I Corinthians 14:40 - Forms and Their Communication

I Corinthians 14:40 - But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner. 

Message: Forms and Their Communication

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

This verse in 1 Corinthians that is today's focus is the last verse of the chapter and is the last verse after 5 paragraphs have been given in chapter 14 on the proper way we are to exercise our gifts in the church. And so it ends with the statement, "But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." 

In the devotional today from Tabletalk, they are emphasizing the heart devotion we are to have in worship, stating that what we do or are practices or what we keep are not as important as our devotion to the Lord, or the heart behind what we do. Therefore, some churches have moved away from the rituals of liturgies in favor of less elaborate church services. Yet, we should recognize that even in these forms there is still ritual. For instance, the Quakers (and I recall a Quaker church I attended in 1995 in Houston with Bruce) assemble in a circle and then agree to a system wherein everyone is quiet until "moved by the Spirit." So in any worship service there is a potential for going through the motions and our hearts not knowing what we are really doing. 

I like this verse -- I Corinthians 14:26 -- that begins a paragraph:

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. 

These verses remind me first that church is not optional, but it is an assumed practice that we have. But then as we come together, the goal is edification (the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually). The goal is moral improvement of man and so our services can include ritual practices in many different forms, but we need to remember that our hearts and minds are to be focused on the truth of God. We/I need to always stop and take a moment to get my heart right. Even as I study the Word of God, it is important to stop and take a moment to pray that the time in the Word studying is beneficial. If anything, we need to be extra sensitive always in making sure that our time in the Word is done with a correct heart focus. 

Summary: It is not the form of our worship that matters as much as the purpose for why we gather and assemble in our churches - to edify one another and be devoted to Him. 

Promise: All of our forms of worship communicate something. We need to be intentional always and as leaders think carefully about what we do in worship and how it is done. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for these lessons on worship and this one particularly which reminds me of the reason we come together in a church and that is to edify one another. Solo bible study is great, but assembling together is also needed. Lord, I pray that you would restore your church and you would make it a priority among Your people everywhere to continue to assemble together. Lord, help me to not ever be at a place where I think church attendance is optional. Keep me grounded always in your truth and the study of Your words. Thank you for the many different flavors of churches in our world today even those that are lead by leaders in our local congregations. Lord, again, may your name be praised and lifted up always. Help us all to congregate and assemble in a way that honors You and helps one another. We need each other. I need one another.