1 Corinthians 14:26-40

  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 recognised. 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.

What should worship in a church service look like? The Church – Wherever disciples of Jesus get together A Church Service – When the whole church come together (such as our Sunday Morning times of Worship) Inclusive worship: Several people (as they are gifted by God), will have input into the service Not everybody will take part in leading in the service The gifts that are useful in ‘building up’ the church are employed done decently and in order

Participant-led No set order No constraint Anyone can tell a story Anyone can bring a word from God No prepared message – just a discussion View this as “freedom” Leader-led Regimented Control Constraint Structure Order

What should worship in a church service look like? The Church – Wherever disciples of Jesus get together A Church Service – When the whole church come together (such as our Sunday Morning times of Worship) Inclusive worship: Several people (as they are gifted by God), will have input into the service Not everybody will take part in leading in the service The gifts that are useful in ‘building up’ the church are employed done decently and in order Let all things be done for building up: Let’s do, “Only what’s going to build the whole church up in its faith” It’s not about “Me getting my turn” – it’s about “Building up the Church” Some are gifted in music, but not all with lead a song Some are gifted in teaching, but not all will bring a lesson

1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Inclusive worship: Several people (as they are gifted by God), will have input into the service Not everybody will take part in leading in the service The gifts that are useful in ‘building up’ the church are employed done decently and in order Let all things be done for building up: Let’s do, “Only what’s going to build the whole church up in its faith” It’s not about “Me getting my turn” – it’s about “Building up the Church” Some are gifted in music, but not all will lead a song Some are gifted in teaching, but not all will bring a lesson Church leaders are responsible to ensure right teaching Some have gift of prophecy, but only 2 or 3 will prophesy & are tested Some have gift of languages, but not to share unless an interpreter present Being built up = Learning, Exhortation (urging on in the faith) Paul isn’t removing constraint from the Corinthians – he’s adding it The ‘sweet spot’ is the participation of appropriately gifted people, and everything done decently and in order

All things should be done decently and in order Let’s do, “Only what’s going to build the whole church up in its faith” It’s not about “Me getting my turn” – it’s about “Building up the Church” Paul isn’t removing constraint from the Corinthians – he’s adding it The ‘sweet spot’ is the participation of appropriately gifted people, and everything done decently and in order The generally accepted practice in all the churches, was that the women would keep silent. But they prayed in services. They prophesied in services. Not all speech in church was banned In their culture, most women were uneducated, and shameful for them to take leadership over men It would be dishonouring for a wife to publicly interrogate / judge her husband and his prophecy. If she has questions to ask, she can do it at home Love Limits Liberty – giving up my own rights for the sake of the other