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Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we’re stepping into the closing section of 1 Corinthians 14 to tackle a challenging but essential topic: order in the church. From ancient Corinth to our modern congregations, the same struggles show up — division, misuse of spiritual gifts, and confusion about worship.

We’ll unpack why God calls His people to worship in a way that builds up the whole body, explore what Paul means about tongues, prophecy, and even that controversial instruction about women in the assembly, and see how it all fits within the bigger picture of unity and love. This isn’t about personal preference — it’s about submitting to the wisdom of God’s Word and pursuing the kind of worship that truly honours Him.

📄 Episode Notes – “Good Order in Our Church Services” (1 Corinthians 14:24–40)

Main Idea:
Paul closes his teaching on spiritual gifts with a call to orderly, Christ-centred worship — where everything is done to edify the church and reflect the character of God.

Key Themes:

• Worship that builds up — Every contribution in the gathering should strengthen and encourage others.
• Guidelines for tongues — Limited speakers, one at a time, and only with interpretation.
• Guidelines for prophecy — Limited speakers, one at a time, with the congregation weighing what is said.
• Self-control in spiritual gifts — God does not cause disorder; the Spirit’s work is never chaotic.
• The role of women in the gathered assembly — Understanding Paul’s instruction within its historical and biblical context.
• God’s priority — Peace, clarity, and unity in His church.

Takeaway Truth:
All things in the church must be done for the edification of others. Order in worship isn’t about stifling the Spirit — it’s about creating an environment where God’s people can grow in grace, truth, and love together.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do my contributions in worship build up others or just express myself?
2. How can I practice self-control in the exercise of my gifts?
3. What does it mean for our church to reflect God’s character in how we worship?

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Few topics in the church spark as much debate as the gifts of the Spirit, and particularly that of speaking in tongues. Is it a private prayer language? A sign of the Holy Spirit’s baptism? A tool for evangelism? Or something else entirely?

In this episode, I try and go beyond traditions and opinions to see what the Bible says. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 14 and the prophecy of Isaiah 28, we explore the original, God-given purpose of tongues — and why using them outside that purpose can confuse rather than build up.

We’ll see how Paul contrasts tongues with prophecy, why clarity matters in the gathered church, and how Spirit-led teaching can bring conviction, revelation, and worship. And along the way, we’ll discover that tongues aren’t about spiritual showmanship, but about God’s unstoppable desire to make His message heard — in every language, to every heart.

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:20–25

Main Takeaway: God’s gifts work best when they are used in God’s way — to build up the church and make His presence unmistakable.

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

Support me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a text

Episode Notes:
In this episode, we explore Paul’s teaching on how the gathered church should function when God’s people come together. Using 1 Corinthians 14:26–40 as our guide, we unpack why order in worship is not about stifling the Spirit but about making space for every believer to contribute in a way that builds up the body of Christ.

We look at:

• Why every gift matters when exercised in love.
• How order and clarity help everyone hear and understand God’s Word.
• Paul’s reminder that God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
• Practical steps for fostering unity, mutual respect, and Spirit-led participation in the local church.

This passage calls us to a worship that is Spirit-filled yet orderly — a space where truth is clear, love is evident, and Christ is glorified.

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

Support me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com