Order in Worship
Notes
Transcript
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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. 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. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
In first century churches, there would be what is called an “Open platform” or pulpit.
What would happen is that their would be a leader of the service, but the pulpit/platform would be “open” for those that wanted to speak
In Jewish synagogues this time would often happen at the end of the reading of the law giving opportunity for expounding upon the law that was read
This worship service where anyone was able to speak from a leadership role was both a privilege and problematic.
The Corinthians developed problems in their worship service
People were speaking many languages - some apparently even at the same time
Others were shouting down others with whom they disagreed with
Some didn’t want to listen and would take up an inappropriate amount of time leaving others with no chance to speak
The Order Commanded
The Order Commanded
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
The first thing Paul states is the spirit of those desiring to participate
Edify! Build and strengthen each other
Why did Paul state this - because people were getting up and putting others down
Singing - Wow! That was bad. I didn’t like that song.
Tell what the Lord taught me this week - God didn’t teach you that!
Someone interprets a message - That was a really bad interpretation.
This church was carnal and believers were fighting for the limelight and wanted recognition for their gifts
Order regarding tongues (languages)
1 Cor 14:27-28
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Is there an interpreter?
No, keep silence and enjoy the service knowing God understands
If there is, can that person interpret into the understanding of the congregation?
Japanese - English
If not, is there another interpreter that needs to translate into a language that the interpreter can understand
Japanese - Polish - English
Order regarding prophesying (preaching)
1 Cor 14:29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Preaching
No more than 2 or 3 preachers
The HS knows that people grow weary and doesn’t want the services to become burdensome
Bring a possible temptation to stay away
Cautious
All teaching is to be confirmed by the Word of God
Acts 17:10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Accept teaching that isn’t grounded in the context of the Word of God or in the Spirit of God to edify
Courteous
1 Cor 14:30
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
One preacher should not take up all the time, so the next preacher has no time to speak
Revival meetings - 2 speakers - remember how they would be kind and gentle with each other’s time
That is biblical and right
Growing together
1 Cor 14:31
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
No one knows everything and we are to learn and grow together
Comfort - parakaleo - para-kah-lee-o - to call aside or appeal to - to be exhorted v. — to be or become earnestly supported or encouraged for a response or action.
Variety of speakers would more likely touch a greater assortment of listeners as some just resonate with certain speakers
Co-labouring spirit
1 Cor 14:32-33
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Paul reminds that the spirits of the preachers ought to compliment each other - this is an indicator that the Holy Spirit is working
Revival meetings - Bob Jones & Gary Mann - Last year virtually - variety of speakers that seamlessly complimented and fit together
God is not the author of confusion -
Missions Conference - preached on missions giving - a man who was going to plant a church tore me apart like the Bible truths taught were heretical and completely contrary to the Gospel
Church - good message - at the end the pastor started convulsing and people ran to catch him as he looked to pass out in front of the church
Suddenly people started flocking to the front of the church falling down - slain in the Spirit
Order regarding women
1 Cor 14:34-35
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. 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.
Paul taught earlier in chapter 11 how women can have a part in the service under the authority of the men, with their long hair indicating a submissiveness, to the God created authority in the home as seen in Genesis 1 & 2
As we look at the context of speaking in different languages, interpreting, and preaching it is about the giving of the Word of God to edify and build God’s people in the worship service of the local church
Learn the truth of Scripture
The HS tells us the authority to preach the Word of God in a church is a role given to men
If a woman doesn’t understand the truth, she is never to interrupt or speak out in the service, but rather allow her husband to lovingly help her see the truth
The setting here is a public setting while the service is being conducted
During a fellowship time before or after a service, certainly a single woman can ask questions or a wife under the authority of her husband
Holly and I sitting with a pastor and his wife after a service, and we begin talking about the message he’s preached and she asks questions or observations
Nothing wrong with this
Some take this very hard and mean spirited - enter a service no woman can speak - what about 1 Cor 11 when Paul tells the woman how to speak in the church?
Context and a heart that is centred on the Gospel is important when we look at Scripture
The Order Received
The Order Received
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
Paul knew that this would be received with a protests of God-ordained instructions
Arrogance, pride, and conceit would be the battle ground here
The Corinthians were not the ones that originated with the truth - It came to them by Paul under the inspiration of the Spirit of God
There was and is no monopoly on the Word of God
They were not the only ones with the Word of God and that’s why Paul addressed the letter in:
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
The spiritual response:
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.
A spiritual man sees these commands as Holy Ghost inspired, divinely revealed, and God breathed edicts for them and us today.
These are just as much a part of Scripture as the 10 commandments
A true prophet, a spiritual man sees the truth, accepts it, and implements these truths
He sees these truths as not open for debate or public opinion
The carnal response:
But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
A false prophet or carnal man begins to quarrel or quibble about these truths
Paul says this man is ignorant:
to disregard v. — to refuse to acknowledge.
To know but chose to ignore
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
There is not much that can be done about willful ignorance
“Open mind” - Solomon - open minded about having so many wives
An “open mind” is ultimately stating that I am “closed” to the truth of what Scripture says
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
Paul says to desire to prophesy (preach) the truth of Scripture
If God is trying to get the Gospel to someone else in another language - don’t stop it!
If we apply this today, as long as it is done decently and in order, why would you stop someone from communicating truth when done correctly?
Japanese person wants the Gospel, I can interpret, why would I not give them the Gospel in their language?
The worship service should be done decently and in order
Decent - decorously adv. — in a manner characterized by propriety in manners and conduct.
Order - good order n. — a condition of regular or proper (sequential) arrangement.