Boundaries for Church Order

26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

1. The Boundary of Decency and Order

Decency: behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality

Order: the arrangement or disposition of people or things in relation to each other according to a particular sequence, pattern, or method.

Sub Point 1.1: The Purpose of Order

1 Corinthians 14:26 “26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.”

We are encouraged to do everything in a fitting and orderly way

The order in the church is not meant to restrict, but to allow for edification and mutual understanding.

Sub Point 1.2: Respect for Leadership

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 “12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Respecting church leadership is a fundamental part of maintaining order

Sub Point 1.3: The Role of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:5 “5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

1 Corinthians 12:7 “7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

NLT “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

Even in order, there is freedom through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2. Keeping the Boundary of Unity

Paul emphasizes unity in

1 Corinthians 1:10 “10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Sub Point 2.1: One Body, Many Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12–14 “12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

Unity doesn't mean uniformity

We have different gifts but serve the same purpose

Sub Point 2.2: Maintaining Unity

Ephesians 4:3 “3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

We must actively seek to maintain unity in the church

Sub Point 2.3: The Bond of Peace

Colossians 3:15 “15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Unity is held together by the bond of peace.

3. The Role of the Boundary of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 “1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Tells us that without love, our actions are meaningless

Sub Point 3.1: Love is Patient and Kind

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love should guide how we interact with one another in the church

Love is not dumb

Sub Point 3.2: The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:37–39 “37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Love for God and for each other is the greatest commandment

If you don’t know how to love God, you will not know how to love others

1 John 4:19 “19 We love because he first loved us.”

Sub Point 3.3: Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

1 Peter 4:8 “8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Love allows for forgiveness and healing within the church

4. The Boundary of Edifying the Church

1 Corinthians 14:26 tells us that everything should be done for the edification of the church

Edify: To instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift

Sub Point 4.1: Building Each Other Up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

We are called to encourage and build each other up

Sub Point 4.2: Using Gifts for Edification

Ephesians 4:11–13 “11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Our individual gifts should be used for the common good

Sub Point 3: Let your speech build others up

Ephesians 4:15 “15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Ephesians 4:29 “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”