Lesson 15. The Gospel: the Message of the Spirit
Day 4
Local church gatherings are to be conducted in an orderly manner. Each believer is to use their gifts, but they are to do so in a way that evidences order and peace, "so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged" (1 Corinthians 14:31).
Please read our passage of study for today:
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. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
Question 1. According to 1 Corinthians 14, why is it essential for church services to be conducted in an orderly manner?
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"God is not a God of disorder, but of peace." He exhibited order in all of creation and peace in the gospel. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Colossians 1:19-20
Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus made peace with God for us and He brings the peace of God to us through His Holy Spirit. We evidence that we have peace with God by maintaining a healthy relationship with Him daily, and we demonstrate the peace of God as we interact with one another decently, doing all things in order.
Christian maturity comes as we align ourselves with God’s priorities; first experiencing peace with God through the death of Jesus, and then evidencing the peace of God as we interact with each other in our local church, doing all things decently and in order.
Paul’s priority is that “Everything must be done so that the church may be built up (1 Corinthians 14:26). Jesus died to build His church up, and as we live in Him and grow in Him it becomes our priority to build up the church as well.
Question 2. How does living and speaking the gospel of Jesus Christ build up the local church?
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