Order, Understanding, and Edification in Worship

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we delved into 1 Corinthians 14, a challenging yet essential chapter that addresses the conduct of worship services. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to correct their chaotic and sensationalistic worship practices, emphasizing the need for order, understanding, and edification. The Corinthians were enamored with spiritual gifts, particularly the more ostentatious ones like speaking in tongues, which led to disorder and confusion during their gatherings. Paul’s letter provides guiding principles for worship that remain relevant today.

The first principle is edification, which means building up the church. Paul stresses that love should be the foundation of all spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most impressive gifts are meaningless. He encourages the Corinthians to pursue love and prioritize prophecy over tongues because prophecy edifies the entire church, while tongues often only edify the individual. The second principle is understanding. Paul uses illustrations to show that communication in worship must be clear and comprehensible. Without understanding, worship becomes mere noise. The third principle is order. Paul outlines guidelines to ensure that worship services are conducted in a manner that promotes peace and avoids confusion.

Paul also addresses the role of women in the church, emphasizing the importance of submission to authority. While this is a controversial topic, Paul insists that his instructions are the commandments of the Lord. Ultimately, the goal of worship is to glorify God and build up the church, not to showcase individual talents or create chaos. As we enter a new year, let us commit to using our gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Edification as a Core Principle: Worship should focus on building up the church community. Spiritual gifts, no matter how impressive, are meaningless without love. Paul emphasizes that love should be the foundation of all actions within the church, encouraging believers to prioritize gifts that edify the entire congregation, such as prophecy, over those that may only benefit the individual, like speaking in tongues. [12:07]

2. The Importance of Understanding: Communication in worship must be clear and comprehensible. Paul uses various illustrations to demonstrate that without understanding, worship becomes mere noise. Whether through music, language, or spiritual gifts, the message must be conveyed in a way that is meaningful and understandable to all present. [35:26]

3. Order in Worship Services: Paul provides guidelines to ensure that worship services are conducted in an orderly manner. This order promotes peace and avoids confusion, allowing the congregation to focus on glorifying God and building up the church. The principles of edification, understanding, and order are essential for a worship service that honors God. [54:17]

4. Role of Women in the Church: Paul addresses the role of women in the church, emphasizing the importance of submission to authority. While this is a controversial topic, Paul insists that his instructions are the commandments of the Lord. This teaching challenges us to consider the biblical structure of church leadership and the roles within it. [56:12]

5. Commitment to Building the Church: As we enter a new year, we are encouraged to use our spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God. Each member of the church has a unique role to play, and by working together, we can build a strong, unified body that reflects Christ's love and truth to the world. [01:05:44]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:41] - Variance in Worship Styles
[03:58] - Corinthian Church's Chaos
[04:54] - Paul's Correction
[06:19] - Early Church Context
[09:01] - Paul's Absence and Insight
[10:00] - Misinterpretation of Tongues
[12:07] - Principle of Edification
[14:31] - Prophecy vs. Tongues
[16:32] - Understanding Tongues
[18:42] - Counterfeit Tongues
[20:20] - Singular vs. Plural Tongues
[21:40] - Misunderstanding in Worship
[23:15] - Edification vs. Self-Edification
[24:54] - Prophecy's Greater Value
[27:02] - Building Up the Church
[28:40] - Encouragement and Participation
[29:45] - Our Church, His Church
[31:59] - Principle of Understanding
[33:44] - Communication in Worship
[35:26] - Substance and Meaning
[37:42] - Application to Individuals
[38:44] - Singing and Understanding
[40:11] - Impact on Others
[41:24] - Paul's Language Skills
[42:38] - Application to Unbelievers
[44:03] - Tongues as a Sign
[46:12] - Order in Worship
[48:38] - Seeking Understanding
[49:29] - Principle of Order
[51:57] - Regulating Tongues and Prophecy
[54:17] - God of Peace, Not Confusion
[54:53] - Controversial Verses on Women
[56:12] - Submission and Authority
[57:49] - Women's Role in Ministry
[59:36] - Contextual Understanding
[01:00:45] - Commandments of the Lord
[01:01:25] - Acknowledging God's Word
[01:02:23] - Paul's Apostolic Authority
[01:03:18] - Conclusion and Reflection
[01:04:27] - Organized Chaos in Ministry
[01:05:44] - Commitment to Edification

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: 1 Corinthians 14

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 14

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the main issues in the Corinthian church's worship services that Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 14? [03:58]

2. According to the sermon, what does Paul emphasize as the primary purpose of spiritual gifts? [12:07]

3. How does Paul illustrate the importance of understanding in worship through musical instruments and language? [31:59]

4. What guidelines does Paul provide to ensure order in worship services? [49:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul prioritize prophecy over speaking in tongues, and how does this reflect on the purpose of spiritual gifts in the church? [14:31]

2. How does the principle of understanding relate to the effectiveness of worship and communication within the church? [35:26]

3. In what ways does Paul suggest that the conduct of worship services can impact unbelievers who visit the church? [46:12]

4. How does Paul address the role of women in the church, and what are the implications of his instructions for church leadership and authority? [56:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own participation in worship services. How can you contribute to the edification of the church community? Are there specific gifts you can use to build others up? [27:02]

2. Consider the clarity and understanding of communication in your church's worship. Are there areas where you feel the message could be more comprehensible? How can you help improve this? [35:26]

3. Think about the order and structure of your church's worship services. Are there aspects that could be more organized to promote peace and avoid confusion? How can you be part of the solution? [49:29]

4. How do you perceive the role of women in your church? Are there ways to ensure that their contributions align with biblical teachings while respecting their gifts and callings? [56:12]

5. As we enter a new year, what specific steps can you take to use your spiritual gifts for the glory of God and the edification of the church? Consider setting a personal goal for how you will serve in the coming months. [01:05:44]

6. How can you foster a spirit of love and unity in your church, especially when there are differences in opinion or practice? What actions can you take to promote harmony and understanding? [12:07]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s emphasis on the importance of understanding in worship. How can you ensure that your personal worship practices are meaningful and comprehensible to others? [35:26]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Love as the Foundation of Edification
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul emphasizes that love should be the foundation of all spiritual gifts. The Corinthians were captivated by the more sensational gifts, such as speaking in tongues, which often led to self-edification rather than building up the church community. Paul encourages believers to prioritize prophecy over tongues because prophecy edifies the entire congregation. The principle of edification is crucial; without love, even the most impressive gifts are meaningless. As we reflect on our spiritual gifts, we should ask ourselves if they are being used to build up the church in love. [12:07]

1 Corinthians 8:1-2 (ESV): "Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know."

Reflection: Think of a spiritual gift you possess. How can you use it this week to build up someone in your church community in love?


Day 2: Clarity in Communication
Paul stresses the importance of understanding in worship, using illustrations to show that communication must be clear and comprehensible. Without understanding, worship becomes mere noise, losing its substance and meaning. Whether through music, language, or spiritual gifts, the message must be conveyed in a way that is meaningful and understandable to all present. This principle challenges us to ensure that our expressions of worship are accessible and edifying to everyone in the congregation. [35:26]

1 Corinthians 14:9 (ESV): "So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air."

Reflection: Consider a recent worship service you attended. Was there a moment where the message was unclear? How can you contribute to making worship more understandable for others?


Day 3: Order as a Reflection of God’s Peace
Paul provides guidelines to ensure that worship services are conducted in an orderly manner, promoting peace and avoiding confusion. This order allows the congregation to focus on glorifying God and building up the church. The principles of edification, understanding, and order are essential for a worship service that honors God. By maintaining order, we reflect the nature of God, who is a God of peace, not confusion. [54:17]

1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV): "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal life. Is there an area where chaos reigns? How can you bring God’s peace and order into that area this week?


Day 4: Submission and Authority in the Church
Paul addresses the role of women in the church, emphasizing the importance of submission to authority. While this is a controversial topic, Paul insists that his instructions are the commandments of the Lord. This teaching challenges us to consider the biblical structure of church leadership and the roles within it. Submission is not about inferiority but about honoring the order God has established for the church. [56:12]

Ephesians 5:21-22 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."

Reflection: Think about your role in the church. How can you practice submission to authority in a way that honors God and strengthens the church community?


Day 5: Commitment to Edifying the Church
As we enter a new year, we are encouraged to use our spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God. Each member of the church has a unique role to play, and by working together, we can build a strong, unified body that reflects Christ's love and truth to the world. This commitment requires intentionality and a focus on the collective growth of the church rather than individual recognition. [01:05:44]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: Identify one spiritual gift you have. How can you use it this year to contribute to the unity and growth of your church community?

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Quotes



The first principle that Paul gives us that ought to govern our worship, friends, is this, and it is the principle of edification. The principle of edification. What does edification mean? Simply means being built up, okay? It's actually a term that talks about building, that is rooted in building a house or something. So it's talking about being built up. [00:10:50] (29 seconds)


He goes on to explain why he wants them to seek prophecy over speaking in tongues. Look at verse 2. He says, So, what is this speaking in a tongue or speaking in tongues? The word tongue is from the Greek root glossa. It literally means tongue or language. Okay? So, speaking in languages or speaking in a language, if you may want to think about it in a different way. [00:15:36] (40 seconds)


So in Acts, the gift of speaking in tongues was a real language that was spoken that the speaker did not know before, and it was given as a sign from God that the gospel was real, that the gospel was true. Okay, this was a miracle. This was a sign gift to identify that these had received the Holy Spirit and were truly born again children of God, and so that others could understand and believe and hear about Jesus. [00:17:42] (34 seconds)


Paul's putting that forth as a bad thing, not as a good thing. He's saying what we should do is seek to edify others and not just seek to, oh, wow, I'm going to do this because it makes me feel closer. I'm going to do this because it makes me feel closer. I'm going to do this because it makes me feel closer to God. [00:24:05] (15 seconds)


So unless there is an interpreter, which would then be able to understand what is being said and to explain it, prophecy is desired over tongues because the church is edified by prophecy and only the individual is edified by tongues, whether it is real. And see, if it's a genuine gift, there are unbelievers that are edified, but I believe he's talking about a counterfeit gift because only the individual is edified by that. [00:25:57] (29 seconds)


Paul says, listen, I would rather speak five words and know what I'm saying and be able to communicate truth from God than 10,000 words in a tongue that may make me look great and wonderful and I can do all this and stuff, but don't. Don't edify anybody. Brethren, verse 20, do not be children in understanding. Okay? Or don't be immature in understanding. However, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. [00:42:03] (35 seconds)


The second principle friends is a principle of understanding. Okay. And I'm going to try to speak faster cause we got a lot to cover. Okay. And I want you to beat the Methodist to Applebee's wherever. Okay. Eight. Times in this next section, Paul uses the word understanding, which refers to our mind, our intellect, or our comprehension friends, no matter what we say, if nobody understands what we say, then does it do anybody any good? No. [00:50:12] (31 seconds)


Paul implies that what they were doing was not beneficial or building up to each other. So what Paul does in the next few verses is that he seeks to set out and establish some order for them. Now, remember, this was very early on in the life of the church, okay? So here's what Paul does. He says, the way they did worship, it's obvious, is different than the way we do it. Amen? And that's okay. All right? There's no set prescribed necessarily specific order for worship. But the way in which we do it needs to have some order. [00:50:42] (38 seconds)


For God is not the author of confusion or disorder, but of peace. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. Order over chaos. Now, next we have some of the most controversial verses in all of scripture. And our time is running short, so we're done. Some of you would like for that to be, and I can't say that maybe I would like for that to be. But let's talk about this for just a couple of minutes. [00:54:17] (37 seconds)


Friends, however he's gifted you, would you in 2025 commit yourself to using your gifts for the glory of God to build up his church? Let's pray. [01:06:03] (16 seconds)


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Transcript
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