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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.

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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.

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Episode Notes:

Scripture Focus: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…” (1 Cor 13:1)

Overview: Today, we explore the contrast between spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit. Paul’s words cut through eloquence, prophecy, and sacrifice to reveal the one thing that gives all things meaning: love. Not sentimentality, but divine agape—self-giving, enduring, and transformative.

Key Themes:

• The emptiness of giftedness without love
• Love as the interpretive key to all Christian action
• The tension between visibility and substance in spiritual life

Reflection Prompt: What gifts or actions in your life might be “noisy gongs” without love? How might divine love reshape your motivations?

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

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Welcome

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we're diving back into our series on 1 Corinthians, picking up where we left off in Chapter 12.

Paul's letter to the Corinthian church is more than just a theological discussion; it's a practical guide for how believers should function as a unified body. The Corinthians were struggling with the use of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of tongues, and Paul's response gives us a foundational understanding of the church, unity, and the diverse roles we all play.

Today, we'll explore Paul's powerful metaphor of the church as a human body. We'll see how unity and diversity aren't opposites, but are designed by God to work together. We'll also tackle some big questions, including what the Bible says about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and whether all believers should speak in tongues.

Join us as we uncover the value of every member of Christ's body and celebrating the unique, God-given variety that makes the church alive and whole.

Episode Notes

This episode covers 1 Corinthians 12:1-10 and explores the core teachings on the body of Christ and spiritual gifts.

Key Takeaways:

• The Church as a Body:
• Unity and Diversity:
• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
• Seeking Spiritual Gifts:
• Tongues in Context:
• Love as the "Most Excellent Way":

Discussion Questions:

1. How has the metaphor of the church as a body changed your perspective on your own role within your faith community?
2. Paul argues that every part of the body is necessary, even those that seem weaker or less visible. Can you identify an example of a "hidden" role in your church that is vital but often goes unnoticed?
3. Paul ranks certain gifts as "greater" because they build up the church more effectively. What do you think are the most important gifts needed in the church today, and why?

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.
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Welcome:

Today, we begin a new section in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians—one that has stirred conversation, confusion, and often controversy in the church: Spiritual gifts. But Paul’s goal here isn’t confusion. It’s clarity, unity, and edification.

In these opening verses of chapter 12, Paul reminds us that every spiritual gift—no matter how ordinary or extraordinary—comes from the same Spirit, serves the same Lord, and works toward the same goal: the building up of the body of Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered about your spiritual gifts or how to use them in your church community, this episode is for you.

Episode Notes:

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

Summary:
Paul opens his teaching on spiritual gifts by grounding everything in the work of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not marks of superiority but expressions of God’s grace for the good of the church. In this episode, we explore:

• Why Paul says, “I do not want you to be uninformed”
• How the Holy Spirit is the source of all true Christian gifts
• The diversity of gifts—and the unity of their purpose
• What it means to “manifest the Spirit for the common good”

Key Verses:

Takeaway:

The Holy Spirit is not just present in the spectacular but active in every gift that builds up the church. You don’t need to chase after someone else’s gift—you’ve been given one (or more) for a purpose. So ask the Spirit to show you how to serve. Remember: unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means every member matters, every gift counts, and every act of service reveals the grace of God in our midst.

Support the show

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

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Welcome back to The Bible Project Daily Podcast.

Today we’re exploring one of the most sobering of teachings found in the New Testament—Paul’s shocking warning about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11.

You may have heard these verses read many times during Communion, but Paul didn’t write them for tradition—he wrote them in response to a crisis. A broken church had turned the Lord’s Table into a place of division and pride.

Paul’s words remind us that this simple act—bread and wine—is a proclamation of the Gospel. And how we come to the Table either honours or denies what Jesus has done.

So let’s slow down, open our hearts, and remember: this Table is holy ground.

Episode Notes:

Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

Summary:
Paul confronts the Corinthians over how they were treating the Lord’s Supper—and his warning is both intense and deeply pastoral. In this episode, we unpack:

• Why their gatherings were doing “more harm than good”
• How selfishness at the Table contradicted the Gospel
• What it means to eat and drink “in an unworthy manner”
• Why self-examination, humility, and unity are vital at Communion
• How this sacred meal continues to shape our faith and our fellowship

Key Verses:

Takeaway:
The Lord’s Table isn’t just a symbol—it’s a proclamation of Christ’s death, a call to unity, and a moment to realign our hearts. This passage reminds us: the Table is for sinners, not the perfect, but not for the careless. So come. Examine yourself. Remember Jesus. Honour His people. And keep proclaiming His death—until He comes.

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

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Welcome:

A simple question about head coverings leads Paul into one a tricky passage on worship, creation, and God’s design for men and women. In this episode of The Bible Project Daily Podcast, we tackle a challenging and often misunderstood text and discover why this chapter isn’t ultimately about fabric or fashion, but about reflecting the order and glory of God when we gather to worship.

Episode Notes:

Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:2–16

Summary:
The Corinthian church asked Paul a question that feels distant to many of us: should women wear head coverings in worship? Paul’s answer goes deeper than cultural custom and points us to:

• The divine principle of headship rooted in the Trinity.
• How creation itself reflects God’s design for men and women.
• Why submission is not about value, but about order and glory.
• What it means to honour God’s created order in public worship.
• How even small outward signs can point to cosmic realities.

Key Verses:

Takeaway:
This passage isn’t really about hats—it’s about the heart. Worship is meant to reflect God’s design, the beauty of male and female interdependence, and the headship of Christ over His Church. Whether we wear a covering or not, the question is the same: Does my posture, inside and out, declare that Jesus is Lord?

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