1 Corinthians 14 -- Best Advice For Your Church?

Paul wants to point out what our church services are to be about and what shouldn’t be happening in them.  The Corinthians were shooting for the sensational and entertaining.  It was all about glitz, and Paul called them out on it.

Paul wasn’t saying that church had to be boring.  Nor was he saying that reverence and order should be the main rule.  Indeed, he even favored an open style of teaching and worship, almost tag-teaming as God spoke through different individuals.  But there was a common thread:  “ … speaking to people to give them strength, encouragement, and comfort.”  It also wasn’t only about “me”.  In fact, many times Paul urges that the ones who were only concerned with self should sit down.  He said, “The purpose of all these things should be to help the church grow strong. “  I think that could be a key factor in helping us make changes that will lead more nonbelievers to come to accept Christ, and  lead those who are already believers to take on responsibility for helping get God’s message out.

Father, move me over if I’m ever in the way of what You’re doing in our church.  Help me to understand that strengthening, encouraging, and comforting are a big part of what we’re to be doing, and don’t ever let my desires get in the way of that.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford