In I Cor. 14, Paul speaks of the assembly and what takes place. According to what we read, apparently the Corinthian brethren were out of control! While many were "glorying" in tongue speaking (which cannot be done today no matter what people try to teach), Paul had to point out that "tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers." (I Cor. 14:22) The point that is being drawn upon is what is the purpose of the assembly?
In the worship assembly, there are those who have gifts from the Lord, those who were ungifted and unbelievers (outsiders) in their midst (I Cor. 14:23-25). The purpose was not about the gifts and the commotion but the center of our worship! If there were unbelievers present, they should draw a conclusion from the assembly: GOD IS AMONG US! That's what the assembly is about. Too many are making the assembly worship about themselves! When the worship assembly points to individuals and their gifts, that is no longer worship of God. There are musical arrangements, soloists and all sorts of things that go on in many worship assemblies only to have the people break out in applause. To make it look "Godward", you hear the words, "Let's give God a hand!" followed by an "amen" or some sort of religious sounding word or saying. The point being made: God is not the center and is not getting the praise. The applause and adoration is for the "gifted one!" People just aren't honest in this.
Paul points out that the worship assembly is about God and God alone! Worship is to be God centered. Too many are making the worship assembly into a production and because we live in an entertainment society, it is acceptable and fits in the thinking of many to make it "enjoyable" as one would go to a theater or play. I know this might ruffle the feathers of some but we need to look closely at what Paul was teaching. The whole point of I Corinthians 14 is to teach that the knowledge we have of God is seen in our worship assembly!! These Corinthian brethren had to be corrected!
When an outsider visits our worship assembly, what do they see? Do they see the same thing that is in those assemblies of the world who do not hold to the truth and made their worship into what they want? Or do they see that God is certainly among us? The true worship assembly is completely 100% God centered and not orchestrated or proded by our ideas. Too many are trying to create an atmosphere rather than the heart offering up a sacrifice. True worship is about the heart seeking God, speaking to God, raising it's praise to God without man adding their own twists and turns! True God centered worship convicts and discloses the secrets of the heart of outsiders while it edifies those in Christ. The conclusion: "If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized." (I Cor. 14:37-38)
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