May 24, 2015
Evening Service

We are winding down to the end of the first letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church.  He has addressed many issues already for them and also for us.  We have been warned or instructed about false teaching, preacher religion, fornication, taking brothers to court, marriage, the weaker brother, the rights of a minister, and the gifts of the spirit.  Along the way, Paul continued to emphasize the importance of doing all things with love.  This morning in the first half of chapter 14, Paul explained to us the superiority of the gift of prophecy over the gift of tongues. 

The relationship between Christ and the church has been compared to the relationship of marriage between a man and wife.  A marriage begins with excitement, anticipation, and energy just as with the beginning of the church.  We will see today how that, just as an earthly marriage does, the church soon settles into an orderly routine that is based more on commitment than excitement.  Does that mean love for our spouse or our Lord is diminishes over time, certainly not!  It actually means our love has grown.  April & I have will be married 33 years this summer and I can honestly say that the love we began with cannot compare to what I feel today.  This fall I will have been a baptized believer for 40 years, and I also can honestly say my love for the Lord has grown every year.  

Tonight Paul gives us a baseline for how pubic worship is to be done after the honeymoon ends for the early for the early church and what part the gifts are to play in it.  We ended this morning with Paul explaining the result and goal of the gift of prophecy used correctly in a service.

1Co 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or one not instructed comes, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all.  (25)  And so the secrets of his heart become revealed. And so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

·         Our goal as a church is to create an atmosphere of love and worship than softens a heart into opening itself up to God.   Confusion, chaos, judgement, and discourse are not invited guests to our services.

 

1Co 14:26-28 Then how is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, and an interpretation. Let all things be for edification.  (27)  If one speaks in a language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in succession. And let one interpret.  (28)  But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in a church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

·         In the excitement of the early church everyone wanted to participate in some manner.  Tongues were even allowed, but now with some restrictions.  It must be one at a time, at most three, and only done with an interpreter.   He continues:

1Co 14:29-32 And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge.  (30)  If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.  (31)  For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be comforted.  (32)  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

·         Paul now sets in order the order of preaching.  Only two or three were to speak and if a new revelation is given the first must relinquish the pulpit for latter.  It is limited to only one speaking at a time so all may be comforted and not confused.  The prophet was to be in control of himself and follow the Spirit’s leading.  It was to be a time of organized teaching and revelations.

 

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

·         Our service not to be chaotic or confusing, it is to be one where peace abounds with a spirit of worship and hearts are in tune to hear from God.  Anytime confusion is present it is not from the Lord.  Paul now touches on another controversial issue that should not be.

 

1Co 14:34-35  Let your women be silent in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the Law also says.  (35)  And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in a church. 

·         Paul here plainly answers the role woman are to play in public worship.  They are not to be one of the speakers teaching the congregation.  They are to be present and listening to the teaching, but silent during the service.

·         Are we out of God’s will when we allow woman to offer prayer requests, sing a special or give a testimony?  I don’t believe so.  We have evolved into an orderly fashion that has allowed us to have woman participate in these manners without adding any confusing to the service.  If it did we would quickly act to end it.   As we rightly divide the Word, we still cannot allow a woman to lead a service where men are present, as Paul instructed Timothy.

1Ti 2:9-12  In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing,  (10)  but with good works, which becomes women professing godliness.  (11)  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence.

·         This has been become an enormous issue for the church to deal with.  There has been tremendous pressure from the world for the church to become tolerant of all genders for all positions.  There certainly are woman who have a talent for speaking and know the scriptures very well, but the issue is not up for debate.  God has made it very clear what He wants and it is up to us to accept “Thus sayeth the Lord.”  Look at verse 36.

 

1Co 14:36 Or did the Word of God go out from you? Or did it reach only to you?

·         Paul reminds us that we did not write the scriptures, God did.  We cannot pick and choose what we want and don’t want.  God said it; I believe it and that settles it.

·         Paul also knew that because these were controversial subjects and there would be those that would question the authority of his writings.  He makes an extremely important statement next.

 

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.

·         All Paul’s writings are “God inspired,” and should be viewed as so.  The fact that his letters have endured the test of time is proof in itself that God is in control.  He told the Galatian church this:

Gal 1:6-10  I marvel that you so soon are being moved away from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel,  (7)  which is not another, but some are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But even if we or an angel from Heaven preach a gospel to you beside what we preached to you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, and now I say again, If anyone preaches a gospel to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed.  (10)  For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

·         It is very clear that Paul speaks in full authority of God.  It is our job to simply trust and obey. 

·         He now sums up this chapter.

 

1Co 14:38-40 But if any is ignorant, let him be ignorant.  (39)  So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in languages.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.

·         We are commanded as the church to not eliminate the gifts from the public service, but to follow the commands we have been given to keep things being “done decently and in order.”  Our service is not to be chaotic or confusing, but edifying to all who are present.

·         I believe we do that here at the Bride.  We have changed some things and left others unchanged as we seek to please God in a “worthy manner.”  Our goal again is to create an atmosphere of worship that allows the Spirit to speak to hearts and direct them to action.

 

   Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one hearing say, Come! And let the one who is thirsty come. And whoever desires let him take of the Water of Life freely.

 

Lord, may we be found faithful as we seek to follow You.