Taught by
Stephen ArmstrongFirst Corinthians
1 Corinthians (2013) - Lesson 14D
Chapter 14:26-40
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There are probably as many ways to conduct a church service as there are churches
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Styles vary from denomination to denomination
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And even within a certain tradition, individual congregations will each have their own style
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Musical styles, the order of events, the approach to teaching, the schedule for the Lord’s Supper
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But despite all our differences, the Christian gathering has maintained a remarkable consistency over the centuries
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We have songs of praise, whether with instruments or not
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We have prayers, whether aloud or privately
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We have the Lord’s supper, whether every week or occasionally
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We have teaching, hopefully from the text of scripture
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We have recitation of creeds, testimonies, personal confessions, announcements, collections for the saints, hails and farewells, and occasionally something out of the ordinary
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This pattern is more than habit…it’s a fulfillment of the purpose of the gathering
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We gather for the same reason a sports team practices together
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We each have a role to play, but our role is meaningless apart from the rest of the team
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We depend on the gathering for our chance to serve Christ by serving His people in our spiritual gift
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As Chapter 14 ends, Paul is ready to leave this church with a prescription for how everyone gets their chance to serve properly
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Paul wants everyone to play their part, but he also wants every contribution to edify
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Like a sports team, everyone has to participate in a coordinated, selfless manner ensuring the team is successful
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Church is no place for prima donnas
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The only One in the spotlight is Christ
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We’re all supporting cast members, role players
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So to end his discussion on spiritual gifts, Paul leaves correction and returns to teaching to explain how the church gathering should proceed
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1Cor. 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
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What is the outcome then, Paul asks?
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Today, we would probably say something like, “So what?”
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In other words, after all Paul’s said about spiritual gifts, the need to edify and respect the priority of gifts, so what do we do now?
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How does the body of Christ work together with a diversity of spiritual gifts to edify each other?
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How do we juggle these priorities?
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Paul answers his own question by instructing the church on how to conduct a church service properly
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His solution is deceptively simple
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It’s general enough to allow a wide variety of styles and traditions
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But it ensures the service will serve its intended purpose of edifying believers and glorifying the Lord
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First, Paul says when you assemble…
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Paul starts with a simple statement, but take note Paul never prescribes the frequency of assembly
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Earlier when teaching on the Lord’s supper, Paul had said “as often as you gather”
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In fact, no New Testament writer ever prescribes the frequency of the gathering of the body
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Nevertheless, the expectation is that we gather regularly
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The writer of Hebrews says:
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Heb. 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb. 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
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While no specific frequency for our gathering is prescribed in the Bible, we are called to never forsake the assembling together
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To forsake means to desert or give up on something
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It doesn’t mean to miss church occasionally
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It means to stop going to church services altogether
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This is not an option for any Christian
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And when we assemble, Paul says each one is to arrive at the gathering with the expectation that they have something to offer for the benefit of other believers
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Paul says each one has something
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We shouldn’t pass by those simple words too quickly…each one
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Not some, not a few, but each one
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Everyone should come ready to offer something to the body of Christ
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If you routinely come to church and leave having given nothing to the assembly, then you haven’t met the purpose in gathering
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Can we go to our workplace and contribute nothing everyday? Can we attend school and accomplish nothing day after day?
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Even if we assemble for an entertainment event like a concert or a sports game, we still contribute something
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We contribute our money to fund the event
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If we gather for a service project, we contribute our labor
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If we gather at a wedding we bring gifts
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If we gather at a funeral we bring words of encouragement
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Virtually every gathering of people functions only because of the contributions of the individuals assembled
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Church is no different
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In fact it’s all the more the case
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Since our gathering has no purpose apart from giving opportunity for us to use our spiritual gifts
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Therefore, Paul says everyone is to bring something
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Is that your mindset when you leave your home on Sunday mornings?
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Do you get in your car for the drive to church with the mindset that you’re bringing something for someone else?
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Are you thinking about who you want to pray for or pray with?
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Do you consider who might need some encouraging words?
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Do you have a testimony to share? A teaching to offer, whether to a child or adult?
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Are you bringing an instrument to play, a card to give someone?
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Are you bringing your checkbook or wallet?
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All of these things and many more are the means by which we edify fellow believers
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But we have to discipline ourselves to think this way about church
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Otherwise we’ll miss the chance to play our part
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And the gathering is diminished as a result
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We have a diversity of gifts for a reason
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So everyone is important
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Don’t ever think your participation or attendance isn’t important to this gathering
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It’s eternally important
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As Paul lists examples of different contributions, he includes a wide variety of gifts from across the spectrum of priorities
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He says one comes with a psalm, another with a teaching, another with a revelation, one with a tongue and another with an interpretation
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A psalm refers to a moment of praising the Lord in worship
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Today, we’d say a song of praise
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A teaching refers to any form of instruction, whether at the pulpit, in a class or one-on-one during a conversation in Fellowship Hall
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A revelation refers to a statement of prophecy or offering someone a word of counsel under the guidance of the Spirit
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A tongue and interpretation refers to the gift we studied earlier, speaking in a foreign language while another person interprets
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Even though some of these gifts have a greater potential to edify than others, nothing is excluded from the gathering
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Everything has a place and a reason to exist
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So long as everything is done for the purpose of edifying the body, Paul says
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That’s our ultimate test as we make decisions about what to include or exclude from the assembly
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Can we allow drama skits? Solo musical performances? Movie excerpts? Original songs?
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In every case the question is, did it give someone a chance to use their talent and express love for the Lord and His church?
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Does it edify the believer and testify to the glory of Christ?
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These are the tests we should apply
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But they are not the only tests we must apply
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There is another equally important test for what to include in the gathering and how to orchestrate everyone’s contribution
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1Cor. 14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
1Cor. 14:28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
1Cor. 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
1Cor. 14:30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
1Cor. 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
1Cor. 14:32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
1Cor. 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
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The additional test is respectfulness
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Are we contributing our gifts in a respectful manner
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Respectful to the purpose and value of our gifting
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Respectful to the needs of others
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Respectful to the purpose of the gathering
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Respectful to Christ
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Paul uses some example gifts to illustrate his point, and once again, Paul includes the gift of tongues in his list to correct the church’s use of this particular gift
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If someone in the body has the gift of tongues and intends to contribute with their gift, then it must be done in a respectful way
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Speaking in a foreign tongue no one understands should only be done in the gathering if someone is available to interpret
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An interpretation could come from someone with a gift of tongues
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Or it can come from someone who speaks the language naturally
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But without an interpretation, the speaker should remain silent keeping the gift to himself out of respect for the gathering
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Then notice Paul says that even if interpretation is available, the use of speaking in tongues should be limited to no more than 2 or 3
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We limit tongues in the gathering out of respect for the limited edification afforded by this gift
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As well because we need to leave room for others’ opportunity to contribute
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Furthermore, tongues are to be used only one at a time
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If two or more people are trying to speak over one another, then we are being disrespectful to one another
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If you’ve ever been exposed to the modern version of “so-called” tongues practiced in some churches, then you will notice they typically operate in direct violation of this biblical mandate
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As I’ve witnessed it, the room is filled with multiple people attempting to speak in something they think is tongues
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There are far more than two or three allowed to speak
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Everyone is speaking at the same time, so it’s a confused cacophony of useless noise
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And of course, no one makes any effort to interpret
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We need go no further than v.28 to see that such behavior is unbiblical
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And if it is contrary to the word of God, than it cannot be the product of the Spirit
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But in case we think Paul is singling out tongues, he gives similar counsel for one of the most important spiritual gifts: prophecy
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He says prophecy is also limited to 2 or 4 utterances in the gathering
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And after each person speaks a prophecy, the rest of the gathering is to immediately pass judgment on what is said
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Passing judgment means to discern whether the word was truly prompted by the Spirit
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Paul holds prophecy to the same standard as any other gift
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Is it done with respect to the gathering?
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And in respect to its purpose?
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In particular, Paul is concerned about any gift of utterance leading to chaos when used without the necessary respect
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In the case of prophecy, Paul asks that if a revelation is given concerning someone who is seated, then a special test must follow
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He’s talking about a situation where someone is standing and speaking to the congregation in some manner
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And while this person is standing, one who is seated, that is someone who did not have the floor to speak, receives a revelation from the Lord
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Paul says that the one who is standing should stop speaking long enough for the one seated to add his voice to the gathering
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Paul’s point is that the movement of the Spirit must be respected by all
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The Spirit may move in a way contrary to our order of service
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When that happens, we make room for it, but only to the extent that we can discern it is from the Lord
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The gathering isn’t a free-for-all, but it does need to remain flexible
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Paul gives the rule for how speaking gifts operate in the gathering in vs.31-33
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Paul says that everyone can contribute to the edification of the body by speaking in turn
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But the spirits of the prophets are always subject to the prophets
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Paul means that we aren’t acting out of control
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Prophets of the Old Testament weren’t robots who acted possessed and spoke without control over their bodies
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On the contrary, these men were always in full control of their faculties
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When they spoke, they spoke inspired words, but they never lost control over their mouths or bodies
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Similarly, Paul reminds the church that just because you have a speaking gift doesn’t mean you’ve lost all self control
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If you cry out in the middle of a church service, speaking over the top of someone else, you can’t claim that the Spirit made you do it
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The Spirit has never worked that way in past, and He’s not working that way now
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We are to remain in control at all times, carefully selecting the opportunity to contribute and always with respect and according to the rules established in scripture
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If we can’t control ourselves in this way, then we are not operating by the Spirit
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We are indulging our flesh
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Or worse, we’re under the influence of a false spirit
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When it comes to gifts of utterance, Paul says let’s be careful to keep everything we do in the gathering sensible, understandable and respectful to the Lord
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Because God is not a God of confusion
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In other words, our God doesn’t produce confusing, nonsense displays
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That’s not how He operates, for it does not glorify Him to do so
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The implication of Paul’s words is that when we see a gathering operating in a fashion contrary to these instructions, we simply can’t be watching something produced by the Lord
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For the Lord is not a God of confusion, so if confusion reigns in the gathering, then the Lord’s Spirit is absent
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He’s been pushed to the side, and in His place the flesh has taken over
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To conclude the chapter, Paul gives one additional command to ensure a respectful gathering
1Cor. 14:34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
1Cor. 14:35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
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In the context of individuals contributing teaching and revelation to the gathering, Paul commands that women may not speak
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In modern culture, these commands raise concerns
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Is Paul saying that a woman with a speaking gift can never use it?
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Was he a misogynist? No
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First, let’s not divorce Paul’s words from the context of this chapter
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Paul didn’t insert these words out of thin air
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He’s in the middle of a line of thought, teaching on how to ensure a respectful, edifying gathering
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Secondly, Paul has just been addressing the use of speaking gifts
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All speaking gifts work to edify in a similar manner
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They teach spiritual truths, whether by revelation, or correction or teaching
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So it’s in that context that Paul asks that women refrain from contributing to the teaching, because women teaching men is contrary to respect
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Elsewhere Paul writes:
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1Tim. 2:11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
1Tim. 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
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Paul equates a woman teaching a man with a woman having authority over a man
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Anyone who teaches someone else becomes an authority over that person
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And in the proper order of the family and church body, the Lord has appointed men to lead
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Therefore, Paul instructs women not to take a teaching role in a gathering that includes men, because they assume a position of authority over the men when they teach
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Notice in 1 Corinthians 14:34 Paul says that they should remember that they are to submit to male authority
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We discussed headship earlier in this book, so I won’t repeat the lesson here
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Except to reiterate that this order is God’s design and not one we’re free to rethink or change in response to culture
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On the other hand, Paul is not prohibiting a woman from using her speaking gift
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He only asked that it not be used in the context of the main gathering because it challenges male authority
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Instead, women with teaching or other speaking gifts can exercise their gift through their husbands or fathers in the gathering
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And they can use them when teaching children or other women
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If that sounds unfair or limiting, remember that in most churches the women and children constitute the majority of the church body
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We all have plenty of opportunity to edify with our speaking gifts, whether men or women
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In fact, we can have women speaking during the gathering in a non-teaching role
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Women could perform scripture readings without commentary, sing worship songs, give mission updates, announcements, and offer prayers
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These speaking roles don’t suggest authority over others
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But teaching is reserved for times and places where women aren’t taking positions of authority over men
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Just in case any husbands are feeling smug at this point, you should notice that Paul called us out also in v.35
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Paul said that since the wives are called to respect our authority, we in turn need to be ready to answer their questions
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In other words, men are expected to be the teachers in their homes
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Husbands, if you desire a godly wife who respects your authority, then you had better give her something to respect
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We need to know our Bible, for that’s our obligation
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Certainly, wives are called to know their Bibles just as much as the husbands
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But if your wife knows more than you, then you have a problem
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You need to race ahead, so that as she has questions about scripture during the gathering, she can seek your counsel confident that you’ll have something helpful to say
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Ladies, if you know the Bible better than your husband, don’t slow down…keep the pedal to the metal
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And challenge your husband to catch up and pass you as you both pursue Christ through His word
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When everyone is doing their part in the assembly with respect and according to the word of God, then the gathering functions in a beautiful, balanced way
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We have latitude but don’t have a right to work outside the guidelines of scripture
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We have an obligation to serve others in Christ, in love and with a desire to edify
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This is Paul’s summary
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1Cor. 14:36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
1Cor. 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
1Cor. 14:38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
1Cor. 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
1Cor. 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
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Paul asks sarcastically if the Corinthian church was the author of God’s word?
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Or perhaps this church is the only place on earth that knows what God has said?
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Paul’s pointing out that they don’t have a corner on the truth
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That God’s instructions came to them no different than any other place
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So Corinth didn’t have the right to make up their own rules for the gathering and claim they were operating under instructions from God
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God didn’t tell Corinth something different than He told everyone else in His word
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Our brothers and sisters who repeat the Corinthian mistakes in tongues or women teaching men or other guidelines are working against the word of God
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They can’t claim to be enlightened or to have new revelation
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They can’t claim to have a greater portion of the Holy Spirit
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Or to be more sensitive to His leading
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Just as Paul says, if anyone thinks he is more spiritual than others, then let him show that spiritual maturity by greater obedience to God’s word – not less
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And God’s word has spoken on the proper use of the gifts in the body
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If a brother or sister fails to acknowledge that Paul’s teaching is a command from the Lord, then we aren’t to recognize them
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We are to separate from them for our own good and as discipline to them
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Meanwhile Paul finishes saying, desire the greatest gift of prophecy over the rest but don’t despise lessor gifts like tongues
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Each has its place in the body when used respectfully and in love
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All things we do should be done properly
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Everything must be orderly, in control
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And with a potential to edify believers
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As we operate under these constraints, we please the Lord
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And we serve Him as He called us
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To the glory of His name before the nations
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