Sermon 021598

1Co. 14:26-40                                     Power and Order in Worship                               2/15/98

Series 23.31                                                                                                                       ABCC

I.     Review                                                                                                                             610

q      Context of this chapter & these verses:  church gatherings for worship (v. 26b,28,34,35)

q      Edification of the church must be our objective when we gather (v. 26c)

q      Paul is not addressing all the sp. gifts in this chapter - contrasting tongues to prophesy

q      Gift of tongues is an unplanned & spontaneous utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit in a language that is unlearned by the speaker & unknown to the congregation = interpretation!

q      Gift of prophesy is an unplanned & spontaneous utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit in a language known by the speaker & congregation – not the same as preaching!

q      In verses 26-40, Paul is giving instructions to the congregation at large, to believers with the gift of tongues,…of prophesy, and to Christian women.

II.    Congregation at Large (v. 26)

A.     Christians should come to worship prepared to participate – “When you assemble, each one…”

B.      Christian worship should not center on any one gift, though preaching is predominant.

C.      Christian worship should not be boring – interactive, variety, spontaneity

III.   Believers with the Gift of Tongues (v. 27-28)

This gift should not be disruptive & should not dominate the worship – must contribute to edification.

IV.  Believers with the Gift of Prophesy (v. 29-32a)

V.   Christian Women (v. 33b-35)

1.      Women are to keep silent when the church is gathered for worship (v. 34a)

2.      Women are to be submissive when the church gathers for worship (v. 34b)

3.      Women are to ask their questions in private outside public worship (v. 35)

Power and Order in Worship, pg. 2

Silent in reference to what kind of speech?  Submissive in reference to what law?  Does this only apply to married women?  This silence has to reference something specific, because women have already been given liberty to pray & prophesy (11:5) and they can sing with the congregation.  She must not speak out in passing judgment regarding prophesy – teaching.  She must be submissive because of the creation order in Genesis 2 & 1Tim. 2:13.  During this period in history & in that culture, most women were married - the principle is that women should not teach men when the church gathers for worship.  When the church gathers, everyone is required to exercise self-control “keep silent” (v. 28,30,34).

VI.  Congregation at Large (v. 36-40)

A.     Warning to the arrogant believers (v. 36)

B.      Encouragement to the humble believers (v. 37)

·        The test for conversion & a tender heart is the fact that Jesus is LORD & you obey Him from a heart filled with love (12:3; Jn. 14:15; 1Jn. 5:3)

·        True believer acknowledge & submit to the authority of scripture – “the Lord’s commandment”

C.      Warning to professing believers (v. 38)

If anyone disregards my instructions, then he will be disregarded by God = 8:2-3; 2Tim. 2:12; 2C0. 13:5

D.     The need for balance (v. 39-40)

1.       There are others members of the congregation – in addition to preachers & teachers - that may have something to say when the church gathers for worship.  When the church gathers for worship, there is this amazing combination of God’s sovereignty & human responsibility, divine power & human self-control, POWER & ORDER, reverence & joy, spirit & mind.  We cannot get rid of this gracious tension, its makes worship exciting; keeps us in anticipation, humbled…  Is Jesus your Lord?  Do you love Him?  Do you love His word to us?