Paul exhorts the saints at Corinth
to be mindful of how they conduct themselves when they assemble
together. He reminds them that God is not the author of confusion.
When the saints are assembled together under the Spirit's leadership,
they will not go about it in a haphazard manner. In a quest
to produce this order in the flesh, men have invented liturgies
prescribed in prearranged orders of services and other measures
designed to suit their religious tastes. It is thought by many
that this will ensure order, when in reality all that it usually
does is cause men to confuse religious traditions with true
spiritual worship. This has led to the factionalizing
of God's people into this sect or that, primarily based upon
the notions and preferences of men, with little scriptural foundation. Yet each little sect is convinced
that they are the only ones who are operating in true biblical
order. There is an order which is found in all gatherings of
those who meet together in the power of His Spirit. It is the
only order which is of importance, and when it is found, one will
find men truly gathered in His name. This is the only order
which is directed by His Spirit. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit
of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall
not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He
speak, and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me,
for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you. All
things that the Father hath are mine. Therefore said I that he
shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. There is room
for only one name to be glorified in this order wrought by the
Spirit of God. If all things are done decently
and in order, then Christ and Christ alone must be magnified
in that assembly. This order is not concerned with
how many songs are sung or if any songs are sung, what the
tempo is, what the tune is, or how the music is produced. It
is not concerned with who speaks or what credentials he might
or might not have. It is not concerned with who
does what or when they do it. This order is concerned that
Christ be lifted up and men be humbled in the dust of adoring
wonder at his majesty and redemptive work. There is only one head
and one worthy of honor of any type when the Spirit leads men.
This order does not provide a place of display where men might perform
or demonstrate their skills and talents. There is no place to
be found for any who seek to have preeminence. This order
demands that he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
To seek or desire honor among the saints is to seek to rob
him who alone is worthy of all honor. Let nothing be done through
strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves. When things are done decently
and in order, then the truth of Christ will be declared by
that same Spirit which the Lord said would guide His people into
it. Preaching Christ is not the product of a man's education
or position, but rather a demonstration of the power of God, which cannot
be overturned. Men often confuse eloquence,
long-windedness, flights of fancy and interpretation, and certain
styles of delivery as being of the proper order of this preaching.
Yet the only order which the Spirit of God is the author of
is the declaration of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. By the same
token, men often confuse a man's calling or office among the saints
as being important in defining who it is that might preach.
Yet the Lord is pleased to use even the weakest of the saints
for the edification of the body, as it pleases Him. Some sects
believe that the high levels of formal education are needed
for those who would minister to the saints of God. Others
decry such education and even glory and having little of it.
The Spirit of God does not need the talents and education of
men any more than he promotes their ignorance or gives them
reason to glory and such. But speaking the truth and love
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ,
from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted
by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working
in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto
the edifying of itself in love. This is proper order among the
assembly of the saints. Proper order recognizes the headship
of Christ, which is demonstrated in His being both the author
and finisher of our faith. For it pleased the Father that
in Him should all fullness dwell, and having made peace through
the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto
Himself. By Him, I say, whether they be
things in earth or things in heaven. So to sum it all up,
proper order is demonstrated when Christ alone is glorified,
when the exploits, talents, and deeds of men are forgotten. It
is manifested when Christ and Him crucified is the sole message
declared from the lips of those who would claim to preach the
everlasting gospel. Sir, we would see Jesus. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.