“Orderly Worship”

1 Corinthians 14:26-33

The title of these verses is and I believe in most of the buildings we call the church, and let me be repetitive the places we wrongly call the church, we have this thing of “Orderly Worship” down to fine-tuned program.  We have it so laid out that there is no room for the Holy Spirit to move and change our set program. 

With that said, it is all I’ve been exposed to in organized church, but I’ve been on retreats with up to 50 people and experienced the Holy Spirit taking charge, and the program going out the window, as we experienced God moving in the lives of each of us.  I must say, with a few exceptions, they have a lasting memory of God taking over a service.

Now the apostle Paul it seems is addressing a problem in the church when they came together and needed a set of rules so that an orderly worship could take place and seekers would experience the movement of God in the assembly of believers.

As one who has taught, this is a novel thought that they should come prepared for worship.  Beginning in verse 26, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”  Who is being built up, the one that comes prepared, but that is not the focus, the focus is on building up your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Paul tells them if someone is not there to interpret, keep your tongues to yourself and God. 

Paul goes on to state in verse 29-33, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”   

If we have two or three prophets speak, one or two things is going to happen, first, the order of worship goes out the window, and number two brings a lunch, it is going to last awhile.  Now on a serious note; do you give weight to what is being said, and are you letting the Scripture speak life into you.  I do believe God is about order, but we must make sure He has the freedom to change our order of worship, for if not, whom are we worshiping?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice