1 Corinthians 14:26-33
I love potluck dinner! Everybody brings something and you never know
what you’re going to get but you know it is going to be good! There’s pasta
dishes, chili dishes, salad dishes, jello dishes. I am getting hungry! The neat
thing is I can try all these different foods and I didn’t even have to prepare
them first, they are just there, except maybe for the dish I brought. But Kathy
made that one.
The reason I am talking about this is because I noticed in this part of chapter 14 that the worship service in Corinth sounds a lot like a potluck of the heart. Paul says, “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or a word of interpretation.” Everybody has something to offer, some kind of message related to God’s Word and to the life they were living in Christ. It’s potluck worship. That is a spirit filled church. I wonder if modern congregations have lost something by having too much structure. What would it be like to participate in worship at a church service structured like the one in Corinth?
First of all I think the beginning of it would a lot like the beginning of ours. People are arriving over a period of time, but roughly within 15 minutes or so before a start time. During this time people are socializing and catching up, sharing news with other individuals and listening to stories.
Eventually, someone asks a blessing on the proceedings. That would probably the owner of the house where they were meeting since he would act as host. Then perhaps they eat first, sharing the food items various people have brought. It really was a potluck, except we know that at least until the congregation accepted Paul’s correction, it was pretty selfish and cliquish. The rich ate up everything they brought either before the poor could get there or else they just kept it all on their own table, ignoring the needy around them. But let’s assume they have fixed the problem and their pot luck looks a lot more like ours. All the different gifts brought are all laid out on one big table and everybody has a fair chance to get a fair share.
After the meal, or when most were done, the host would rise again and break bread passing it around the table to remember the Lord’s Supper. Then he would lift a cup of wine in the same way and speak of the Lord’s blood, much as we do. At least, that’s what Paul told them they should do. Probably before he corrected them it looked more like a wild party, because some got drunk on the wine.
Next we assume that the host would invite any special guests among them, a traveler, or an apostle or other special messenger of the church, to share whatever news he had brought from afar. For example, this would be the fitting time for the currier to read a letter Paul had written. Imagine the emotions churning around in that room the first time they heard Paul’s letter criticizing their bad behavior. I wonder if anybody picked up his plates and left in a huff, or if there was a quiet atmosphere of repentance.
Then after the letter was read or the speaker made his announcements, the host might turn and say, “Anybody else here have a word from the Lord, or a story about their life in Christ?” Someone might stand and say, “I wrote a new song. Mind if I sing it for you?” After that someone else might have a story about an encounter with a neighbor, to tell how the conversation went when the believer was sharing the gospel with his neighbor. Everyone would be eager to know if the neighbor received or rejected the gospel. Then someone would probably offer to pray accordingly, either giving thanks or interceding for the neighbor. Or if he had become a believer because of the faithful witness and he was there today to be introduced to the group as a new believer and first time visitor to the fellowship. Perhaps they would all soon go outside to baptize their new brother. They’d make that plan and see what else anybody had to share and they would spend some more time in prayer.
Throughout the whole time and with the different speakers there would be interaction. Interpreters would explain what the tongues message meant. Listeners would ask questions about details. Thinkers would ask questions about meaning. Discerners and prophets would challenge whether or not everything said was really from the Lord. If people brought concerns about the sick or the poor among them, plans would be made for visits and provisions based on what the Lord had provided.
I am not saying there was no sermon. Probably somebody would share a message based on the Old Testament prophecies that prove that Jesus is Messiah. Or they would review the Old Testament promises for the nation of Israel and think about what those might mean now that Gentiles are being included. But what I am saying is that there were a lot more people sharing whatever the Lord laid on their hearts, and a lot more interaction during their time together than what we typically see in a modern American worship service.
To me it sound exciting! I think they really enjoyed each other’s company, and there was lots of laughter mixed in with the serious thoughts. But I doubt they got that all done in an hour. What we do know from Paul’s writing is that he expected an orderly meeting in which people controlled themselves, acted politely and took turns. And from our reading today we also know there was some concern for people’s time because he limited it to two or three prophets should speak. But that could almost amount to two or three sermons!
Perhaps you have noticed that a couple of weeks ago I added for this line to the bulletin: The Sharing of God-Sightings. And I explain that I hope you all come to church with exciting news or some kind of report about the ways you have seen God at work in your lives. Right now that is a small window of opportunity in which you would have the chance to do as Paul says, have a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or a word of interpretation. I hope you all grow in your freedom to express praise and thanks to God, share your concerns for the neighbors you are trying to reach with the gospel and pray for one another. I would like to see us do more meals together and adding the Lord’s Supper in at the end of a good potluck could make a perfect spiritual dessert.
But I am not going to make any drastic changes like that without your input and excitement because I know that the kind of service I am talking about requires committed servants of the Lord to actually bring their lives into focus so they have something to share at the meetings. The kind of worship service I am talking about could not have very many passive observers who do nothing in their Christianity other than attend church once a week. This kind of spirit filled service needs genuine born again believers on fire for the Lord and actively ministering in their lives outside of Sunday morning who can’t wait to share what God is doing in their lives. And once that kind of Christian is allowed to bring their stories and concerns to the worship service, we’ll have Potluck Worship of the heart!
It would be the fulfillment of Eph. 4:15-16, “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
I think that’s the kind of worship service God would like to see more of. In Deuteronomy 16:16-17 we read, “No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” By that command, no believer is allowed to be a bench warmer, pew sitter, consumer or spectator. God expects everyone to be engaged in ministry. And since that’s how people connect with their God given gifts and divine purpose, through serving in the local church, I can’t imagine anyone who would not want to be engaged in ministry. It’s not that you have to serve God. It’s that you get to! God gives you the gift of a better life. God give you purpose. No one’s life is meaningless in Him. It’s a life worth being excited about, a life worth sharing.
God does that. He meets us where we are and offers forgiveness for our sins. Think of anyone on the Bible who had a face to face encounter with God and the first thing they do is fall down on their faces in holy fear of the God who knows their sins and can judge them for it. But the first thing God always says in those encounters is, “Fear not.” And he offers forgiveness. Think about that a moment. If you were to meet God right here, right now would you be fearful because of your many sins? Or have you already been touched by his grace? And when I say touched by His grace, I mean, even if you were a very well behaved person from your youth up and always attended church, there came a day when you were honest about your sins and shortcomings and realized that even the little sins you had committed are enough to assign you a place in hell. But then after that realization, with all the fear and dread of God that should come with it, you felt God near you to say, “Fear not. I forgive you. My son Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for you.” If you can hear that sentence of forgiveness through his mercy and grace and it fills you with awe and wonder at the love of God, then you have been touched by His grace.
But if that’s not a big deal to you, then that explains why you’re not very excited about what God has given you the chance to do for him. Because also in the Bible, in every case that God shows up to meet a person face to face. He sets them right with him, and then he asks them to do something for Him. Even Jesus, to everyone he forgives, he also says, “Follow me.” And “Take up your cross.” But for the genuine believer this is not a burden. It is a joy!
If you think God is not using you and you have nothing to share, then maybe you need to spend time with God and ask why. You and God need to have a conversation and find out why.
Let us pray. Lord, you have called us into community, but many parts are broken. You have called us to share with one another, but we hold back. Some of us are afraid. Some of us are broken. Some of us are willfully holding back. You know each of our reasons and excuses. Lord, we need You help to become whole, to become what You want us to be, a spirit filled community full of the joy that comes from you, which is our strength. Move in our hearts to make us want to be whole, not just as individuals, but as a community. Help us to build trust. Help us to want to give, to want to share, to want to become one in you as You prayed we would do before you were crucified. May we fulfill your prayer for us and become excited about what You are doing among us, for your glory. Amen.
The reason I am talking about this is because I noticed in this part of chapter 14 that the worship service in Corinth sounds a lot like a potluck of the heart. Paul says, “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or a word of interpretation.” Everybody has something to offer, some kind of message related to God’s Word and to the life they were living in Christ. It’s potluck worship. That is a spirit filled church. I wonder if modern congregations have lost something by having too much structure. What would it be like to participate in worship at a church service structured like the one in Corinth?
First of all I think the beginning of it would a lot like the beginning of ours. People are arriving over a period of time, but roughly within 15 minutes or so before a start time. During this time people are socializing and catching up, sharing news with other individuals and listening to stories.
Eventually, someone asks a blessing on the proceedings. That would probably the owner of the house where they were meeting since he would act as host. Then perhaps they eat first, sharing the food items various people have brought. It really was a potluck, except we know that at least until the congregation accepted Paul’s correction, it was pretty selfish and cliquish. The rich ate up everything they brought either before the poor could get there or else they just kept it all on their own table, ignoring the needy around them. But let’s assume they have fixed the problem and their pot luck looks a lot more like ours. All the different gifts brought are all laid out on one big table and everybody has a fair chance to get a fair share.
After the meal, or when most were done, the host would rise again and break bread passing it around the table to remember the Lord’s Supper. Then he would lift a cup of wine in the same way and speak of the Lord’s blood, much as we do. At least, that’s what Paul told them they should do. Probably before he corrected them it looked more like a wild party, because some got drunk on the wine.
Next we assume that the host would invite any special guests among them, a traveler, or an apostle or other special messenger of the church, to share whatever news he had brought from afar. For example, this would be the fitting time for the currier to read a letter Paul had written. Imagine the emotions churning around in that room the first time they heard Paul’s letter criticizing their bad behavior. I wonder if anybody picked up his plates and left in a huff, or if there was a quiet atmosphere of repentance.
Then after the letter was read or the speaker made his announcements, the host might turn and say, “Anybody else here have a word from the Lord, or a story about their life in Christ?” Someone might stand and say, “I wrote a new song. Mind if I sing it for you?” After that someone else might have a story about an encounter with a neighbor, to tell how the conversation went when the believer was sharing the gospel with his neighbor. Everyone would be eager to know if the neighbor received or rejected the gospel. Then someone would probably offer to pray accordingly, either giving thanks or interceding for the neighbor. Or if he had become a believer because of the faithful witness and he was there today to be introduced to the group as a new believer and first time visitor to the fellowship. Perhaps they would all soon go outside to baptize their new brother. They’d make that plan and see what else anybody had to share and they would spend some more time in prayer.
Throughout the whole time and with the different speakers there would be interaction. Interpreters would explain what the tongues message meant. Listeners would ask questions about details. Thinkers would ask questions about meaning. Discerners and prophets would challenge whether or not everything said was really from the Lord. If people brought concerns about the sick or the poor among them, plans would be made for visits and provisions based on what the Lord had provided.
I am not saying there was no sermon. Probably somebody would share a message based on the Old Testament prophecies that prove that Jesus is Messiah. Or they would review the Old Testament promises for the nation of Israel and think about what those might mean now that Gentiles are being included. But what I am saying is that there were a lot more people sharing whatever the Lord laid on their hearts, and a lot more interaction during their time together than what we typically see in a modern American worship service.
To me it sound exciting! I think they really enjoyed each other’s company, and there was lots of laughter mixed in with the serious thoughts. But I doubt they got that all done in an hour. What we do know from Paul’s writing is that he expected an orderly meeting in which people controlled themselves, acted politely and took turns. And from our reading today we also know there was some concern for people’s time because he limited it to two or three prophets should speak. But that could almost amount to two or three sermons!
Perhaps you have noticed that a couple of weeks ago I added for this line to the bulletin: The Sharing of God-Sightings. And I explain that I hope you all come to church with exciting news or some kind of report about the ways you have seen God at work in your lives. Right now that is a small window of opportunity in which you would have the chance to do as Paul says, have a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or a word of interpretation. I hope you all grow in your freedom to express praise and thanks to God, share your concerns for the neighbors you are trying to reach with the gospel and pray for one another. I would like to see us do more meals together and adding the Lord’s Supper in at the end of a good potluck could make a perfect spiritual dessert.
But I am not going to make any drastic changes like that without your input and excitement because I know that the kind of service I am talking about requires committed servants of the Lord to actually bring their lives into focus so they have something to share at the meetings. The kind of worship service I am talking about could not have very many passive observers who do nothing in their Christianity other than attend church once a week. This kind of spirit filled service needs genuine born again believers on fire for the Lord and actively ministering in their lives outside of Sunday morning who can’t wait to share what God is doing in their lives. And once that kind of Christian is allowed to bring their stories and concerns to the worship service, we’ll have Potluck Worship of the heart!
It would be the fulfillment of Eph. 4:15-16, “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
I think that’s the kind of worship service God would like to see more of. In Deuteronomy 16:16-17 we read, “No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” By that command, no believer is allowed to be a bench warmer, pew sitter, consumer or spectator. God expects everyone to be engaged in ministry. And since that’s how people connect with their God given gifts and divine purpose, through serving in the local church, I can’t imagine anyone who would not want to be engaged in ministry. It’s not that you have to serve God. It’s that you get to! God gives you the gift of a better life. God give you purpose. No one’s life is meaningless in Him. It’s a life worth being excited about, a life worth sharing.
God does that. He meets us where we are and offers forgiveness for our sins. Think of anyone on the Bible who had a face to face encounter with God and the first thing they do is fall down on their faces in holy fear of the God who knows their sins and can judge them for it. But the first thing God always says in those encounters is, “Fear not.” And he offers forgiveness. Think about that a moment. If you were to meet God right here, right now would you be fearful because of your many sins? Or have you already been touched by his grace? And when I say touched by His grace, I mean, even if you were a very well behaved person from your youth up and always attended church, there came a day when you were honest about your sins and shortcomings and realized that even the little sins you had committed are enough to assign you a place in hell. But then after that realization, with all the fear and dread of God that should come with it, you felt God near you to say, “Fear not. I forgive you. My son Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for you.” If you can hear that sentence of forgiveness through his mercy and grace and it fills you with awe and wonder at the love of God, then you have been touched by His grace.
But if that’s not a big deal to you, then that explains why you’re not very excited about what God has given you the chance to do for him. Because also in the Bible, in every case that God shows up to meet a person face to face. He sets them right with him, and then he asks them to do something for Him. Even Jesus, to everyone he forgives, he also says, “Follow me.” And “Take up your cross.” But for the genuine believer this is not a burden. It is a joy!
If you think God is not using you and you have nothing to share, then maybe you need to spend time with God and ask why. You and God need to have a conversation and find out why.
Let us pray. Lord, you have called us into community, but many parts are broken. You have called us to share with one another, but we hold back. Some of us are afraid. Some of us are broken. Some of us are willfully holding back. You know each of our reasons and excuses. Lord, we need You help to become whole, to become what You want us to be, a spirit filled community full of the joy that comes from you, which is our strength. Move in our hearts to make us want to be whole, not just as individuals, but as a community. Help us to build trust. Help us to want to give, to want to share, to want to become one in you as You prayed we would do before you were crucified. May we fulfill your prayer for us and become excited about what You are doing among us, for your glory. Amen.
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