The Hour I First Believed - PART 96

In I Corinthians14:26 Paul outlines a pattern for orderly conduct that would serve as a guide for believers when they congregate. As a local Jesus people meeting, the presiding officer is God. The same God who is the Father of creation, the Son of redemption and now the indwelling Spirit. When God’s redeemed children gather together as one in unity of faith and Spirit, they are purposely expressing with singleness of heart an offering of sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. Thanking God their personal Saviour and Redeemer. God being none other than the Lord Jesus the Christ. 

Talk about participation. Well, the spiritual adrenaline in a Jesus meeting would be spiralling with enthusiasm. Akin to our first love as this chorus states ... "Take me back, Lord. Take me back, dear Lord to the place where I first received you. Take me back, oh Lord, to the place where I first believed!"

At Corinth then, the believers were going to let the world know that what they experienced was the real thing. It did not come from the dregs of the genie in the bottle. Neither did it come from weed or turning oneself into a pin cushion. No sir. This high on life is something that the world never gave, and the good news is that the world cannot take it away either.

In comparison, the magic carpet ride of previous days was not even on the scale of 1-10. Why? Because with Jesus, we are sitting in heavenly places. In a place where there are no hangovers. Instead, there is only joy unspeakable.  This is why some of us are so glad for the Holy Ghost gift of tongues. Because with tongues, our spirit can give thanks to God Almighty in a way that language and words cannot. Yes, even  sometimes with groaning that just could not be uttered.

At this point, making fixed rules as or a schedule for worship is difficult. For example, if one were to stringently impose a form, then at which point would stringent order surmount spiritually desired worship. This is a question that I'm sure the Apostles asked as well. So, what recourse is necessary for believers to follow? 

Well, first of all, Acts 20:28 shows Paul addressing the elders. He says:- take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you (the elders) as Overseers -- to feed the church of God, the same church or body of Christ that He purchased with His own blood.

 Now, with elders acting as Overseers -- appointed by the Holy Ghost -- they as overseers must instruct Christian believers that God is not the author of confusion. Rather, God is the author of peace. The Holy Ghost being the Author that defined the conduct for all the assemblies of Jesus people. How do we know this? In Acts 1:2, Jesus through the Holy Ghost commands the apostles whom He had chosen.

Therein, we also see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost and appointed gift administrations, operations and ministries are recognized as being the desired effectual worship. Within this gathering, each believer adorns themselves with the garment of praise, being clothed in His righteousness. Note here that the assembling together of the saints is not about seeking preeminence in the congregation but rather, that each member of the body of Christ can seek the edification of all members by allowing the prompting of the Holy Ghost to lead.

For it is written in the scriptures that Spirit of Jesus the Christ (the man) in the midst of His own Body (church) sings praises to the Spirit of God. It is the indwelling of His holy Spirit, which is the well of living water within us that enables and causes the believers to worship and adore Jesus.

It is Jesus who the scriptures state must have the preeminence in all things. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)

Hopefully; now we are ready to lift our voice with one accord, saying, "Lord you are God alone, the God which has made the heavens and the earth, and all that is contained within. We praise you Lord for your goodness and grace."

And then, stand in the offering plate while the Lord make each and every one of us into a new creation. Be blessed!