Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
"If the whole church comes together..."
Text: 1 Corinthians 14: 23
REVIEW OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE
Worship was certainly one of the major activities of the Church. It was natural and right to gather for worship. But how should worship be conducted?
“Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place,
and all speak with tongues,
and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers,
will they not say that you are out of your mind?”
1 Corinthians 14:23
1. “If the whole church comes together in one place”
a) This would be for the purpose of worship.
b) The desire to worship God is a natural thing for all who know Him.
2. “And all speak with tongues”
a) Imagine many different languages being spoken during a worship service.
b) And there is no mention of anyone interpreting what was being uttered.
c) Paul allowed the image to set in without further comments.
3. “And there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers”
a) These could be people invited to Church.
b) But they come in as
i) Uninformed (they do not know what worship is all about).
ii) Unbelievers (they could be sceptically inclined).
4. “Will they not say that you are out of your mind?”
a) The reactions of the newcomers must be duly considered.
i) There will be no comprehension.
ii) There will certainly be no appreciation.
iii) There could be strong negative reaction.
iv) Paul noted one possible response in this text.
b) The lack of understanding of how to apply the gift of tongues was disturbing to Paul.
i) How could this kind of worship be even considered?
ii) There was a lack of spiritual maturity and perception in the planning of the worship service.
WHAT IS WORSHIP?
The basic tenets of what worship is all about seem to have been lost to the Corinthians. Their focus was to display their so-called gift of tongues! There was little regard for those who were newcomers, especially the unbelievers. The challenge to the church at Corinth was obvious! They could not carry on with such worship programs without further negative responses. The name of the Lord and the church would be at stake. A poor impression of the church would potentially damage the witness of the Church.