Is God Really Among You?

Introduction

This is our last lesson in this series on worship. For Dwight and me it has been a completely different series. Our focus has really been on the heart and what we bring to this assembly rather than on focusing on the external things that we do. Types of songs may change; how sermons are presented fluctuates with generations, but each generation must know that it is the heart’s intent that matters when it comes to worship. Fads come and go; emphasis changes, but the heart is the measure of one’s relationship with God and one’s willingness to admit that God is deserving of all praise and honor.

There is little written about worship in the New Testament. Most of what is written is to correct a difficulty or problem which means that we do not have specific texts explaining to us how an assembly is to be conducted. But when one reads the Old Testament, we are struck with the intricate detail about the assembly. Explicit instructions were given for the tabernacle and temple worship. Obviously, it mattered to God how the assembly was conducted. And with such specific instructions, God still expected his people to come with hearts that were set on him rather than bored with sameness. Which suggests that boredom with an assembly must be a heart problem rather than a sameness problem.

We do have a lengthy text in 1 Corinthians 14 which speaks about the assembly. Again, it is here to correct a problem rather than to give specific instructions about how the assembly is to be conducted, but we are given insight into the first century assembly in Corinth. We will use this text today to make one significant point—God is to be among us so that even an outsider knows that God matters to us.

Problem

Among a variety of problems in the practice of the early disciples in Corinth, was an improper motivation. Some wanted to “show off” their spiritual gift so that others who didn’t possess such a gift would be impressed. Paul addresses this unloving spirit in chapters 12–14. The point is that spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of the whole body, not just the person who has the gift. To use one’s gift for personal gain is to be unloving. So in chapter 14, Paul addresses some specific problems which have arisen from the misuse of speaking in tongues, prophesying, and women expressing their new found freedom in the Lord.

We are going to concentrate on a section of chapter 14 which speaks about the use of speaking in tongues as opposed to prophesying. The ability to speak in tongues was the ability to speak in a language that had not been studied. The cosmopolitan nature of the world with various languages and dialects allowed this gift to be used effectively in creating interest in the message that was presented. In Acts 2, we have the apostles speaking in a variety of unstudied languages which convinces the audience that these men were speaking on God’s behalf. In 1 Corinthians 14, verses 9–11, Paul says the whole point of speaking in a tongue is to be intelligible to someone in the audience. The gift is of no benefit if no meaning is attached to the language. Thus, speaking syllables which are not understood is not edifying to the body.

Paul goes on to say that tongue speaking must be accompanied with an interpretation. In fact, without understanding, those in attendance cannot say “Amen” to the thanksgiving. This suggests that the assembly is to be intelligible and that those in attendance are to be able to vocalize their assent to what is said. When there are intelligible words and accompanying thanksgiving, then the body is edified. Paul goes on to explain that intelligible words are preferred over tongue speaking. After quoting Isaiah 28, Paul makes a statement which seems to contradict his previous statements.

In verse 22, Paul says that tongue speaking is for the unbeliever and prophecy is for the believer. However, in verses 23 and 24 he states the tongue speaking results in the unbeliever thinking that the assembly is filled with crazy people. The point is the unbeliever is separated from God in tongue speaking. Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever that they do not belong in the assembly. Paul does not endorse such an event. Instead, according to verses 24–26, it is the use of prophecy which will convince the unbeliever that he is a sinner in need of the good news. The unbeliever is to know that God’s presence is in the assembly.

This then leads Paul to give further instructions about the assembly in Corinth. Tongue speakers are limited to 2–3 as long as there is interpretation. If there is no interpreter then silence is the proper thing to do. Prophets are limited to 2–3 with an emphasis on weighing what is said for its truthfulness. Prophecy is to lead to instruction and encouragement. Finally, women are to be silent. If there are questions let them ask their husbands. It appears that the questioning was leading to disruption. Paul mentions that God is interested in order not disruption; thus, the tongue speakers, prophets, and women are to keep this principle in mind. Thus, Paul limits the number of participants while encouraging the assembly to remember God’s presence and mutual encouragement.

So What?

There are two principles to take from this lengthy section of chapter 14. First, the assembly is a time of encouragement. This encouragement is to come from the participants understanding what is taking place in the assembly. When there is confusion, encouragement doesn’t take place. Encouragement is not its own motivation. This encouragement comes when there is an emphasis on God’s work. Paul speaks in the context of confusion, selfish motivation, and lack of love. He is not emphasizing trying to bolster each other for its own sake, but to turn attention to that which exalts God’s work. If the assembly focuses on encouragement for its own sake, then that motivation may lead us to do that which pleases us rather than God.

Once the focus is on what pleases us rather than what pleases God, then the assembly’s focus is turned to preferences and confusion will reign. We are back to what motivates you in the assembly. Is the assembly about what you get out of it or what you give to it? Is the assembly about how you feel when you leave or recognition of who God is? Is the assembly about being impressed by the leaders or being transformed by God? Is the assembly about “what a great service” or “what a great God?”

This leads to the second principle. The assembly is a time to know the presence of God. Some understand that to mean an emotional response is needed to feel God’s presence. But Paul has something else in mind in verses 24–25. It is the gift of prophecy which brings such a response at least from the unbeliever. Prophecy was a time in which God revealed his truth to someone so that the prophet could explain and expound on God’s word. The prophet did not speak his own words, but God’s. The point was to convince the listener that God’s word was to be followed. While the speaker may speak passionately about God’s word, and the spoken word may bring an emotional response, the point of the prophet’s words were not to cause emotions but to bring faith in the God who had spoken.

Paul says that when the prophet speaks God’s word, the unbeliever’s response is to worship God. There is a recognition that one is greater than the listener. Our assembly is to provide an opportunity for us all to see the awesomeness of God. This means that we must come with a heart that is ready not just to hear God’s word, but a heart that is ready to worship. If our heart is not prepared, then we act in unloving ways by seeking our own recognition or seeking some spiritual jolt that will make us “feel” like we’ve been to church.

So what is motivation this morning? Did you come ready to worship God or did you come waiting to see what would be said? In Luke 4, Jesus goes into the synagogue and reads from Isaiah 61. His words are that the reading was fulfilled in their hearing. There was a negative emotional response. Why? Because the hearers had not come to hear God’s word. Although they heard it, their hearts were not prepared to change. How is your heart?

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