Greetings Everyone
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he writes, “But all things should be done decently and in order.” (14:40) This follows a long laundry list starting several chapters earlier about what was going wrong in the church. We actually think there were other letters to this church written earlier but only two were thought of as authoritative and included in the cannon of Scripture. So, what was going wrong, or out of order? We read that there were issues of sexual immorality, legal battles between believers, haughty attitudes stemming from spiritual gifts, sectarian attitudes like elevating one teacher over or against another, getting drunk off the communion wine, excluding former prostitutes who being redeemed from the local sex slave industry, and, on and on, and on. Then, in chapter 14, we see basic instructions on how to worship, because that was apparently an issue to argue about as well! It was almost enough to throw your hands up and say why would I want to be part of this community anyway! I want to encourage you with a few general insights:
1. Paul does not disengage but rather engages. He is writing to the people to give thanks to God who was given to them in Christ Jesus. (1:4) God’s church is made up of people who are in Christ, and it is these people who are bound together by the Spirit to love in unity. (1:10) Engaging with people in love and addressing issues is the gospel working itself out. Throughout the history of time, the local expression of God’s church has always had to work the gospel out. Every pastoral epistle is written as a letter to a community, in which God’s love is in process. In our independent culture we might want to worship Jesus on our own, or in anonymity. There are churches in the Flathead valley in which you can do this, but I don’t believe that is what the New Testament has in mind when it comes to the vision of a church. Engaging with people in love is messy, risky, and hard. It always has been, but our love for God and others is perfected when we engage in contrast to disengagement. You as an individual contribute to the whole, and the whole is not the same without you and your specific gifts. (12:12-19)
2. Paul instructs us that love is engaging. I have been to so many weddings where 1 Corinthians 13 is read, as if it is a romantic instruction manual for individual couples. Rather, Paul’s instruction on how to love one another is written in the context of a church with many people learning to love one another with brotherly love. Paul writes, “Love is patient and kind…it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth…Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (13:4-7) So love does not run away from truth, but rather uses it to offer us hope, endurance, and joy. The truth is that we are expected to meet with one another and worship. The author of Hebrews was facing the same problem in the congregation they wrote to, “do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Also, the Bible is our instructive manual on how we are to meet when we gather. This is what theologians call the “regulative principle” in worship.
3. While the letter to Corinthians does not contain all of how we are to worship when we gather, it does contain some important lessons, particularly in chapter 14. If I were to summarize it would be something like this. First, worship in a way that builds up in the church. The issue the church in Corinth was dealing with was who was able to speak in the most eloquent ways. Paul wants whomever is preaching or teaching or communicating, to do so for the building up of the community, not one’s own ego. Secondly, he instructs that things should be done that make sense in ways that make sense. If someone has something to communicate, take turns and speak plainly. In seminary my teachers asked me to write with perspicuity, meaning clearly and simply. This all involves orderly speech and decency speech. Now each church has to work this out in its culture, but that is our aim. Third, remember that outsiders should be able to tell that the people in the church love each other. There must have been an issue between a group of women because Paul addresses them specifically. At times certain people get mentioned by Paul, other times men, women, children, employers, employees, elders, deacons, no one is exempt. Paul instructs this group to table the discussion if it’s being had in a unloving way. Wait till you can examine your own hearts, less it turn into a shouting match, which apparently they had!
All these instructions are very practical but Paul lived, like you and I, in the real world. Our church should strive to do things in decency and in order, we follow Roberts Rules of oder as our expression of that. But make no mistake, the process involves more than just rules of order, it involves relationships and love. You can have all the rules of order but if you do not have love, you are a nuisance to God. When we meet, let us rejoice in God’s love for us so that we may love each other well. I hope you seek to obey our Lord in gathering together on His day, Sunday, and offering your life as a sacrifice in worship to Him by loving those who are also gathered around you in church.
Pastor Ben Melli
Week At A Glance
Sunday, March 23rd
9:00 Adult Bible Study – Chapel
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
Monday, March 24th
5:30 p.m. Bell Choir Practice
Tuesday, March 25th
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast
Wednesday, March 26th
7:00 p.m. Choir
Thursday, March 27th
10:00 a.m. Bible Babe
Reminder: Member Vote
There will be a corporate member vote on changes to our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws March 23rd following the worship service.
Monthly Highlights From The Session
- Facility Updates – new doors are being stained and will be installed soon; a request to paint the inside of the elevator a lighter color is being addressed.
- A/V Help Needed on Sunday Mornings – Training and Service Hours provided
- Those who missed “The Chosen” Watch Party – Keenan will be organizing another opportunity. Details coming soon.
- It was voted to serve communion on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
