How can we ensure our church gatherings honor God, as 1 Corinthians 11:22 suggests? Setting the Scene: Paul’s Wake-Up Call “Do you not have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!” Paul’s sharp words expose a gathering that had drifted from Christ-centered fellowship to self-centered indulgence. His rebuke becomes a helpful mirror for us today. The Heart of the Problem • Selfishness at the Lord’s Table • Social divisions that shamed the poor • A casual attitude toward a holy gathering These issues dishonored God and distorted the gospel message embedded in the Lord’s Supper (vv. 23-26). Guiding Principles for Gatherings That Honor God • Christ Preeminent – Colossians 1:18: “so that in all things He may have the preeminence.” – Every element—music, teaching, fellowship—must point to Him. • Genuine Unity – Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – We gather as one body, not fragmented cliques. • Humble Love – Philippians 2:3-4: “in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” – No room for flaunting wealth or status. • Reverent Order – 1 Corinthians 14:40: “But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.” – Structure should promote edification, not confusion. Practical Steps to Implement 1. Examine Motives • Before each service, ask: Am I here to worship God or to please myself? • 1 Corinthians 11:28: “A man ought to examine himself…” 2. Level the Ground • Intentionally mix seating and small-group arrangements. • Romans 12:16: “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.” 3. Guard the Lord’s Supper • Teach its meaning regularly (vv. 23-26). • Provide adequate time for personal reflection and repentance. 4. Cultivate Hospitality • Acts 2:46-47: believers shared meals “with glad and sincere hearts.” • Shared meals should include everyone, not just friends or socioeconomic peers. 5. Showcase the Word • Read and expound Scripture prominently (1 Timothy 4:13). • Let God’s voice set the tone; everything else follows. 6. Encourage Mutual Ministry • 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” • Rotate visible roles; involve different ages and backgrounds. 7. Maintain Accountability • Designate mature leaders to address disruptions lovingly (Titus 2:15). • Regularly evaluate practices against Scripture, not traditions alone. Warning Signs to Watch • Cliques forming around music styles, ministries, or economic lines • Communion treated as routine or rushed • Entertainment valued over edification • Neglect of the needy among us (James 2:1-4) • Confusion or disorder that distracts from worship Blessings of a God-Honoring Gathering • The presence of the Lord sensed and celebrated (Matthew 18:20) • Unbelievers convicted and drawn to Christ (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) • Believers built up in faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) • A foretaste of the heavenly assembly where Christ is all in all (Revelation 7:9-10) Closing Challenge Let every choice—from seating charts to sermon texts—declare, “Jesus is Lord, and His people are one.” When Christ’s honor is our priority, our gatherings become a living testimony to the gospel we cherish. |
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