Building Program

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture Focus: So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12)

Devotional Thought: To the Corinthians, Paul insisted on orderly worship “so that the church may be built up,” (v5). It is beneficial to read this passage while considering that Paul was writing to this specific church to address their specific needs, but much of it can also be applied to our church and worship experience.

Though many churches today are not primarily focused on gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues or prophecy, throughout early church history these gifts were a major part of their worship. Paul could see some of the pitfalls to these methods, as it could lead to chaotic, disordered worship. It is clear that Paul considered these to be true gifts of the Spirit and does not discourage their use in worship, but rather warns of their abuse in corporate worship, in ways not contributing to the building up of the church as a whole.

In the same way, we should be thoughtful of our roles in our church families. Does your presence in your local church body build it up? Are you using your gifts to serve one another in love? Or are we church “consumers,” expecting the church to serve us? This has become more of the attitude in some churches, as more and more of the congregants expect the “paid professionals” to handle the needs that the church was meant to meet: whether that be evangelism, discipleship, teaching, or helping the needy. It was never the intention that the few should serve the rest, but rather that we should all be essential parts of the body of Christ, serving one another in love. Let us all take Paul’s advice to heart and “strive to excel in building up the church.” (v12).

Jenny

Prayer: Father, equip us for service to you and to your body. Make clear our gifts, given to us with the acceptance of your Spirit, that we can use them to build one another up, and to glorify you.

Psalm of the Day: 39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalms 107:39-43)