We have seen this week that our assemblies (the time God has commanded us to gather together to worship Him) are our greatest source of edification.  When we come together to sing, study, pray, observe the Lord’s Supper, and give back to God as He has prospered us, we are built up in the faith.  Never are we closer to God than when we worship Him with other Christians on the Lord’s Day.

For our assemblies to be edifying, however, we must make sure that we are conducting ourselves in a God-pleasing fashion.  It is possible to act in such a way during the worship services that they tear us down instead of building us up.  There are various ways for this to happen.  The saints at Corinth did this by turning the Lord’s Supper into a common meal.

1 Corinthians 11:20-22 (ESV)
²⁰  When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. ²¹  For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. ²²  What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

Can you imagine turning the observance of the Lord’s Supper into such a carnal act?  While some among them felt great about what they were doing, others were humiliated.  God is not glorified in such a service.

The saints at Corinth were doing something else that was ruining their worship services.  They were chaotically using their spiritual gifts.  For example, when it came to tongue-speaking, those who had that gift were all trying to use it at the same time, and doing so without anyone having the ability to interpret what they were saying.  To fix this problem, Paul gave them instructions to regulate the use of their gift of speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (ESV)
²⁷  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. ²⁸  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

They were using the gift of prophecy in the same manner; so, Paul gave them similar instructions for that as well (1 Corinthians 14:29-32).  The reason regulating the use of these gifts was so important was because the way they were conducting themselves was pure chaos, and, as Paul stated, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”  Paul concluded his instructions to this church with these words:

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)
⁴⁰  But all things should be done decently and in order.

While miraculous gifts have ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-13), we must still make application of Paul’s instruction to do all things decently and in order.  We should do our best to make sure that our worship services are peaceful and organized in such a way that everyone present can be edified.  If you are a brother who helps lead the congregation in worship, whether you are leading the church in prayer, leading the singing, or participating in some other public manner, make sure that you are prepared and ready to do your job to the best of your ability.

The Lord’s Supper should always be done in an orderly fashion with a quietness that enables saints to be focused on the remembrance of Christ.  The entire service should be done in reverence for God, knowing that our primary purpose when we come together is to serve and honor Him.  When we do things decently and in order, God is glorified and the church is edified, and any visitors that we have will see how important it is to us to worship God appropriately.  Let us all do our part to make sure that when we assemble ourselves together, it is a wonderful experience that benefits all who are present.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.