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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
1 Corinthians 14:29-33a
This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Proper worship is accomplished when all elements are carried out in a way that builds up, strengthens, helps, and works for the common good of all congregants.
That was the takeaway from yesterday’s first message in this four part series titled “Proper Worship”, a series drawn from the fourteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. As we look at today’s passage, we find the word of God providing us more insight into this matter. Look again at these words here:
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:29-33a
Here, we find the focus on people who are sharing God’s message with the church, those who were known as prophets. These chosen spokespersons played a very important role in the Bible when it came to the Lord communicating with His people.
As with those speaking in tongues, note the scriptures impose a limit to the number of prophets who should speak. Only “two or three” were to do so but note that someone sitting could quickly take precedence if they had a revelation to share. In situations like this, the person who was speaking was supposed to be quiet and defer to the person with the revelation to share. We read where these prophets had control over their spirits and therefore could start and stop prophesying as needed.
Ultimately, the prophets were to deliver their messaging so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. In other words, so that everyone attending church would be edified.
The other truth about proper worship shared in our verses today is centered on peace. When believers come together to honor and praise their God, they are to do so in a spirit of unity and reverence, one body worshiping one Lord with the same attitude of respect and admiration. When congregants do this, their focus is on their God and not themselves or any self generated displeasure with someone else in the body. Disorder is absent because it is not of God. Peace on the other hand is and therefore a peace-filled church is one who places their main emphasis and focus on the Prince of Peace.
Does this define your church?
Is it a body of worshippers who come together in the spirit of peace, focused on the God who provides it in abundance? Is an atmosphere created where anyone who receives a revelation from God can share it with His people?
My prayer is that you can answer “yes” to these questions. If not, then there’s work to be done and the good news is that the Lord is ready, willing, and able to help you become the body of believers that He wants you to be. Just surrender and submit to His will.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
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comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com
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