Server Outage Notice: TheSeed.info is transfering to a new Server on Tuesday April 13th
| > Sermon Archive > Sermons by Author > Rev. Mark Chen > Decent and Orderly Worship in the Church | Previous Next Print |
| Order Of Worship (Liturgy) TH 44 - How Great Thou Art Psalter 213 - Lessons From the Past (Stanzas 1, 4, 11, 12, 15) Psalter 309 - Benediction Upon the God-Fearing TH 381 - Brethren, We Have Met to Worship |
Decent and Orderly Worship in the Church
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
When we come for public worship, we worship God. Psalm 100:1 commands us to shout to the LORD. And such worship affects us. When we know we’re the sheep of his pasture, we understand he loves and cares for us. The Word affects us. Last week, we saw in verse 25, that when a person receives the Word, he comes under conviction - “the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” Conviction comes by understanding. When Peter saw Christ and his power, he cried - “depart from me for I’m a sinner.” When Isaiah saw Christ in heaven, he said, “Woe is me!” Yes, the Word brings us low, but it lifts us up. When Elijah heard God’s still small voice, he was strengthened to return to the fight. When Miriam witnessed God’s power, she praised God. When Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus, he was struck to his heart. He had persecuted Christ and Christ’s people. But because Christ saved him, the chief of sinners, his whole life was spent serving his Savior. When we understand, we’re brought low in repentance, but we’re lifted up from sadness to an abundant victorious life. We’re broken first, and then bound up.
Unfortunately, many people desire immediate results. They want a feeling of euphoria after each message or song. They don’t want genuine Christian affections that come from deeply knowing God. This was the Corinthians. They were after immediate emotional gratification. We see this in their worship. Verse 23 says that by their manner of worship, others would conclude they were mad. The word “mad” in Greek is where we get the English word “mania.” Their worship was manic. And this is characteristic of pagan worship - like the Baal prophets who cried and cut themselves - instead of submitting to the gospel. But Christian worship is carried out decently and orderly, involving the mind; that from submission through an engaged mind, the heart and godly affections will follow. And Paul emphasized this in 2 points. Firstly, decent and orderly worship is edifying and peaceable. Secondly, decent and orderly worship is obedient and humble.
Firstly, decent and orderly worship is edifying and peaceable. In verse 40, Paul says - “Let all things be done decently and in order.” The Corinthians were anything but orderly. The men covered their heads in pride, their women uncovered theirs to proclaim their independence; they were using spiritual gifts to draw attention to themselves; and they made a mockery of the Lord’s Supper. So Paul had to conclude - let your worship be decent and orderly. When this is done, it results in godly convictions, verse 25. So emotions and orderliness are not enemies. To make this point we see Paul giving regulations for tongue speaking. Paul was concerned that the church would be built up in understanding. Various forms of the word “edification” are used in chapter 14. Verse 3 - edification. Verse 4 - edifieth the church. Verse 5 - the church may receive edifying. Verse 12 - to the edifying of the church. Verse 17 - the other is not edified. Verse 26 - let all things be done unto edifying. The word “edification” means to build up. And how we’re built up is by instruction. Ephesians 4:11-12 says that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers to perfect the saints, to do the work of the ministry, to edify the body of Christ. But the Corinthians had no order in their worship. People were speaking over one another at the same time. Verse 26 - “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.” No! Let all things be done unto edifying. And if they weren’t being edified, they weren’t being comforted or convicted. So he gives regulations for tongue speaking.
Verses 27-28 regulated tongue speaking to 2 or 3 people in church. And it should be by course, meaning taking turns, and having the tongues interpreted so all would understand, all would be edified. And if there was no interpreter, the tongue speaker should just pray silently. Now why? Also in verse 29, concerning prophets - there should also only be 2 or 3 who’d speak. Why 2 or 3 speakers? What’s the meaning? Remember, Scripture interprets Scripture. This wasn’t just some arbitrary regulation. Remember the significance of 2 or 3. And we know the verses. Matthew 18 speaks of 2 or 3 gathered together agreeing in judgment. Deuteronomy 19:15 - before a judgment is passed, 2 or 3 witnesses were needed. Also 1 Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28, Revelation 11 all speak of 2 or 3 witnesses to establish truth.
So the fact that there were to be 2 or 3 tongue speakers means that their agreement was important to establish God’s Word to the church, that in a multitude, every word of God would be confirmed. Christ has a word for his Church. And tongue speakers were not to compete and draw attention to themselves - but were to speak in turn, with an interpreter as the Lord moved. Why? So the church would hear God speaking his one Word through many speakers. There’d be agreement. Remember, at Pentecost, all the disciples spoke in tongues and the listeners heard them all speak about the wonderful work of God. One message. So with 2 or 3 speaking in agreement, the church knew what God’s Word was for them that Lord’s Day. You see, God’s a God of order - not chaos. He brought order to the void and chaotic waters at creation. Even when sin pushed chaos into the world, God put a plan in order to bring peace between God and man. So the Word is meant to bring order and peace.
Same with the regulations for prophecy. Verse 29 has an important phrase - let the prophets speak 2 or 3, and let the other judge. Remember 2 Peter 1:20-21? No prophecy is of any private interpretation, for prophecy came not by man’s will, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Spirit. How do we know if that prophecy is from God? If the other prophets were given it. In the presence of 2 or 3 witnesses, let everything be established, let the other prophets judge. And also to take turns prophesying, verse 30 - “if any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.” It pictures the prophets seated together. One would stand up and speak. And if another was moved, he’d stand up after the first had finished. He’d speak while the first would keep quiet. And when he spoke, the rest would evaluate. This was the regulation. Now certainly, all the Bereans searched the Scriptures, and in 1 John 4, the whole church must test the spirits. But the point here is this - the prophets were subject to one another, verse 31. No cowboys and Indians. It’s not the Wild West. So that’s why there’s order. Now, these prophecies weren’t prepared speeches but spontaneous revelations from God. And they needed order, a time to speak; a time to judge; and a time to be silent. And the word for “hold his peace” is important. The sense is not just to keep silent; it has to do with awe and respect. This word is also used in the Greek translation of Exodus 14:14 - where at the edge of the Red Sea, the people were fearful. The Red Sea was before them, and the Egyptians behind them. So Moses assured them - “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” The prophets themselves were to be eager to hear God reveal his Word to other prophets. They were to be silent and they were to evaluate. They must be peaceable - not to assert their own voice or opinion, but to let God speak. Why? Verse 33 - so the whole church would be edified; God’s not the author of confusion, but of peace. Imagine - if all the tongue speakers received the same message; all the prophets were preaching the same thing - building on one another’s revelation. What results? Edification and conviction. People will say - this is God’s Word! There will be awe, emotions, conviction, gratitude, falling down, comfort. Verse 31 - “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” Regulation leads to edification, which leads to deep conviction and comfort.
Folks, in our church, we’re so glad for the plurality of elders. Today, there are no more tongues or prophecies. But there’s the written Word, and pastor-teachers who teach that Word. But we’re still subject to one another. We have regular pulpit reviews. And according to our forms of ordination, the ruling elder is to watch over the doctrine and conduct of ministers - that the church be edified, that no strange doctrines are taught. They’re to ensure all things are done decently and in order - that no one should minister except those who are lawfully called. We’re subject to one another. Why? For your comfort. We prepare the Word so that through systematic teaching, you’re built up - so you’d find strength to resist the devil, be comforted and convicted, and have unspeakable joy even as you go through the most intense of trials. Through the Word, we show you Jesus, that in this chaotic world, you’d come to him and find rest, find order for your souls.
But some don’t want the Word - which can be tough - they only want platitudes to keep them happy. Or some don’t want to come to Christ in repentance, to find rest. They want happiness from the world; having eyes, they see not, and having ears, they hear not. Here, Paul gives very strong words. Secondly, decent and orderly worship is obedient and humble. Verse 33 (the last part) to 35 - “as in all churches of the saints, let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” These are stinging words - what do they really mean? Now to be clear, the Bible holds women in high regard. They’re equal in every way - while holding different roles. But here, Paul had to instruct the unruly women to be silent. Now, this verse has been taken to say that since women shouldn’t speak in church, there should be no women elders or pastors. Personally, I wouldn’t take this verse that way. There are already plenty of other verses restricting elders and pastor-teachers to men. Further, we know from Acts, that in those days, there were prophetesses, like Philip’s daughters. The Spirit fell on both men and women. Paul even gave regulations in chapter 11 for women to pray or prophesy in church. So clearly in those days, women prophesied, being subject to other prophets. To be clear, they weren’t pastor-teachers explaining the Word, but prophetesses revealing the Word. So the instruction here about being silent in church doesn’t prohibit women who prophesied. But it does relate back to chapter 11 - concerning the unduly attitude of some women.
They were being scrutinized because they were unruly and defiant. That’s the meaning here. In all other churches of the saints, the women understood that - to be in submission according to the law, verse 34, according to Genesis. This was Paul’s point in chapter 11 - women should submit because Adam was created first and Eve was his helper. God commanded Adam not to eat the fruit - but Satan subverted Adam by tempting Eve. So the problem in Corinth was an unruliness that showed itself in women uncovering their heads and also in their speech. Wow, what were they doing?The clue is in verse 35. These women were told to ask their husbands at home. Meaning, we infer therefore, these women were asking disruptive and challenging questions in church which affected church life and worship. Now, we aren’t afraid of difficult questions - but they were defiant. And by them so doing it was shameful. Remember, Paul was concerned about edification in church that all would be comforted by the Word. But if there was this element of disagreeableness, it brings disruption, disunity, dissent, and disaster into the church. It would bring no comfort to the people from God’s Word, only discomfort.
And this wasn’t just a woman thing. Don’t get me wrong. But Paul was addressing this situation of women specifically in the Corinthian church. And it wouldn’t be the first time in Biblical history. We know how Jezebel fanned the dissatisfaction of Ahab. We also know how the Greek speaking widows charged the church with discrimination. And that’s why we see so many qualifications of church officers’ wives in 1 Timothy 3 - “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” Why? Because Paul was very much aware of the trouble that comes about with a pushy pastor’s wife…or rather a pastor’s pushy wife. And so these regulations of silence were to impress obedience on those who were unruly and pushy. A disagreeable, domineering, dissatisfied, dissenting damsel is a great danger to the comfort of the church.
But not just the damsels. Paul’s fair. Paul anticipates the Corinthians opposing him. And he urged them all to humbly accept God’s regulations. In verses 36, he asked them - “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” The gospel didn’t originate with you. And are you the only ones to whom it was given? Why do you think you can judge so defiantly? Why do you think you can reject these words? No. These regulations, these words that have been given are in all the churches of the saints - not just 1 church, or 2 or 3 churches. And the Word is not just from 2 or 3 witnesses - which should be enough; but all prophets and apostles. The reason why they rejected it was because they rejected apostolic authority. But if they were truly spiritual, as prophets - then they’d acknowledge what the Word said, verse 37. The Word by 2 or 3 witnesses, the collective wisdom of the pastors and elders, Paul as an apostle, God’s spirit working through them - the church should receive humbly. Otherwise, there’s no order, there’s no edification, there’s no comfort. Paul was asking them to be on the same page as he was. He loved them. If they thought as he did, if they surrendered to the truth, however hard, they’d be convicted and find comfort from God. But failure to heed the Word would lead to no comfort. The ignorant will be ignorant, verse 38. The deluded will be deluded. But let everything be done decently and in order. When it is, when we hear the Word of God, and understand, and submit to it, we will bow our knees to God and he will lift us up.
Beloved, how can we apply this? Firstly, as we’ve already been saying - the Word must be received so we’re built up and deeply convicted. And we should have the highest confidence in the Word preached here. Yes, ministers labor to preach and apply it accurately. We’re not always adept. But the elders guard the pulpit. In the FRCA, our sister church, the practice is for the elders to walk in at the start of service, as a united witness, and invite the minister to the pulpit to preach with the right hand of fellowship. After the service, they receive him from the pulpit with the right hand of fellowship. This is symbolic to show the united stance of the elders of the church on the Word preached - that it is indeed God’s Word. Therefore, the congregation must receive it with gladness. Yes, we don’t have that symbolism here, but it’s the same. Our elders and pastors desire you to receive the Word that’s preached so you’d grow. Yes, not every word will immediately bring comfort. But the Spirit brings to your mind that which was preached. Some of you here are going through horrific trials. As elders, we want you to know Christ’s help and comfort. We plead with you to receive that Word and to look to our great Savior. That in your dark days, you may be reminded of Christ’s help and his eternal kingdom.
That’s why secondly, elders and pastors - let us labor always that the Word preached from this pulpit is God’s Word. Let’s aim for the preaching to minister to the hearts of the hearers. Let’s be convinced that if this is the Word of God, then our flock must align their hearts - not to our words - but to God’s Word. As under-shepherds, having the oversight, ruling decently and in order. We must never be afraid to require submission to it.
And thirdly, in line with what the Bible says here - not that I like to do this - but according to the clear thrust of this passage; we warn those who are defiant - not just the unruly women or pushy wives - but all who would push back against the Word. Why would you do that? This is not one preachers’ Word - but where two or three are agreed - it’s God’s Word. Some of you are tumbling headlong into a life of great treachery. You’re in relations you shouldn’t be in; bitterness that grips your soul; fears that paralyze you; anger that controls you; sadness that rules you; and lusts that demand of you. This is a life not lived decently and in order. But when you look to Christ who gives his Word through his teachers, and you surrender to him, then you’ll find rest for your souls. Let’s be on the same page with God’s Word.
1. Decent and Orderly Worship Is Edifying and Peaceable
A. Regulations for tongue speaking
B. Regulations for prophecy
2. Decent and Orderly Worship Is Obedient and Humble
A. The silence of unruly women
B. The humble acceptance of God’s regulations
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Mark Chen, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
(c) Copyright 2025, Rev. Mark Chen
Please direct any comments to the Webmaster
