February 19, 2017
Morning Service

I Cor. 14

            In our study of the Lord’s glorious church, we have seen its beginning, its growth through persecution, and now let’s look at the worship in this church.  You have heard me say before that the only place the worship in the assembly is mentioned is in ICor. 14.  Let’s begin there:

1Co 14:26-40  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.            WHEN YE COME TOGETHER-COMMON ASSEMBLY.

1.       These are the common Christians.  Probably meeting in someone’s house.  If Jews, in the beginning, they would meet in the Synagogues.  But soon found out that this wasn’t going to work.  The Christian Jew was disowned by his family, and would not be accepted in the synagogues.  The gentile Christians, were never welcomed in the synagogues, because the Jews considered them unclean.  Even though Peter had shared with many of them sighting his experience with Cornelius.  So they began meeting in homes, or where they could afford larger spaces.

2.     While they gathered, every one had a Psalm – This could be a reading, or a song.  The psalms were used in this manner.  The psalms were mostly written by David, to the Chief Musician. 

3.     Then he says everyone has a doctrine;  or a teaching.  Now this is a good place to look at the gifts to the church.  For to be a teacher, it is best if one feels the calling.

(Eph. 4)

Eph 4:1-16  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  (2)  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  (3)  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

·         In order to keep the unity of the Spirit in our teaching, it should be done by men called of God for this purpose.  But anyone sold out to God with the talent to teach can teach.

(4)  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  (7)  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  (8)  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

·         So we can see that these gifts are given by God, and to whom He wills.   (I Cor. 12:11 )

(9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  (10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  (11)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

1.       Apostles, we already know that Jesus called twelve, but there were more.  Apostle means one that has been sent.  We also know that the church is built upon the Apostles, and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone.  They spoke the truth of God upon which the church is guided.   ( Eph. 2:20)

2.      Prophets;  this was their task.  Jer 26:2  “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:”  This is exactly what preachers are supposed to do.  Speak His words to the people.  Stay with the revealed Word.

3.      Evangelists;  these are men who go around preaching revivals, in modern day.  But are to speak the Word of God, just like the Prophets.

4.      Pastors;  These are the men that God has called to lead the local congregation.

5.      Teachers;  This also is listed as a divine gift from God.  They are to teach the Word of God, and not vary from the doctrines found in the Scriptures.  As we see there are some women that teach, and we have instructions from Paul on this matter.

1Ti 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  Tit 2:4-5  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Paul gives reasons for this teaching, but we won’t go into that right now.  Go there and read it.

NOW LET’S SEE WHY THESE GIFTS WERE GIVEN;

(12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

·         How long would they be needed?

(13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

·         Why do, and did we still need them?

(14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

ALSO; CHAPTERS 12 IN ROMANS, AND ICOR. 12 ARE ALSO A DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFTS TO THE CHURCH.

NOW WE ARE BACK TO I COR. 14.  THE ASSEMBLY.

(27)  If any man speak in a unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.  (28)  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 

·         Now here is a more easily understood, and accurate interpretation of this Scripture;

1Co 14:27-28  When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say.  (28)  But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.

·         Paul explains his feelings on this matter at the beginning of this chapter.  Read it.

(29)  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  (30)  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  (31)  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  (32)  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  (33)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

·         Everything that would be revealed, is revealed in the Word of God.  This way there is no confusion, or different ideas, it is “thus saith the Lord.”  There is no need for new revelations.  Peter said, “all things that pertain to life, and godliness have been given unto us.”  That’s our Bible.  New revelations just cause confusion, and God is not its author.  Such as; Muhammad, and Joseph Smith, just to name a couple.  There has been more.

(34)  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  (35)  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.  (36)  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  (37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  (38)  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  (39)  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.

DEAR GOD, TAKE THE WORLD OUT OF OUR HEARTS, AND MINDS, AND HELP US TO GROW CLOSER TO YOU.