PROPER WORSHIP (PART 1)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

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. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:26-28

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

What should proper worship accomplish? How should it be carried out in accordance with the scriptures?

We find answers in today’s scripture passage which forms the foundation for the first of four messages on this matter. Let’s look at the guidance Paul gives the Corinthian church in his first letter as we continue to look at chapter 14:

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. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28

A lot of work goes into putting together worship in the church. In mine, we have worship leaders that share the word of God, pray, and use their musical talents to lead the congregation in song. The Pastor delivers a prepared message from the scriptures and seeks to instruct the congregation to better know the Lord and His expectations as to how they’re supposed to live life. All elements of the service are designed to honor and glorify the Lord, and to help make disciples as Jesus commanded.

Back in the early Christian church, we find Paul discussing some elements we’re familiar with and others we aren’t. Specifically in Corinth, we read where there were hymns sung as well as words of instruction presented. Additionally, there could be revelations shared or a message spoken in tongues with an associated interpretation. In regard to the latter, we see God’s word making it clear that there should be a limit to the number of people who speak in tongues, no more than three delivering messages one at a time. Note that these elements of the worship service were only to take place if someone was present who could interpret and if there was no one to do this, the person speaking in tongues was to remain silent and keep his speaking between himself and God.

No matter what elements were used in any one worship service, there was one key goal that had to be met in accordance with the guidance Paul was providing.

Everything, and that means all elements, had to be done in such a way that the church was built up. Other renderings of this verse from other Bible translations substitute the following in place of building the church up:

...everything that is done must strengthen all of you. NLT

Everything must be of help to the church. GNT

...when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. CEV

Proper worship, worship carried out in a way that God expects, helps and strengthens the congregation as everything is done for the good of everyone present.

That’s the summation of this first message. I hope you’ll come back to read part two tomorrow.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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