Unity and Order in Spiritual Worship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, focusing on the proper use and order of spiritual gifts within the church. Paul addresses the gifts of tongues and prophecy, emphasizing that while these gifts are valuable, they must be exercised in a manner that promotes unity and edification within the church. The overarching theme is that God values the behavior and unity of believers more than the gifts themselves. Paul provides specific guidelines to ensure that worship remains orderly and edifying, rather than chaotic and disruptive.
Paul's instructions include allowing only two or three people to speak in tongues, and only if there is an interpreter present. Similarly, prophecy should be done one by one, so that all may learn and be encouraged. The principle is that spiritual gifts should be used to build up the church, not to create confusion or draw attention to oneself.
A particularly challenging part of the passage is Paul's instruction for women to remain silent in the churches. This has been a source of much debate and discomfort. However, it is essential to interpret this within the broader context of Scripture, which shows that women played significant roles in the early church. The likely issue in Corinth was that some women were disrupting the service, and Paul's directive was aimed at restoring order.
Ultimately, the message is about maintaining beauty and order in worship, ensuring that all actions within the church glorify God and edify the congregation. Worship should never be about individual glory but about lifting up the name of Jesus and fostering a spirit of unity and peace.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity Over Gifts: God is more concerned with how we love and treat one another than with the specific spiritual gifts we possess. The exercise of spiritual gifts should always aim to build up the church and promote unity, rather than causing division or drawing attention to oneself. [24:26]
2. Order in Worship: Paul emphasizes that worship should be conducted in an orderly manner. This means that spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy should be exercised with clear guidelines to avoid chaos and ensure that the congregation is edified. Worship should be a reflection of God's peace and order. [26:19]
3. The Role of Women: The instruction for women to remain silent in church is challenging but must be understood in context. Paul likely addressed specific disruptions in Corinth. The broader biblical narrative shows that women played vital roles in the early church, and their contributions should be valued and respected. [54:27]
4. Beware of False Prophets: Not everyone who claims to speak for God is genuinely prophesying. True prophecy aligns with Scripture and builds up the church. Believers must be discerning and cautious about who they allow to speak into their lives, ensuring that the message aligns with God's Word. [47:40]
5. Self-Examination: Paul encourages believers to look inward and address any issues within themselves that might cause disruption in the church. By dealing with our internal mess, we can contribute to a more unified and peaceful worship environment, allowing God to work powerfully in our midst. [59:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:58] - Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
[24:26] - Unity Over Gifts
[25:03] - Tongues and Prophecy
[26:19] - Order in Worship
[27:28] - Women in the Church
[29:03] - Addressing Different Perspectives
[30:14] - The Importance of Process
[32:08] - Four Key Questions
[33:22] - Relax and Focus on Unity
[35:19] - Big Ideas in Chapter 14
[36:59] - Worship Should Be Powerful
[39:37] - Worship Should Not Be About Us
[42:08] - The Problem in Corinth
[44:51] - Understanding Tongues and Prophecy
[49:21] - Chaos in Corinth
[51:49] - Guidelines for Tongues and Prophecy
[54:27] - Addressing the Role of Women
[59:15] - Self-Examination and Unity
[01:02:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific guidelines does Paul give for speaking in tongues and prophecy in the church? ([26:19])
2. According to the sermon, what was the main issue Paul was addressing in the Corinthian church regarding spiritual gifts? ([29:03])
3. How does Paul suggest the church should handle a situation where someone speaks in tongues without an interpreter? ([51:49])
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace"? ([26:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that spiritual gifts should be used to build up the church rather than create confusion? ([24:26])
2. How should believers interpret Paul's instruction for women to remain silent in the church, considering the broader context of Scripture? ([54:27])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of order and peace in worship services? ([26:19])
4. How can believers discern between true prophecy and false prophecy according to the sermon? ([47:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced disorder in a worship service. How did it affect your ability to worship and feel connected to God? ([29:03])
2. How can you personally contribute to maintaining order and peace in your church's worship services? ([26:19])
3. Considering Paul's emphasis on unity over individual gifts, how can you ensure that your use of spiritual gifts promotes unity rather than division? ([24:26])
4. How do you feel about Paul's instruction for women to remain silent in the church? How can you approach this topic with sensitivity and respect for differing viewpoints? ([54:27])
5. What steps can you take to be more discerning about who you allow to speak into your life spiritually? ([47:40])
6. Paul encourages self-examination to avoid causing disruption in the church. What internal issues might you need to address to contribute to a more unified worship environment? ([59:15])
7. How can you foster a spirit of unity and peace in your interactions with fellow believers, both inside and outside of church services? ([24:26])
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Over Gifts
The exercise of spiritual gifts should always aim to build up the church and promote unity, rather than causing division or drawing attention to oneself. Paul emphasizes that God is more concerned with how believers love and treat one another than with the specific spiritual gifts they possess. In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Paul provides guidelines to ensure that the use of spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy is done in a manner that promotes unity and edification within the church. This means that the gifts should be used to serve others and glorify God, not to elevate oneself or create confusion. [24:26]
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
Reflection: Think of a time when you used your talents or gifts. Did it promote unity and build others up, or did it draw attention to yourself? How can you use your gifts today to serve and unify the church?
Day 2: Order in Worship
Paul emphasizes that worship should be conducted in an orderly manner. This means that spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy should be exercised with clear guidelines to avoid chaos and ensure that the congregation is edified. Worship should be a reflection of God's peace and order, not a source of confusion or disruption. By following Paul's instructions, believers can create a worship environment that is edifying and glorifying to God. [26:19]
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 church's worship services. Are they conducted in an orderly manner that promotes peace and edification? What can you do to contribute to a more orderly and peaceful worship environment?
Day 3: The Role of Women
The instruction for women to remain silent in church is challenging but must be understood in context. Paul likely addressed specific disruptions in Corinth. The broader biblical narrative shows that women played vital roles in the early church, and their contributions should be valued and respected. It is essential to interpret Paul's directive within the broader context of Scripture, which highlights the significant roles women played in the early church. [54:27]
Romans 16:1-2 (ESV): "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well."
Reflection: Think about the women in your church and their contributions. How can you support and encourage them in their roles? What steps can you take to ensure that their contributions are valued and respected?
Day 4: Beware of False Prophets
Not everyone who claims to speak for God is genuinely prophesying. True prophecy aligns with Scripture and builds up the church. Believers must be discerning and cautious about who they allow to speak into their lives, ensuring that the message aligns with God's Word. This discernment is crucial in maintaining the integrity and edification of the church. [47:40]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Reflect on the voices you allow to speak into your life. Are they aligned with Scripture and building you up in your faith? How can you be more discerning in identifying true prophecy and teaching?
Day 5: Self-Examination
Paul encourages believers to look inward and address any issues within themselves that might cause disruption in the church. By dealing with our internal mess, we can contribute to a more unified and peaceful worship environment, allowing God to work powerfully in our midst. Self-examination is a crucial step in fostering unity and peace within the church. [59:15]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your heart and actions. Are there any issues or behaviors that might be causing disruption in your church? How can you address these issues and contribute to a more unified and peaceful worship environment?
Quotes
1. "The rule of thumb for spiritual gifts in the church, is that God is way less concerned about the gift that he gave you. He's way more concerned about your behavior that you exude when you steward that spiritual gift." [24:26] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The corporate worship experiences should celebrate decency and order at all times. Okay? So that's the first big idea on the passage. And this is what I want you all to hear me say. When we come together on Sunday, which is what Paul's talking about, okay? His was in a living room. Ours was in a big old building. But here's the good news. Living room or outside of a field or somewhere in a cave or in a 100,000 square foot edifice. Because of who Jesus is, every time God's children come together, worship ought to be powerful." [36:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When Sunday comes, all of my trouble is over. When Sunday comes, I get to open up my mouth and bless his holy name. When Sunday comes, everything I've been through all week, I can let go of that weight. When Sunday comes, when my boss was tripping and my colleagues were acting a fool, I can be around the saints and know I'm gonna get smiles on every face. When Sunday comes, I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." [37:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Worship should never be about us. I'll tell you, when a worship service gets off the tracks, it's because somebody is trying to snatch attention and glory away from God and put it on themselves. I've been in churches where I'm just telling you this is a hot mess. People jumping in the baptismal pool, and it ain't even baptism day. I'm talking about running around the church, and hey, I've run before, but the preacher preaching, you need to sit down and listen to what God's Word is saying." [39:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I know that I've shown up well in church when I have stewarded my gifting in such a way whereby God was glorified. His people were edified, and hell was horrified." [41:03] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The problem was disruption in their worship that led to distraction, placed on a side of the church so they could not come to worship. And That's what's going on in the church. So all through chapter 14, if you'll read it, go back and read it, by the way, this week, all throughout he's talking about what's important in the worship gathering is that everyone be built up. That the church be built up. Build up, Build up, build up all over chapter 14, that everything that happens when you come on a Sunday morning should be building people up." [42:08] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "A spiritual gift without spiritual control becomes a spiritual curse. I believe that what was going on in Corinth is that women were rightly using their spiritual gifts in this context, but were allowing the gift to become more important than the giver from whom we needed the truth from in this particular moment. And so Paul brings order to this church." [54:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "At the end of the day, what Paul is saying is, I want you not to look at these issues, but to look at you. And to look at what's going on inside of you to make sure that what's going on inside of you doesn't cause disruption for everyone outside of you. Because the truth is, sometimes the mess in us can be messy for all of us. And that's what Paul is saying. Let's not do that." [59:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When we show up here, miracles can happen because God can trust Southwest. When we show up here, marriages can come together because God can trust Southwest. When we come here, homeless folk can find a home because God can trust Southwest. When we show up here, the addict that's abusing alcohol and abusing drugs can be delivered by the power of the Holy Ghost because God can trust Southwest." [01:02:00] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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