1 Corinthians (2013) - Lesson 14D

• There are probably as many ways to conduct a church service as there are churches

  • Styles vary from denomination to denomination

    • And even within a certain tradition, individual congregations will each have their own style

    • Musical styles, the order of events, the approach to teaching, the schedule for the Lord’s Supper

  • But despite all our differences, the Christian gathering has maintained a remarkable consistency over the centuries

    • We have songs of praise, whether with instruments or not

    • We have prayers, whether aloud or privately

    • We have the Lord’s supper, whether every week or occasionally

    • We have teaching, hopefully from the text of scripture

    • We have recitation of creeds, testimonies, personal confessions, announcements, collections for the saints, hails and farewells, and occasionally something out of the ordinary

  • This pattern is more than habit…it’s a fulfillment of the purpose of the gathering

    • We gather for the same reason a sports team practices together

    • We each have a role to play, but our role is meaningless apart from the rest of the team

    • We depend on the gathering for our chance to serve Christ by serving His people in our spiritual gift

• As Chapter 14 ends, Paul is ready to leave this church with a prescription for how everyone gets their chance to serve properly

  • Paul wants everyone to play their part, but he also wants every contribution to edify

    • Like a sports team, everyone has to participate in a coordinated, selfless manner ensuring the team is successful

    • Church is no place for prima donnas

    • The only One in the spotlight is Christ

    • We’re all supporting cast members, role players

  • So to end his discussion on spiritual gifts, Paul leaves correction and returns to teaching to explain how the church gathering should proceed

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.

• What is the outcome then, Paul asks?

  • Today, we would probably say something like, “So what?”

    • 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?

    • How does the body of Christ work together with a diversity of spiritual gifts to edify each other?

    • How do we juggle these priorities?

  • Paul answers his own question by instructing the church on how to conduct a church service properly

    • His solution is deceptively simple

    • It’s general enough to allow a wide variety of styles and traditions

    • But it ensures the service will serve its intended purpose of edifying believers and glorifying the Lord

• First, Paul says when you assemble…

  • Paul starts with a simple statement, but take note Paul never prescribes the frequency of assembly

    • Earlier when teaching on the Lord’s supper, Paul had said “as often as you gather”

    • In fact, no New Testament writer ever prescribes the frequency of the gathering of the body

    • Nevertheless, the expectation is that we gather regularly

    • The writer of Hebrews says:

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.

• While no specific frequency for our gathering is prescribed in the Bible, we are called to never forsake the assembling together

  • To forsake means to desert or give up on something

  • It doesn’t mean to miss church occasionally

  • It means to stop going to church services altogether

  • This is not an option for any Christian

• 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

  • Paul says each one has something

    • We shouldn’t pass by those simple words too quickly…each one

    • Not some, not a few, but each one

    • Everyone should come ready to offer something to the body of Christ

    • If you routinely come to church and leave having given nothing to the assembly, then you haven’t met the purpose in gathering

  • Can we go to our workplace and contribute nothing everyday? Can we attend school and accomplish nothing day after day?

    • Even if we assemble for an entertainment event like a concert or a sports game, we still contribute something

      • We contribute our money to fund the event

    • If we gather for a service project, we contribute our labor

    • If we gather at a wedding we bring gifts

    • If we gather at a funeral we bring words of encouragement

    • Virtually every gathering of people functions only because of the contributions of the individuals assembled

  • Church is no different

    • In fact it’s all the more the case

    • Since our gathering has no purpose apart from giving opportunity for us to use our spiritual gifts

    • Therefore, Paul says everyone is to bring something

  • Is that your mindset when you leave your home on Sunday mornings?

    • Do you get in your car for the drive to church with the mindset that you’re bringing something for someone else?

    • Are you thinking about who you want to pray for or pray with?

    • Do you consider who might need some encouraging words?

    • Do you have a testimony to share? A teaching to offer, whether to a child or adult?

    • Are you bringing an instrument to play, a card to give someone?

    • Are you bringing your checkbook or wallet?

    • All of these things and many more are the means by which we edify fellow believers

  • But we have to discipline ourselves to think this way about church

    • Otherwise we’ll miss the chance to play our part

    • And the gathering is diminished as a result

    • We have a diversity of gifts for a reason

    • So everyone is important

      • Don’t ever think your participation or attendance isn’t important to this gathering

      • It’s eternally important

• As Paul lists examples of different contributions, he includes a wide variety of gifts from across the spectrum of priorities

  • He says one comes with a psalm, another with a teaching, another with a revelation, one with a tongue and another with an interpretation

    • A psalm refers to a moment of praising the Lord in worship

      • Today, we’d say a song of praise

    • 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

    • A revelation refers to a statement of prophecy or offering someone a word of counsel under the guidance of the Spirit

    • A tongue and interpretation refers to the gift we studied earlier, speaking in a foreign language while another person interprets

  • Even though some of these gifts have a greater potential to edify than others, nothing is excluded from the gathering

    • Everything has a place and a reason to exist

    • So long as everything is done for the purpose of edifying the body, Paul says

    • That’s our ultimate test as we make decisions about what to include or exclude from the assembly

    • Can we allow drama skits? Solo musical performances? Movie excerpts? Original songs?

    • 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?

    • Does it edify the believer and testify to the glory of Christ?

    • These are the tests we should apply

• But they are not the only tests we must apply

  • There is another equally important test for what to include in the gathering and how to orchestrate everyone’s contribution

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.

• The additional test is respectfulness

  • Are we contributing our gifts in a respectful manner

    • Respectful to the purpose and value of our gifting

    • Respectful to the needs of others

    • Respectful to the purpose of the gathering

    • Respectful to Christ

  • 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

    • 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

    • Speaking in a foreign tongue no one understands should only be done in the gathering if someone is available to interpret

      • An interpretation could come from someone with a gift of tongues

      • Or it can come from someone who speaks the language naturally

    • But without an interpretation, the speaker should remain silent keeping the gift to himself out of respect for the gathering

  • 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

    • We limit tongues in the gathering out of respect for the limited edification afforded by this gift

    • As well because we need to leave room for others’ opportunity to contribute

    • Furthermore, tongues are to be used only one at a time

      • If two or more people are trying to speak over one another, then we are being disrespectful to one another

  • 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

    • As I’ve witnessed it, the room is filled with multiple people attempting to speak in something they think is tongues

    • There are far more than two or three allowed to speak

    • Everyone is speaking at the same time, so it’s a confused cacophony of useless noise

    • And of course, no one makes any effort to interpret

    • We need go no further than v.28 to see that such behavior is unbiblical

      • And if it is contrary to the word of God, than it cannot be the product of the Spirit

• But in case we think Paul is singling out tongues, he gives similar counsel for one of the most important spiritual gifts: prophecy

  • He says prophecy is also limited to 2 or 4 utterances in the gathering

    • And after each person speaks a prophecy, the rest of the gathering is to immediately pass judgment on what is said

    • Passing judgment means to discern whether the word was truly prompted by the Spirit

    • Paul holds prophecy to the same standard as any other gift

      • Is it done with respect to the gathering?

      • And in respect to its purpose?

  • In particular, Paul is concerned about any gift of utterance leading to chaos when used without the necessary respect

    • In the case of prophecy, Paul asks that if a revelation is given concerning someone who is seated, then a special test must follow

    • He’s talking about a situation where someone is standing and speaking to the congregation in some manner

    • 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

    • Paul says that the one who is standing should stop speaking long enough for the one seated to add his voice to the gathering

  • Paul’s point is that the movement of the Spirit must be respected by all

    • The Spirit may move in a way contrary to our order of service

    • When that happens, we make room for it, but only to the extent that we can discern it is from the Lord

    • The gathering isn’t a free-for-all, but it does need to remain flexible

• Paul gives the rule for how speaking gifts operate in the gathering in vs.31-33

  • Paul says that everyone can contribute to the edification of the body by speaking in turn

    • But the spirits of the prophets are always subject to the prophets

    • Paul means that we aren’t acting out of control

    • Prophets of the Old Testament weren’t robots who acted possessed and spoke without control over their bodies

  • On the contrary, these men were always in full control of their faculties

    • When they spoke, they spoke inspired words, but they never lost control over their mouths or bodies

    • Similarly, Paul reminds the church that just because you have a speaking gift doesn’t mean you’ve lost all self control

    • 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

  • The Spirit has never worked that way in past, and He’s not working that way now

    • 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

    • If we can’t control ourselves in this way, then we are not operating by the Spirit

      • We are indulging our flesh

      • Or worse, we’re under the influence of a false spirit

• 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

  • Because God is not a God of confusion

    • In other words, our God doesn’t produce confusing, nonsense displays

    • That’s not how He operates, for it does not glorify Him to do so

  • 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

    • For the Lord is not a God of confusion, so if confusion reigns in the gathering, then the Lord’s Spirit is absent

    • He’s been pushed to the side, and in His place the flesh has taken over

• 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.

• In the context of individuals contributing teaching and revelation to the gathering, Paul commands that women may not speak

  • In modern culture, these commands raise concerns

  • Is Paul saying that a woman with a speaking gift can never use it?

  • Was he a misogynist? No

  • First, let’s not divorce Paul’s words from the context of this chapter

    • Paul didn’t insert these words out of thin air

    • He’s in the middle of a line of thought, teaching on how to ensure a respectful, edifying gathering

  • Secondly, Paul has just been addressing the use of speaking gifts

    • All speaking gifts work to edify in a similar manner

    • They teach spiritual truths, whether by revelation, or correction or teaching

  • 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

    • Elsewhere Paul writes:

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.

• • Paul equates a woman teaching a man with a woman having authority over a man

    • Anyone who teaches someone else becomes an authority over that person

    • And in the proper order of the family and church body, the Lord has appointed men to lead

• 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

  • Notice in 1 Corinthians 14:34 Paul says that they should remember that they are to submit to male authority

    • We discussed headship earlier in this book, so I won’t repeat the lesson here

    • Except to reiterate that this order is God’s design and not one we’re free to rethink or change in response to culture

  • On the other hand, Paul is not prohibiting a woman from using her speaking gift

    • He only asked that it not be used in the context of the main gathering because it challenges male authority

    • Instead, women with teaching or other speaking gifts can exercise their gift through their husbands or fathers in the gathering

    • And they can use them when teaching children or other women

    • If that sounds unfair or limiting, remember that in most churches the women and children constitute the majority of the church body

  • We all have plenty of opportunity to edify with our speaking gifts, whether men or women

    • In fact, we can have women speaking during the gathering in a non-teaching role

    • Women could perform scripture readings without commentary, sing worship songs, give mission updates, announcements, and offer prayers

    • These speaking roles don’t suggest authority over others

    • But teaching is reserved for times and places where women aren’t taking positions of authority over men

• Just in case any husbands are feeling smug at this point, you should notice that Paul called us out also in v.35

  • Paul said that since the wives are called to respect our authority, we in turn need to be ready to answer their questions

    • In other words, men are expected to be the teachers in their homes

    • Husbands, if you desire a godly wife who respects your authority, then you had better give her something to respect

    • We need to know our Bible, for that’s our obligation

  • Certainly, wives are called to know their Bibles just as much as the husbands

    • But if your wife knows more than you, then you have a problem

    • 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

    • Ladies, if you know the Bible better than your husband, don’t slow down…keep the pedal to the metal

    • And challenge your husband to catch up and pass you as you both pursue Christ through His word

• 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

  • We have latitude but don’t have a right to work outside the guidelines of scripture

    • We have an obligation to serve others in Christ, in love and with a desire to edify

    • This is Paul’s summary

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.

• Paul asks sarcastically if the Corinthian church was the author of God’s word?

  • Or perhaps this church is the only place on earth that knows what God has said?

  • Paul’s pointing out that they don’t have a corner on the truth

  • That God’s instructions came to them no different than any other place

  • 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

  • God didn’t tell Corinth something different than He told everyone else in His word

  • 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

    • They can’t claim to be enlightened or to have new revelation

    • They can’t claim to have a greater portion of the Holy Spirit

    • Or to be more sensitive to His leading

  • 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

    • And God’s word has spoken on the proper use of the gifts in the body

    • 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

    • We are to separate from them for our own good and as discipline to them

• Meanwhile Paul finishes saying, desire the greatest gift of prophecy over the rest but don’t despise lessor gifts like tongues

  • Each has its place in the body when used respectfully and in love

    • All things we do should be done properly

    • Everything must be orderly, in control

    • And with a potential to edify believers

  • As we operate under these constraints, we please the Lord

    • And we serve Him as He called us

    • To the glory of His name before the nations