The Bible Project Daily Podcast Good Order in Our Church Services. (1 Cor 14: 24-40)
Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we’re stepping into the closing section of 1 Corinthians 14 to tackle a challenging but essential topic: order in the church. From ancient Corinth to our modern congregations, the same struggles show up — division, misuse of spiritual gifts, and confusion about worship.
We’ll unpack why God calls His people to worship in a way that builds up the whole body, explore what Paul means about tongues, prophecy, and even that controversial instruction about women in the assembly, and see how it all fits within the bigger picture of unity and love. This isn’t about personal preference — it’s about submitting to the wisdom of God’s Word and pursuing the kind of worship that truly honours Him.
📄 Episode Notes – “Good Order in Our Church Services” (1 Corinthians 14:24–40)
Main Idea:
Paul closes his teaching on spiritual gifts with a call to orderly, Christ-centred worship — where everything is done to edify the church and reflect the character of God.
Key Themes:
- Worship that builds up — Every contribution in the gathering should strengthen and encourage others.
- Guidelines for tongues — Limited speakers, one at a time, and only with interpretation.
- Guidelines for prophecy — Limited speakers, one at a time, with the congregation weighing what is said.
- Self-control in spiritual gifts — God does not cause disorder; the Spirit’s work is never chaotic.
- The role of women in the gathered assembly — Understanding Paul’s instruction within its historical and biblical context.
- God’s priority — Peace, clarity, and unity in His church.
Takeaway Truth:
All things in the church must be done for the edification of others. Order in worship isn’t about stifling the Spirit — it’s about creating an environment where God’s people can grow in grace, truth, and love together.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do my contributions in worship build up others or just express myself?
- How can I practice self-control in the exercise of my gifts?
- What does it mean for our church to reflect God’s character in how we worship?
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