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24th September 2024
TuesdayReflection
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'The Renners'
building the Kingdom of God
"Doing Things Decently and in
Order"
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"Let all things be done decently and in order."
.....1 Corinthians 14:40
How does God want us to worship Him?
This is a question that has been asked by different denominations throughout the centuries.
In the church I grew up in, I remember what we thought of any church that had "wild" church services.
We deemed those people "incorrect" because their services weren't conducted "decently and in order" - at least not according to our perspective.
But over the years, I have come to learn that "decently and in order" can mean different things to different people.
What is acceptable to one group may be outrageous and offensive to another group.
What is deemed holy, sweet, and touching by one group might be viewed as dead and dull to another.
Everyone has his or her own opinions about what is appropriate or inappropriate in worship.
So who is right and who is wrong?
Is there only one correct form of worship?
Could there possibly be room for a variety of different expressions of worship in the Kingdom of God?
And are we ready to honestly ask ourselves,
Are my opinions about worship influenced only by the Bible, or am I also influenced by my culture and upbringing?
What are the guidelines set forth in Scripture?
You may personally believe that praise and worship with instruments, clapping, dancing, and all kinds of celebration is the right approach to worship.
Or you may be a person who loves a quieter, more structured form of worship with hymns and organ music.
Either way, you may have a host of scriptures to back up your conviction and support your view of what worship ought to be.
However, the New Testament basically gives us only one rule to follow in regard to this question of what is acceptable and appropriate in worship.
That rule is found in First Corinthians 14:40, where the apostle Paul tells us,
"Let all things be done
decently and in order."
The word "decently" is only found two other times in the New Testament -
in Romans 13:13 and in First Thessalonians 4:12.
In both of these places, it is translated to do something honestly or to walk honestly.
It carries the notion of something that is done properly as opposed to improperly.
It has to do with intent and motivation more than outward action, although such a good intention always results in right actions.
The word "order" carries the idea of something done in a fitting way or something done according to order.
The Jewish historian Josephus used the word when he recorded the orderly way in which the Roman army erected their camps.
Josephus also uses the word to describe the way the Essene Jews were respectful of others.
These Jews would wait until others were finished speaking before they'd take their turn and speak out.
First Corinthians 14:40 could be translated:
"Let everything be done in a fitting and proper manner that is organized, well-planned, respectful, well-mannered, and polite."
This throws open the door to all kinds of worship!
When we plan corporate worship, it should be well thought out and organized.
Additionally, our time of worship together should be well-mannered, respectful, and polite.
A group of believers can be bold, loud, and well-mannered all at the same time.
They can also be soft and quiet while at the same time rude and offensive.
The style, use of instruments, and volume level are not the biggest questions in God's mind.
The big question in His mind is this: What is their intent and motivation?
If the group's intent and motivation is correct, their worship will be accompanied by an attitude that reflects the character of Jesus Christ.
So don't get upset if others worship a little differently from how you are accustomed to worshiping.
Jesus is listening to their hearts.
He is watching to see how much energy and forethought they put into the plan before they enter into His Presence.
Their form of worship may be different than yours, but if they are worshiping God from a pure heart and with their entire being, you can rest assured that their worship is acceptable to Him!
The truth is, God is more interested in the condition of your heart than the style of worship you use in the format of your church service.
So instead of focusing on who has the best form of worship, concentrate on whether YOU have an open, pure heart before God!
><(((°>
'Renners'
Rick and Denise met when they were each on an individual quest to wholeheartedly follow God's plan for their lives.
Rick and Denise's friendship has led to a lifelong love and a powerful partnership in building the Kingdom of God.
After a decade of ministry, first as pastors and then as itinerant ministers, Rick and Denise Renner embarked on an adventure of a lifetime.
In January 1992, the Renners and their sons -left behind all they knew in the United States to relocate their family to Latvia
to serve the region that only weeks earlier had become the former Soviet Union.
OUR VISION is to take the Gospel both to our nearby world and to the ends of the earth, proclaiming Christ, and warning and teaching every man with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person fully mature in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:28
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