MONDAY, 27 MAY 2024
TEXT:
I CORINTHIANS 14:26-40
26:
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of
you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.
Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
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 to 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 Lord’s people.
34:
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but
must be in submission, as the law says.
35:
If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at
home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36:
Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has
reached?
37:
If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them
acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
38:
But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
39:
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid
speaking in tongues.
40:
But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
(New International Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
PROPRIETY IN WORSHIP
At
the time this passage was written, the church was generally still developing
its leadership structure and order of worship.
Paul's
emphasis here is that worship must be orderly and aimed at adding spiritual
value to the listener. He called attention to the truth that "God is not a
God of disorder but of peace" (verse 33a).
The
church in Corinth was witnessing terrible scenes where some worshippers were
introducing the pagan worship. Female prostitutes and priests were controlling
the worship and usurping the authority of the men.
Paul
alluded to God's natural order of roles in marriage where the husband is the
head of the woman. So he concluded that the men should take up their roles and
provide leadership not only at home but in public worship.
Today
our churches have leadership and worship structures. However, we face the
danger of becoming slaves to structure rather than to the God we seek to
worship.
Therefore,
we must approach worshipping God with reverent fear and respect as if we were
seeing Him physically.
QUESTION:
Do you feel that the atmosphere in your church truly honors and respects the
God being worshipped?
PRAYER:
Ask God to help you to truly worship Him at the church or family devotion and
at your own personal worship time.
Remain
Blessed
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