in essence (heart) and truth (word)

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Devoted to the pattern set after Pentecost

Apostles teaching (Word)

Fellowship (assembly)

Breaking of bread (Lords Supper)

Prayer (well, prayer!)

now add to that

Colossians 3:16 NASB95

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

To sing, to sing to and with one another; with thankfulness from your heart!

1 Corinthians 16:2 NASB95

2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

So the Corinthian church had lost it’s way, lost its purpose. And when your purpose is lost you can lose your way too as noted in Heb10:23-25

*no reason to read the line below it is for outline only*

Don’t risk it, don’t lose your purpose (Heb10:23-25)

Hebrews 10:23–25 NASB95

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

It is when we assemble we encourage and edify one another in our faith, our confession of hope, we are strengthened.

It is when we are assembled we can work to stimulate one another, one another with purpose - to love and good deeds and encouraging one another.

The Corinthian church was having problems within the assembly, some we have looked at and today will continue to look at more. The main problem that is being addressed is the use of spiritual gifts with improper heart. They were being used for self, instead of for the common good. They were about exhibition instead of edification.

When you come to the assembly do you come to receive, or to participate? Now some of the elements, scenarios were for them, then, and some of the scenario does not, in general, fit the assembly today. But we need to look together at the passage.

1 Corinthians 14:26–27 NASB95

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;

1 Corinthians 14:28–29 NASB95

28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

1 Corinthians 14:30–31 NASB95

30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

1 Corinthians 14:32–33 NASB95

32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

There are some important facts we need to glean from the passage.

Question: In (v.26) why are these things to be done when they come together?

For edification

Question: Again in (v.26) there is a phase used about how many people are involved in the assembly, what is it?

Let each of you.

This is in the day before there was hired ministry professionals. The church was in its infancy and there was a different free flow than today.

They came together for each to participate in the assembly they mention

A psalm

A teaching

a tongue

An interpretation of tongue

A revelation

But again, it was all to be done in order and within limits as noted in (vv.27-31)

Question in (v.31) Paul makes a general statement about something they “all” can do, what is it?

All can prophesy, so all can learn and all can be encouraged.

So, “all” is used so is this all have the gift of prophesy or do you think it is something else? (this is not on the sheet) - expand on this, all can foretell the truth!

Now, going back to all things in order. It would seem from the passage the emphasis seems to be that there were issues with those speaking in tongues. And that needed to be done in order too, there must be an interpretation of tongues or be quiet and sit down (vv.27-28)

But that was not alone because the prophesy being given too needed to be tested.

Question: what is the testing of the prophets in (v.32)?

The prophets are tested by the prophets, the prophets test the prophesy (truth being foretold)

Even the church at Thessalonica was told to test the prophets

1 Thessalonians 5:19–20 NASB95

19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB95

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

(those are not on the outline, have them note them down)

A couple of great reminders:

God brought order out of chaos (Gen1)

Confusion is not from God; that is from Satan (Jm3:13-18)

When God leads there is no disorder and all were able to minister one by one then so that God’s message would be conveyed and received by the church in orderly, intelligible manner.

Testing the prophesy, testing the spirits was vital then and vital today to test to see what is being proclaimed (prophesy) is true for there are many false teachers and false prophets giving false prophesy then, and today.

2 Corinthians 11:13–14 NASB95

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Note down that scripture too if you don’t mind. You can look at book of 1Jn that addresses “authentic Christianity” so you can see and identify fake and false Christianity.

(Transition): So how do we apply this instruction given to the church then for the church today? We have differences for we have no modern day prophets, we have the full counsel of God’s revealed and complete word. We must use the Word to test the things that we hear. We need to be prayerful for God’s discernment for there are false teachers, false preachers and even true teachers and preachers can be wrong, so you need to look at, evaluate the message for biblical accuracy before application.

(Transition) This now brings us to participation in the assembly then and now, and this is a hot topic in the church and has even been a very divisive issue just as it was in the 1st century church.

Participation in the assembly

As we look at these few verses keep in mind who Paul is addressing. Why is Paul addressing them. What is Paul’s aim in addressing them?

I think you would agree that over the last couple of decades, especially this last one the role of women has changed in many churches. Many withing the Christian community are embracing changes that even some within the Lord’s church are starting to embrace including our Christian schools regarding women’s roles.

Known women’s roles in the scripture

They would prophesy (Act2:15-18, 21:8-9)

In act2, on Pentecost the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy was stated again and was about to happen.

Instructions regarding women prophesying (1Cor11:3-16)

In 1cor11 they were instructed in what to wear when they were prophesying

Evidence of women accompanying in teaching (Act18:26)

In Act18 we know the Prisca, aka Priscilla accompanied Aquila in teaching Apollo’s about the one baptism of Jesus

Older women to teach younger women (Tit2:3-5)

Paul instructs Titus to instruct older women to teach younger women how to love their husbands and their children

(transition): Women are important in the church and to the church yet there are limitations as outlined in the scripture

Paul speaks of limitations in (1Tim2:11-12)

We will get to the Timothy passage shortly

Paul speaks of limitations in (1Cor14:34-37) our passage

1 Corinthians 14:34–35 NASB95

34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

1 Corinthians 14:36–37 NASB95

36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

(Insert Women’s role in the church picture here)

Some question on is this principle of women’s role still applicable today, or is it not?

Context: Paul is addressing the assembly, and order in the assembly.

It would see there were women then who had husbands who prophesied , had the gift of prophesy . And if that is the case, they should ask their gifted husbands their questions at home. These were inspired gifted men at that time in Corinth. We have no inspired men today for that which is complete has come (God’s full counsel, God’s revealed word)- so this would be why some say this passage does not apply at all today and was only for the church at Corinth and that time and the issue at hand.

Reasons why some believe that this passage applies today too.

A couple of points to make first

Paul calls it a shame for women to speak, to go ask their inspired husbands

1 Corinthians 14:35 NASB95

35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

It was not a cultural shame, just a church shame, for the culture had many priestesses at the time.

It was a spiritual shame as even taught under the law of Moses

1 Corinthians 14:34 NASB95

34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.

The general principle as the women were not to speak out, and that must have been an issue in the Corinthian church at the time.

Specific principle was the women were told to be silent and ask their husbands at home.

Why? Great question!

Women are not to have authority over a man (1Tim2:11-12; 3:15)

1 Timothy 2:11–12 NASB95

11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

and add to that

1 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

God is not the God of confusion, but of order. We have instructions on how to conduct ourselves in the household of God (the church assembly)

God’s order is women are to be submissive and not exercise authority over a man, even in the home God set’s his order (see Eph5:22-24); It was applicable in Corinth, it was applicable in Ephesus, so do you think it should be applicable here? This is not man taking authority from women, scripture is clean that it is the Lord’s command

1 Corinthians 14:36–37 NASB95

1 Corinthians 14:38 NASB95

38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

The context immediate, for then ,ad remote, is it applicable today indicates that that Lord intended for all church in all places at all times to keep to His commanded order.

(Transition) - so it sees in looking at the scripture regarding women’s roles within the church is pretty clear. But that does not mean that women do not have a place in the church, do not have a voice in the church

Quiet: in the assembly, when the church is all together - that is the context (1Cor14:23)

1 Corinthians 14:23 NASB95

23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

Question: When at home (1Cor14:35)

The principle applies when the whole church comes together in the assembly in one place at one time.

Query: What about Bible classes? - we are not all together in one place at one time?

Query: What about congregational or family meetings: The whole church is not together in fulfilling the purpose of the assembly, (Act2:42) in a family meeting.

Quiet: During Announcements, Lord Supper, Prayers during the assembly: We are all together in one place at one tie with one purpose.

Just because keeping things in order does not men women do not have anything they can do in the assembly for that too would be contrary to scripture.

We are commanded to sing praises (Eph4:19; Col3:16)

They are to come in agreement with an amen in the assembly (1Cor14:16)

While these things in society today and even some within the church today may feel they are “old fashioned” or “Narrow minded,” or even “legalistic and oppressive to women.” We need to be more concerned on what the Lord has to say on the issue.

1 Corinthians 14:37–38 NASB95

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

May we in love stay to the commandments of the Lord for it is God’s plan, God’s order and for God’s purpose and God’s glory.

Women are more than capable to speak, to reason, to prophesy (proclaim God’s truth) as men are and can do such outside of the assembly for that is God’s order, the authority is given to men and should be carried out by men as commanded by the scripture.