March 13, 2014
(WHISTLE BLOWS) ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE, HUDDLE UP AND TAKE A KNEE . . .
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
Jeff Kramer
Central Truth
There is no "I" in "TEAM." Paul is wanting his "team," the church, to function in unity and to the glory of God. The challenge is for everyone to put the team goals over individual or selfish endeavors. As a result, they can all function as one unit to glorify God.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 14:33
But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign 1 14:22 Greek lacks a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Orderly Worship
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. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 14:20-40
A few years ago, I enrolled my 3-year-old son in soccer, and it was comical to watch. As soon as the whistle blew, every kid wanted to kick the ball, but no one wanted to pass or think of the team concept. The result looked much less like a soccer game and a lot more like a big clump of mess.
The same was true of the church in Paul's time. God was doing some amazing things; He was giving people the ability to speak in tongues and the church was exploding. Paul makes it clear, however, that the assembling of the church was not to benefit just a few, but everyone. Paul did not want the church to look like "a big clump of mess," but a place of order where all parts worked together to bring glory to God. Paul wanted the people of the church to think of what's best for "the team," instead of thinking of themselves. Paul had to "blow the whistle" on a few things in order to bring order back into the assembly.
I can surely identify with this. Sometimes, I bring my own selfish desires into the church assembly. I want it to cater to my level of comfort, my likes and dislikes, and my preferences instead of thinking of what's best for the church as a whole.
OK . . . now for the challenging text in verses 33b-35 about women. Paul -- no, you DIDN'T just say that! Uh, yes, he did . . . but why? Remembering the context of order, he is arguing for more order and less chaos. It seems he is speaking primarily to married women, specifically wanting them to submit to their husbands by keeping their questions to themselves until they get home. Since Paul just addressed "how" women should pray and prophesy in the church in chapter 11, this is not a universal command, but an attempt to bring more order and efficiency to the assembly. Remember, only the men were educated in Jewish law at that time, so a woman might have many questions concerning her experience during the church assembly.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways are you tempted to put your needs above the church's needs?
2. Are you fully deploying your individual gifts for the good of the church? If not, why not?
3. Since we "are" the church (the people, not the building), then in what ways are you ordering your individual life to bring God more glory?
4. As a member of "the church," what is one selfless thing you could do today to bring Him more glory?